Second Star Youth Theatre is committed to providing a safe, supportive and respectful environment for all children and young people participating in our programs.

We recognise our responsibility to promote the safety, wellbeing and dignity of participants and to take reasonable steps to minimise risks of harm.

This policy outlines the procedures and expectations in place to support child safety within Second Star Youth Theatre programs.

 

1. Commitment to Child Safety

Second Star Youth Theatre is committed to creating an environment where children and young people feel safe, valued and respected.

We aim to:

• provide safe and inclusive program environments

• promote respectful and supportive relationships

• minimise risks of harm

• respond appropriately to safety concerns

• comply with relevant child safety and safeguarding obligations.

The wellbeing of participants is a priority in all activities.

Second Star Youth Theatre is committed to providing a culturally safe and respectful environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.

We recognise the importance of listening to and respecting the voices of children and young people. Participants are encouraged to speak up if they feel unsafe, uncomfortable or concerned about any situation. Concerns may be raised with members of the creative team or directly with the Director and will be taken seriously and handled respectfully.

 

2. Staff and Contractor Screening

All adults working directly with participants are required to hold a valid Blue Card (Queensland Working With Children Check).

Blue Cards are verified prior to participation in programs.

Individuals who do not hold a Blue Card may be present on site (for example technicians or venue staff), however they will not work directly with participants and will not be left alone with children.

 

3. Staff, Volunteers and Assistants

Second Star Youth Theatre programs may involve:

• contracted teaching artists or creative team members

• adult volunteers

• teenage assistants (paid or volunteer)

Adult volunteers working directly with participants must hold a valid Blue Card.

Teenage assistants may support program operations, however they are not placed in teaching, supervision, mentoring or care roles.

 

4. Supervision

Participants are supervised by members of the creative team throughout scheduled program activities.

Second Star Youth Theatre aims to avoid situations where a single adult is alone with a single participant wherever reasonably possible.

Parents/guardians remain responsible for:

• transporting participants to and from program venues

• ensuring appropriate supervision outside scheduled program hours.

 

5. Arrival, Departure and Breaks

Parents/guardians indicate during registration whether participants:

• may leave the venue during breaks

• may leave unsupervised at the end of the program day.

Where parental supervision is required for departure, staff will ensure a parent or authorised guardian is present before the participant leaves.

Participants who have permission to leave during breaks do so independently and are responsible for returning on time.

Second Star Youth Theatre is not responsible for participants while they are offsite during approved break periods.

 

6. Participant Pick-Up

Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring participants are collected promptly at the conclusion of program activities unless the participant has been authorised to leave independently.

Where a participant is required to be collected by a parent or authorised guardian, staff will remain with the participant for a reasonable period while attempts are made to contact the parent/guardian using the contact details provided.

If a participant cannot be safely collected and contact cannot be established, Second Star Youth Theatre may seek assistance from appropriate authorities to ensure the participant’s safety.

​

7. Communication with Participants

Official communication regarding programs is conducted via email with parents or guardians.

Parents/guardians may elect to include participants in communications by providing student contact details; however, official communication will always include a parent/guardian.

Second Star Youth Theatre maintains official social media accounts for marketing and information. These accounts are not used for formal program communication.

If participants attempt to communicate through social media regarding program matters, they will be redirected to communicate via their parent or guardian.

​

8. Behaviour Expectations and Bullying

Second Star Youth Theatre is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all participants.

Bullying, harassment or behaviour that causes harm or distress to others will not be tolerated.

Participants found engaging in bullying behaviour may face consequences including:

• verbal warnings

• discussion with parents/guardians

• removal from an activity

• dismissal from the program without refund.

Behaviour that places other participants at risk will result in immediate removal from the situation and parents/guardians will be contacted.

Participants are expected to contribute positively to a respectful and collaborative rehearsal environment.

​

9. Reporting Concerns

Second Star Youth Theatre takes all concerns relating to the safety or wellbeing of children seriously.

Participants, parents/guardians, staff or volunteers may report concerns regarding:

• unsafe behaviour

• bullying or harassment

• inappropriate conduct

• concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing.

Reports can be made directly to the Director of Second Star Youth Theatre.

Where a concern relates to the Director, participants or families may raise the matter with another member of the creative team or contact relevant authorities if necessary.

All concerns will be considered carefully and handled appropriately.

If a child discloses information suggesting they may be experiencing harm, or if staff have reasonable concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing, Second Star Youth Theatre may seek advice from or report the matter to appropriate authorities in accordance with duty of care and safeguarding obligations.

Where concerns arise regarding situations outside our programs (for example at school or within peer relationships), parents or guardians may be notified where appropriate and where doing so does not place the child at further risk.

 

10. Physical Contact

Second Star Youth Theatre aims to minimise physical contact between staff and participants wherever possible.

Where physical guidance is required for instruction (such as choreography adjustments or stage positioning), it must be appropriate, respectful and related to the activity.

Participants may also have physical contact with other performers as part of ensemble performance and staging.

Participants may request adjustments if they are uncomfortable with any physical interaction.

 

11. Changing Rooms and Backstage Areas

Performance venues may include communal changing spaces.

Participants are encouraged to wear appropriate base clothing (such as bike shorts, leotards, sports bras or singlets) beneath costumes.

Changing rooms are designated for performers only.

Members of the creative team will only enter changing rooms if:

• the door is already open, or

• they knock and receive a verbal response before entering.

Other adults (including technicians or front-of-house staff) are not permitted backstage while performers are changing.

Parents and guardians are not permitted backstage unless specifically requested by the creative team to assist with production requirements.

 

12. Photography and Media

Photography and video recording of participants is managed in accordance with the Second Star Youth Theatre Media & Photography Policy.

All media use must comply with the safeguards outlined in that policy.

 

13. Transport

Second Star Youth Theatre does not provide transport for participants.

Parents/guardians are responsible for transporting participants to and from venues.

In exceptional circumstances where transport may be required, written parental consent must be obtained in advance.

 

14. Off-Site Activities

Second Star Youth Theatre programs are conducted at designated rehearsal and performance venues.

Participants do not attend excursions or off-site activities as part of programs.

During scheduled breaks, participants who have parental permission may leave the venue independently for short periods (for example to obtain food nearby). These breaks are not supervised by staff. 

​

If a participant does not return at the expected time, staff may attempt to contact the participant and/or their parent or guardian using the contact details provided. Parents/guardians may be notified immediately.

If a participant cannot be located and there are concerns for their safety, Second Star Youth Theatre may contact appropriate authorities to assist in locating the participant.

 

15. Incident Management

Incidents involving participant safety, injury or behavioural concerns may be documented and recorded internally.

Where appropriate, parents/guardians will be informed and further action may be taken to support participant safety.

Where incidents involve concerns about child safety or wellbeing, further action may be taken in accordance with safeguarding obligations, including seeking advice from or reporting to relevant authorities.

 

16. Removal from Program

Second Star Youth Theatre reserves the right to remove a participant from an activity or program where behaviour:

• compromises the safety or wellbeing of others

• breaches program policies

• disrupts the safe operation of the program.

Parents/guardians will be notified where such action is required.

 

17. Policy Review

This policy may be reviewed and updated from time to time to ensure ongoing alignment with child safety obligations and best practice.