CHILD SAFEGUARDING POLICY

1. INTRODUCTION

REBEL YEAH! LTD (the 'Company') are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people (persons under 18 years of age) who participate in or are affected by our productions. This policy establishes our approach to child safeguarding for the production of "Hush Little One".

We recognise that the welfare of child contributors, actors, and any young people involved in our productions must take priority over any editorial or production requirement. This policy applies to all cast, crew, contractors, and volunteers working on Company productions.

2. SCOPE AND APPLICATION

This policy applies to:

• All productions undertaken by the Company

• Child actors and performers in any capacity

• Children and young people who contribute to productions in any way

• All cast, crew, contractors, and volunteers

• Pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution phases

• All locations, including studios, exterior locations, and remote filming

3. DEFINITIONS

Child/Young Person: Any person under the age of 18 years.

Safeguarding: A preventative approach to protecting children from harm, including abuse, neglect, exploitation, and exposure to inappropriate content or behaviour.

Duty of Care: The legal and moral obligation to ensure the physical and emotional welfare and dignity of children involved in productions.

Chaperone: A licensed individual responsible for the welfare and supervision of child performers during production activities, as required by local authority licensing regulations.

In Loco Parentis: A person acting in place of a parent with responsibility for a child.

4. KEY PRINCIPLES

The Company operates under the following fundamental principles:

4.1 Child Welfare is Paramount

The welfare of children and young people takes absolute priority over any production, editorial, or commercial requirement. If there is any conflict between production needs and child welfare, child welfare prevails without exception.

4.2 Zero Tolerance for Harm

The Company has zero tolerance for any form of abuse, exploitation, bullying, harassment, or inappropriate behaviour towards children and young people. Any such behaviour will result in immediate removal from the production and may result in legal action.

4.3 Prevention and Protection

We take a preventative approach by identifying potential risks early, implementing protective measures, and ensuring all personnel understand their responsibilities towards child safeguarding.

5. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1 Designated Safeguarding Officer

Name: Sean Scott Griffin (Producer)

Contact: sean@rebelyeah.co.uk / +44 (0)7891 481 081

The Designated Safeguarding Officer is responsible for:

• Overall implementation and monitoring of this policy

• Acting as the primary point of contact for all safeguarding concerns

• Ensuring all required licences, DBS checks, and chaperones are in place

• Coordinating with local authorities, commissioning bodies, and relevant agencies

• Responding to safeguarding incidents and concerns

• Maintaining records of all safeguarding matters

5.2 All Production Personnel

Every person working on Company productions has a responsibility to:

• Understand and comply with this policy

• Treat all children and young people with dignity and respect

• Report any safeguarding concerns immediately

• Follow the Code of Conduct when working with children

• Complete any required safeguarding training

6. RECRUITMENT AND VETTING

6.1 DBS Checks

All personnel who will have unsupervised contact with children must obtain an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check before commencing work. This includes:

• Directors and assistant directors

• Producers and production managers

• Costume, hair, makeup personnel who work directly with children

• Sound technicians who fit radio microphones

• Any other crew member with direct child contact

• Licensed chaperones (who must hold current chaperone licences)

DBS checks must be dated within the last three years. Copies of all DBS certificates will be retained securely by the Designated Safeguarding Officer.

6.2 References and Professional Background

The Company will obtain professional references for all key personnel working with children and will verify previous experience working with young people in production environments.

7. LICENSING AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE

7.1 Child Performance Licences

The Company will obtain all required child performance licences from the relevant local authority (Harrow Council or location-specific authority) for each child performer. Applications will be submitted with:

• Complete production details and filming schedule

• Risk assessments for all activities involving children

• Details of licensed chaperones

• Confirmation of educational arrangements (if filming during term time)

• This Child Safeguarding Policy

• Insurance certificates

7.2 Working Time Restrictions

The Company will strictly adhere to legal working time restrictions for children as specified in the Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 and any subsequent amendments:

• Children under 5: Maximum 2 hours per day

• Children 5-9: Maximum 5 hours per day (including education time)

• Children 10-13: Maximum 8 hours per day (including education time)

• Children 14-16: Maximum 10 hours per day (including education time)

• Young people 16-17: Maximum 10 hours per day

Regular breaks and rest periods will be provided in accordance with regulations and licence conditions. The chaperone will monitor and enforce these time restrictions.

7.3 Education Requirements

Where filming takes place during term time, the Company will ensure that appropriate educational provision is made in accordance with licence conditions. For Hush Little One, filming will be scheduled during school holidays wherever possible to minimise disruption to education.

8. INFORMED CONSENT

8.1 Parental/Guardian Consent

Before any child participates in a production, the Company will obtain fully informed written consent from a parent, legal guardian, or person acting in loco parentis. Consent documentation will include:

• Detailed description of the production and the child's role

• Nature of scenes the child will appear in (especially for horror/thriller content)

• Expected filming schedule and location details

• Risk assessment summary and mitigation measures

• Details of chaperone and supervision arrangements

• Information about potential consequences (including social media)

• Arrangements for breaks, catering, and welfare

• Use of the child's image and personal data

• Contact details for the Designated Safeguarding Officer

• Right to withdraw consent at any time

8.2 Child's Willingness to Participate

In addition to parental consent, the Company will establish the child's own willingness to participate. This will be done in an age-appropriate manner:

• Explain the project in language the child can understand

• Make clear that the child can decline to participate without consequence

• Watch for non-verbal signals that may indicate reluctance or discomfort

• Establish a system (such as a hand signal) for the child to indicate if they wish to stop

• Respect the child's wishes if they change their mind at any point

9. RISK ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING

9.1 Contributor Due Care Risk Assessment

Before filming begins, the Designated Safeguarding Officer will complete a comprehensive Contributor Due Care Risk Assessment for each child performer. This assessment will identify:

• Potential physical risks (location hazards, weather, stunts/action)

• Potential emotional/psychological risks (horror content, intense scenes, separation from parents)

• Any child-specific vulnerabilities (learning difficulties, health conditions, anxieties)

• Reputational risks (social media, bullying, future consequences of participation)

• Mitigation measures for all identified risks

• Contingency plans and emergency procedures

9.2 Location-Specific Risk Assessments

Separate risk assessments will be completed for each filming location in Ashford, addressing:

• Physical safety (terrain, water hazards, traffic, structures)

• Security and safeguarding (preventing unauthorised access to children)

• Weather contingencies

• Welfare facilities (private areas for children, toilet access, shelter)

• First aid and emergency access

9.3 Psychological Support

For Hush Little One, given the psychological horror themes, the Company will consult with a qualified child psychologist prior to production to assess the appropriateness of participation and establish support protocols. Post-production check-ins will be arranged if deemed necessary by the psychologist.

10. ON-SET PROTOCOLS

10.1 Supervision and Chaperoning

At all times during production:

• A licensed chaperone will be present whenever children are on set

• The chaperone will have responsibility for no more than 12 children (fewer if licence specifies)

• Parents/guardians are encouraged to be present and will be provided access to set

• Children will never be left alone with a single adult without the chaperone or parent present

• Changing and costume areas will provide appropriate privacy and supervision

10.2 Code of Conduct for Working with Children

All production personnel must adhere to the following code of conduct:

DO:

• Treat children with dignity and respect at all times

• Communicate clearly and honestly with children and parents

• Maintain professional boundaries

• Work in open environments where possible

• Seek permission before any physical contact (e.g., radio mic fitting, costume adjustments)

• Report any safeguarding concerns immediately

• Use Company contact details, not personal phone numbers

DO NOT:

• Spend time alone with a child away from others

• Enter changing areas where children are undressed

• Initiate physical contact with children

• Give personal contact details to children

• Contact children via personal social media

• Use inappropriate language, tell inappropriate jokes, or show inappropriate material

• Engage in or endorse bullying or harassment

• Pressure or coerce a child to do something they are uncomfortable with

• Consume alcohol or drugs in the presence of children

10.3 Physical Contact

Where physical contact is necessary (costume fitting, radio mic attachment, physical direction):

• Explain to the child what will happen and why it is necessary

• Seek permission from the child

• Ensure a chaperone or parent is present

• Keep doors open and remain within sight/hearing of others

• Keep contact age-appropriate and minimal

10.4 Welfare Facilities

The Company will provide:

• A private rest area for children separate from adult areas

• Age-appropriate catering and refreshments

• Adequate toilet and washing facilities with appropriate privacy

• Shelter from weather

• First aid kit and qualified first aider on site

11. PERSONAL DATA AND PRIVACY

The Company will handle children's personal data in accordance with GDPR and UK data protection legislation:

• Personal data will be collected only for legitimate production purposes

• Data will be stored securely and accessible only to authorised personnel

• Scripts and production documents containing children's names will be handled sensitively

• Decisions about identifying children in publicity materials will be made on a case-by-case basis with explicit parental consent

• Personal data will be retained only for as long as necessary and then securely disposed of

12. IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND CONSEQUENCES

The Company recognises that participation in productions can have lasting effects on children. We will consider:

12.1 Immediate Impact

• Emotional response to content and filming experience

• Physical fatigue and wellbeing during production

• Relationships with family and peers during filming period

12.2 Long-Term Impact

• Social media response and potential for bullying

• School environment reactions

• Permanent public availability of content online

• Psychological effects of performing disturbing content

Parents/guardians will be advised about potential social media impact and provided with guidance on managing this. The Company will offer to contact schools to explain the production context where appropriate.

13. REPORTING AND RESPONDING TO CONCERNS

13.1 What to Report

Any concern about a child's safety or wellbeing must be reported immediately, including:

• Suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation

• Inappropriate behaviour by any person towards a child

• A child appearing distressed, unwell, or uncomfortable

• Breaches of this policy

• Concerns raised by the child, parent, or chaperone

13.2 How to Report

Concerns must be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Officer.

Sean Scott Griffin

Email: sean@rebelyeah.co.uk

Mobile: +44 (0)7891 481 081

13.3 Immediate Danger

If a child is in immediate danger or requires medical attention, dial 999 for emergency services.

The Designated Safeguarding Officer must be informed as soon as possible following the emergency response.

13.4 Response Protocol

1. Upon receiving a safeguarding concern, the Designated Safeguarding Officer will:

2. Take the concern seriously and respond immediately

3. Ensure the child's immediate safety

4. Document the concern in writing with date, time, and factual details

5. Notify parents/guardians unless this would place the child at greater risk

6. Contact the relevant local authority children's services or police as appropriate

7. Notify the commissioning body (Screen Ashford) if relevant

8. Take immediate action to prevent further harm (which may include suspending or removing individuals from production)

9. Cooperate fully with any investigation by authorities

13.5 External Reporting

Anyone with safeguarding concerns can also report directly to:

• Local Authority Children's Services: Contact details for location-specific authority (e.g., Kent County Council Children's Services for Ashford locations)

• NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk

• Police: 101 (non-emergency) or 999 (emergency)

14. RECORD KEEPING

The Company will maintain secure records of:

• All child performance licences

• Parental consent forms with detailed information provision

• DBS certificates for relevant personnel

• Chaperone licences and allocation

• Risk assessments (general and location-specific)

• Daily logs of children's working hours

• Any safeguarding incidents or concerns

• Communications with parents/guardians regarding welfare matters

• Safeguarding training records

Records will be stored securely in accordance with GDPR and retained for the period required by law and relevant commissioning contracts.

15. AFTERCARE

The Company's duty of care extends beyond the completion of filming:

• A designated contact person (Designated Safeguarding Officer) will remain available to the child and family for a defined period post-production

• For sensitive content like Hush Little One, check-in calls will be arranged at appropriate intervals

• Parents/guardians will be notified prior to festival screenings or broadcast

• Advice will be provided on managing social media response and potential bullying

• If content evolves significantly during post-production, families will be updated

• Access to professional support will be facilitated if any negative consequences emerge

16. TRAINING

All personnel working directly with children will receive safeguarding training appropriate to their role:

• Induction briefing on this policy before production begins

• Code of Conduct training

• How to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns

• Role-specific training (e.g., directors on working with child actors, costume on appropriate physical contact)

17. INSURANCE

The Company maintains appropriate production insurance including public liability insurance, employer's liability insurance, and specific coverage for working with children as required by licensing authorities and commissioning bodies.

18. COMMISSIONING BODY OBLIGATIONS

For Hush Little One, the Company will fulfil all child protection obligations specified in the Screen Ashford Commissioning Agreement, including:

• Ensuring all appropriate clearances and certificates are in place

• Obtaining all required licences and permits

• Ensuring DBS checks are completed

• Providing safeguarding documentation to Screen Ashford upon request

• Notifying Screen Ashford immediately of any safeguarding incidents

19. POLICY REVIEW

This policy will be reviewed:

• Annually as a minimum

• Following any safeguarding incident

• Following changes to legislation or best practice guidance

• Before commencing any new production involving children