Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
Under 18’s attending performances and activities
Parents/carers are responsible for their children at all times when they attend an event.
Parents/carers must be fit to supervise and care for their children. Our Safeguarding Policy permits staff to challenge those who may be unfit at events and involve the Police if necessary.
Please remember that the venues are public spaces, where ticket holders and non ticket holders may be present.
At the majority of our events and activities under 14 year olds are not permitted to attend without an adult ticketholder. At the majority of our standing events, as an additional safety measure, under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult ticketholder in standing areas of the auditorium.
Some events carry an over 18’s only policy but all events due to end after 11pm will require that under 16’s be accompanied by an adult ticketholder.
Age restrictions may be discussed with the Ticket Office before or at the time of booking.
As an inclusive organisation, Brighton Dome welcomes audiences of all ages to our events, including circus, theatre etc. No one is restricted from buying tickets to child friendly performances.
Workshops for children
Children under the age of 14 may not be left without parental/carer supervision at workshops unless expressly permitted to when discussed at the time of booking. These occasions operate under additional safeguarding controls. Parents/carers are welcome to remain with or close by to their children at all workshops.
Selecting an appropriate performance for under 18s
Parents can receive guidance from the ticket office when purchasing a ticket. Some events will include a firm age restriction whilst others will give a recommendation. These recommendations/restrictions are based on the advice of the artists or their promoters and may relate to difficult content. Brighton Dome wishes to ensure that children are not subjected to content which is inappropriate to their age, however when responding to a recommendation, parents ultimately have responsibility for deciding whether to bring a child to the show. Please discuss content with the ticket office when you book.
If there are no recommendations given about the show, parents may like to look at the artist’s work and performances online, for instance via You Tube, to get an idea of what the performance or audience behaviour may be like. This can be particularly relevant for standing events where children want to attend. Please note that the Corn Exchange and Studio share foyers and toilets and so audience members merge there, sometimes with other general public.
Staffing
Brighton Dome & Festival employs a friendly team of Front of House staff to assist with the safe and smooth running of events of all kinds. Schools, other establishments and parents bringing groups should be aware that disclosure and barring checks are not required for all Brighton Dome & Festival staff.
Duty Management staff are on hand to assist at any point during the event and happy to help children and their parents.
Drugs & Alcohol
A zero tolerance attitude to drugs is in place.
The premises also operates a ‘Challenge 25 policy’ whereby any person attempting to buy alcohol who appears to be under 25 will be asked for photographic ID to prove their age. Refusals are made to under 18’s.
Security and stewards are on site to monitor audience behaviour and to respond to any issues. Additionally, Brighton Dome & Festival is part of the Good Night Out scheme which trains staff to help visitors experiencing harassment.
First aid assistance is available at all times when the building is open with specialised facilities at standing events.
Children performing
Appropriate adult supervision is required for children performing and some children require licenses to perform.
Procedures are outlined in the Safeguarding Policy.