INTRODUCTION

Ecoflix and its subsidiaries are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people. 

This policy establishes the responsibilities of everyone who works for Ecoflix and its subsidiaries with regard to the protection of children and young people when working with or when brought into contact with children and young people. 

In the context of child protection, children and young persons refers to anyone under 18 years of age. 

This policy reflects the principles of any country in which we are doing business and seeks to be consistent with ‘Best Practice’ within the field of child protection. 

This policy is also designed to adhere to the child protection standards with all relevant legal requirements in any country in which we are doing business, including film production work. 

The key principles are: 

• The welfare of the child or young person is the paramount consideration and should be at

the heart of the production;

• All children and young people, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial or ethnic origin,

religious belief and sexual identity have a right to protection from harm or abuse;

• It is the responsibility of all staff and contractors of Ecoflix and its subsidiaries

to promote the protection of children and young people and to comply with this policy. Staff

are always expected to maintain a sense of proportion, apply common sense to situations

and protect the child’s welfare as priority.

This policy is approved, supported and established by the Directors of Ecoflix

and its subsidiaries. 

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1. PRINCIPLES OF GOOD PRACTICE

Ecoflix and its subsidiaries undertakes to:

• Treat children and young people with care, respect and dignity;

• Recognize that those working for Ecoflix and its subsidiaries will be perceived by children and young people as trusted persons and therefore all staff must comply with this policy;

• Ensure communication with children and young people is open and clear;

• Assess the risks posed to children when undertaking activities;

• Ensure staff avoid physical contact with children and young people except for reasons of health and safety, or under supervision;

• Respond to any allegations appropriately and implement a disciplinary process as appropriate;

• Review this policy on an annual basis. 

2. RECRUITMENT AND DISCLOSURE

New appointments

As part of Ecoflix and its subsidiaries recruitment and selection procedures, all staff recruited to work specifically with children will complete a ‘Child Protection Self Disclosure form’ to confirm that they have no previous record of any child-related offence.  Where a position entails regularly caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of children, offers of employment will be subject to all local and federal requirements.   

Current staff

Current staff, whose roles do not entail working with children, may on occasion work on projects that involve supervised contact with children. In such circumstances, they will be required to complete a Child Protection Personal Disclosure form. Staff who disclose that they have been convicted of any offence relating to children and young people; and/or disciplinary action or sanction relating to children, will not be permitted to work on any production/project which involves children. 

Disclosures

There are two levels of Disclosure, each representing a different level of checking. 

• Standard Disclosures are primarily for posts that involve working with children and vulnerable adults.

• Enhanced Disclosures are for posts requiring a far greater degree of contact with children or vulnerable adults. In general, the type of work would involve caring for, supervising, training or being in sole charge of such people.

Enhanced Disclosures should be sought for staff whose role entails unsupervised contact with children. 

3. HEALTH AND SAFETY

Ecoflix Health and Safety policy gives guidance to those whose roles involve working with children and young persons. 

If you are planning to work with children, then a risk assessment must be carried out which covers all aspects of safeguarding children and young people be completed before bringing any child onto a location or set. 

The risk assessment should also set out what arrangements are in place for their care and supervision, e.g. by a school, parent, guardian or chaperone and how these arrangements will be communicated to the appropriate parties. It is recommended that during a production an appropriate person – a child “buddy” – is given responsibility to oversee, check and document the child’s welfare throughout and it is prudent that the child’s parent or guardian has access to this person throughout the production.

Ecoflix and its subsidiaries will always work within statutory hours allowed for working with children; tutoring will be provided in line with current legislation as required. Particular attention will be given to scheduling in regular rest breaks and ensuring that refreshments are provided. 

Appropriate clothing and facilities will always be provided according to the conditions involved for filming, i.e. warm, dry shelter if filming in cold weather; water/sunscreen/shaded shelter from sun if filming in hot weather

4. TRANSPORT CHILDREN

When children are being transported on behalf of Ecoflix and its subsidiaries they should be accompanied by a parent, guardian, chaperone or teacher.

Young Persons (A Young Person is someone who is over school leaving age, so does not require a license or chaperone, but is under 18)

Young persons engaged on productions who may travel unaccompanied, on behalf of Ecoflix and its subsidiaries should be transported by approved taxi companies or a member of staff who has a satisfactory DBS check. Written parental/ guardian consent should be sought for this.

5. ACCOMMODATION CHILDREN

Any child will be accompanied by an approved chaperone if required to stay overnight on any production. Should a parent prefer to accompany and stay overnight with their child then this wish should be respected.

Young Persons (a Young Person is someone who is over school leaving age, but under 18) Written parental/ guardian consent will be sought before a Young Person is asked to stay unaccompanied overnight in accommodation.

6. GENERAL WELFARE CONSIDERATIONS

In addition to having in place appropriate essential Child Protection procedures, Ecoflix and its subsidiaries shall seek to comply with the following duties of care for broadcasters:

• Due care must be taken over the physical and emotional welfare and the dignity of people under eighteen who take part or are otherwise involved in programs. This is irrespective of any consent given by the participant or by a parent, guardian or other person over the age of eighteen in loco parentis.

• Children under eighteen must not be caused unnecessary distress or anxiety by their involvement in programs or by the broadcast of those programs.

• Prizes aimed at children must be appropriate to the age range of both the target audience and the participants. In order to ensure compliance with the Code Ecoflix and its subsidiaries shall also seek to adhere to any required guidance applicable to such broadcaster duties.  In addition, the producer should also liaise closely with those editorially responsible for the program and with the broadcaster’s compliance and legal officers, as appropriate.

7. WORKING WITH CHILDREN CODE OF CONDUCT

Follow these ten golden rules when interacting directly with children and young people in any capacity on behalf of the Ecoflix and its subsidiaries:

1. Prioritize the safety and well-being of the child at all times.

2. Never take sole responsibility for a child. If a child needs care alert the parent or chaperone.

3. Only take on practical caring responsibilities, for example taking a child to the toilet, in an emergency.

4. Never give out your personal contact details and do not ‘friend’ or ‘follow’ children you are working with on social networking sites.

5. Remember they are children first and contributors or participants second.

6. Never lose sight of the fact that you are with children, behave appropriately and use appropriate language at all times.

7. Listen to and respect children at all times, don’t patronize them.

8. Avoid favoritism and treat children and young people fairly and without prejudice or discrimination.

9. Always act within professional boundaries. Ensure all contact with children is essential to the program/event/activity/project being worked on.

10. Ultimately, if an individual feels anyone is behaving inappropriately around children they have a duty to report the concern to the company’s child protection officer.

8. CHILD PERFORMANCE LICENSE

When planning any production or event that may be considered a performance and involving a child, it is important to consider whether the child will require licensing at the earliest stage. Child performance license legislation sets out the arrangements that must be made to safeguard children when they take part in certain types of performances, paid sport or paid modeling.

Licenses are granted by the Local Authority for the area where the child lives and can take up to 21 days to process. Please make sure you speak to the Producer or Production Manager as early as possible. 

Appendix A 

Concerns regarding children and young persons under the Company’s control. Any person working on behalf of Ecoflix and its subsidiaries who is concerned about a child or young person involved with the company should refer the matter to: Nicky Cox. 

Based on the circumstances allegations of harm will be dealt with in the following way: 

Where it is believed that a child or young person may have been abused, harmed or may be at imminent risk of harm:

• Contact the police and/or social services where necessary, after considering the following potential courses of action: 

• A course of action may include:

– Contacting the police;

– Seeking guidance from social services and/or child protection agencies;

– Investigation, followed by course of action agreed and implemented;

– If concerns remain, agree to monitor and review the situation;

– Record concerns, but further action not taken.

• The adult supervisor is to notify the relevant editor, if required to do so in the contract. 

It is important to keep a record of what has happened – keep it accurate and factual and date it. 

Allegations made against Staff

Allegations made against Staff would trigger an investigation and formal disciplinary process (as appropriate)