Ballet Theatre Queensland (BTQ) is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace.

All children engaged by Ballet Theatre of Queensland have a right to feel safe, valued, respected, and protected from harm. Assuring children’s rights and responsibilities is an obligation of all those who are employed, volunteer, interact and engage with the activities of BTQ.

We are strongly committed to providing a child-safe environment for all children who interact with our company as dancers, employees, audience members, education program participants or otherwise. A child’s welfare is our top priority, and we have zero tolerance for all abuse and bullying.

Ballet Theatre Queensland will take all necessary measures, including mandatory reporting, to prevent and protect children from all child abuse and neglect, including:

•   Physical abuse, which involves intentionally injuring a child or threatening to do so.

•   Emotional abuse, which involves affecting a child’s self-esteem though behaviours like; bullying, threatening, intimidating or isolating a child;

•   Sexual abuse, which includes any act of sexual assault or threat of sexual assault against a child; and/or

•   Neglect, any act or behaviour that can or will result in the basic physical and emotional needs of a child not being met. 

Ballet Theatre of Queensland is committed to the care and protection of children, preventing situations that may lead to child abuse, and reporting all allegations of child abuse.

Supporting Children’s participation and satisfaction 

BTQ supports and champions children’s participation and satisfaction by:

•   Creating a safe space for children to express their thoughts and feelings creatively (including carers or legal guardians);

•   Ensuring all children are treated equally and with respect

•   Fostering an inclusive environment where children of all backgrounds, abilities and heritage feel welcomed, supported, empowered and valued
 
•   Implementing proactive measures to prevent potential concerns by creating open communication channels for children, parents, carers and/or legal guardians

•   Cultivating a culture of empathy and respect by empowering children with knowledge of their rights and setting clear expectations for everyone’s behaviour, including both children and adults.

•   Creating a safety infrastructure where children feel empowered to seek help without fear
 
•   Ensuring employees possess the skills to empower children to actively participate, regardless of their individual differences, and upholding a strict non-discrimination policy to cultivate a safe, welcoming and supportive environment

Ballet Theatre Queensland cultivates a positive and enriching environment where children flourish, whether joining our team, participating in classes, attending workshops, performing or engaging in other activities. We achieve this by:

•   Cultivating a love for the arts and a lifelong appreciation for learning through involvement with a production or other organisational activity;
 
•   Providing diverse opportunities for children to experience personal satisfaction and a sense of achievement, both individually and through building positive relationships with peers and mentors; 
 
•   Creating an environment where children learn to set priorities, make responsible choices, develop their commitments to rehearsals and performance, education, and social life in a healthy and fulfilling way.

Ballet theatre Queensland is committed to safeguarding young artists and child safety is part of the risk management approach. All Directors and employees conduct regular meetings  in relation to child safety. The Ballet Theatre Queensland Board meets regularly and is committed to the identification and mitigation of child safety risks at Ballet theatre Queensland. 

Support for Staff and Volunteers
Ballet theatre Queensland supports all staff, employees, contractors and volunteers to understand, follow and implement our child safety requirements by: 

•   Inducting all new staff, employees, contractors and volunteers to our Child Safe Policy, Anti-Bullying Policy, Code of Conduct and other relevant policies and procedures;

•   Maintaining  a central point of support and guidance for all staff, employees, contractors and volunteers, providing information, direction and resources on the safeguarding of all children engaged with the organisation;    

•   Enforcing a zero-tolerance environment for any child safety issue or abuse, requiring all staff, employees, contractors and volunteers to report concerns and/or reports directly to the Executive Director, or designated management including, the Company Manager and/or Artistic Director.

•   Requiring new supervisors and chaperones of children to participate in meetings  led by experienced BTQ staff before undertaking solo responsibilities in productions or programs. 

Reporting  

BTQ ensures a safe and secure environment where staff, employees, contractors, volunteers, parents and children feel empowered to raise concerns about child safety, with dedicated resources and confidential reporting procedures in place.
 
Staff, employees, volunteers, and contractors who may suspect abusive activity must immediately notify the Child Protection Officer, Kym Stokes, or where a child is in immediate or imminent risk of abuse, phone emergency services immediately on 000. (Please note if a child/children are in immediate or imminent danger, do not wait for further instruction from BTQ staff, call 000 immediately).
 
BTQ prioritises child safety. The Company Manager, Kym Stokes is the Child Protection Officer, providing confidential advice and support to children, parents, volunteers, contractors and employees on child safety concerns, including abuse complaints and conduct violations.

If you believe the Child Protection Officer is involved in misconduct or if a child safety concern is not being addressed properly, report it to either the Executive Director, Lucas Lynch or Artistic Director, Clare Morehen.

If you feel a concern is not being addressed properly you can also contact:

The Queensland Police Service, Child Protection on: 131 444, or
Emergency Services on: 000