Child Safe Policy

This policy sets out how Tingley's Acting Studio protects young actors in New Zealand, what every coach is required to hold before coaching a minor, and how concerns are raised and responded to.

1. Core commitments

• Every coach working with a minor in New Zealand holds a current Police vetting through the Children’s workforce framework, issued by the New Zealand Police Vetting Service, before any session with that minor.
• The check is issued at national level.
• A parent or guardian is in the building and available throughout every session with a minor.
• Scene material is agreed with the parent or guardian in advance, and no material is ever sprung on a young actor.
• Coaches are trained to recognise signs that a young actor is uncomfortable and to stop a session immediately if that is the case.

2. The legislation that applies in New Zealand

Our child safety obligations in New Zealand operate under the Children’s Act 2014 (formerly the Vulnerable Children Act 2014). We comply with mandatory reporting obligations under that framework and cooperate fully with the relevant authorities where a reportable concern arises.

3. Consent and communication

Before any coaching with a minor begins, the young actor is told what a session will involve, that they can stop at any time, that they can bring a parent or guardian into the room at any time, and how to raise a concern if something makes them uncomfortable. These rights are repeated periodically.

All communication about a minor's coaching goes through the parent or guardian's email. We do not contact a minor through private direct messaging on social platforms. Session notes are shared with the parent, not the minor alone.

4. Raising a concern

A concern can be raised in any of the following ways:

• By email to our safety address (show email).
• By phone, or in person at a session.
• Directly to the relevant external authority in New Zealand: Oranga Tamariki (the Ministry for Children) and, where a criminal act is alleged, the police.

In cases of immediate danger, call 111.

Internal complaints are acknowledged within one business day, actioned within seven, and handled with complete confidentiality except where we are required by law to report them. See also our Complaints Policy.

5. Training

Freya completes annual refresher training in child safeguarding and trauma-informed acting coaching practice. Certificates on request. Contractor coaches working with minors complete equivalent training before coaching any minor.

6. Review

This policy is reviewed annually. The named reviewer is Freya Tingley. If there is a serious incident, the policy is reviewed immediately after the incident is resolved.