The safety and wellbeing of the children and young people we represent is fundamental to everything we do.
KTTA works with children, young people and families as part of our talent representation and agency activities. KTTA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child and young person and to creating an environment in which they feel safe, respected, listened to and supported.
We believe that:
This policy has been developed with regard to current safeguarding legislation and guidance in England, including Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 and other relevant government and regulatory guidance.
This policy applies to KTTA and its management; anyone working directly for or on behalf of KTTA; freelancers, contractors or other professionals engaged by KTTA where they have contact with children; and anyone involved in KTTA activities where safeguarding responsibilities apply.
Where KTTA works with casting directors, production companies, theatres, schools, photographers, coaches, chaperones or other external organisations, we expect appropriate safeguarding standards to be maintained throughout the professional process.
Safeguarding concerns can take many forms and may include physical abuse; emotional or psychological abuse; sexual abuse or exploitation; neglect; bullying or cyberbullying; discrimination; grooming; exploitation; criminal exploitation; online abuse; inappropriate adult behaviour or professional boundaries; domestic abuse or other circumstances affecting a child's safety; concerns about a child's mental or emotional wellbeing; or any behaviour that causes a child or young person to feel unsafe.
A concern does not need to involve an allegation of abuse. Any situation in which there is a reasonable concern about the safety or welfare of a child should be taken seriously.
KTTA aims to create an environment where children and young people feel able to speak openly about concerns. If a child or young person tells us about something that is worrying them, we will:
We will never blame or shame a child or young person for raising a concern.
Where a concern indicates that a child may be at risk of significant harm, KTTA will take appropriate action and, where necessary, contact the relevant local authority children's social care service, the police or another appropriate safeguarding agency.
KTTA will not allow concerns about reputation, commercial interests, a production, a casting opportunity or any other business consideration to override the safety and welfare of a child.
Any allegation or concern involving an adult working for, with or on behalf of KTTA will be taken seriously. This includes concerns relating to KTTA personnel, freelancers or contractors, chaperones, coaches or teachers, casting professionals, production personnel and other adults involved in professional activities with a KTTA client.
KTTA will not attempt to investigate an allegation beyond what is necessary to establish the immediate safeguarding concern. Where appropriate, concerns will be referred to the relevant safeguarding authority or police and managed in accordance with their advice. No adult will be permitted to continue unsupervised contact with a child where doing so could place that child at risk.
KTTA expects all adults working with young performers to maintain appropriate professional boundaries. Adults should:
Where direct communication with a young performer is necessary for professional reasons, KTTA will use appropriate communication channels and consider the child's age and circumstances.
KTTA represents young performers for professional opportunities including theatre, television, film, commercials and other entertainment work. We will take reasonable steps to ensure that parents or guardians receive appropriate information about professional opportunities involving their child, including the nature of the work, location, dates and times, production or casting details, chaperone or supervision arrangements, relevant travel information and any known safeguarding considerations.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to raise any concerns about a casting, production or working environment with KTTA. We consider safeguarding alongside suitability, professionalism and the child's wellbeing when deciding whether to put a performer forward for an opportunity.
Where a child requires a licensed chaperone, KTTA will expect appropriate arrangements to be made in accordance with applicable child performance and licensing requirements. KTTA does not assume responsibility for supervision that properly belongs to a production company, school, venue, parent/carer or licensed chaperone. Where KTTA is directly responsible for an activity involving children, appropriate supervision and safeguarding arrangements will be put in place.
Photography and filming are an important part of professional performance work. KTTA will ensure that photographs, videos and other images of young performers are handled appropriately and used only for legitimate professional, casting, agency or agreed promotional purposes. We consider parental consent and the child's age and understanding when using images.
Children and young people should never be photographed or filmed in an inappropriate or compromising situation. KTTA also promotes safe and responsible use of social media and digital communication.
KTTA has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment and discriminatory behaviour. We recognise that bullying can occur in person, online, within educational or performing arts settings, within productions or rehearsals, between performers, and through social media or messaging platforms. Concerns will be taken seriously and dealt with appropriately.
KTTA will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of characteristics protected by law or any other behaviour that undermines a child's dignity, safety or wellbeing.
Where KTTA engages employees, freelancers, contractors, chaperones or other adults who will have contact with children, appropriate checks and safeguarding considerations will be undertaken in accordance with the nature of the role. Where a DBS check is legally required, the appropriate level of check will be obtained. A DBS check is only one part of safer recruitment and does not replace appropriate references, suitability checks, safeguarding procedures or professional oversight.
Kim Thursfield is KTTA's designated safeguarding lead and is responsible for ensuring that safeguarding arrangements are maintained and reviewed. Kim maintains appropriate safeguarding knowledge and training and will seek further professional advice where necessary. Where other individuals work on behalf of KTTA and have responsibilities involving children, they are expected to understand and follow relevant safeguarding procedures.
Safeguarding information will be handled sensitively and securely. However, confidentiality will never be used as a reason to withhold information where sharing information is necessary to protect a child. Where there is a safeguarding concern, KTTA may share relevant information with parents/carers, children's social care, the police, safeguarding professionals, production companies or other appropriate agencies where there is a lawful and safeguarding basis for doing so. Information will be shared on a need-to-know basis and recorded appropriately.
Safeguarding concerns and actions taken will be recorded accurately, factually and securely. Records will be stored in accordance with KTTA's data protection and privacy procedures and accessed only by people who have a legitimate reason to do so.
KTTA recognises parents and carers as important partners in safeguarding children. We will communicate openly with parents and carers wherever appropriate and encourage them to raise concerns about their child's safety or wellbeing. There may be circumstances where information cannot be shared with a parent or carer because doing so could increase the risk to the child; in such circumstances, KTTA will follow appropriate safeguarding advice.
KTTA is committed to maintaining safeguarding practices that reflect current legislation and recognised good practice. We regularly review our safeguarding procedures, professional boundaries, online safety, safer recruitment, DBS and suitability requirements, chaperoning arrangements, information sharing, incident and concern recording, and staff and contractor safeguarding responsibilities. We will seek appropriate professional or safeguarding advice where a situation falls outside our expertise.
This policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner where there are significant changes to legislation, guidance, KTTA's activities or safeguarding requirements.
Policy last reviewed: 6 March 2026 · Next scheduled review: March 2027