At the UYTF, the safety, welfare and wellbeing of every young person is our highest priority. We recognise the responsibility that comes with bringing together young performers from across the country, and we are committed to creating an environment in which every participant feels safe, respected, supported and able to enjoy their festival experience. UYTF is designed to be an exciting celebration of creativity, performance and friendship. We want every young person to have the freedom to explore their interests, develop their confidence, make new connections and participate fully, knowing that their welfare is taken seriously at every stage.

Safeguarding is at the heart of our planning, decision-making and festival delivery. It informs how we work with young people, how we engage with youth theatre companies, how activities are supervised and how we respond to any concerns. We believe that every young person has the right to enjoy theatre in a safe environment, free from abuse, discrimination, bullying, harassment or inappropriate behaviour.

Our safeguarding commitment

We are committed to:

• Putting the safety, welfare and best interests of young people at the centre of festival planning and delivery.
• Providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all participants.
• Taking all safeguarding concerns seriously and responding appropriately.
• Ensuring that festival staff, workshop leaders, chaperones, committee members and relevant personnel understand their safeguarding responsibilities.
• Undertake safer recruitment practices, ensuring that the team, workshop leaders, chaperones and wider staff are vetted, DBS Checked and trained to a high standard in safeguarding.
• Promoting positive behaviour, mutual respect and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Taking reasonable steps to prevent bullying, harassment, discrimination and inappropriate conduct.
• Providing clear procedures for reporting concerns and seeking support.
• Working with parents, carers, youth theatre leaders and relevant organisations to support the welfare of participants.

We want young people to feel confident that they will be listened to, treated fairly and supported throughout their time at UYTF.

Dedicated safeguarding leadership

Safeguarding responsibilities will be overseen by a designated safeguarding lead and at least one deputy.

The safeguarding lead will be responsible for coordinating safeguarding arrangements, receiving and responding to concerns, supporting festival personnel and ensuring that appropriate procedures are followed. A designated safeguarding contact will be made available to participants, youth theatre leaders and parents or carers so that concerns can be raised during the festival. We will have a DSL on duty 24 hours during the festival.

All safeguarding concerns will be treated seriously, handled sensitively and referred to the appropriate external agencies where necessary. Young people will be encouraged to speak to a trusted member of the festival team if something makes them feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried. No concern is too small to raise.

Safer recruitment and professional conduct

We recognise the importance of ensuring that adults working with young people understand their responsibilities and are suitable for the roles they undertake. Appropriate recruitment, selection and safeguarding checks will form part of the arrangements for festival personnel, taking account of their responsibilities and the relevant legal requirements.

This will include DBS checks, references where appropriate and clear expectations around professional conduct.

Workshop leaders, visiting practitioners, technicians, volunteers and other relevant personnel will be expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and behave in a manner that protects the welfare and dignity of young people. Everyone involved in delivering the festival will be expected to follow the festival’s safeguarding requirements and code of conduct.

Supervision and responsibility

UYTF recognises that young people attending the festival may arrive as members of established youth theatre companies, schools or other organised groups. Clear arrangements will be established between the festival and participating organisations to define supervision responsibilities throughout the event. Participating groups will be provided with information about this, including supervision during workshops, performances, meals, social activities, transfers and overnight accommodation.

Festival arrangements will take account of the different ages and needs of participants, the nature of activities and the requirements of the venues being used. We will work with participating group leaders to ensure that young people know who is responsible for supporting them and where they can go if they need assistance.

Residential accommodation and overnight welfare

We understand that the residential element is an exciting part of the UYTF experience, but it also requires careful planning and appropriate safeguarding arrangements. The festival will establish clear procedures for overnight accommodation, including supervision, appropriate separation arrangements, night-time welfare and emergency contacts. Accommodation arrangements will be communicated to participating youth theatre leaders and parents or carers in advance.

Young people’s privacy, dignity and personal boundaries will be respected at all times. Clear expectations will be established around behaviour, movement within accommodation and the management of accomodation. We want every young person to feel comfortable, secure and properly supported throughout their overnight stay.

Workshops, performances and backstage safety

The festival programme includes a wide range of activities, from acting and musical theatre to physical theatre, stage combat, dance, mask work and specialist performance techniques. We recognise that different activities present different practical considerations, and appropriate safety arrangements will be established for each workshop and performance environment.

Activities involving physical movement, stage combat, specialist equipment or theatrical effects will require appropriate risk assessments, suitable instruction and relevant safety controls. Backstage areas, technical spaces and performance environments will operate under appropriate access and supervision arrangements. Young performers should be able to explore their creativity and develop new skills without being exposed to unnecessary risks.

Anti-bullying, discrimination and respectful behaviour

UYTF brings together young people from different communities, backgrounds and experiences. We celebrate that diversity and expect everyone attending the festival to treat others with kindness, dignity and respect. Bullying, harassment, intimidation, discrimination, threatening behaviour or any form of inappropriate conduct will not be accepted. This expectation applies to all participants, accompanying adults, visiting professionals, volunteers and festival personnel.

We want the festival to be a place where young people can express themselves, make friendships and feel comfortable being who they are. Any concerns about behaviour will be taken seriously and addressed in accordance with the festival’s procedures.