Duty of Care is an outline of what you as an artist, teacher or leader will give and promise to your participants, colleagues and employers. These policies you present are to show:

– How professional you are.

– The abilities you have.

– Your understanding of your participants and how to work with them.

– Your understanding of your role and responsibilities.

– How you comply with the health and safety regulations.

The duty of care is a legal obligation that has to be made if an individual is responsible for possible harm to others due to their activities, therefore it is essential as you are showing who you work for and with what to expect of you.

1. Professional competence

Working as a community theatre leader, I have a responsibility to myself, whom I work with and the children I teach. My aim is to bring the best experience to everything I teach and to inspire the children I teach. I will continue to explore within my professional improvement to gain clarity of the significance and class of my practice and comply with the professional standards, legislative outlines and governments directions.

• I have the correct skills, knowledge and experience for the work I present.
• I understand the boundaries of my professional ability and will work within them.
• I am honest about the qualifications I have achieved as well as the experiences I have practiced.
• I take the essential steps to certify that I am capable to perform the work I do and proceed in the correct manner to practice in a fully skilled way.
• I determine in full commitment to increase and improve my skills and knowledge through the engagement of my continuing professional development.
• I keep current with the developments in the practice, training, legislation and programs that advise my work.
• I take complete responsibility for assisting others to understand what I do.
• I will work within the required health and safety legislation.
• I am dedicated to the ethics of equal opportunities and human rights.

2. Responsibility

As a community theatre leader I work and behave with honesty; being approachable, reliable, genuine and constant in the way I present myself and my work. I will complete my professional relationships and the undertaking of my work in a responsible manner. I aim to bring recognition to the community of the theatre profession and for the people I work for and with.

• I will commit to what I do and take responsibility for my actions.
• I am honest and dependable in all professional and business relationships.
• I sustain efficient communications and work in an accommodating manner with employers, professionals and organisations.
• I prepare with great commitment by providing the correct research necessary for me and others to understand the content of my work, intentions and desired results for the people I work with and for.
• I am organised and clear about the support I need to present my work successfully, and am able to work with others to ensure this is available when needed.
• I complete, and am up to date with all significant paperwork and administration to support my work. I also keep track of the work completed by my employers and colleagues.
• The charges I place is appropriate for my facilities, and represent the degree and excellence of the work I do, whilst enduring my professional development.
• I guarantee that others that may cover my work due to my absence has the suitable ability  and are completely informed about the aims of the session, framework and the participants.
• I turn up to the sessions on time. If I am unable to I will contact others in good time.
• My appearance and behaviour is correct for the surroundings I work in and the children I teach. I also present myself and my employers in the best possible way.
• I keep track of the quality of my work, seeking and encouraging feedback from the children I teach, their parents/guardians and my employers.
• I always reflect on my work and work on the improvements I have learnt.
• I will achieve all my duties in regard to health and safety, equal opportunities and human rights.

3. Safety

As a community theatre leader I believe that every child should be able to enjoy theatre activities to their full ability in an environment that aids personal safety. As well as this I will have the responsibility to act accordingly in the best interests of the children’s’ physical and mental wellbeing. I am devoted to make sure that my work complies with the relevant legal requirements that protects my own and others’ legal, civil and human rights.

• I will keep updated with the legal requirements that my affect my work.
• I know the degree of my professional responsibilities and liability in connection to the work I do.
• I guarantee that the activities I lead are within the current safety guidelines.
• I familiarise myself with the specific safety procedure and protocols for each venue I work in. I will also agree with outside employers the policies, processes and responsibilities that will maintain safety when I teach my sessions.
• I work with the legal requirements affecting health and safety and make sure the correct insurance is put in place.
• I understand my legal responsibilities when working with children and have obtained my DRS check.
• I have the significant insurance from an official agent.
• I will ensure risk assessment are performed out on my sessions and I am able to cope with risks accordingly.
• I certify that nothing in my control will harm the health, safety and wellbeing of the children I teach.
• I will not or continue with work that I cannot complete safely, and I shall inform the appropriate person when safety is compromised.
• I shall help the participants become aware of their own welfare, behaviour and actions, and will encourage other staff and supporters to participate if needed.
• I keep a record and report issues of consent and confidentiality to preserve a safe and positive working environment.
• I will set and agree on the correct personal boundaries to create and maintain positive relationships with children, their parents/ guardians and employers.

4. Working with people

As a community theatre leader I believe that everyone should and has the right to be treated equally as well as being understood as an individual. I enjoy and embrace everyone’s uniqueness and encourage independence within every individuals. I will ensure that neither I nor another child discriminates against anyone’s race, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, ethnicity, age, disability, national or social origin or other status.

• I work in a supportive, encouraging and accepting manner to create a secure environment where everyone can feel comfortable with displaying their own abilities and interests in a united space.
• I generate time to help build and create relationships that accept everyone’s unique differences and needs.
• I believe in the importance in co-learning and collective ownership and am open to feedback and contribution from the children, colleagues and employers.
• I inspire and support individuals to make their own choices and decisions.
• I use the correct language that can be understood by every child and that is also suitable culturally and does not limit the participants’ theatre experience.
• I respect and accept others positions, experience and knowledge.
• I notice and am able to take responsibility for my own wellbeing and support others in learning to and taking responsibility for their own behaviour and relationships.

5. Commitment to the Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct is created to present to you what you can expect from me as a theatre community leader. If you believe I am not complying with this code, I will commit to:

• To respond to your feedback actively and respectfully.
• Encourage an open and honest discussion with you and your concerns.
• Take responsibility for changing my actions, behavior and conduct appropriately.