Child Safe Policy

BBT makes theatre with young people. Our Child Safe Policy sets out how we keep them safe and what we do if something goes wrong. It follows the 10 NSW Child Safe Standards.

Keeping young people safe at BBT

BBT makes theatre with young people. Here is what we do to keep them safe.

  • Every adult who works with young people holds a current NSW Working With Children Check, which we verify before they start, and signs our code of conduct.

  • There are always at least two checked adults with a group, and at least one adult for every ten young people.

  • No adult is ever alone with a young person out of sight of others. Adults do not contact young people privately, online or in person.

  • Only people BBT names take photographs or film, and only with your permission. You choose separately whether images can be used on our website, in reports or in the media.

  • If a program uses AI tools, we tell you which ones and what for, and your young person can opt out without losing their place.

  • On the first day, we tell young people who the adults are and who they can talk to if something feels wrong.

  • A parent or carer signs young people in and out, and only people named on the permission form can collect them.

If you are worried about anything, tell us the same day. Contact our Child Safety Lead, Thomas De Angelis, or the deputy, Isabella Debbage, at [email protected]. If a young person is in immediate danger, call 000.

Read the full Child Safe Policy below.

BBT Child Safe Policy

1. Why we have this policy

BBT makes theatre with young people. We work with young people aged 11 to 18 in school-holiday workshop weeks, community consultations and public performances, in our own programs and as a delivery partner for others, including TheatreConnect for the CREATE Centre at the University of Sydney. Young people come to us to make something of their own. They can only do that if they are safe, and if they and their families can trust the adults in the room.

This policy sets out how BBT keeps young people safe from abuse and harm, and what we do when something goes wrong. It follows the 10 NSW Child Safe Standards. These line up with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, so this policy also meets the National Principles that Commonwealth funders ask for.

2. Who and what it covers

  • People: BBT's directors and everyone BBT engages: teaching artists, Support Assistants, stage managers, designers, musicians, filmmakers, crew, volunteers and contractors. In this policy they are all "BBT workers".

  • Young people: anyone under 18 who takes part in a BBT activity. A participant who turns 18 during a program stays under this policy until the program ends.

  • Activities: workshops, consultations, rehearsals, performances, online sessions, messages, activities that use AI tools, any travel BBT arranges, and anything else BBT runs or delivers.

  • Partners: when BBT delivers for a partner (a university, council, school or other organisation), BBT workers follow this policy and the partner's child safety requirements. Where they differ, we follow the stricter rule, and we use the partner's reporting route as well as our own.

3. The law that applies

  • Children's Guardian Act 2019 (NSW), Part 3A, the Child Safe Scheme. Since 1 February 2022, certain organisations must put the 10 Child Safe Standards in place. They include councils, schools, and clubs or bodies providing sport and recreation programs to children whose workers need a Working With Children Check. Arts and cultural organisations are not listed by name, and whether a youth drama company counts as a recreation body is not settled. The OCG says every child-related organisation should apply the Standards, and BBT does so in full. Most of our partners are required to, and funders expect it: Creative Australia requires funded organisations whose activities involve contact with children to implement the National Principles, and the City of Sydney asks grant applicants for a child safety policy and risk plan.

  • Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 (NSW). Anyone in child-related work needs a Working With Children Check (WWCC) clearance, whether paid, volunteer or self-employed. As the engaging organisation, BBT must register as a child-related employer, verify each worker's clearance online and keep records. The head of a child safe organisation must hold a clearance.

  • Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW), section 27, mandatory reporting. People who deliver education, welfare and some other services to children in paid work must report to the Child Protection Helpline when they have reasonable grounds to suspect a child aged 0 to 15 is at risk of significant harm. Managers in organisations that deliver those services are also mandatory reporters. Reports about 16 and 17 year olds are not mandatory but can still be made. Whether paid teaching artists in a holiday drama program fall within "education" is not settled, so BBT's rule is that its directors and lead artists act as if they are mandatory reporters.

  • Reportable Conduct Scheme, Part 4 of the Children's Guardian Act. BBT itself is not a "relevant entity". Universities, councils and NSW schools are, and contractors they engage who need a WWCC count as their employees. So when BBT delivers for one of them, an allegation about a BBT worker goes to that organisation straight away. Its head must notify the Office of the Children's Guardian (OCG) within 7 business days and give the OCG an interim or final report within 30 business days. Since 2025, reportable conduct includes voyeurism, failing to get medical treatment a child needs is an example of neglect, and a worker under investigation can make written submissions before a finding.

  • Employment of children. Under Part 6 of the Children's Guardian Act, an employer needs an authority from the OCG before it directs a child under 16 to perform, or to be photographed or filmed, for payment or other material benefit. The OCG can decide that an activity is employment even where the child is not paid, and rehearsals count. BBT does not pay or reward participants for performing. Before any program that pays a fee, gives a voucher or other benefit for performing, or casts a young person in a film or ticketed production outside a workshop, BBT asks the OCG Children's Employment team ((02) 8219 3797, [email protected]).

4. How this policy meets the 10 Child Safe Standards

1. Child safety is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture; Where in this policy: 5, 10, 15; What BBT can show: Policy adopted by the directors; named Child Safety Lead; signed codes; a risk plan for every program

2. Children participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously; Where in this policy: 6; What BBT can show: Ensemble agreement; "who to talk to" card; daily feedback

3. Families and communities are informed and involved; Where in this policy: 7, 12; What BBT can show: Policy on the website; family information sheet; separate permission choices

4. Equity is upheld and diverse needs are taken into account; Where in this policy: 8; What BBT can show: Access planning; interpreters; quiet space

5. People working with children are suitable and supported; Where in this policy: 9; What BBT can show: WWCC register; referee checks; induction record

6. Processes to respond to complaints of child abuse are child focused; Where in this policy: 14; What BBT can show: Concern register; step-by-step response; contact list

7. Staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe through continual education and training; Where in this policy: 16; What BBT can show: Training log; annual refresher

8. Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse to occur; Where in this policy: 10 to 13; What BBT can show: Supervision rules; photography, online and AI rules

9. Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is continuously reviewed and improved; Where in this policy: 17; What BBT can show: Annual review; analysis of the concern register

10. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is child safe; Where in this policy: Whole policy, 17; What BBT can show: Version control; plain-English summary for families

5. Our commitment and who leads (Standard 1)

BBT commits to:

  • zero tolerance of abuse and harm to young people, including sexual, physical and emotional abuse, neglect and grooming;

  • putting a young person's safety ahead of the show, the schedule, a funder or a partner;

  • taking every concern seriously and acting on it the same day.

Child safety is every BBT worker's job. Leadership sits with:

  • Child Safety Lead: Dr Thomas De Angelis, Co-founder and director. Holds the concern register, decides on reports, and makes sure this policy is in place for every program.

  • Deputy Child Safety Lead: Isabella Debbage, Creative Director and director. Acts when Thomas is unavailable or when a concern involves him.

  • The directors (Thomas De Angelis, Isabella Debbage and Samuel Boneham) adopt and review this policy and see a de-identified summary of the concern register at each directors' meeting. Child safety is a standing item at directors' meetings and in the six-monthly report to the BBT Advisory Board.

  • Every director who works with young people holds a current WWCC.

Before each program, the lead artist completes a one-page child safety risk plan: venue, group size and ages, ratios, toilets and change areas, arrival and departure, first aid and medical needs, photography, online and AI elements, performance night, and partner contacts. A director signs it off. For each risk, the plan notes how likely and how serious it is and what BBT will do about it. It also covers how we will manage behaviour, the equipment we will use, and how we confirm that each young person agrees to take part (their assent) as well as their family's consent. For partner programs, BBT uses the partner's template where there is one; for the University of Sydney, that is the University's child safety risk management plan.

6. Young people's voice (Standard 2)

  • On day one each group makes its own ensemble agreement, and the adults keep to it too.

  • On day one the lead artist tells the group, in plain words, who the adults are, what young people can expect from us, and who to talk to if something feels wrong, including someone outside BBT (Kids Helpline, 1800 55 1800). The same information is on a card or poster in the room.

  • Young people give feedback every day (exit cards or an anonymous question box) and can see that it changes something.

  • Young people choose what of their own lives goes into the work. Friendships and peer support are encouraged, and nobody is left out of a group.

  • When a young person raises a concern, we listen and take it seriously, whatever their age and however small it seems.

7. Families and communities (Standard 3)

  • This policy and a short plain-English summary are published on BBT's website (bellbontom.com) and given to partners.

  • Each family receives an information sheet before the program: what we will do, who the adults are, how photographs and any AI tools will be used, how to raise a concern, and how to reach the Child Safety Lead.

  • The permission form records consent, health and access needs, who may collect the young person, and separate choices about photographs and AI (sections 12 and 13).

  • Families can raise a concern at any time (section 14) and give feedback at the end of each program. We ask young people and families for comment when this policy is reviewed.

8. Equity and diverse needs (Standard 4)

  • Many of the young people we work with come from migrant and refugee families. We offer interpreters (TIS National, 131 450) and translated information where we can.

  • We pay particular attention to the needs and safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, young people with disability or who are neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+ young people, and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. We seek local advice when we work on a community's Country or with its young people. When BBT develops or changes a policy or practice that affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, it consults Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities first.

  • We plan for difference: a predictable structure, a visual schedule, a warning before transitions, a quiet space a young person can use without asking twice, and attention to noise and crowding at meal times.

  • We work from what families tell us a young person needs. We do not ask for or record diagnoses.

  • We use the names and pronouns young people ask us to use.

  • Every young person can reach the same information, support and complaints process, in a form they can use.

9. Recruitment, Working With Children Checks and screening (Standard 5)

Directors, lead artists, teaching artists, Support Assistants, stage managers, crew and volunteers in contact with young people; Requirement before the first session: Current NSW WWCC clearance verified by BBT; signed code of conduct; induction

Filmmakers, photographers, designers and musicians present while young people are in the room; Requirement before the first session: As above if their contact is more than incidental; otherwise supervised by a cleared BBT worker at all times

Visiting artists from interstate or overseas; Requirement before the first session: Interstate: exempt from a NSW check for up to 30 days a year if they hold a check from their home state (or are exempt there). A visiting performer or speaker at a one-off session with other adults present is also exempt. Overseas: no general exemption; a NSW clearance is needed unless the one-off visitor exemption clearly applies. In every case, supervised at all times by a cleared BBT worker and never alone with young people

Assistants or peer leaders under 18; Requirement before the first session: Exempt from the WWCC; never counted in ratios; never in charge of a group

Parents or carers helping out; Requirement before the first session: Treated as volunteers; WWCC required unless the exemption for a parent at their own child's activity clearly applies. The exemption never covers personal care for a child with disability, a formal mentoring role, or an overnight camp

Process:

  1. Advertisements and briefs say that BBT is a child safe organisation and that clearances will be verified.

  2. Interviews include at least one question about keeping young people safe. For anyone new, BBT checks one referee, asking about their work with young people.

  3. BBT verifies the clearance on the OCG employer portal before the person starts and records the result (section 15). The law lets most workers start once their application number is verified, but BBT, like the University of Sydney, requires a verified clearance before the first session. Any offer of work says it depends on this.

  4. BBT re-verifies when a clearance is renewed, and removes from child-related work at once anyone whose check is barred, interim barred, expired or cannot be found. BBT checks expiry dates in the WWCC register at each directors' meeting and reminds workers to renew three months before expiry. The person who verifies a clearance is never the person being verified.

  5. Every worker signs the code of conduct (Part 3) and completes induction (section 16) before working.

  6. Workers tell the Child Safety Lead straight away if their clearance status changes or if they are charged with an offence that could affect it.

  7. If anyone is found doing child-related work for BBT without a verified clearance, that activity stops until a cleared worker replaces them. The person applies for a clearance at once, and the directors record how it happened and what will change.

For TheatreConnect, BBT verifies and records every worker it engages, as their employer. If the University treats BBT workers as affiliates or contingent workers, its HR also verifies them before they start (name, date of birth and WWCC number go to the University).

10. Code of conduct (Standards 1 and 8)

Every BBT worker signs the code of conduct in Part 3.

Never acceptable, whatever the context: sexual touching or sexual comments, conversations or messages; grooming; making, sharing or possessing child abuse material; ill-treatment, including excessive or degrading demands, humiliating or harsh behaviour management, and anything that could cause significant emotional or psychological harm; voyeurism; neglect, including failing to get medical help a young person needs.

In short, the code says:

  • no adult is alone with a young person out of sight of others;

  • physical contact is limited to what the work needs, explained and agreed first, with an alternative offered;

  • no private contact with young people: no private messages, social media connections, gifts, lifts or meetings outside the program;

  • no photographs, filming or recording on personal devices;

  • drama works through role and fiction, not through young people's personal trauma, and young people can opt out of difficult material;

  • concerns go to the Child Safety Lead the same day.

A breach can end a worker's engagement and may be reported to police, the Child Protection Helpline, the OCG or the partner organisation. Breaches include knowingly working, or letting someone else work, without a verified clearance, and failing to report a concern.

11. Supervision and ratios (Standard 8)

No ratio is set in law for holiday drama programs. BBT's working rules:

  • At least two WWCC-cleared adults with the group at all times, including breaks.

  • One cleared adult for every 10 young people in workshops and rehearsals, and never fewer than one for every 15 at any time. One to 15 is the NSW legal minimum for school-age children in outside school hours care; BBT uses it as a floor, not a target.

  • One extra named adult on each performance night, backstage, separate from front of house.

  • One named adult supervises each meal time and break and is physically at the food area.

  • Arrival and departure: a parent or carer signs each young person in and out, and only people named on the permission form may collect.

  • A headcount at every change of space and at the end of each session.

  • Toilets and change areas: adults do not enter while young people are using them, except in an emergency. Costume changes happen in separate spaces with no adults present and no phones.

  • If a young person needs one-to-one support, it happens in sight of others with the door open, and another adult is told.

  • At least one adult on site holds a current first aid certificate. Medical plans (for example asthma or anaphylaxis) are known to the team, and medication is checked on day one.

  • Transport and overnight stays: BBT workers do not drive young people. Any travel BBT arranges needs a separate plan approved by a director. BBT runs no overnight activity without a separate plan approved by all directors.

12. Photography, filming and consent (Standards 3 and 8)

  • Families make separate choices on the permission form for: (a) BBT's internal records only; (b) BBT's website and social media; (c) reports to funders and partners; (d) news media. We ask the young person too, and respect their "no" even where a parent has said yes.

  • Research consent is separate and voluntary. Taking part in a program never depends on agreeing to research.

  • Only people BBT names for the program take photographs or film, on BBT devices or under a written agreement with the filmmaker. BBT workers do not photograph or film young people on their own phones.

  • We never publish a young person's full name, school or address with an image, and we do not geotag images during a program.

  • No images are taken in toilets or change areas, or of a young person who is undressed or distressed.

  • Images are stored in BBT's restricted cloud folder, not on personal devices. They are deleted when consent is withdrawn, or after three years unless the family agrees otherwise.

  • Before a public performance, the team agrees with families whether audiences may photograph or film, and announces the rule.

  • When BBT delivers for a partner, the partner's permission form may apply; BBT follows whichever rule is stricter.

13. Online safety and AI tools (Standard 8)

Contact and online sessions

  • BBT communicates with families through parents and carers. Any group channel that includes young people is an official BBT channel with at least two adults in it, and families know about it.

  • BBT does not ask under-16s to use age-restricted social media platforms. Since 10 December 2025 those platforms must take reasonable steps to stop Australians under 16 holding accounts.

  • Online sessions use a BBT account, a waiting room, at least two adults, no private chat between adults and young people, and cameras optional. Sessions are not recorded without separate consent.

AI tools in programs. Some BBT programs teach young people to direct, question and judge AI. In those programs:

  • BBT approves each tool before use against fixed criteria: inputs are not used to train models; under-18s do not need personal accounts; data is not stored, or is stored in Australia; content filters suit the age group. Where we can, models run locally on BBT machines, so nothing a young person says or makes leaves the room.

  • Young people's names, faces, voices and personal stories are not entered into any AI tool unless BBT has approved it and the family has agreed in writing.

  • BBT never uses AI to generate images, video or voices that depict a real young person.

  • Young people do not use AI "companion" apps or open-ended chatbots in our programs. Since 9 March 2026, eSafety's codes require AI companions and chatbots that can produce sexual, violent or self-harm content to check that users are 18 or over; BBT treats any tool caught by those codes as unsuitable for its programs.

  • Facilitators check AI outputs before the group sees them. A harmful output becomes a discussion, not a surprise, and is logged.

  • Every young person can opt out of any AI activity without losing their place or their part in the work.

  • At the start, the lead artist tells the group what AI will and will not do in the program, and that the work stays theirs. AI can unsettle young people, so adults watch for distress and respond under section 14.

  • Families are told in advance which AI tools will be used and what for.

BBT's own use of AI. BBT workers do not put young people's personal or health information into AI tools, except tools BBT has approved for that purpose, and then only the minimum needed, using initials.

14. Responding and reporting (Standard 6)

If a young person is in immediate danger, call 000 first.

If a young person tells you something worrying, or you see or hear something that worries you:

  1. Make them safe. Get first aid or emergency help if needed.

  2. Listen. Stay calm. Do not question them further, do not promise to keep a secret, and tell them what you will do next.

  3. Tell the Child Safety Lead the same day, in person or by phone (the deputy if the concern involves the Lead). Do not tell the person the concern is about.

  4. Write it down the same day in the concern register: what you saw and heard, in order, and for a disclosure the young person's exact words. Initials only, no diagnoses. If in doubt, log it.

  5. The Child Safety Lead decides the next steps, the same day where possible:

  • where there may be a risk of significant harm, uses the Mandatory Reporter Guide and reports to the Child Protection Helpline (132 111) or through ChildStory; for 16 and 17 year olds a report is not mandatory but may be made, taking the young person's views into account;

  • reports any possible crime to NSW Police;

  • when BBT is delivering for a partner, tells the partner's child safety contact the same day; for University of Sydney programs, including TheatreConnect, that means an email to [email protected] (the University's Office of Child Safety) as well as a call to the CREATE program lead, with a phone number in the email for a call back;

  • tells parents or carers, unless that could put the young person at greater risk (in that case, takes advice from the Helpline or police first);

  • records who was told, when, any reference numbers, and who owns the follow-up.

  1. If the concern is about a BBT worker: the worker is stood down from child-related work while the matter is dealt with. BBT does not investigate a possible crime itself and does not alert the worker before police or the Helpline advise. If BBT was delivering for a university, council or school, that organisation is told the same day so it can meet its Reportable Conduct obligations. If the concern suggests the person may be unsafe to work with children, BBT can also report it to the OCG.

  2. Confidentiality and fairness. The identity of the young person, the person who raised the concern and the person it is about, and the details of any report, are shared only with those who need to know: the Child Safety Lead and deputy, police, the Helpline, the OCG and the partner organisation. Standing a worker down is a safety step, not a finding. The worker is told what they can be told once police or the partner say it is safe, and has a chance to respond in writing before any decision about their engagement.

  3. Support. The young person and their family have a named contact at BBT and information about support services. The worker who raised the concern is offered a debrief.

  4. Follow up within a week: check on the young person, confirm reports are complete, and record what will change.

Complaints and concerns about BBT. Anyone, including a young person, can raise a concern or complaint about BBT or a BBT worker with the Child Safety Lead or deputy, in person, by phone or by email. We acknowledge it within one business day and aim to respond in full within 10 business days. A complaint about Thomas goes to Isabella; one about Isabella goes to Thomas; one about both goes to Samuel Boneham or the partner organisation. Anyone can also take a concern about BBT's child safety straight to the OCG.

Contacts

Emergency; When: Immediate danger; Contact: 000

BBT Child Safety Lead; When: Any concern, same day; Contact: Thomas De Angelis, [email protected]

BBT Deputy Child Safety Lead; When: If Thomas is unavailable or involved; Contact: Isabella Debbage, [email protected]

Child Protection Helpline (DCJ); When: Risk of significant harm; Contact: 132 111 (24/7); TTY 1800 212 936; ChildStory eReport for mandatory reporters

NSW Police; When: Possible crime, not urgent; Contact: Police Assistance Line 131 444

Office of the Children's Guardian; When: WWCC; concerns about an organisation's child safety; Contact: WWCC (02) 8219 3777; switchboard (02) 8219 3600; online form via ocg.nsw.gov.au/contact-us; Children's Employment (02) 8219 3797, [email protected]

University of Sydney Office of Child Safety; When: TheatreConnect and other CREATE programs; Contact: [email protected]

Partner council or school; When: Programs they host or fund; Contact: Named in each program agreement

Kids Helpline; When: Support for young people; Contact: 1800 55 1800

NSW Mental Health Line; When: Mental health crisis advice; Contact: 1800 011 511

eSafety Commissioner; When: Online abuse, including image-based abuse; Contact: esafety.gov.au/report

TIS National; When: Interpreters; Contact: 131 450

15. Record keeping and privacy (Standards 1 and 10)

WWCC register: full name, date of birth, WWCC number, verification date, outcome, expiry, paid or volunteer; Held where: BBT restricted folder; Who sees it: Directors; Kept for: At least 45 years

Signed codes of conduct; induction and training log; Held where: BBT restricted folder; Who sees it: Directors; Kept for: At least 45 years

Concern register and child safety reports; Held where: BBT's register, or the partner's for partner programs; Who sees it: Child Safety Lead and deputy; Kept for: At least 45 years

Permission forms, health and contact details; Held where: BBT restricted folder; Who sees it: Program team, during the program; Kept for: Destroyed 12 months after the program unless linked to a concern

Photographs and film; Held where: BBT restricted folder; Who sees it: Program team; Kept for: Section 12

  • Records are factual, dated and attributed. Entries are never deleted; a correction is a new entry that refers to the earlier one.

  • The 45-year period follows the recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse for records about child sexual abuse. BBT applies it to all child safety records, including the WWCC register and signed codes (the University of Sydney keeps WWCC records for 75 years).

  • When BBT collects WWCC details and dates of birth, it tells the worker why, how they will be used and where they are kept.

  • Young people's information is used only to run the program and keep them safe. It is shared only with people who need it, or where the law requires. Workers keep no copies after a program.

  • For partner programs, the partner's systems hold program records; BBT keeps its own WWCC and training records.

16. Training and support (Standard 7)

  • Induction before the first session (about 90 minutes): this policy and the code; signs of abuse and grooming, including abuse within organisations; responding to a disclosure, practised in pairs; the concern register; supervision rules; photography and AI rules; who to call.

  • Annual refresher for every worker, and a short briefing on the risk plan at the start of each program.

  • Directors and lead artists complete the OCG eLearning modules "Foundational Module: How to be Child Safe" and "Keeping children safe in organisations" and keep first aid certificates current.

  • The daily debrief in every program includes "which young people need attention today".

  • A worker who deals with a disclosure or incident is offered a debrief with a director and a referral to support.

17. Review (Standards 9 and 10)

  • Adopted by directors' resolution on 4 November 2026.

  • Interim check after the first program run under this policy, and no later than 30 June 2027.

  • Full review every year before the September Advisory Board meeting, first in September 2027, and also after any serious incident, a change in the law or a partner's requirements, or a new kind of program (for example an AI lab).

  • Each review looks at the concern register for patterns and causes, at feedback from young people and families, and at the OCG's Child Safe Self-Assessment, consults Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities on any change that affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, and records what changed.

  • Every worker receives the current version. Old versions are kept with the date they were replaced.

Version 1.1. Adopted by the directors of BBT on 4 November 2026. Next full review due September 2027.