Schools and Nurseries

The safety issues from working with children and young people are covered on the BBC Safeguarding microsite here.

For information about child protection you must consult the BBC Safeguarding Guidance and where necessary seek advice from your divisional child protection lead. 

What Can Go Wrong?

Lack of knowledge of building and layout; access doors maybe locked

• Young teenagers may exhibit anti-social behaviour.
• Injury to children from technical equipment and cabling etc.
• Injury to BBC team from children e.g. boisterous activity, playgrounds and sports
• Issues connected with Child Protection

Legal/BBC Requirements 

• BBC Safeguarding Guidance
• Editorial Guidelines: Children and Young People as Contributors.

Control Measures

Pre-planning

• The Children and Young People page has further general information about Working with Children (15 & under) and Young People (16-18) who may be inexperienced and often have a limited sense of danger. Carry out controls in that guidance.
• The head teacher or person in charge at the school should understand what is planned by BBC and who will explain any local arrangements to be followed, including legal number of working hours.
• Agree with the head teacher or person in charge whether individual consent is required from parents and if so who will obtain this.
• Provide a copy of the risk assessment to the school or nursery, agree with person in charge who will communicate this to the parents.

On Location

• Ensure that school staff, children and parents are all fully aware of your proposed activities.
• Conduct a safety briefing and include a walk around the premises if possible.
• Ensure cables are matted, flown or taped down, taking into account that children are less risk-aware and maybe running or 'playing up' for the cameras or recordings.
• Position equipment to prevent accidental contact and secure it to prevent it being knocked over.
• Remember that children are inquisitive so bags and equipment should be supervised at all times.
• Ensure you are aware of any risks to you as a result of the activities/lessons going on in the school or nursery.
• If covering stories where violence is likely - either from students or parents – follow myRisks guidance about Violence and Aggression.
• If possible do not record in large areas where large crowds of children may gather (ie playground, canteen), or provide barriers or people to help with control.

Working with Children

• Follow the BBC Policies, editorial guidelines and Safeguarding guidance.

Division Specific Issues

All Divisions

• The BBC has a network of 'nominated managers' (senior managers responsible for Child Protection within each division) as listed on the BBC Safeguarding microsite.
• If you are at all concerned that a child's safety or wellbeing is at risk, you should notify your local contact, who will take the matter forward as appropriate. You can also contact your nominated manager with any general questions you have about working with children.

FAQs/Did You Know?

• The presence of young children and young people places a higher duty of care on the team and additional legal duties.