NSPCC NI works with Northern Ireland Screen to reform child protection practices in film industry
Date Posted: November 8, 2019
NSPCC Northern Ireland’s Training and Consultancy team has recently worked with Northern Ireland Screen to help them design and develop a clear set of standards of behaviour in the local film industry.
Senior Training and Development Consultants, Irene McCready and Ineke Houtenbos, delivered training to senior staff at Northern Ireland Screen, which is responsible for bringing TV shows like Game of Thrones and Line of Duty to Northern Ireland.
Andrew Reid, Head of Production at Northern Ireland Screen, said: “Every year, productions funded by Northern Ireland Screen work with hundreds of young people on local and international projects and we are committed to ensuring a safe working environment for everyone.”
The new standards are intended to safeguard the welfare of all personnel, particularly young adults 18-25 working in the screen industries by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm.
Ineke Houtenbos said: “It was a great privilege to have been able to work with a team so dedicated and committed to safeguarding and who want the very best for all people involved in the screen industry in Northern Ireland.
“The training involved looking at safeguarding issues, the different types of abuse and pathways for referral or seeking help and support from statutory services. We also created a bespoke introductory training pack for all actors to advise them of their rights and responsibilities within the production industry.”
The NSPCC’s Training and Consultancy team works with a wide range of organisations across all sectors in Northern Ireland including commercial, travel, the voluntary sector, local authorities. The team explores the steps that can be taken to improve policies, standards and practice to keep children safe.
All organisations that come into contact with children, at any time, need to make sure they have robust safeguarding arrangements in place. These help to prevent serious repercussions and, most importantly, keep children safe.
Northern Ireland Screen’s ‘safeguarding screen industry personnel standards of behaviour’ can be downloaded here.
