play-times child protection policy

Whilst we wish to encourage full participation in play-times magazine we recognise our responsibility to ensure the safety of children. In order to fulfil our child protection obligations we have drawn up the following guidelines for play-times magazine.

Children under the age of 18 will not be identified by surname, postal address, email, telephone or fax numbers. When examples of children's work are published, the artist will be identified by their first name age and town only.

When using photographs of children we prefer to use group pictures. When photographs of individuals are used such as on front covers or in competitions personal details such as surnames and addresses will not be used.

We will take every opportunity to obtain written or spoken parental consent before using photographs in the magazine or on the website.

Care will be taken when advertising special events or clubs and groups for children. A telephone contact number for an organiser/leader of a group will be included when possible.

We will not give out any personal contact details to enquirers rather the enquirers details will be recorded and then passed to the person they wish to contact.

It is the policy of Black Hen publishing and play-times magazine, that no one who has been convicted or has received a formal police caution concerning an offence against children, as listed in the first schedule of the Children and Young Person's act 1993, shall work on behalf of the company with children and young people. Also that no one who has been convicted or has received a formal police caution concerning an offence against children, as listed in the first schedule of the Children and Young Person's act 1993 shall be employed by Black Hen publishing in connection with play-times magazine. To this end, all personnel working on behalf of play-times magazine will be required to complete a Safeguarding form.