The Licensing Act 2003 brought about a change in thinking about children’s access to licensed premises and now it is normal for children to be allowed in to pubs, clubs and other licensed premises.
Overall, the DSCB wants to see that applicants have thought about the safety of children on their premises and have rules and systems in place to ensure that children are safe. Parents/carers may have primary responsibility for supervision, for instance, but the applicant still has responsibility to ensure safety of children on the premises.
The following guidance is not exhaustive, but will hopefully help applicants see the sorts of information we would find helpful.
Under the Act a number of ‘Responsible Authorities’ have been created, each one should be notified of new and ‘variation’ applications. They include Police, Fire Authority, Planning Authority, etc. Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Board is the ‘Responsible Authority’, in respect of the protection of children from harm. A ‘Responsible Authority’ is able to object to a licence application, or to seek a review of premises about which there are concerns.
Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Board has a ‘Licensing Sub-group’ that comprises representatives of the Police, Children’s Social Care, Health, Education, etc, who meet as necessary, to discuss any applications of concern.
Children of all ages need to be kept safe from harm. Safeguarding is about making sure that they are protected from all kinds of harm, not only physical and sexual, but also psychological, emotional and moral harm. Where there is a risk, it is important that steps are taken to keep children safe.
The risk to children will vary from premises to premises, depending on the type of licensing activity and the age of the children.
Young children may be at risk, if they are not properly supervised, or are exposed to adults, who have become intoxicated. Young children can become dangerously intoxicated by quite small quantities of alcohol, so care needs to be taken, to clear used glasses, to protect them from this risk.
Young teenagers may attempt to buy and consume alcohol, and then become vulnerable, because their judgement is impaired. This could put them in danger from getting involved in fights, from drink driving or from sexual predators.
All children are at risk from adults, who are viewed as a danger to them. Care must be taken, when staff are appointed, to ensure that such individuals are not placed in an environment where they can exploit their position.
Adult entertainment is not suitable for children. At premises where such entertainment is allowed, arrangements must be enforced to ensure that children are not exposed to any inappropriate acts or material.
In all cases, applications will be logged on a database (held at Children’s Social Care Headquarters) on receipt, and outcomes noted as appropriate.
If concerns arise about a child’s safety or well being it is important to take appropriate action, which is usually to contact the Police or Children and Young Adults Service. You don’t necessarily have to identify the child in question but you can still receive advice. It is strongly advised that you do not do anything to make the situation worse such as asking a child leading questions or attempting to investigate yourself.
If you feel a child is at risk it is important you do not ignore what is happening.
For Further Information or any queries please contact:
Dona Womack, Strategy Officer
Safeguarding Children Board
Derbyshire County Council
Room F17 Children and Younger Adults
County Hall
Matlock
Derbyshire DE4 3AG
Telephone: 01629 532181
email: Dona.womack@derbyshire.gov.uk