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Children & Young Audience Policy

Creating a safe and welcoming environment for young people 

At Showroom Cinema, operated by Sheffield Media and Exhibition Centre Limited (SMEC), we are committed to ensuring that children, young people, and families feel safe, respected, and inspired during their visit. Whether attending a film, taking part in a workshop, or joining one of our programmes, we aim to create inclusive and positive experiences for all young audiences. 

This policy supports and aligns with our organisation-wide Safeguarding Policy, which outlines our full procedures for safeguarding, reporting, and responding to concerns. 

 Age Restrictions 

We follow the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) guidelines to ensure children only attend age-appropriate screenings: 

  • U, PG, and 12A rated films are suitable for children, with 12A films requiring adult accompaniment for under 12s. 
  • 15 and 18 certificate films are legally restricted. We will refuse entry to anyone who cannot provide proof of age, regardless of parental or guardian consent, in line with our safeguarding responsibilities. 

Family and Baby Screenings: 

  • Our Family Time screenings are curated for families with younger children and are clearly marked on our listings. 
  • Kino Bambino is our dedicated parent-and-baby screening, designed for adults with babies under 12 months. These screenings are not suitable for older children. 

 Supervision Requirements 

  • Children under 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult (18+). 
  • We encourage families and guardians to remain present during children’s events and screenings unless the event explicitly allows for drop-off. 
  • Where drop-off is permitted (e.g., for workshops or courses), we require pre-registration, signed consent forms, and emergency contact details. 

All activities involving children and young people follow our Safeguarding Policy, including designated safeguarding officers and clear escalation procedures. 

Child Protection & Safeguarding 

We are committed to providing safe environments for children and young people. Key safeguarding measures include: 

  • DBS checks for all staff and freelancers working with young people. 
  • Safeguarding training appropriate to each role. 
  • Risk assessments for all events and activities involving children. 
  • Named Designated Safeguarding Officers available to respond to concerns. 

We follow the full SMEC Safeguarding Policy, which includes detailed procedures for training, reporting, record-keeping, and working with third parties. 

Supporting policies include: 

  • Safeguarding and Young People 
  • Staff Safety 
  • Mental Health 
  • Bullying and Harassment 
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 
  • Grievance Procedure 

These policies are detailed in the Staff Handbook and implemented across all youth and public engagement activity.