Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Accepted
Paragraph: 12
Mandate compulsory safeguarding training for all staff, including vendors, at music festivals.
Recommendation
We recommend that all staff working at music festivals, including vendors, be given compulsory safeguarding training, and this be a requirement that licensing authorities consider when approving events. This might be done along lines similar to training provided in voluntary schemes in other licensed premises, such as Ask Angela or the licensing security and vulnerability initiative (Licensing SAVI).
Government Response Summary
The government rejected mandating compulsory safeguarding training for all festival staff but committed to reviewing the Section 182 guidance of the Licensing Act 2003 to advise licensing committees to consider staff safeguarding training when approving event licences.
Paragraph Reference:
12
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government agrees with the Committee that safeguarding training for staff is vital to ensure people attending events such as festivals can do so safely. The Government welcomes initiatives such as Ask Angela and LSAVI and would encourage local areas to consider how they can be used or replicated where necessary. The Government believes that the devolved nature of decision making on licensing matters ensures local areas have the flexibility they need to address matters of public safety whilst also supporting a thriving local economy. It is a fundamental premise of the Licensing Act 2003 that any conditions imposed on a licence – whether for a permanent premises or an event such as a festival – are necessary and proportionate. The Government does not intend to mandate training for all staff at events such as festivals however we will review the section 182 guidance which accompanies the Licensing Act 2003 to reflect that when licencing committees are approving a licence for a festival, they should consider that staff are adequately trained in safeguarding. Separately, the Government would like to highlight constant engagement with the sector, including festival organisers to ensure that they, alongside local authorities, law enforcement, and hired security staff are taking appropriate action to protect potential victims and deter potential offenders. We are exploring with the sector what additional support the government can provide, including opportunities for joint communications and sharing the emergency service response to spiking incidents with festival and security personnel.