Who to talk to first
Your first point of contact is our Welfare Officer, a qualified school teacher who is the named child-safety and wellbeing lead at every youth rehearsal. They hold the relational contact with young members and families, and they are the right person to plan support for your child. You can reach the Welfare Officer in writing at welfare@australianchristianarts.com, or for general youth questions at youth@australianchristianarts.com. On rehearsal day, a quick text to 0489 991 212 reaches us.
Tell us early, and we’ll plan it with you
The best support starts with a conversation before your child’s first rehearsal. When your child joins, please flag any additional needs on the Child medical and onboarding form, and the Welfare Officer will arrange a short, friendly chat to understand what helps your child and to plan support together. You know your child best, so we want to hear from you. Please tell us as much or as little as you wish, and let us know whenever things change, so the plan keeps fitting your child.
The adjustments we can make
What helps is different for every young person, so we plan it with you rather than apply one size to all. Depending on your child and the rehearsal, the things we can commonly offer include:
- A quiet space and sensory breaks. Your child can step out to a calm space with a leader and rejoin when they are ready.
- A modified part or a lighter load. The conductor can adapt the part, reduce the load, or set achievable goals, so your child can take part well and feel the win.
- Thoughtful seating and placement. We can place your child where they do best, for example near an exit, away from the loudest percussion, or beside a steady peer.
- A buddy and extra check-ins. We can pair your child with a buddy or mentor and build in more frequent check-ins from a leader.
We will be honest with you about what we can and cannot do, and we would always rather find a way than turn a young person away.
Support in the room
The support your child receives during rehearsal is provided by our own trained leaders, planned with you in advance. As with every family, parents, carers and external support workers do not stay in the rehearsal space. This is the same deliberate child-safe design that sits behind our wider rule that parents don’t stay to watch: it keeps the room screened and properly supervised. The Welfare Officer is present at every rehearsal, the two-adult rule applies at all times, and a first-aid-trained leader is always on site. If you feel your child cannot yet take part without a one-to-one support person beside them in the room, talk to the Welfare Officer early and we will work through it with you honestly.
Allergies, food and sensory needs
For medical needs such as anaphylaxis, asthma, EpiPens and medication, please see Medical, Allergies & Emergencies, which explains exactly how we collect and act on that information. Beyond the strictly medical, do tell us about food sensitivities and dietary needs for any shared food at events, and about sensory needs such as sensitivity to noise or bright light. We note these alongside the rest of your child’s plan and work around them as best we can.
Getting in and getting around
Our venues vary in how accessible they are, so we want to be upfront rather than promise more than a building can give. Youth rehearsals are held at UTS Building 5, 1 Quay Street, Haymarket, and our performance venues differ from event to event. If your child or your family has specific access needs, please raise them with us before each rehearsal or performance. We will check what that particular venue allows, tell you honestly what is possible, and arrange what we can so your child can take part. For directions, transport and entry to the rehearsal venue, see the Rehearsal & Audition Location Guide.
A partnership, and a promise
We will not always get everything perfect, and when we don’t, we want you to tell us, so we can keep adjusting. Every young person is made in God’s image and belongs here, and we count it a privilege to make room for your child. Come and talk to us, and let’s plan it together.
Related reading: Medical, Allergies & Emergencies · Drop-off, Pick-up & Supervision · How We Keep Your Child Safe.
Part of the Parent Onboarding & Character Guide.