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 Nearly
everyone loves a party and probably none more than your
average teenager does. The teenage years are littered with
development milestones and hosting or attending parties
are perhaps the most obvious and frequent. Parties offer
teenagers the opportunity to develop social skills while
celebrating and having fun. But how do we make sure these
events remain safe from things such as drug abuse, gatecrashers
and violence?
Your Legal
Position
As the host you have a ‘duty
of care'. This means you have a responsibility to do
all you can to provide a safe environment for everyone
at the function. For guests under the age of eighteen
it is against the law to provide alcohol and other drugs.
This however can be extremely difficult to police so
special attention to this area is important. You must
supervise the party. If something goes wrong, even after
the party, and you have not taken sufficient care to
prevent this, you could be held liable. It is advisable
to source additional adult supervision.
Insurance is
another area where care needs to be taken. If the party
is to be held on your property check with your insurer
about your cover. For hired premises check with the venue
management.
The Party Checklist
Invitations
- Do not issue verbal or group invitations to private
parties.
- Individualise and number the invitations - avoid ones
that can be photocopied, faxed, emailed or put on the
internet.
- Give specific start and finish times appropriate for
the age group being catered for.
- Note if alcohol will be available or not, and if it
is, whether it is to be BYO or supplied (refer to section
on alcohol).
- Mail invitations.
- RSVP's are essential (provide date and phone number)
for compiling a list of those expected to attend.
- Decide whether or not partners should be invited. If
so, there should be one invitation per couple.
- Note that entry to the party is strictly by presentation
of the numbered invitation and the individual's name
being on the RSVP list.
Venue
- Consider suitability of the venue for the numbers
attending - (private home or hired venue) - eg. available
space, kitchen and toilet facilities.
- Have only one entry/exit point.
- Consider the risks of having a party outside - is
it possible to make the garden secure? (eg can gate
crashers, drink, etc, come over the fence?).
- If the party is to be inside, is it possible to confine
it to a restricted area and to prevent access
to outside areas?
- Is there a secure room where bags/coats can be kept?
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