Child and Vulnerable Young Adult Protection Policy
At Danceforce School of Dancing our first priority is the safety and welfare of the children we teach.
We recognise that we have a responsibility to safeguard the welfare of the children and to ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are in place so that a child may take part in classes at the school within a safe and secure environment.
We aim to ensure that Danceforce School of Dancing provides an environment in which children are safe, can learn and develop at their own pace and are aware that there are always adults in whom they can trust.
We believe that no child or young person should be the subject of neglectful or abusive behaviour.
We will promote and maintain the welfare of every child in our care and seek to protect them from harm regardless of race, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief or any other form of identity or creed.
This policy applies to all our staff/volunteers/trustees/governance and covers children under the age of 18 and/or vulnerable adults under the age of 24.
To protect children and young people in our care, we will:
- Value and respect children and listen to what they have to say
- Work with children, parents and relevant organisations
- Share our policy with all staff, parents and students
- Ensure all required checks are made when hiring staff and that those in regular contact with children
- hold a current DBS check (or non-UK equivalent)
- Provide appropriate training and support to all staff
- Take responsibility for children and young people’s safety when in our care
- Seek permission from parents before taking images (photographs or film) of students and inform them how and where the images will be used
- Report suspected neglect or abuse to the nominated member of staff, relevant organisation, or police
- Danceforce School of Dancing works with the venues we hire to provide as safe and secure an environment as is possible.
Reporting Suspected Neglect or Abuse
Any concerns regarding suspected neglect or abuse must be reported to Carol Winter, Principal of Danceforce School of Dancing.
Please note: failure to report suspected abuse can itself be considered to be abuse.
Concerns regarding a child’s welfare can be reported by:
- Parents
- Teachers
- Friends
- The child or young person
All allegations of neglect or abuse will be taken seriously. If a concern is reported directly by the child or young person we will not seek to disagree, ask probing or leading questions, or do anything else which may discourage them.
We will make it clear that reported concerns cannot be kept confidential but will need to be shared with a nominated member of staff or external organisation. Parents or guardians will also be involved if appropriate.
We recognise that early action is vital. Any concerns will be reported immediately. If the child or young person is in immediate danger of harm, we will contact the police on 999.
In all other cases, we will report concerns to the local Protection Team;
Kingston Upon Thames, children’s Single Point of Access (SPA) Team. (Open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday)
Telephone: 020 8547 5008
Appropriate Physical Contact in Dance
Teaching dance is a physical activity and a teacher will sometimes need to make physical contact with a student to show an idea or to correct the student’s
position. This can include:
- Lifting
- Adjusting arms, legs, rib cage, hips, feet, hands
- Moving one student in relation to another
Where contact is needed, we will remain sensitive to the student’s wishes and put their welfare first. In all cases, we will say why and how we will be correcting the student’s position before making any contact.
We encourage students to report any concerns.
Chaperoning Children to and from Dance Events
When chaperoning students to an event, we will:
- Provide parents and students with information about what the event is for
- Provide parents and students with the full address of the event
- In cases where the event is taking place in a large building, we will also give the room or studio number where possible
- Have a planned journey route that is shared with parents, students and chaperones
- Make sure that students are aware of what they should do if they get lost
- Ask parents and students for their contact details in case of emergency
- Have a clear idea of how students will be cared for while at the event
We will ensure that chaperones hold all required checks and licences and are aware of our Child Protection Policy. If a child is missing and all efforts to find them have failed, then it is advisable to call the police. Immediate action can make all the difference
Use of Photographs and Filming of Children
On enrolling with the school, an option of agreement or disagreement of allowing a child or adult to be photographed is always given. This information is stored within personal records and is available to teachers and staff only. Photographs or video footage may be used by Danceforce in marketing and advertising campaigns and for social media and email communications for subscribers.
We ask that any parent wanting to take photographs or film at our events only do so with our prior permission. Permission will only be granted on the agreement of all present.
Policy Review
This policy was last reviewed on 01/10/2018
This policy will be reviewed by 01/10/2019
CAROL WINTER
PRINCIPAL