Child Protection Policy – Willow Dance and Fitness
Willow Dance and Fitness have an important and explicit duty to safeguard and protect children from harm and abuse in their dance classes. This policy will outline safeguarding procedures within the dance school. All children's rights will be protected.
This policy applies to all our staff and volunteers, 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:
Additional Guidance A: Reporting Suspected Neglect or Abuse
Concerns regarding a child’s welfare can be reported by:
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 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 01483571212 or 999
In all other cases, we will report concerns to Children's services – Surrey on 0300 4709100
Additional Guidance B: 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:
We encourage students to report any concerns.
Additional Guidance C: Chaperoning Children to and from Dance Events
When chaperoning students to an event, we will:
In the rare event that a child goes missing and all efforts to find them have failed, police emergency services will be called. Immediate action can make all the difference.
Additional Guidance D: Use of Photographs and Film of Children
We recognise that taking images of students in our care may not always be appropriate and that some children and parents may not want images taken at any time. Therefore, before taking images of a child or young person, we will:
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.
Willow Dance and Fitness have an important and explicit duty to safeguard and protect children from harm and abuse in their dance classes. This policy will outline safeguarding procedures within the dance school. All children's rights will be protected.
- 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. We will create a safe and welcoming environment for all.
This policy applies to all our staff and volunteers, 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 when necessary
- Make our policy accessible to 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
- Provide appropriate training and support to all staff
- Take responsibility for children and young people’s safety when in our care
- Ensure parents have given permission before any pictures or videos of students are used
- Report suspected neglect or abuse to the nominated member of staff, relevant organisation, or police
- Ensure that this policy is reviewed annually and regularly updated
Additional Guidance A: Reporting Suspected Neglect or 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 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 01483571212 or 999
In all other cases, we will report concerns to Children's services – Surrey on 0300 4709100
Additional Guidance B: 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
We encourage students to report any concerns.
Additional Guidance C: 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
- 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
In the rare event that a child goes missing and all efforts to find them have failed, police emergency services will be called. Immediate action can make all the difference.
Additional Guidance D: Use of Photographs and Film of Children
We recognise that taking images of students in our care may not always be appropriate and that some children and parents may not want images taken at any time. Therefore, before taking images of a child or young person, we will:
- Make clear to the child and parent where and when the image will be taken
- Clearly identify the person who will be taking the image
- Seek written agreement from parents that images can be taken of their child
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.