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Safe Guarding Policy

SAFE GUARDING POLICY | LIVE 4 DANCING

Introduction

The purpose of the safeguarding policy is to ensure that every student that attends our dance school is safe and protected from harm. All staff have a responsibility to ensure that students have a safe environment to dance in. All staff have a responsibility to ensure any allegations of abuse are reported to the appropriate authorities. Where students are at a significant risk, staff have a duty of care to take immediate action.

Live 4 Dancing possesses public liability insurance for the protection of staff and students. All the teachers are DBS checked and fully insured. Teachers are also First Aid trained and regularly attend Child Protection and Safeguarding Training.

CHILD SAFETY

The safety of children during dance classes is of paramount importance to us. Whilst your child is receiving tuition in a studio, they are under the care of one of our teachers.

However, we would like to remind parents that we are not responsible for the welfare of children at the following times:

  • Whilst waiting for the class to be called into the studio.
  • If the child asks to leave the class for a toilet break.
  • If the class has an interval for refreshments.
  • After the class has finished or whilst waiting between two classes if attending more than one. Please be aware of this should you choose to leave your child unattended at the centre.

In addition:

    • Students must vacate a studio on time. Students aged 14 and under must be collected on time without fail and have a nominated adult on site 10 minutes before the end of their Class or Course, Private Lesson or Dance Workshop as the case may be.
    • Please be aware that Live 4 Dancing is under no obligation to enquire about leaving or collection arrangements and accepts no responsibility for such. Live 4 Dancing is NOT responsible for Clientsvand/or their children before and after Classes, Courses Private Lessons and Dance Workshops as the case may be.
    • Clients who have children aged 8 years and under must have a parent or nominated adult on site at all times in case they require the toilet or in case of an emergency. Live 4 Dancing’s dance instructors cannot accompany children aged 8 years and under to the toilet.
    • Clients who have children aged 8 years and under who attend Kids Classes, Courses, Private Lessons or Dance Workshops should bring a bottle of water for their children and take them to the toilet before the start of their Class, Course, Private Lesson or Dance Workshop as the case may be.

CODE OF CONDUCT

    • In order to maintain the high standards of our Dance Services Live 4 Dancing reserves the right at its sole discretion to refuse admission or participation to any Client who is deemed to be acting inappropriately. This includes, but is not limited to, behaviour that displays an actual or perceived conflict of interest or behaviour that hinders the learning of others.
    • Live 4 Dancing expects all parents and students to be polite and well mannered towards other parents and students and their Live 4 Dancing dance instructors at all times. If a parent or student is excluded for unacceptable behaviour they will not be entitled to a refund and in extreme circumstances Live 4 Dancing reserves the right to cancel the contract with the parent or student completely and immediately without notice in which case no refund will be due to the parent or student.

SAFE GUARDING

Live 4 Dancing staff and volunteers are committed to ensuring safe environments for children and young people and believe that it is always unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind. We recognise our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people, by a commitment to recommend best practice which protects them.

This policy applies to our paid staff, volunteers, students or anyone working on behalf of the dance school.

We recognise that:

  • the welfare of the child/young person is paramount
  • all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
  • working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare

The purpose of the policy:

  • to provide protection for the children and young people who participate in our show productions, exams or any other activities
  • to provide staff and volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at risk of harm

We will seek to safeguard children and young people:

  • valuing them, listening to and respecting them
  • adopting child protection guidelines through procedures and safe working practice for staff and volunteers
  • recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
  • sharing information about child protection and safe working practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers
  • sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately
  • providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training

The Dance School Director will review this policy annually, or sooner in light of any changes in legislation or guidance. All changes will be communicated to our members with immediate effect.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Director / Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport (Dr. Maria Kyriacou)

Designated Child Protection Lead (Mrs. Michaela Longmore)

Both the Director and the Designated Child Protection Lead will ensure the safeguarding policy is review annually, that all staff have completed the appropriate level of safeguarding training for their role, and are the key points of contact for all staff concerning and safeguarding issues they may have.

Responsibilities of all members of staff: –

All members of staff will complete the training requested by the Director and the Designated Child Protection Lead, and become familiar with the indicators located in the studio office.

If, following a conversation about Child protection concerns with the Child Protection Lead, a decision is made to report such concerns, key numbers can be found in the studio office.

However, where a child is in immediate need, to protect the child, the police should be called on 999.