Safeguarding Policy

Introduction

The purpose of the safeguarding policy is to ensure that every child, young person or adult that attends our dance school is safe and protected from harm.  All staff have a responsibility to ensure that children and adults have a safe environment to dance in.  All staff have a responsibility to ensure any allegations of abuse are reported to the appropriate authorities.  Licence to Dance works with the ABD when required to report safeguarding incidences. Where children/adults are at a significant risk, staff have a duty of care to take immediate action.

Licence to Dance possesses public liability insurance for the protection of staff and students.

Safeguarding Policy

Licence to Dance and its volunteers, are committed to ensuring safe environments for children, young people, adults and believe that it is always unacceptable for a child, young person or adult  to experience abuse of any kind. We recognise our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children, young people and adults 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/adult is paramount
• all children and adults, 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, adults and other agencies is essential in promoting everyone’s welfare

The purpose of the policy

• to provide protection for the children, young people and adults who participate in our classes, competitions, 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, young person or adult may be experiencing, or be at risk of harm

We will seek to safeguard children, young people and adults by:

• 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 principal, Antonio Franchitti 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.

All the teachers are DBS checked and fully insured. Teachers are also First Aid trained and regularly attend Child Protection and Safeguarding Training.

Roles and Responsibilities

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) – Julia Harries

The Designated Safeguarding Lead will ensure the safeguarding policy is review annually, that all staff have completed the appropriate level of safeguarding training for their role, and is the key point 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 Designated Safeguarding Lead.