be.ballet.creative Safeguarding
and Child Protection Policy
Founder and Principal: Miss Charlotte Pearce
Safeguarding statement
be.ballet.creative acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of all students and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance, and complies with best practice and The Royal Academy of Dance requirements.
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 and volunteers have a responsibility to ensure that students have a safe environment to dance in. We seek to provide staff and volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a student may be experiencing, or be at risk of harm.
Aim of this policy
The purpose of be.ballet.creative safeguarding policy is to ensure every student at our organisation is safe and protected from harm. This means we will always work to:
- Protect students from maltreatment
- Prevent impairment of student’s health or development
- Ensure that the environment for students is consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
- Take action to enable all students to have the best outcomes
This policy will give clear direction to staff, volunteers, visitors and parents about the expected behaviour and our legal responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all students at our organisation.
We recognise our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all students, via 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 and interests of students are paramount in all circumstances. We are committed to ensuring safe environments for students and believe that it is always unacceptable for a student to experience abuse of any kind. Â
Our aim is to ensure that, regardless of age, ability, gender, religious beliefs, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socio-economic background and additional vulnerabilities, all students:
- Have a positive and enjoyable experience of dance at be.ballet.creative, in a safe and child centered environment
- Are protected from abuse whilst participating in the dance activity provided by be.ballet.creative
be.ballet.creative acknowledges that some students, including those with additional vulnerabilities or those from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.
The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in be.ballet.creative.
The School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Miss Charlotte Pearce, Founder of be.ballet.creative and School Principal.Â
The responsibilities of the DSL are:
- Being alert and recognising safeguarding issues
- Raising and sharing concerns they may have about a student
- Recognising when it is appropriate to make a referral to social care and contacting them when necessary
- Where necessary, contributing to plans and decisions regarding a student
- Understanding the importance of safe recruitment of teachers and staff
- Participating in training and ensuring that their knowledge is up to date
- Ensuring other staff members are trained adequately in safeguarding procedures and follow correct practices
- Challenging poor safeguarding practice in the workplace
- Maintaining accurate and secure records
Reporting procedure
All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. Where problems or concerns are expressed by children or adults, the DSL may choose to seek further advice by:
- Consulting with social care
- Consulting with another DSL
- Reading their Local Safeguarding Children Board (Safeguarding Partners) procedures
- Discussing their concerns with other services involved with the family
- If concerns are about a fellow professional, seek advice from their Local
- Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
All discussions will be documented and dated. The member of staff concerned will make brief notes as soon as possible after the incident is reported. Such notes will be shared with social care as necessary, then will be retained confidentially and securely for future reference.
Performances
During performances, the School will always have staff to supervise students, backstage in dressing rooms and on all routes to the stage. Staff will be DBS checked and will work alongside parent volunteers.
Recording and photography
For further protection of all students during class and performances, video recording and photographs will be taken with permission from parents or guardians, either by a photographer approved by the Principal and having undergone an appropriate DBS check, or by a press photographer appointed by the Principal with the consent of parents/guardians.
It is common for teachers, parents and students to take images (in the form of photographs and film) at classes and events. However, there may be times when it is not appropriate for images to be taken. These can include:
- While students are getting changed or are in their designated changing rooms
- Where the image may be shared publicly on social media
- When students are in large groups and permission has not been sought from all those included in the image.Â
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 student, we will:
- Seek written/electronic agreement from parents that images can be taken of their child.Â
- Make clear to the student and parent where and when the image will be takenÂ
- Clearly identify the person who will be taking the image.
- Explain how the image will be used, e.g. whether it will be posted on social media or printed to be displayed at the school
Where we have publicly displayed images at our school or on social media, parents and students may withdraw their permission at any time. In such cases, the images will be removed as soon as is reasonable and without question. 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.
Child protection
Child safety
The safety of children during classes is of paramount importance to us. Whilst your child is receiving tuition in the hall, they are under the care of one of our teachers. However, can we please 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 hall
- Once your child has been safely collected from class
- All parents/carers are expected to wait on site during classes if the child is under the age of 5.
Appropriate Physical Contact in Dance
Physical contact in a dance class is sometimes required to correct the posture or position of a student. 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:
- 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.
At be.ballet.creative we are DBS checked and fully insured. Teachers regularly attend Child Protection and Safeguarding Training.
Monitoring
The Principal will review this policy annually, revising and enhancing it as necessary. In doing this they will look to professional bodies and agencies for good practice, most notably the NSPCC and Arts Council of England policy guidelines.Â
A copy of this policy will be displayed on the website and included in the school information packs for new students.
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000Â