Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy

1Purpose of This Policy

The purpose of this policy is:

• To protect children and young people who receive dance training with Beacon Arts Dance School from harm — including the children of adults who use our services
• To provide staff, volunteers, children, young people, and their families with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Beacon Arts Dance School.

2Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy, and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from www.nspcc.org.uk/childprotection.

3Policy Aims

We aim to keep children, young people, and vulnerable adults safe by:

• Providing a happy and safe dance environment for all
• Treating students with respect, listening to their concerns and acting upon them
• Identifying and responding to children, young people, and vulnerable adults in need of support and/or protection
• Supporting our students in ways which will encourage their self-esteem and independence
• Fostering a learning environment in which every pupil feels valued and able to articulate their wishes and feelings in an atmosphere of acceptance and trust
• Ensuring that students' learning follows all aspects of safe dance practice

4Roles & Responsibilities

The Principal

The Principal is responsible for:

1. Regularly reviewing and updating all policies, ensuring they are brought to the attention of all teaching staff and parents/guardians
2. Ensuring any issues or concerns in relation to safeguarding are investigated thoroughly and sensitively, without discrimination
3. Ensuring appropriate health and safety of children, young people, and vulnerable adults whilst in the school's care during class, rehearsals, and performances
4. Ensuring teaching staff are insured, DBS checked, and first aid trained
5. Discharging any student who persistently disrupts tuition, uses offensive language, or displays other anti-social behaviour

Teaching Staff

All teaching staff are responsible for:

1. Providing efficient, up-to-date, enjoyable, and safe dance instruction to all students
2. Keeping a register of attendance, emergency contact numbers, and medical conditions for each student
3. Recording all incidents in class, making detailed notes of any injuries sustained as soon as possible
4. Familiarising themselves with building and facility safety issues including fire procedures, emergency exits, and first aid equipment
5. Ensuring any energetic or strenuous instruction is given after a sufficient warm-up and that a cool-down is provided where necessary
6. Ensuring no young student leaves the premises without their parent/guardian or other authorised adult. A member of staff will stay on premises until all students have left
7. Ensuring that where physical corrections are required, they are carried out carefully and sensitively with permission from the dancer. (If a parent/guardian or student does not consent to physical contact, they may decline upon registration or by notifying the principal/teacher)
8. Upholding the highest standard of instruction and behaviour, acting in the best interests of the health and safety of every child in their care at all times
9. Reporting any incidents, misunderstandings, or unusual behaviour to the Principal

5Photography & Filming

Beacon Arts Dance School may use photographs and video recordings of students during class, rehearsals, and performances. These materials will only be used as class aids, as keepsakes of performances, or for marketing purposes. All care will be taken to ensure that any images comply with safeguarding rules and regulations.

If a parent/guardian does not want their child to be photographed or recorded, they can opt out via the registration form or by contacting the Principal in writing.

For safety reasons, we ask parents/guardians not to take photos or video recordings of other children, unless they have permission from the other dancer's parents/guardians.

6Social Media

Beacon Arts Dance School may use photographs or video clips of students on our social media profiles (Facebook and Instagram) for general marketing purposes. Parents/guardians can opt out upon registration or by contacting the Principal in writing. Consent may be withdrawn at any time, and any images or videos will be removed with immediate effect and without question.

We ask staff not to befriend any students below 18 years of age on their personal social media accounts. Contact between students, parents, and staff via the school's social media may be made to discuss matters relating to dance classes.

Our social media pages are public and open to students, parents/guardians, and prospective families. We also operate a private Facebook group for information relevant only to our current students and guardians.