The Academy Safeguarding Policy
THE ACADEMY DANCE STUDIO STATEMENT OF POLICY FOR SAFEGUARDING OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
The Academy Dance Studio believes that it is always unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind and recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by a commitment to a practice which protects them. Safeguarding is everybody’s business. The Academy is committed to ensuring that all our children and young people are safe and feel safe; that children, parents/carers and staff are able to talk about any safeguarding concerns and feel assured that they will be listened to; and that all staff and volunteers are aware of and implement safeguarding procedures and guidance including what to do if they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at risk of harm.
All staff (paid/voluntary) have a responsibility to report concerns to The Academy Dance Studio’s Designated Safeguarding Lead Miss Samantha Riley
We aim to provide safe participatory and creative opportunities for all the children and young people who use our or hired facilities.
In order to do this, we recognise that:
• The welfare of the child/young person is paramount.
• All children and young people whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.
• Working in partnership with children and young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting their welfare.
The purpose of the policy is:
• To provide protection for the children and young people who receive services from The Academy Dance Studio including the children of adult members or users.
• 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.
• This policy applies to all staff, volunteers and seasonal workers, students or anyone working on behalf of The Academy Dance Studio.
We will endeavour to safeguard children and young people by:
• Valuing them, listening to and respecting them
• Adopting child safeguarding guidelines through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers
• Recruiting staff and volunteers safely ensuring all necessary checks are made
• Sharing information about child safeguarding and good practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers
• Sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, involving parents and children appropriately
We are also committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.
Promoting Good Dance Practice
The Academy Dance Studio will encourage the following:
Always working in an open environment (e.g. avoid private or unobserved situations and encouraging an open environment i.e. no secrets)
Treating all young people and adults equally, and with respect and dignity
Always putting the welfare of each young person first, before winning or achieving goals
Maintaining a safe and appropriate distance with dancers (it is not appropriate to have an intimate relationship with a child or to share a room with them)
Building balanced relationships based on mutual trust which empowers children to share in the decision-making process
Making dance fun, enjoyable and promoting fair play
Ensuring that if any form of manual/physical support is required, it should be provided openly and according to guidelines provided by the International Dance Teachers Association. Care is needed, as it is difficult to maintain hand positions when the child is constantly moving. Young people should always be consulted and their agreement gained. Parents views should always be carefully considered
Keeping up to date with technical skills, qualifications and insurance
Involving parents/carers wherever possible (e.g. for the responsibility of their children I the changing rooms) If groups have to be supervised in the changing rooms, always ensure to work in pairs.
Ensuring that if mixed teams are taken away, a male and female member of staff should always accompany them. (NB however, same gender abuse can also occur)
Ensuring that at shows/festivals/residential events, adults should not enter children’s room or invite children into their rooms.
Being an excellent role model – this includes not smoking or drinking alcohol in the company of young people
Giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism
Securing parental consent in writing to act in loco parentis, if the need arises to give permission for the administration of emergency first aid and/or other medical treatment
Keeping a written record of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given
Requesting written parental consent if The Academy Dance Studio Staff are required to transport young people in their cars.
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