Safeguarding Policy

This policy applies to all staff, including teachers, volunteers, students and visiting artists or anyone working on behalf of Julia’s Dance Studio.
Policy Statement
Julia’s Dance Studio is committed to enabling children and young people to learn and develop in a safe, understanding and encouraging environment. We recognise that it is a privilege to work with children and young people and also a great responsibility. Parents/carers trust Julia’s Dance Studio to look after their children and to care for them, give leadership and keep them safe. Julia’s Dance Studio needs to ensure that we honour their trust.
Note the term “children” in this policy refers to all persons under the age of 18.
The purpose of this policy:
To protect children and young people who receive Julia’s Dance Studio services.
To provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection and safeguarding.
Julia’s Dance Studio recognises:
That a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them.  
Julia’s Dance Studio holds the required measures to ensure safe and effective practice, this includes:
All teachers employed by Julia’s Dance Studio are fully qualified with accreditation from appropriate bodies.
Julia’s Dance Studio provides designated First Aiders.
All people coming into contact with children and young people hold enhanced criminal records checks.
Julia’s Dance Studio aims to comply with the requirements of:
The children Act 1989
United Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991
Data Protection Act 1998
Human Rights Act 1998
The Children Act 2004
We recognise that:
The welfare of the child/young person is paramount.
All children regardless of age, disability, race, gender, 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.
We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:
Valuing them, listening to and respecting them
Appointing a designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) and adopting child protection and safeguarding practices through procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers.
Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training.
Recording and storing information professionally and securely.
Recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made.
Using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns with agencies who need to know, involving children, young people, parents and carers appropriately.
Sharing information on safeguarding and good practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers.
Using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff or volunteers.
Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise.
The nature of teaching dance means that teachers will on occasion physically adjust, guide and correct students. All teachers abide by the Royal Academy of Dance code of conduct.

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

References:             
NSPCC
Royal Academy of Dance
Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance