Safeguarding.

Safeguarding Policy

Children and vulnerable persons policy

Studio 7 recognises its duty of care under the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, the Child (Performances) Regulations 1968, the Protection of Children Act 1999 and the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (in Scotland changed to Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003). Studio 7 recognises that abuse can take many forms, whether it be physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse or neglect. Studio 7 is committed to practice which protects children from harm. All staff members accept and recognise their responsibilities to develop awareness of the issues which cause children harm.

As Studio 7 affiliates with The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, we follow a strict child protection policy, with associated good practice guidelines as seen below.

Studio 7 has procedures in place so that any allegation or complaints of abuse are taken seriously and investigated, which includes informing the trustees of the complaint.

Studio 7 staff are aware that children under 18 and vulnerable persons of any age can be involved in their activities and that they have a responsibility, within the limits of their control and jurisdiction, to protect and safeguard the welfare of every such child and vulnerable person.

All children and vulnerable persons have the right to protection from abuse. All employees and members in contact with children and vulnerable persons are expected to abide by policies stated. This includes:

• Employment including temporary staff and examiners
• Data protection policy, especially in regard to children
• Procedures at events, competitions, shows
• Procedures for examiners

Complaints of abuse or neglect

Any complaint or incident to be reported should be reported in the first instance to the person in charge indicating that an abuse of a child or vulnerable person's welfare may have taken place.

On receipt of a complaint the principal will investigate the complaint. All parties to the complaint will have the right to be heard, including the parents or legal guardian(s) of the child or vulnerable person concerned.

The principal will suspend the individual(s) against whom the complaint is against whilst investigations are taking place until the decision has been made.

A list is kept of all employees who may have access to records about children, or who may be helping with activities which may bring them into supervisory contact with children using their facilities.

All persons noted in the list will be asked to undergo a disclosure check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ascertain their suitability to supervise, protect and safeguard the welfare of children using the ISTD or members facilities.

A copy of this policy document and guidelines on good practice will be given to all persons noted in the list. It is the principal's job to keep this policy up to date.

What to do if a child confides in you that abuse has taken place

• Remain calm and in control but do not delay taking action.
• Listen carefully to what has been said. Allow the child to tell you at their own pace and ask questions only for clarification. Don't ask questions that suggest a particular answer.
• Don't promise to keep it a secret. Use the first opportunity you have to share the information with the person with responsibility for child protection. Make it clear to the child that you will need to share this information with others. Make it clear that you will only tell the people who need to know and who should be able to help.
• Reassure the child that they did the right thing in telling someone.
• Tell the child what you are going to do next.
• Speak immediately to the safeguarding lead, Lauren Blanchard. It is that person's responsibility to liaise with the relevant authorities, usually social services or the police.
• As soon as possible after the disclosing conversation, make a note of what was said, using the child's own words. Note the date, time, any names that were involved or mentioned, and who you gave the information to. Make sure you sign and date your record.

Incidents that must be reported to the principal

If you are an employee, member, parent or carer:

• If you accidentally hurt a child.
• If a child appears to be sexually aroused by your actions.
• If a child misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done.
• If a child is unusually distressed and you have any suspicions of or concerns about potential abuse.

Good practice in the studio

• Always work in an open environment (e.g. avoid private unobserved situations and encourage open communication with no secrets).
• Treat all children equally and with respect and dignity.
• Give enthusiastic feedback.
• Always put the welfare of each child first.
• An appropriate number of legally responsible adults present.
• Adequate space, with no hazards present.
• Heating and ventilation.
• Risk assessments are carried out regularly.
• Regular drink breaks will be given.
• Regular communication with parents through emails, newsletters and verbal communication.
• First aid box will be to hand in the studio.
• Maintain written reports of any incidents or injuries, complete an accident form immediately if needed and decide on treatment.
• Staff will undertake regular training to ensure safety of students.
• All registers will be available to staff members when teaching the class with emergency contact details if needed.
• All adults will maintain a safe and appropriate distance from children.
• Adults will only touch children when it is absolutely necessary in relation to the particular activity, after having received consent on enrolment forms from parent/carer, and will also get consent from the child with the purpose being made clear (i.e. for correction purposes).

Practices to be avoided

• Avoid spending time alone with children away from others. In essential one to one situations extreme care should be exercised.

Practices never to be sanctioned

• Allowing or engaging in horseplay, physical or sexually provocative games.
• Allowing or engaging in any form of inappropriate touching.
• Making sexually suggestive comments to a child or young person, even in fun.
• Reducing a child to tears as a form of control.
• Failing to act on and record any allegations made by a child.
• Making derogatory remarks or gestures in front of young children.
• Condoning bullying.
• Doing any actions of a personal nature if the student can carry this out themselves.
• Meeting with students outside of classes unless a parent is aware and has consented to this.
• Showing favouritism to individuals.

Child protection

Studio 7 will:

• Undertake a risk assessment and monitor risk throughout the production process.
• Identify at the outset the person with designated responsibility for child protection.
• Engage in effective recruitment of chaperones and other individuals with responsibility for children, including appropriate vetting (if necessary in consultation with the local education authority).
• Ensure that children are supervised at all times.
• Know how to get in touch with the local authority social services, in case it needs to report a concern.

For showcases and performances, Studio 7 will adhere to the BOPA guidelines. Teachers will be trained in safeguarding, health and safety, child protection and will be DBS checked.

For showcases and performances all chaperones and backstage volunteers will have a DBS check. All chaperones will require a chaperone licence which will be granted by North Lincolnshire Council.

Parents

• Studio 7 believes it to be important that there is a partnership between parents and staff members.
• Parents are encouraged to be involved in the activities of the dance school and share in the responsibility for the care of children.
• All parents will be given a copy of the child protection policy and procedures and can request to view one at any given time.
• All parents have the responsibility to collect (or arrange collection of) their children after rehearsals or performances. It is NOT the responsibility of the chaperones to take children home.

Unsupervised contact

• Studio 7 will ensure that no adult has unsupervised contact with children.
• Ratios of adults to children in the room will always be maintained at 12 to 1.
• If unsupervised contact is unavoidable, steps will be taken to minimise risk. For example, work will be carried out in a public area, or in a designated room with a door open.