Vanessa Class School of Dance is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people up to the age of 18. We recognize our responsibility to take all reasonable steps to promote safe practice and to protect children from harm, abuse and exploitation.

Vanessa Class School of Dance acknowledges its duty to act appropriately to any allegations, reports or suspicions of abuse. All staff and volunteers will work together to encourage the development of an ethos which embraces difference and diversity and respects the rights of children, young people and adults.

Vanessa Class School of Dance recognizes its duty of care under the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, the Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014, the Children Act 1989 & 2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015.

We recognise that the “entertainment industry” can be a very “adult” environment and we expect that all staff, chaperones, parents/legal guardians, volunteers, and anyone else who comes into contact with children behave in an appropriate manner at all times and remember that “The Welfare of the Child is Paramount”.

Vanessa Class School of Dance will ensure that:

• The welfare of the child is paramount
• All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately

Establish and maintain an ethos where children feel welcome and familiar with their environment and are informed of personal (toilets, dressing rooms etc.) and emergency arrangements (fire exits, meeting points etc.) and any Health and Safety Procedures (Dangerous equipment, First aid etc.)

Inform each child whom the appropriate person or people are to speak to if they have any questions, problems, or concerns.

Always work in an open environment (e.g. avoiding private or unobserved situations and unnecessary physical contact with children) and involve/allow parents/chaperones wherever possible, to take responsibility for the child/children they are responsible for. (parents must only have responsibility for their own child)

Recognising the individual needs of the child. E.g. recognising when a child may be tired and may need a break.

Ensure that children are supervised appropriately.

Ensure that all Chaperones are registered with the local authority in which they reside and have an enhanced DBS check.

Ensure all crew and staff coming into close contact with a child are DBS checked.

Ensure that all staff and crew who don’t necessarily have close contact with children but who are assisting in the production are aware of their conduct around children.

Vanessa Class School of Dance will ensure that:

• Everyone will be treated with respect and dignity
• The welfare of each child will always be put first
• Enthusiastic and constructive criticism will be given to pupils rather than negative criticism
• Bullying will not be accepted or condoned
• All adult members will provide a positive role model
• Action will be taken to stop any inappropriate behavior
• It will comply with health & safety legislation as outlined in the following.
• Children Act 1989
• Children act 2004
• Working together to safeguard children 2015
• It will keep informed of changes in legislation and policies for the protection of children
• It will undertake relevant professional development and training
• It will ensure all contact and medical details for every child is up to date and available at the place of teaching or performance.
• All staff will receive dedicated safeguarding training.

Vanessa Class School of Dance has a designated Safeguarding lead who is in charge of ensuring that the child protection policy is adhered to. The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is …Sasha Class…………. and he/she can be contacted on:…07809235614………

In implementing this policy Vanessa Class School of Dance will:

• Ensure that all workers/members understand their legal and moral responsibility to protect children and young people from harm, abuse, and exploitation.
• Ensure that all workers/members and volunteers understand their duty to report concerns that arise about a child or young person, or a workers conduct towards a child or young person to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• The Designated Safeguarding Lead will refer any child protection concerns to the statutory child protection agencies (i.e. Police and/or Children’s Social Care).
• Children, young people and parents will be informed of who the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy are and be able to raise any safeguarding concerns & know that these will be taken seriously and acted upon.
• Ensure that workers/members will work implemented in a consistent and equitable manner in line with the safer working practice guidance.

This policy will be regularly monitored by Vanessa Class School of Dance and will be subject to an annual review. We will make sure that all workers/members understand their legal and moral responsibility to protect children and young people from harm, abuse and exploitation.

• Ensure that all workers/members and volunteers understand their duty to report concerns that arise about a child or young person, or a workers conduct towards a child or young person to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• The Designated Safeguarding Lead will refer any child protection concerns to the statutory child protection agencies (i.e. Police and/or Children’s Social Care).
• Children, young people and parents will be informed of who the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy are and be able to raise any safeguarding concerns & know that these will be taken seriously and acted upon.
• Ensure that workers/members will work implemented in a consistent and equitable manner in line with the safer working practice guidance.

This policy will be regularly monitored by Vanessa Class and will be subject to an annual review.