Vanessa Class School of Dance is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people up to the age of 16. 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 recognises its duty of care under the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, the Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014, the Children Act 1989 and Working Together to Safeguard Children.

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

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 behaviour
• It will comply with health & safety legislation
• 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 Vanessa Class/Sasha Class, and they can be contacted on 07889405289 and 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.