Child Protection Policy
Razzle N Dazzle Academy of Dance believes that:
The welfare of children 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.
All staff (paid/voluntary) working within Razzle N Dazzle Academy of Dance has a responsibility to report concerns to the appropriate officer (Nichola Thomas).
Policy Statement
RND Academy of Dance has a duty of care to safeguard all children involved in dance from harm.
All children have a right to protection.
We will ensure the safety and protection of all children involved in dance.
A child is defined as anyone under the age of 18 (The Children Act 1989).
Policy Aims
The aim of the RND Child Protection Policy is:
- To promote good practice.
- To provide children and young people with appropriate safety and protection whilst in the care of RND Academy of Dance.
- Allow all staff/volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection issues
Promoting good practice
RND Academy of Dance 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/disabled 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 (e.g. 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 IDTA. Young people should always be consulted and
their agreement gained.
Keeping up to date with the technical skills, qualifications and insurance in dance.
Involving parents/carers wherever possible (e.g. for the responsibility of their children in the
changing rooms).
If groups have to be supervised in the changing rooms, always ensure parents/teachers/coaches/
officials work in pairs.
Being an excellent role model.
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.
Written records of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given.
Practice to be avoided
The following should be avoided except in emergencies:
Avoid spending excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others.
Avoid taking children to your home where they will be alone with you.
Practice never to be sanctioned
The following should never be sanctioned. You should never:
Engage in rough or physical games.
Allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching.
Allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged.
Reduce a child to tears as a form of control.
Allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded or not acted upon.
Rachael Coles, Nichola Thomas, Donna Farr (RND Academy of Dance)
Policy: Updated August 2017
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