CHILD PROTECTION POLICY 

 

We believe that no child or young person should be the subject of neglectful or abusive behavior.

 

We will promote and maintain the welfare of every child in our care and seek to protect them from

harm regardless of race, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief or any other form of identity or creed. We will create a safe and welcoming environment for all.

 

This policy applies to all our staff/assistants/volunteers/visitors and covers children under the age of18 and/or vulnerable adults under the age of 24.

 

To protect children and young people in our care, we will:

 

• Value and respect children and listen to what they have to say

• Work with children, parents and relevant organizations

• Share our policy with all staff, parents and students

• Ensure all required checks are made when hiring staff and that those in regular contact with children hold a current DBS check

• Ensure that all staff have taken responsibility for updating their safeguarding training

• Take responsibility for children and young people's safety when in our care

• Seek permission from parents before taking images (photographs or film) of students and inform them how and where the images will be used

• Report suspected neglect or abuse to the nominated member of staff, relevant organization, or police

• Ensure that this policy is regularly updated

 

Additional guidance can be found in the following documents at the end of this policy:

 

• Reporting Suspected Neglect or Abuse

• Appropriate Physical Contact in Dance

• Chaperoning Students to and from Dance Events

• Use of Photographs and Film of Children

 

This policy was last reviewed on 27th April 2022

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Name: HeaYeon Lee 

 

Job Title: Principal

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REPORTING SUSPECTED NEGLECT OR ABUSE

 

Concerns regarding a child's welfare can be reported by:

• Parents

• Teachers

• Friends

• The child or young person

 

All allegations of neglect or abuse will be taken seriously. If a concern is reported directly by the child or young person we will not seek to disagree, ask probing or leading questions, or do anything else which may discourage them.

 

We will make clear that reported concerns cannot be kept confidential but will need to be shared with

a nominated member of staff or external organization. Parents or guardians will also be involved if appropriate.

 

The nominated Safeguarding Lead is: Heayeon Lee, Principal

 

We recognize that early action is vital. Any concerns will be reported immediately.

 

If the child or young person is in immediate danger of harm, we will contact the police on 999 or 101.

 

In all other cases, we will report concerns to the child's local Protection Team.

 

APPROPRIATE PHYSICAL CONTACT IN DANCE

 

Teaching dance is a physical activity and a teacher will sometimes need to make physical contact with a student to show an idea or to correct the student's position. This can include:

 

• Lifting

• Adjusting arms, legs, rib cage, hips, feet, hands

• Moving one student in relation to another

 

Where contact is needed, we will remain sensitive to the student's wishes and put their welfare first.

In all cases, we will say why and how we will be correcting the student's position before making any

contact.

 

If you have any concerns, please do contact us.

 

 

CHAPERONING STUDENTS TO AND FROM DANCE EVENTS 

 

From time to time, students of The Shine Ballet Academy may attend a dance event such as a theatre trip, workshop etc arranged by the School.

 

When chaperoning students to an event, we will:

 

• Provide parents and students with information about what the event is for

• Provide parents and students with the full address of the event

• In cases where the event is taking place in a large building, we will also give the room or studio number where possible

• Have a planned journey route that is shared with parents, students and chaperones

• Make sure that students are aware of what they should do if they get lost

• Ask parents and students for their contact details in case of emergency

• Have a clear idea of how students will be cared for while at the event

• Try to ensure that a trained First Aider accompanies the students

 

We will ensure that chaperones hold all required checks and licenses and are aware of our Child Protection Policy.

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THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC AND FILM IMAGES

 

There may be times when parents and guardians may wish to take photographs or videos at certain events such as Watching Week. However, there are times when it is not appropriate and include in dressing rooms, when students are in large groups and permission has not been sought from all of those in the image and where the image may be shared via social media channels.

 

When a student is enrolled at The Shine Ballet Academy, the signing of the enrollment form gives automatic consent for images that may be taken by staff during the course of lessons or at exam days to be shared on the School's social media or be used for marketing purposes. Should you wish to withdraw consent, please make this known to the Principal who will ensure that all staff are made aware.

 

We recognize that taking images of students in our care may not always be appropriate and that some children and parents may not want images taken at any time. Therefore, before taking images of a child or young person, we will:

 

• Make clear to the child and parent where and when the image will be taken

• Clearly identify the person who will be taking the image

• Explain how the image will be used, e.g. whether it will be posted on social media or printed to be displayed at the school

• At Watching Week, the staff will remind parents of the rules around the sharing of images and ensure that those present give their consent to having images taken

• Special School events such as dance concerts/shows will usually have footage and images captured by a professional company and made available for purchase. On these occasions parents/audience members may not take their own recordings or pictures and may be asked to leave the premises.

 

Where we have displayed images at our school or on social media or in public, parents and students may withdraw their permission at any time. In such cases, the images will be removed as soon as is reasonable and without question.