Aim

It is the aim of The Jill Stew School of Dance, in co-operation with parents and guardians, to ensure as far as reasonably practicable the health and safety of the children (under the age of 18) and vulnerable adults to which it supplies a service to teach dance, drama and musical theatre. In this policy Child will mean, children under the age of 18 and/or vulnerable adult.

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England/Northern Ireland/Scotland/Wales [select the relevant nation]. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from nspcc.org.uk/childprotection.

Supporting documents 

This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies, procedures, guidance and other related documents: Adult/Child Consent Policies, Anti Bullying Policy, GDPR Policy (Student/Staff), School Rules & Regulations.

We believe that:  

Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

We recognise that: 

The welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take

• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare
   
• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse
   
• some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
   
• extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse.

Find out more about:

• safeguarding children who come from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities • safeguarding d/Deaf and disabled children and young people
   
• safeguarding LGBTQ+ children and young people • safeguarding children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by: 

• valuing, listening to and respecting them
   
• adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers
   
• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures and behaviour codes confidently and competently
   
• recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
   
• recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance [more information about this is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office: ico.org.uk/fororganisations]
   
• using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately
   
• using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately
   
• creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise
   
• ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance
   
• building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.

Contact details

Nominated Child Protection Lead & Safeguarding Lead

Name: Amy Churchill & Anna Henry

Phone/email: info@jillstewdance.co.uk

achurchill@jillstewdance.co.uk

ahenry@jillstewdance.co.uk