PRIME DANCE SAFE GUARDING POLICY

1. Prime Dance Safeguarding Policy
Safeguarding Policy Statement Prime Dance School is committed to providing a safe, positive, and inclusive environment where all children and young people can learn, develop, and enjoy dance free from harm, abuse, neglect, bullying, discrimination, or exploitation.
The welfare of every student is our highest priority. All staff, teachers, assistants, and chaperones share responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone attending our classes and activities.

2. Purpose This policy aims to:

   • • Protect children and young people who participate in Prime Dance School activities.

   • • Provide clear guidance for staff and assistants on safeguarding responsibilities.

   • • Ensure concerns are identified, reported, and managed appropriately.

   • • Promote a culture of respect, inclusion, and wellbeing.

3. Scope This policy applies to:

   • • Dance teachers

   • • Teaching assistants

   • • Guest instructors

   • • Chaperones

   • • Administrative staff

   • • Parents and carers while participating in school events

4. The policy applies during:

   • • Dance classes

   • • Workshops

   • • Competitions

   • • Performances

   • • Examinations

   • • Online classes

   • • Social events organised by Prime Dance School

5. Safeguarding Principles Prime Dance will:

   • • Put the welfare of students first.

   • • Treat all students with dignity and respect.

   • • Listen to children and take their concerns seriously.

   • • Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion.

   • • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

   • • Work in partnership with parents and carers.

   • • Respond promptly to safeguarding concerns.

6. Code of Conduct for Staff: All staff must:

   • • Treat every student fairly and respectfully.

   • • Be positive role models.

   • • Use appropriate language at all times.

   • • Avoid favouritism.

   • • Never engage in inappropriate physical or verbal behaviour

   • • Report any safeguarding concerns immediately.

   • • Maintain confidentiality.

   • • Never communicate privately with children outside approved communication channels.

7. Staff must never:

   • • Use humiliating, degrading, or intimidating behaviour.

   • • Develop inappropriate personal relationships with students.

   • • Share inappropriate images or messages.

   • • Ignore concerns raised by students or parents.

8. Recruitment: Prime Dance will:

   • • Carry out appropriate pre-employment checks.

   • • Obtain references.

   • • Verify identity and qualifications.

   • • Complete relevant background checks where required by law.

   • • Provide safeguarding induction for all new staff.

9. Training: All staff will receive:

   • • Safeguarding awareness training.

   • • Child protection training.

   • • Regular policy updates.

   • • Training on recognising abuse and neglect.

   • • Guidance on reporting procedures.

10. Recognising Abuse: Staff should be aware that abuse may be:

    • • Physical

    • • Emotional

    • • Sexual

    • • Neglect

    • • Bullying

    • • Online abuse

    • • Grooming

    • • Domestic abuse

    • • Exploitation

11. Possible indicators include:

    • • Sudden behavioural changes

    • • Unexplained injuries

    • • Withdrawal

    • • Fearfulness

    • • Poor attendance

    • • Inappropriate sexual behaviour

    • • Signs of neglect

    • • Self-harm

    • • Sudden decline in wellbeing

12. Responding to Concerns: If a student discloses abuse:

    • • Stay calm.

    • • Listen carefully.

    • • Reassure the student that they have done the right thing.

    • • Do not promise confidentiality.

    • • Record exactly what has been said.

    • • Report the concern immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

    • • If a child is at immediate risk of harm, contact emergency services and the relevant safeguarding authority.

13. Staff should never:

    • • Investigate allegations themselves.

    • • Ask leading questions.

    • • Delay reporting.

    • • Discuss concerns with anyone who does not need to know.

14. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Prime Dance will appoint a Designated Safeguarding Lead responsible for:

    • • Receiving safeguarding concerns.

    • • Maintaining safeguarding records.

    • • Liaising with statutory agencies.

    • • Supporting staff.

    • • Reviewing safeguarding procedures annually.

    • • Ensuring staff receive appropriate training.
      Physical Contact: Dance teaching often requires physical guidance.
Staff must:

    • • Explain why contact is necessary.

    • • Seek permission where appropriate.

    • • Use the minimum contact required.

    • • Ensure contact is appropriate, professional, and instructional.

    • • Respect a student's wishes if they are uncomfortable.

15. Photography and Video: Photography or filming will only take place:

    • • With appropriate parental consent where required.

    • • For legitimate educational or promotional purposes.

    • • Using school-approved devices.

16. Images will be stored securely and used in accordance with data protection requirements. Online Safety For online classes:

    • • Approved platforms will be used.

    • • Parents should supervise younger children where possible.

    • • Sessions may be recorded only where appropriate and participants have been informed.

    • • Staff should maintain professional online conduct.

17. Students must not be contacted through personal social media accounts.

18. Bullying: Prime Dance has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying.
Bullying includes:

    • • Physical

    • • Verbal

    • • Emotional

    • • Social

    • • Cyberbullying

    • • Discriminatory behaviour

19. All incidents will be investigated and managed prompt. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Prime Dance welcomes students regardless of:

    • • Age

    • • Disability

    • • Gender

    • • Gender identity

    • • Race

    • • Religion

    • • Background

20. Everyone has the right to participate in a safe and respectful environment. Confidentiality: Safeguarding information will be shared only with those who need to know in order to protect a child or vulnerable person.
Records will be stored securely and handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws. Reporting Concerns: Any safeguarding concern should be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
If there is an immediate risk of significant harm, emergency services should be contacted without delay.

21. Toilet Assistance: The safety and wellbeing of all students is a priority at Prime Dance School.

    • • Children under the age of 10 years who need to use the toilet during class will be accompanied by a member of staff or a teaching assistant/ older student who holds an Enhanced DBS check.

    • • Wherever possible, the accompanying person will remain outside the cubicle or maintain the child's privacy while ensuring their safety.

    • • Staff will always promote the child's dignity, privacy, and independence appropriate to their age and needs.

    • • Parents should inform the school of any medical conditions or additional needs that may require specific support.

    • Parents are to inform a member of Prime Dance staff if you DO NOT wish your child to go to the toilet without a member of staff and are over the age of 10 years.

22. Arrival and Collection of Children Under 10: To ensure the safety of younger students:

    • • Parents or carers must bring children under the age of 10 to the studio door at the beginning of each class and ensure they are safely handed over to a member of staff.

    • • At the end of class, children under the age of 10 will only be released from the studio door directly to their parent or authorised adult.

    • • Children under 10 must not be dropped off outside the venue or left to enter the building unaccompanied unless alternative arrangements have been agreed with the school.

    • If someone other than a parent is collecting your child, i.e. grandparent, friend, please inform staff of that evening/ day.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE HAVE FIRE EXITS IN BOTH STUDIOS INCASE OF THE UNLIKELY EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY! 
Policy Review This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if:

• • Legislation changes.

• • Best practice guidance changes.

• • A safeguarding incident identifies improvements.

Policy Owner: Prime Dance