Child Protection Policy

1. Introduction
Georgia’s Dance Academy is dedicated to providing a safe, positive, and nurturing environment where all children and young people can enjoy their learning experiences in dance, while being protected from harm, abuse, and neglect. This Child Protection Policy outlines how we will meet our responsibilities in safeguarding children, ensuring their welfare and protecting their rights to safety and well-being.

2. Policy Statement
Georgia’s Dance Academy is committed to:

  • Promoting the safety, well-being, and welfare of all children and young people attending our classes and events.
  • Preventing the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children and young people in all our settings, both on-site and in any off-site activity.
  • Ensuring that all staff, volunteers, and contractors involved with Georgia’s Dance Academy are aware of the child protection procedures and understand their responsibilities in keeping children safe.
  • Taking all reasonable steps to ensure that the academy is a safe and secure environment for all students.

3. Scope of the Policy
This Child Protection Policy applies to all staff, volunteers, students, parents, and visitors of Georgia’s Dance Academy, including those involved in classes, workshops, performances, events, and online or virtual sessions.

4. Key Safeguarding Principles
Georgia’s Dance Academy is committed to the following key principles in safeguarding:

  • The welfare of the child is paramount: We believe that every child has the right to be safe and protected from harm. Their welfare is our first priority.
  • Zero tolerance of abuse: Georgia’s Dance Academy will not tolerate any form of child abuse, including physical, emotional, sexual abuse, or neglect, and we will take appropriate action in response to any concerns raised.
  • Listening to children and young people: We will ensure that children feel empowered and supported to speak out about any concerns they may have, and that they are listened to without judgment.
  • Promoting positive and safe relationships: We aim to foster positive, professional, and appropriate relationships between staff, volunteers, students, and parents, with clear boundaries and a focus on mutual respect.
  • Training and awareness: All staff and volunteers will receive regular safeguarding and child protection training, ensuring they understand the signs of abuse, how to respond to disclosures, and the procedures for reporting concerns.

5. Definition of Abuse
Child abuse refers to any form of maltreatment that harms a child’s physical or emotional well-being. There are four main types of abuse:

  • Physical Abuse: The infliction of physical injury or harm, including hitting, shaking, burning, or other forms of physical harm.
  • Emotional Abuse: The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child, such as threats, rejection, humiliation, or other forms of emotional harm.
  • Sexual Abuse: Any form of sexual activity or contact involving a child, including touching, exposure to inappropriate material, or sexual exploitation.
  • Neglect: The failure to provide for a child’s basic needs, including food, warmth, medical care, and emotional support.

6. Safeguarding Roles and Responsibilities

  • Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
    Georgia’s Dance Academy has appointed a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who is responsible for overseeing all child protection concerns and ensuring the implementation of this policy. The DSL has the authority and responsibility to manage referrals and ensure that any child protection issues are properly addressed.

    • DSL Contact Information:
      Georgia Bentley
      info@georgiasdanceacademy.co.uk
  • Deputy DSL:
    In the absence of the DSL, a Deputy DSL will step in to handle safeguarding concerns.
  • Staff and Volunteers:
    All staff, volunteers, and contractors have a responsibility to ensure the safety of children and young people. They must immediately report any concerns regarding child protection to the DSL or Deputy DSL and cooperate fully in any investigations.

7. Reporting Concerns
Anyone who has concerns about a child’s safety or well-being must immediately report their concerns to the DSL or Deputy DSL.

  • How to report concerns:
    • Verbally report concerns to the DSL or Deputy DSL.
    • Fill in a Safeguarding Concern Form (available from the DSL or on request).
    • Email or call the DSL directly.
    • If you suspect immediate harm or risk, call emergency services (999) or contact your local child protection services.
  • Confidentiality:
    Safeguarding information should only be shared on a need-to-know basis. However, where there is a concern about a child’s safety, it may be necessary to share information with the appropriate authorities, even without consent from the child or their parents.

8. Managing Allegations Against Staff and Volunteers
If an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer, Georgia’s Dance Academy will take immediate steps to ensure the safety of the child involved, investigate the allegation in accordance with safeguarding procedures, and take appropriate action.

  • Steps include:
    • Suspension or reassignment of the staff member or volunteer (pending investigation).
    • A thorough and impartial investigation into the matter, involving external agencies where necessary.
    • Reporting the concern to relevant authorities, including the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or the police, if required.

9. Preventing Harm and Promoting Safe Practices
To prevent harm and ensure that all students and staff are protected, we will:

  • Safe Recruitment:
    All staff and volunteers will undergo appropriate vetting processes, including enhanced DBS checks, references from previous employers, and safeguarding training before commencing any role.
  • Staff Training:
    All staff will receive child protection and safeguarding training upon recruitment and refresher training annually. Training will cover recognising the signs of abuse, responding to disclosures, and reporting procedures.
  • Safe Environments:
    • We will ensure that all areas where classes are held are safe, secure, and appropriate for children.
    • Regular risk assessments will be conducted for on-site and off-site activities to minimise any potential risks to children.
    • We will maintain clear adult-to-child ratios in all classes and activities.
    • Appropriate supervision will be provided at all times, including before and after classes, during break times, and when children are leaving.
  • Behavioural Expectations:
    • Clear boundaries will be set for students, staff, and volunteers.
    • Positive behaviour will be encouraged, and any inappropriate or unsafe behaviour will be addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.
  • Physical Contact:
    • Physical contact between staff and students should only occur in the context of dance instruction and should always be respectful and appropriate to the context.
    • Physical intervention (e.g., restraining a child) is only permissible if necessary to prevent harm or injury to the child or others, and only by staff trained in safe restraint practices.

10. Whistleblowing
We encourage all staff and volunteers to report any concerns they may have about unsafe practices, whether they involve a colleague, a student, or another member of the community. Georgia’s Dance Academy has a clear and confidential whistleblowing process, and all whistleblowers will be protected from any form of retaliation.

  • Whistleblowing Contact:
    Concerns should be raised with the DSL or a senior member of staff. If the matter is not resolved, concerns can be escalated to external agencies such as Ofsted, the NSPCC, or the police.

11. Online Safety
As Georgia’s Dance Academy may use online platforms for classes and activities, we are committed to ensuring the safety of all students in these environments. This includes:

  • Using secure, monitored online platforms.
  • Keeping online sessions with students private, with appropriate supervision.
  • Providing guidelines for students and parents regarding appropriate online conduct.
  • Encouraging open communication between parents, students, and staff about any online safety concerns.

12. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure that it remains current and effective, in line with best practices and legal requirements. All staff and volunteers will be informed of any changes to the policy, and refresher training will be provided as necessary.

13. Acknowledgement
By enrolling in classes or attending events at Georgia’s Dance Academy, parents/guardians and students acknowledge that they have read and understood this Child Protection Policy and agree to uphold its principles and practices.

Contact Information
If you have any concerns about a child’s safety or require further information about our Child Protection Policy, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at:

  • DSL Name: Georgia Bentley
  • Email: info@georgiasdanceacademy.co.uk

In an emergency or if you believe a child is at immediate risk, please contact emergency services (999) or your local safeguarding authority.

This policy was last reviewed on 20/01/2025.