Studio Z Dance Ltd is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people up to the age of 18. We recognise our responsibility to take all reasonable steps to promote safe practice and to protect children from harm, abuse and exploitation.
References made to ‘child’ or ‘children’ refer to children and young people under the age of 18 years. However, the principles of the document apply to professional behaviours towards all pupils, including those over the age of 18 years. ‘Child’ should therefore be read to mean any pupil at the establishment in services designed for children and young people. Similar principles would also apply to services accessed by vulnerable adults.
Studio Z Dance Ltd acknowledges its duty to respond appropriately to any allegations, reports or suspicions of abuse. All staff and volunteers will work together to encourage the development of an ethos which embraces difference and diversity and respects the rights of children, young people and adults.
Studio Z Dance Ltd recognises its duty of care under the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, the Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014, the Children Act 1989 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023.
Studio Z Dance Ltd will ensure that:
· The welfare of the child is paramount
· All children, whatever their age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation have the right to protection from abuse
· All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
Studio Z Dance Ltd will ensure that:
· Everyone will be treated with respect and dignity
· The welfare of each child will always be considered and planned for
· Enthusiastic and constructive criticism will be given to pupils rather than negative criticism
· Bullying will not be accepted or condoned
· All adult members will provide a positive role model
· Action will be taken to stop any inappropriate behaviour between staff and pupils and pupil to pupil
· It will comply with health & safety legislation
· It will keep informed of changes in legislation and policies for the protection of children
· It will undertake relevant professional development and training
· It will ensure all contact and medical details for every child is up to date and available at the place of teaching or performance.
· All staff will receive dedicated safeguarding training.
Studio Z Dance Ltd has a designated Safeguarding lead who is in charge of ensuring that the child protection policy is adhered to. The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Harry Underwood and he/she can be contacted on info@studioz.dance
In implementing this policy Studio Z Dance Ltd will:
· Ensure that all workers/members understand their legal and moral responsibility to protect children and young people from harm, abuse and exploitation.
· Ensure that all workers/members and volunteers understand their duty to report concerns that arise about a child or young person, or a worker’s conduct towards a child or young person to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
· The Designated Safeguarding Lead will refer any child protection concerns to the statutory child protection agencies (i.e. Children’s Social Care and / or Police).
· Children, young people and parents will be informed of who the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy are and be able to raise any safeguarding concerns & know that these will be taken seriously and acted upon.
· Ensure that workers/members will work in a consistent and equitable manner in line with the safer working practice guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2
This policy will be regularly monitored by Studio Z Dance Ltd and will be subject to an annual review.