Safeguarding Policy
Definition: Under The Children Act 1989, which applies mainly to England and Wales; ‘a child’ is up to the age of 18 years. For child protection purposes, all of the four nations use an age band up to 18 years old. This can also be up to the age of 25 years if they are receiving help from Social Services or Education. Other relevant legislation includes the Children Act 2004 and the Children, Schools and Families Act 2010.
There are four recognised categories of child abuse: physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and emotional abuse. Other safeguarding issues include:
* Forced marriage/honour based violence/ female genital mutilation (FGM)
* Gangs and youth violence
* Gender based violence/violence against women and girls (VAWG)
* Mental health
* Private fostering
* Radicalisation/extremism
* Sexting/grooming and other E-safety issues
* Teenage relationship abuse
* Trafficking
Studio 68 London 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 2015.
Studio 68 London will ensure that:
* The welfare of the child is paramount
* All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse
* All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
Studio 68 London will ensure that:
* Everyone will be treated with respect and dignity
* The welfare of each child will always be put first
* 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
* 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 68 London’s designated Safeguarding Officer- Tamara Kramer who is in charge of ensuring that the child protection policy is adhered to can be contacted on: +44 7903 188552
Studio 68 London staff and volunteers will undergo mandatory child protection policy training and relevant existing Studio 68 London staff will undergo mandatory child protection awareness training annually to support understanding and implementation of the policy and supporting practice guidance. All other parties that have contact with the Studio 68 London, including visitors will be made aware of the policy via the website and expected to adhere to it.
Studio 68 London believes that the Code of conduct will assist everyone with advice on protecting children and vulnerable adults and also help
with identifying any practices which could be misinterpreted or lead to false allegations. Studio 68 London staff, choreographers, students/trainees organising any activities on behalf of the Studio 68 London, involving children and/or vulnerable adults, must adhere to this code set out below:
* All children and vulnerable adults should be treated with respect by Studio 68 London staff, choreographers, volunteers, students/trainees and visitors.
* Respect should be given to a child’s or vulnerable adult’s rights to personal privacy.
* In all activities, Studio 68 London staff, volunteers, choreographers, students/trainees and visitors to Studio 68 London should be aware that physical contact with a child or young person may be misinterpreted and should be avoided. Where any physical touching is required, it should be provided openly in front of other students. Parents, guardians and students will be warned in advance that physical touching may be required for correctional purposes only.
* In activities, feedback should always be constructive rather than negative and be mindful of the language that you use so as not to be threatening or upsetting.
* Private or unobserved contact with a young person or vulnerable adult should be avoided wherever possible unless authorised on the appropriate consent form by a parent or guardian and recorded, e.g. for a 1:1 private
dance lesson.
* If first aid is required, where possible, it should be administered by a trained first aider in the presence of another adult, and the DSO should be informed.
* Written parental or guardian consent should always be obtained for the use of any photographs, film or videos involving children and vulnerable adults.
* In all activities, Studio 68 London employees, students/trainees, students, and visitors to Studio 68 London where appropriate, are required to challenge
unacceptable behaviour in accordance with the provisions of this code of conduct.
* Any incidents, allegations or suspicions of abuse should be reported immediately to the DSO, as per the reporting guidelines.
* In all dealings with children and vulnerable adults, Studio 68 London staff, students/trainees, choreographers and visitors to Studio 68 London where appropriate, should never:
1. leave children who are in their care unsupervised on Studio 68 London premises,
2. play rough physical or sexually provocative games, involving or observed by children or vulnerable adults whether based on talking or touching,
3. share a room overnight with a child or vulnerable adult,
4. enter the private room of a child or vulnerable adult unless it is absolutely necessary and wherever possible should be accompanied by another adult,
5. allow or engage in any form of inappropriate physical activity involving children or vulnerable adults, or any bullying of a child by an adult or another child,
6. form or seek to form relationships of a sexual nature or which may lead to sexual activity (i.e. ‘grooming’);
7. allow children or vulnerable adults to use inappropriate language e.g. language of a derogatory nature or sexually explicit without challenging it,
8. make sexually suggestive or discriminatory comments even in jest,
9. intentionally reduce a child or vulnerable adult to tears as a form of control,
10. use any physical punishment as part of disciplining a child or vulnerable adult.
11. shout or use harsh criticism,
12. consume alcohol or take drugs or illegal substances during the working day, including any breaks or when involved in activities with children or vulnerable adults,
13. give your personal contact details to a child or vulnerable adult whom you have met through work or using social networking sites
14. allow yourself to get into a situation where an abuse of trust may occur. This means that you should not form a close personal relationship, sexual or otherwise with a child or vulnerable adult, even if they are seeking and are consenting to such a relationship,
15. transport a child or vulnerable adult in a personal vehicle unless consent has been given by a parent or guardian. In the case of an emergency, the DSO must be informed.
16. allow allegations made by a child or vulnerable adult to go unrecorded or not acted upon in accordance with these or other Studio 68 London procedures, and
17. undertake personal activities (such as washing or dressing) for a child or vulnerable adult which they can do for themselves. If a child has a disability, such tasks should only be performed with the full understanding and consent of and, where appropriate, assistance from the parents or carers. A vulnerable adult may be able to consent for themselves.
Any incidents which cause concern in respect of a child or vulnerable adult are required to be reported immediately to the DSO. Below are examples of incidents which are to be reported. When:
* a child has been left unsupervised on Studio 68 London property,
* a child or vulnerable adult is hurt accidentally,
* there is a concern that a relationship is developing which may be an abuse of trust,
* you are worried that a child or vulnerable adult is becoming attracted to you,
* you are worried that a child or vulnerable adult is becoming attracted to a colleague who cares for them,
* you think a child or vulnerable adult has misunderstood or misinterprets something you have done,
* you have been required to take action to prevent a child or vulnerable adult from harming themselves or another or from causing significant damage to property. Call for assistance, write up what happened and pass the information to the DSO,
* you see any suspicious marks on a child or vulnerable adult,
* you hear of any allegations made by a child or vulnerable adult of events both inside and outside of the Studio 68 London.
If a member of staff or volunteer has a concern about the behaviour of another staff member or adult working at Studio 68 London, even as a visitor, they should discuss this with the Studio manager who will be expected to report this to the DSO within the same working day. A decision will be made as to the best course of action. This could include a referral to the police, adult protection, children’s social care and or the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), in England. Following this course of action and the outcome, Studio 68 London may then wish to refer the individual for consideration for barring and will contact the Disclosure and Barring Service.
The LADO has a specific role within Children’s Services and should be alerted to all cases in which it is alleged that a person who works with children has:
* behaved in a way that has harmed, or may harmed a child,
* possibly committed a criminal offence against children, or related to a child, or
* behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they are unsuited to working with children.
Review of Policy & Procedures
In implementing this policy Studio 68 London 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 workers conduct towards a child or young person to the Designated Safeguarding Officer.
* The Designated Safeguarding Officer will refer any child protection concerns to the statutory child protection agencies (i.e. Police and/or Children’s Social Care).
* Children, young people and parents will be informed of who the Designated Safeguarding Officer and Deputy are and be able to raise any safeguarding concerns & know that these will be taken seriously and acted upon.
* Ensure that volunteers and staff will work in a consistent and equitable manner in line with the safer working practice guidance.
This policy will be regularly monitored by Studio 68 London owner Tamara Kramer and will be subject to an annual review.
Date policy agreed: 02/01/23
Date policy to be reviewed: 02/01/24