Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy



Inspirations Dance 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 and our legal duty to act appropriately to any allegations, reports or suspicions of abuse under the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, the Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014, the Children Act 1989 and 2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018.

This means we will always work to:
  • Protect all children from abuse regardless of their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity
  • Provide an environment of trust and space to talk, communicate and be listened to.
  • Treat all children and young people equally, and with respect and dignity.
  • Ensure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern.
  • Share our policy with all staff, parents and students.
  • Ensure all staff and those in regular contact with children hold a current DBS check.
  • Provide appropriate training and support to all staff.
  • Take responsibility for children and young people’s safety when in our care.
  • Seek permission from parents before taking images (photographs or film) of students and inform them how the images will be used.
  • Report suspected neglect or abuse to the nominated member of staff, relevant organisation, or police.
  • Ensure that this policy is regularly updated.


    • What is abuse and neglect?

    A form of maltreatment of a child. Someone may abuse or neglect a child by intentionally inflicting harm or failing to act to prevent harm.



    PHYSICAL ABUSE

    A form of abuse which may involve hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, biting or scratching, breaking bones and drowning.



    EMOTIONAL ABUSE

    Emotional abuse is any type of abuse that involves the continual emotional mistreatment of a child. It's sometimes called psychological abuse. Emotional abuse can involve deliberately trying to scare, humiliate, isolate or ignore a child.



    SEXUAL ABUSE

    When a child or young person is sexually abused, they're forced or tricked into sexual activities.

    They might not understand that what's happening is abuse or that it's wrong. And they might be afraid to tell someone. Sexual abuse can happen anywhere – and it can happen in person or online.



    NEGLECT

    Neglect is the ongoing failure to meet a child's basic needs and the most common form of child abuse.

    A child might be left hungry or dirty, or without proper clothing, shelter, supervision or health care. This can put children and young people in danger and it can also have long term effects on their physical and mental wellbeing.



    PROCEDURES OF HANDLING DISCLOSURES

    A child may decide to disclose information that may indicate they are suffering from abuse or neglect.

    A child chooses to speak to an adult because they feel that they will listen and that they can trust them.

    It is important that the adult remembers to:
  • Stay calm.
  • Listen and be supportive.
  • Not ask any leading questions, interrogate the child, put ideas in the child’s head, or jump to conclusions.
  • Never promise the child confidentiality – explain to the child what must be done next (the safeguarding process must be followed).
  • Record what was said immediately as close to what was said as possible. Also record what was happening immediately before the child disclosed. Be sure to sign and date the record in ink.
  • Seek support from relevant persons.

    • We are clear that the Local Authority and Police must lead any investigation in to any allegation regarding safeguarding.

    If we have a concern about a child or children we will telephone the Social Services Emergency Duty Team on 01274 431010.

    We will be put through to a Social Worker who will take all of the relevant details.

    We will make sure we are prepared with full details of the child and family, plus what our concerns are, details of any support we have provided to the child/family and what we would like to happen.

    We will ensure we gain consent from the parent/carer to disclose any information, however if we this will put a child at further risk, we do not need this consent.

    At Inspirations Dance we have a designated Safeguarding lead (DSL) who is in charge of ensuring that the child protection policy is adhered to.

    They will also track and record any safeguarding concerns and ensure that any concerns are shared with correct authorities.

    The DSL is Bethany Roberts and can be contacted on 07306656730

    Training for this role includes; Understanding Safeguarding, Paediatric first aid training, Chaperone liscense and DBS certification.



    Useful contacts

    NSPCC Helpline - 01274381440

    Childline - 0800111

    Police - 999

    Children’s services - 01274435600

    Inspirations Dance reviewed this Safeguarding Policy January 2023.