Child Protection Policy

JLDA Believes That…

  • The welfare of the children is vital;
  • All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, 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; and
  • All staff (Paid/Voluntary) have a responsibility to report concerns to the JLDA principal Jamie-Lee Tuffrey.

    Policy Statement

    • Jamie Lee Dance Academy has a duty of care to safeguard all children involved in dance from harm. All children have a right to protection and the needs of disabled children and others who may be particularly vulnerable must be taken into account.
    • Jamie Lee Dance Academy will ensure the safety and protection of all children involved in dance through adherence to the Child Protection guidelines. A child is defined as under 18 years old in The Children Act 1989.

      Policy Aims

      The aim of Jamie Lee Dance Academy is to promote good practice:

      • Providing children, young people and adults with appropriate safety and protection whilst in the care of Jamie Lee Dance Academy.
      • Allow all staff / volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection issues.

      Promoting Good Practice

      Jamie Lee Dance Academy will encourage the following:

      • Always working in an open environment ( e.g avoid private or unobserved situations and encouraging an open environment i.e no secrets).
      • Treating all young people / disabled people / adults equally and with respect and dignity.
      • Always putting the welfare of each young person first , before winning or achieving goals.
      • Building balanced relationships based on mutual trust which empowers children to share in the decision making process.
      • Making dance fun, enjoyable and promoting fair practice.
      • Keeping up to date with technical skills, qualifications and relative insurance required for dance.
      • Involving parents / carers wherever possible (e.g for the responsibility of the child/ren in the changing area). JLDA will also ensure all chaperones have valid DBS certificates.
      • Being an excellent role model – this includes not smoking or drinking in the company of young people or using inappropriate language.
      • Giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative feedback.
      • Recognising the developments / needs of young people and the disabled and not pushing them beyond their will.
      • Keep a written record of any injury that occurs along with the details of any treatment given.
      • Request written parental consent if dance centre officials are required to transport people in their cars.

        Practices To Be Avoided

        The following should be avoided except in emergencies. If cases arise where the situations are unavoidable they should only occur with the full knowledge and consent of someone in charge at Jamie Lee Dance Academy or the child’s parents / guardians. For example, a child sustains an injury and needs to go to hospital, or a parent fails to arrive to collect a child at the end of their session:

        • Avoid spending excessive amounts of time with children away from others.
        • Avoid taking children to your home where they will be alone with you.

        Practices Never To Be Sanctioned

        • Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games.
        • Share a room with a child.
        • Allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching.
        • Reduce a child to tears as a form of control.
        • Allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded or not acted upon.
        • Do things of a personal nature that a child or disabled adult could do for themselves.

          Code Of Conduct 

          • Jamie Lee Dance Academy states that unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated at the dance studio or events / competitions where JLDA is being represented.
          • Unacceptable behaviour may result in a child being removed from the school.
          • Unacceptable behaviour includes swearing, spitting, bullying, fighting and or derogatory comments towards others.
          • Most importantly, while at competitions and events you are all representatives of JLDA and we expect you to behave in an appropriate, professional and polite manner.
          • You are encouraged to support the school and all the pupils in it.
          • Should any issues arise causing concern, please speak with a member of staff immediately to resolve the situation.