Siegeris Dance Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy

Last Modified: 7 August 2026


1. Statement of Intent

Siegeris Dance recognises that we have an explicit duty to safeguard and protect children and vulnerable young people from harm and abuse. We hold the belief that:

  • The welfare of the child is paramount, as enshrined in the Children Act 1989 and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
  • All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse.
  • Some children are additionally vulnerable due to previous experiences, dependency levels, communication needs, or special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
  • Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents/carers, and statutory agencies is essential in promoting children's welfare.


2. Policy Aims

Everyone working at or on behalf of Siegeris Dance shares the responsibility to help keep children, young people, and vulnerable adults safe by:

  • Safe Environment: Providing a secure, welcoming, and safe environment for pupils, staff, and volunteers.
  • Early Identification: Promptly identifying and responding to pupils who need support or protection.
  • Positive Ethos: Fostering a learning culture where every pupil feels valued, respected, and listened to.
  • Professional Standards: Recording, storing, and sharing information professionally and securely in line with UK GDPR and Data Protection laws.
  • Designated Leadership: Appointing a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to oversee all welfare and child protection matters.


3. How We Implement Safeguarding

Siegeris Dance ensures that pupils are protected during in-person classes, rehearsals, performances, and online sessions by:

  • Safer Recruitment: Carefully selecting all personnel. All staff, teachers, assistants, and head chaperones undergo rigorous background checks, including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with barred list checks where applicable.
  • Training & Supervision: Providing regular safeguarding training, updates on Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) principles, and ongoing supervision for all staff.
  • Physical Contact Guidelines: Recognising that teaching dance may sometimes require physical contact to correct posture or technique. Contact is always conducted openly, ethically, with prior explanation, and with the pupil's consent.
  • Anti-Bullying & Peer-on-Peer Abuse: Maintaining a strict zero-tolerance policy towards bullying, harassment, and peer-on-peer abuse (both physical and online).
  • Reporting & Referral: Ensuring any suspicion, allegation, or evidence of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse or neglect is immediately reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). The DSL will refer concerns to local authority children’s social care or the police where appropriate.
  • Allegations Against Staff: Managing allegations against staff or volunteers swiftly through formal procedures, including notifying the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) when necessary.


4. Designated Safeguarding Contacts

If you have any questions, welfare concerns, or safeguarding disclosures, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead:


5. Online Safety & Digital Learning Policy

This section applies to all online learning tools, virtual classrooms (e.g., Zoom), school communication channels, and official social media platforms managed by Siegeris Dance.

Access & Security
  • Authorized Entry Only: Virtual classroom invitations (Zoom links/passwords) are issued exclusively to registered pupils or parents. Links must never be shared publicly or with third parties.
  • Private Groups: Class communication groups (e.g., private Facebook groups or messaging portals) are strictly monitored. Membership is restricted to verified parents, carers, or enrolled students.
  • Account Security: Users must log out of shared devices after sessions, maintain secure passwords, and report any suspicious activity immediately.
Online Code of Conduct
  • Appropriate Environment: Pupils and teachers must conduct live online sessions from neutral spaces (e.g., living rooms or home studios) with appropriate clothing and background surroundings.
  • Parental Supervision: A parent or responsible adult should be nearby during live or pre-recorded sessions involving younger pupils to ensure a safe learning space.
  • Content Appropriateness: All material posted or shared by Siegeris Dance will be age-appropriate and relevant to dance training. Siegeris Dance reserves the right to remove any external or parent-posted content deemed inappropriate.
Photography & Image Consent
  • Media Usage: Photos, videos, or class recordings from in-person or online sessions will only be shared on public platforms (website, social media, marketing) with explicit written consent from parents/guardians.
  • Participant Recording: Parents, carers, and pupils are strictly prohibited from screenshotting, screen-recording, or redistributing images or videos of other students taking part in classes.



6. Review & Maintenance

This policy is reviewed regularly and updated whenever necessary to reflect changes in UK legislation, government guidance, or operational adjustments within Siegeris Dance.

Last Modified: 7th August 2026