General Data Protection Regulation

As of the 25th of May 2018 the Data Protection Act changed to the General Data Protection Regulation – GDPR.

This means that all our Moray Dance students past, present, and future have the right to know how we store, use, share, and dispose of their personal information.

Moray Dance will not share any of your personal information with any third parties unless permission is given – for example entering pupils for external examinations.

Moray Dance will always ask for your permission if we need to hold any personal information. All information is either stored electronically that is encrypted or stored on a soft copy that is locked away.

All personal information held by Moray Dance that is no longer needed or not relevant will be either deleted or destroyed by a cross cut shredder.

Moray Dance will always seek permission to share any photos and videos on our social media platforms.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.

Safeguarding Policy Statement

The purpose of this policy statement is:

• to protect children and young people who receive classes with Moray Dance from harm. This includes the children of adults who use our services.

• to provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Moray Dance, including senior managers and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and students.

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in Scotland. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-protection-system

Supporting documents

This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies, procedures, guidance and other related documents:

• role description for the designated senior safeguarding officer

I understand that the role of the designated safeguarding officer is to ensure any concerns regarding a child and harm will be dealt with accordingly.

• dealing with disclosures and concerns about a child or young person

I understand that time will be taken to ensure the child or young person is able to full trust and understand the steps. Any relevant information will be passed on to either the social work or police.

• managing allegations against staff and volunteers

I understand that all allegations against staff or volunteers are to be taken to senior safeguarding officer.

• recording concerns and information sharing

I understand that any recordings or information will be are kept, password protected.

• child protection records retention and storage

I understand that any records or information will be are kept, password protected.

• code of conduct for staff and volunteers

I understand that all staff and volunteers have a code of conduct which they adhere to.

• behaviour codes for children and young people

I understand that there is an 100% no violence code, respect and communication is key.

• photography and sharing images guidance

I understand photographs and videos may be taken during class, exams and performances. These are used to promote Moray Dance in various ways including our social media platforms.

• safer recruitment

I understand that Moray Dance will, under their duty of care, ensure a safe and structured environment for my child. I understand all physical activity has an element of accidental injury but that the teacher will prepare and execute classes in a way to minimise risk.

• online safety

I understand that all staff have access to the system portal, but only the senior management have full access.

• anti-bullying

I understand that bullying is not permitted. Staff have a duty of care to ensure any bulling is reported.

• managing complaints

I understand that all complaints will be directed to the senior safeguarding officer.

• whistleblowing

I understand that any information regarding a wrongdoing must be in the public’s best interest.

• health and safety

I understand my child must be dressed appropriately for all classes after the initial three weeks. Please ask for our uniform list.

• induction, training, supervision and support

I understand that all staff have the correct documentation such as; insurance, DBS, first aid.

• adult to child supervision ratios

I understand that the class limit is 20 children in one class. I understand that this may differ depending on the class age. I understand that if need more support will be given.

We believe that:

• children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind

• we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

We recognise that:

• the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take

• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare

• 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 because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues

• extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse.

Find out more about:

• safeguarding children who come from Black, Asian and minorities ethnic communities

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/children-from-black-asian-minoritised-ethnic-communities

• safeguarding Deaf and disabled children and young people

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/deaf-and-disabled-children

• safeguarding LGBTQ+ children and young people

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/lgbtq-children-young-people

• safeguarding children with special educational needs and disabilities

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection-schools/safeguarding-children-with-special-educational-needs-and-disabilities-send

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

• valuing, listening to and respecting them

• appointing a nominated child protection lead for children and young people (Miss Hollie), a deputy (Miss Stephanie) and a senior trustee/board member for safeguarding (Mrs Wie)

• adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers

• developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures

• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures and behaviour codes confidently and competently

• recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made

• recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance [more information about this is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations]

• sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions

• making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern

• using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately

• using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately

• creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise

• ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place

• ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance

• building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.

Online Photo/Videos

I understand photographs and videos may be taken by my dancers teacher during class, exams and performances. These are used to promote Moray Dance in various ways including our social media platforms.

If you wish for your child not to be photographed or filmed please let a member of staff know.

If you wish to take photographs or videos of your dancer during their class, please do ask the teacher first.

Contact details

Nominated child protection lead

Name: Miss Hollie Simpson

Email: holliemariesimpson@hotmail.co.uk

Name: Miss Sheryl Murphy

Email: Shezdance@gmail.com

Deputy child protection lead

Name: Mrs Stephanie Wie-Harris

Email: steph_wie@hotmail.com

Senior lead for safeguarding and child protection