The safety of children and members of other vulnerable groups is paramount and all, without exception, have the right to protection from abuse. All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously, responded to swiftly and appropriately and all the Schools teachers /volunteers have a responsibility to report concerns to the owner of the school.

The object of Associates is to instruct in the education of children and young people in the art of dance in all its branches. To this end, Associates holds weekly classes and competes in competitive festivals and presents public performances including a bi–annual show which involves all pupils.

Associates Classes are held at locations hired by DanceWithUs.co.uk to deliver classes. Although we have exclusive use of the area's we hire the buildings remain open to the general public and the only areas supervised by Associates Teachers are the studios whilst the children are in classes and the adjacent reception areas.

It is the policy of Associates to inform and involve parents / guardians / carers and teachers to provide as far as it is reasonably practicable, a safe environment for our School. We do this by ensuring that parents/guadians/carers receive a copy of this policy at the time you are making arrangements to attend our School

This policy relates to children under the age of 18 years who attend Associates Classes and concerns Associates Teachers, Voluntary Helpers and Parents/Guadians/Carers of the children attending the school and any siblings who may also be with the Parents/Guadians/Carers/Teachers.

All Teachers at Associates have their addresses and contact details retained by the school. Where appropriate, Associates has undertaken suitable checks to assess their suitability for working in close proximity with children.

There is a school representative available on the premises at all times to answer any queries or deal with any issues. Every issue will be dealt with seriously, in a private area and will be documented and dated.

ASSOCIATES will contact parents individually prior to the Festival date with a copy of the Safeguarding Risk Assessment Policy relevant to each individual Festival or Performance. Associates will ensure that parents understand, where they are not personally attending with their children, it is their responsibility to ensure that responsible adults acting on their behalf supervise them.

Children at Festivals and Competitions must be supervised at all times and taken to the backstage area where a Licensed Chaperone will stay with them until the performance is over and they are collected again by the parent/guardian/teacher/chaperone.

Associates will retain signatures from all parents involved to say that they have read and understood the guidelines that will need to be followed to ensure that their children are in a safe environment.

Parents should be aware that the ONLY AREAS of each Festival SUPERVISED BY PERSONNEL are the SIDE OF STAGE AND PERFORMING AREAS during performances.In all other areas of the theatre (including the dressing rooms, auditorium, toilets, corridors etc.) parents and teachers are reminded that the safety and belongings of young people are their responsibility during the festival.

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; The Children Act 1989; The Police Act 1997; The Data Protection Act 1998; The Human Rights Act 1998; The Protection of Children Act 1999; The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000; The Children Act 2004; The Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.

Associates will constantly review their policy revising and enhancing it as necessary.