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+44 (0)20 7377 1577 www.istd.org www.dance-teachers.org #BestPractice

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Guidelines and Template Documents

Child Protection Policy...see page 5

1. The ISTD Professional Standards Scheme and Purpose of a Child Protection Policy Why a Written Child Protection Policy? How to Write a Child Protection Policy DBS Checks

2. Template Child Protection Policy for Use by Dance Schools

3. Additional Guidance: A. Reporting Suspected Neglect or Abuse B. Appropriate Physical Contact in Dance C. Chaperoning Students to and from Dance Events D. Use of Photographs and Film of Children

Dance Teachers Insurance...see page 8

1. The ISTD Professional Standards Scheme and Dance Teacher Insurance Mandatory Insurance Recommended Insurance Additional Insurance Minimising Risks Who Will Insure Me?

+ Health & Safety and Risk Assessment...see page 10

1. Health & Safety Policy and Risk Assessment Why a Written Health & Safety Policy and Risk Assessment? First Aid Training and Provisions

2. Health & Safety Policy Template

3. Risk Assessment Template

Continued Professional Development...see page 13

1. The ISTD Professional Standards Scheme and Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

2. Why is CPD Important?

3. What Counts as CPD?

4. How Do I Demonstrate Evidence of CPD?

Contents

ISTD Child Protection Policy 3

The ISTD Professional Standards Scheme and Purpose of a Child Protection Policy

Child protection is the means by which children and young people are protected from harm. This is an important concern for any teacher working with children under the age of 18 or vulnerable adults under the age of 24.

As part of the new Professional Standards Scheme, the ISTD encourages all members to write a Child Protection Policy. Teachers who provide evidence of a written policy will receive a badge on their new-look dance-teachers.org profile. This badge will show parents and students browsing the website that you have completed this element of the Scheme.

Why a Written Child Protection Policy?

Whilst all teachers take their students’ safety seriously, a written policy helps to ensure that everyone is clear about their responsibilities. While neglect and abuse are rare, it is important to take the view that ‘it can happen here’. A written policy is the first step in preparing for this.

How to Write a Child Protection Policy

To help you get started, we have provided a template policy below. It includes the main points of a good Child Protection Policy:

• It explains what is meant by child protection

• It says to whom the policy applies

• It explains the main points of the policy and how they work day-to-day

• It shows when the policy was last reviewed and updated

It can be helpful to seek feedback from students, parents and teachers at your school while writing your policy.

A Child Protection Policy does not need to be long. You can keep more detailed guidance (such as the steps to take if reporting abuse) in separate documents.

DBS Checks

In the UK, DBS Checks (previously CRB Checks) are the means by which a person’s criminal record is searched to ensure they are suitable for working with vulnerable groups such as children and young people.

ISTD partners with Due Diligence Checking so members can arrange a DBS Check through the Customer Service & Quality Assurance Department. Those who successfully pass the DBS Check will receive a certificate, which they can display at their school.

If you would like others to undergo a DBS check, you can open your own account with Due Diligence Checking. For further information about DBS Checks, please contact the Customer Services & Quality Assurance Department: +44 (0)20 7377 1577.

Different schemes will be available in non-UK countries.

Child Protection Policy


Template Child Protection Policy for Use by Dance Schools

Opening Statement – this will say what the Child Protection Policy is for and that the rights of a child will be protected.

We believe that no child or young person should be the subject of neglectful or abusive behaviour.

We will promote and maintain the welfare of every child in our care and seek to protect them from harm regardless of race, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief or any other form of identity or creed. We will create a safe and welcoming environment for all.

Then go on to say to whom the policy applies and how it works day-to-day:

This policy applies to all our staff/volunteers/trustees/governance (delete as appropriate) and covers children under the age of 18 and/or vulnerable adults under the age of 24.

To protect children and young people in our care, we will:

• Value and respect children and listen to what they have to say

• Work with children, parents and relevant organisations

• Share our policy with all staff, parents and students

• Ensure all required checks are made when hiring staff and that those in regular contact with children hold a current DBS check (or non-UK equivalent)

• 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 and where the images will be used

• Report suspected neglect or abuse to the nominated member of staff, relevant organisation, or police (for UK members an appropriate relevant organisation will be their local council’s Safeguarding Team)

• Ensure that this policy is regularly updated

Additional Documents and Guidance – here you will name any extra documents that give more detailed guidance. We have covered four common issues and encourage teachers to add anything extra that is needed for their school.

Additional guidance can be found in the following documents at the end of this policy:

• Reporting Suspected Neglect or Abuse

• Appropriate Physical Contact in Dance

• Chaperoning Students to and from Dance Events

• Use of Photographs and Film of Children

Policy Review – write the date that your Child Protection Policy was last reviewed and updated. This should be signed by the most senior member of staff at your school. They will be ultimately responsible for the policy.

This policy was last reviewed on __/__/__

Name: _______________________________________

Job Title: ______________________________________

Signature:_____________________________________


Additional Guidance A: Reporting Suspected Neglect or Abuse

• This section will be different for each school and country

• A smaller school with only one or two members of staff will contact an appropriate external agency to report suspected abuse or neglect. Larger schools will nominate a member of staff who will make the decision about what to do next.

Please note: failure to report suspected abuse can itself be considered to be abuse.

Concerns regarding a child’s welfare can be reported by:

• Parents • Teachers

• Friends • The child or young person

All allegations of neglect or abuse will be taken seriously. If a concern is reported directly by the child or young person we will not seek to disagree, ask probing or leading questions, or do anything else which may discourage them.

We will make it clear that reported concerns cannot be kept confidential but will need to be shared with a nominated member of staff or external organisation. Parents or guardians will also be involved if appropriate.

It can be helpful to write down what is being reported to you. Make sure you do not add your own assumptions, opinions or judgements.

We recognise that early action is vital. Any concerns will be reported immediately.

If the child or young person is in immediate danger of harm, we will contact the police on (insert your country’s emergency services number here)

In all other cases, we will report concerns to the local Protection Team (insert your local Safeguarding Team’s number here, or your country’s equivalent)

Additional Guidance B: Appropriate Physical Contact in Dance

Physical contact in a dance class is sometimes required to correct the posture or position of a student. It is therefore helpful to have a clear written document stating what is considered appropriate. Sharing this document with parents can reassure them should they have any concerns.

Teaching dance is a physical activity and a teacher will sometimes need to make physical contact with a student to show an idea or to correct the student’s position. This can include:

• Lifting

• Adjusting arms, legs, rib cage, hips, feet, hands

• Moving one student in relation to another

Where contact is needed, we will remain sensitive to the student’s wishes and put their welfare first. In all cases, we will say why and how we will be correcting the student’s position before making any contact.

We encourage students to report any concerns.


Additional Guidance C: Chaperoning Children to and from Dance Events

UK law does not state how many adults are required to look after a group of students. Therefore it is up to the dance teacher to assess what is needed. Take account of:

• The length and type of journey

• The age of the students

• Anything else that may affect their safety

The ISTD recommends that you have a trained First Aider on all school trips and that chaperones hold a DBS check (or local equivalent).

In the UK some events require young performers to hold a Child Performance Licence and that any Licenced child has a designated chaperone who is pre-approved by the child’s local council. More information about this scheme can be found on the UK Government website.

Laws will be different in non-UK countries, so please check local regulations.

When chaperoning students to an event, we will:

• Provide parents and students with information about what the event is for

• Provide parents and students with the full address of the event

• In cases where the event is taking place in a large building, we will also give the room or studio number where possible

• Have a planned journey route that is shared with parents, students and chaperones

• Make sure that students are aware of what they should do if they get lost

• Ask parents and students for their contact details in case of emergency

• Have a clear idea of how students will be cared for while at the event

We will ensure that chaperones hold all required checks and licences and are aware of our Child Protection Policy.

If a child is missing and all efforts to find them have failed, then it is advisable to call the police. Immediate action can make all the difference.

6 ISTD Child Protection Policy Guidelines


Additional Guidance D: Use of Photographs and Film of Children

It is common for teachers, parents and students to take images (in the form of photographs and film) at classes and events. However, there may be times when it is not appropriate for images to be taken. These can include:

• While students are getting changed or are in their designated changing rooms

• Where the image may be shared publicly on social media

• When students are in large groups and permission has not been sought from all those included in the image

It is therefore important for your school to have a policy that clearly states when images can be taken.

The UK Government has provided advice on their website regarding safety when sharing photographs and film on social media. Other countries will have similar guidance.

We recognise that taking images of students in our care may not always be appropriate and that some children and parents may not want images taken at any time. Therefore, before taking images of a child or young person, we will:

• Make clear to the child and parent where and when the image will be taken

• Clearly identify the person who will be taking the image

• Explain how the image will be used, e.g. whether it will be posted on social media or printed to be displayed at the school

• Seek written agreement from parents that images can be taken of their child. (This can take the form of a signed document that you keep on file)

Where we have publicly displayed images at our school or on social media, parents and students may withdraw their permission at any time. In such cases, the images will be removed as soon as is reasonable and without question.

We ask that any parent wanting to take photographs or film at our events only do so with our prior permission. Permission will only be granted on the agreement of all present.

It is good practice to make your policies available to customers. You can do this by adding them to your website or stating on publicity material that they are available upon request.

ISTD Dance Teacher Insurance 8

The ISTD Professional Standards Scheme and Dance Teacher Insurance

Insurance provides businesses and individuals with protection against financial loss caused by injury, natural disaster, or other unforeseen events. All teachers should insure themselves and their business appropriately.

Members who provide evidence of having appropriate insurance will receive a badge on their new-look dance-teachers.org profile. This badge will show parents and students that you take your dance teaching business seriously.

Below is a guide to the main types of insurance that you may need. Insurance policies and related law may be different in non-UK countries.

Mandatory Insurance

Employer’s Liability Insurance If you employ or pay anyone for regular work at your dance school, then by law you must hold Employer’s Liability Insurance. It is important to note that ‘regular work’ does not just mean teaching, and can include:

• The person who cleans your studio

• The driver who transports you and your students to events

• Paid chaperones

• Other regular jobs carried out by individuals

Employer’s Liability Insurance will cover you in the event of claims by employees for injury or illness caused by working at your school. It will also cover the legal costs of defending yourself against a claim.

For example:

• A dance teacher you employ falls on an a loose dance mat and sprains their wrist, resulting in weeks of missed work

• Your cleaner slips on a spilt drink left by a student, causing long-term back pain

Recommended Insurance

Public Liability Insurance Public Liability Insurance will cover you in the event of claims made by members of the public for injuries suffered at your workplace or damage to their property. Public Liability will also cover the legal costs of defending against a claim.

For example:

• A parent slips on an icy path leading to your dance studio and suffers concussion

• You accidentally break a student’s phone while showing them a dance move

Professional Indemnity Insurance Professional Indemnity provides cover in the event of claims of professional negligence. This can include giving advice or instruction to a student that results in their injury or a loss of money.

For example:

• A student twists their knee while attempting a difficult move and claims your failure to adequately demonstrate resulted in their injury

• A student fails an audition for a dance show and blames you for not preparing them sufficiently. They sue you for the money paid for classes

Professional Indemnity also covers: • Accidental breach of copyright or confidentiality

• Defamation and libel

• Loss of money, data or items for which you are responsible

A note on Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance Sometimes it is not clear which type of insurance will cover a claim. For example, in the case of some injuries, both Public Liability Insurance and Professional Indemnity Insurance could be used.

If you have bought each type of insurance from different companies, then this could lead to delay in processing your claims. The ISTD therefore advises that you cover both types of insurance with the same company.

Dance Teacher Insurance

ISTD Dance Teacher Insurance 9

Additional Insurance

Buildings Insurance If you own your dance school or venue, then it is important to protect your property against damage or natural disaster. If you rent your studio from a landlord, it can be helpful to ask them what kind of cover they have.

Contents/Equipment Insurance If you own expensive equipment then it may be helpful to insure these against damage or theft, as replacement could be expensive.

Business Interruption Insurance If your normal business is interrupted by disaster (such as a flood or fire that stops you from using your usual studio) then you could lose money and cus-tomers. Business Interruption Insurance will cover the costs of keeping your business running.

Covered costs can include:

• The fee for hiring a different studio

• The loss of income caused by your day-to-day activity being reduced or stopped

Health Insurance If you are unwell or seriously injured then you may be unable to continue teaching. Certain types of health insurance will compensate you for the loss of income and costs of treatment.

Minimising Risks

Sometimes making an insurance claim is unavoidable. However, you can reduce the risk of making a claim by following some simple steps:

• Completing a Health & Safety Policy and Child Protection Policy (which also form part of our Professional Standards Scheme)

• Ensuring that your training is up-to-date and regularly refreshed

• Checking your studio space and equipment for hazards before lessons

Who Will Insure me?

For our UK members, the ISTD has an on-going business relationship with Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited (which is underwritten by AXA Insurance Limited) who provide policies for our teachers, adjudicators, examiners and dance school principals.

The insurance scheme offers the following standard essential covers:

• Public Liability £5,000,000 (Higher limit available upon request)

• Employer’s Liability £10,000,000

• Free legal helpline

• Financial loss cover up to £25,000

It can also provide the following optional covers:

• Personal accident for teachers and pupils

• All risks for property and computers

• Business Interruption

• Money

For more information, please contact the Arthur J. Gallagher team on the following:

Tel: 0345 073 8495

Email: [email protected]

Different insurance providers will be available for non-UK members.


ISTD Health & Saftey 10

As part of our newly launched Professional Standards Scheme, the ISTD encourages all members to write a Health & Safety Policy and Risk Assessment for their workplace.

For teachers who provide evidence of a written policy and assessment, a badge will be added to their new look dance-teachers.org profile. This badge will show parents and students that you are taking your duty of care in the dance studio seriously.

Why a Written Health & Safety Policy and Risk Assessment?

Every dance school will contain hazards that carry the risk of injury to staff, students and guests. It is therefore helpful to have a clearly written guide on how these risks will be reduced and managed.

• A Health & Safety Policy will state how this will be achieved and outline the responsibilities of each member of staff

• A Risk Assessment will look at each hazard in detail, say who is at risk, and explain exactly how that risk will be reduced

We have provided a template below for each document. These can be adapted to suit your dance school.

First Aid Training and Provisions

In the UK, the law does not state specifically what First Aid equipment or training is required in a particular workplace. First Aid must simply be ‘adequate and appropriate‘1. This may be different in non-UK countries, so please check local regulations.

The ISTD advises that:

• There is a minimum of one person trained in First Aid who is present at all times while classes are taking place

• A First Aid box is kept at your school and is clearly marked and easily accessible

• An Accident Book is kept to write down accidents and injuries

• All attendees at your school are made aware of:

o Your Health & Safety Policy

o Where the First Aid box is kept

o What they should do in an emergency situation (such as a fire)

o Who at your school is trained in First Aid

The UK’s National Health Service has provided a list of items you can keep stocked in your First Aid box on their website.

In any emergency or case of serious injury, always call the emergency services.

The ISTD offers Emergency First Aid courses, so please check the training calendar for upcoming dates in your area. First Aid courses are also available from other training providers.

1. www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg214.pdf

+Health & Safety Policy and Risk Assessment


Health & Safety Policy Template

The template below is a starting point for your own Health & Safety Policy. Please make any changes necessary to ensure it is applicable to your workplace.

It can be helpful to ask for feedback from staff, parents and students at your school while writing your policy.

This is a statement of general policy and arrangements for (insert your dance school).

We will actively maintain and promote good health and safety procedures and will:

• Maintain safe and healthy work conditions

• Provide adequate control of the health and safety risks at our school

• Be open to comments and suggestions from our employees, students and their parents on matters relating to health and safety

• Provide information, instruction and supervision for employees and students and make them aware of this policy

• Ensure all employees are capable of doing their tasks, hold any required qualifications, and that they receive adequate training

• Record any harm or injuries that occur in an Accident Book and make changes where required to avoid similar incidents in the future

• Regularly review and update this policy

(insert name of most senior member of staff) has overall responsibility for health and safety.

(insert name of member of staff) has day-to-day responsibility for ensuring this policy is put into practice.

A Health & Safety Law poster is displayed at [location] – this is a requirement under UK law for anyone who employs others. Alternatively a pocket version can be provided for your staff. The law may vary for non-UK countries.

A First Aid box is located at (insert location).

An Accident Book is located at (insert location).

In the case of an emergency or serious injury, please contact the emergency services on (insert your country’s emergency number here).

This policy was last reviewed on __/__/__

Name: _______________________________________

Job Title: ______________________________________

Signature:_____________________________________


+


Risk Assessment Template

Below is a template on which to record the hazards at your workplace. We have included an example

hazard to give you an idea of how the document should be completed.

+Description of the hazard

What is the risk and to whom?

How is the risk currently being managed?

What else can be done to manage the risk?

Who will do this?

When will this be done?

This was completed on:

Chairs lined-up against wall of dance studio.

Staff and students may trip on the chair legs or fall into them.

Chairs are stacked and kept away from the used space of the hall. Students are made aware that they are there.

Chairs could be moved to another room when lessons are taking place.

School staff For all classes from dd/mm/yy

dd/mm/yy

Staff signature

ISTD Continued Professional Development 13

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and the ISTD Professional Standards Scheme

CPD is the means by which a teacher keeps their knowledge up-to-date and refreshed throughout their career.

As part of our new Professional Standards Scheme, the ISTD encourages all Members to attend a minimum of 18 hours (three days) of CPD events per year. Members who fulfil this element of the scheme will receive a publicly displayed badge on their new look dance-teachers.org profile.

Why is CPD Important?

Taking part in CPD activities is vital for any teacher who wants to ensure that they continue to offer their students the best training possible.

CPD can further your teaching practice through:

• Staying up-to-date with syllabus revisions

• Learning new teaching methods, approaches and concepts

• Keeping abreast of developments in the dance profession

Regular CPD attendance will demonstrate to students and their parents that you are committed to maintaining the highest standard of dance teaching.

What Counts as CPD?

In order to achieve the CPD element of our Professional Standards Scheme, you will need to attend a minimum of 18 hours (or three days) of dance-related activities. These can include:

• ISTD courses and congresses

• Courses by other dance, arts and education organisations (providing these have clearly stated learning outcomes)

• Teacher training qualifications

• Further or higher education courses

• Participation in regular dance classes or training

• Attendance at ISTD awards

• Attendance at professional performances and competitions

• Mentoring or coaching

• First Aid training

If you already adhere to a CPD scheme with another organisation, you are welcome to submit the same evidence for the ISTD’s Professional Standards Scheme, providing that it meets the ISTD Professional Standards criteria.

How Do I Demonstrate Evidence of CPD?

Evidence of CPD attendance can include certificates, tickets and proof of teacher training or higher education study. All evidence must relate to the previous year. For instance, in 2017 members will be asked to evidence 18 hours of CPD activities undertaken during 2016.

Members will receive an email with instructions on how to submit your Professional Standards information. Submissions will be spot-checked by the Education & Training Department to ensure Members have fulfilled the requirements of the scheme.

If you haven’t completed 18 hours of CPD in 2016, then we encourage you to start planning your CPD training for 2017 now. A calendar of upcoming courses and events can be found on the ISTD website.

+44 (0)20 7377 1577 www.istd.org www.dance-teachers.org #BestPractice