Dance School Safeguarding Working Group
The Dance School Safeguarding Working Group is a collective voice promoting high standards of safeguarding in the Dance School sector in order to protect children and young adults.
Project mission
Created by like-minded academics and professionals in the dance school and safeguarding sectors, the group has the following mission:
To help protect children and vulnerable adults who attend dance teaching in out-of-school settings (“the sector”) in the UK by supporting and facilitating the implementation of high standards of safeguarding.
Peter Flew, Chair Safer Dance, the Dance School Safeguarding Working Group
Dean of the School of Education, University of Roehampton, London
Trustee, Royal Academy of Dance
Update - 8th July 2021
Our first publication is launched today. "Safer Dance: Supporting the conversation" is a resource for Safeguarding Leads across all sectors to increase an understanding of the particular safeguarding issues which relate to dance in out-of-school settings. This will be most useful for those who run dance schools and those who work with children who attend such schools. It can be found here: Resources .
What to do if you are worried about a child or need to talk to someone about a non-recent incident of child abuse
If you are worried about anything which may have occurred in or around the out-of-school dance school sector, please follow the recommended guidance (DfE link), namely:
If you have concerns about an organisation or event, first raise concerns with the provider. If the situation is not resolved, please escalate the issue by calling the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by contacting the local authority designated officer (LADO). To find your local authority, go to Find your local council and enter the postcode of your setting.
Please note the LADO role exists in England only. In the devolved nations please contact:
· Scotland: contact the local social work team and Police Scotland
· Northern Ireland: Health and Social Care Trust Gateway Service Team and Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI)
· Wales: local child protection services and the police
If you believe a child is in immediate danger of harm, please call the police on 999.
If you're worried about a child, even if you're unsure, contact the NSPCC Helpline on
0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
Children and young people can call Childline (24-hour helpline) on 0800 1111 to talk over any worries.
For further information about child abuse see NSPCC guidance: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/what-if-suspect-abuse/
Abuse against adults
Any instances of abuse against adults can be reported to the local authority adult social care services. Contact details can be found on your local authority website.
Go to "Where to find support" page for further information.
