NGU DANCE STUDIO - CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
Address: 13 Richmond Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6UA
Responsible Person: Nina Ely
Policy Date: 02/09/2026
1. Purpose
NGU Dance Studio is committed to protecting children and young people who attend our classes. We aim to provide a safe, supportive and inclusive environment where every child can participate in dance, develop their confidence and enjoy themselves without fear of harm, abuse or neglect.
The welfare of children is our priority, and all concerns will be taken seriously and dealt with appropriately.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all NGU Dance teachers, staff, volunteers and anyone working with or responsible for children attending NGU Dance.
It applies during regular classes, rehearsals, workshops, performances, events and any other activities organised by NGU Dance.
3. What is Child Protection?
Child protection means taking appropriate action to protect children from abuse, neglect, exploitation or other harm.
Abuse may be:
Physical abuse – causing or deliberately inflicting physical harm.
Emotional abuse – persistent behaviour that negatively affects a child’s emotional wellbeing.
Sexual abuse – involving a child in sexual activity or exposing them to inappropriate sexual behaviour or material.
Neglect – failing to meet a child’s basic physical or emotional needs.
Online abuse – inappropriate or harmful communication, contact, images or behaviour through digital platforms.
Concerns may also arise from bullying, discrimination, domestic abuse, exploitation, grooming or other circumstances affecting a child’s welfare.
4. Our Responsibilities
NGU Dance will:
Put the safety and wellbeing of children first.
Provide appropriate supervision during classes.
Maintain clear professional boundaries between adults and children.
Take concerns seriously and respond appropriately.
Record safeguarding concerns accurately and securely.
Follow appropriate safeguarding procedures when a concern is raised.
Work with parents/carers and relevant agencies where appropriate.
Ensure staff understand their responsibilities regarding child protection.
5. Supervision
Children attending NGU Dance classes are supervised by the teacher responsible for the class.
Teachers will remain aware of where children are during lessons and will take reasonable steps to prevent children from being left without appropriate supervision.
The NGU studio is accessed through a shared corridor/communal area and there is one toilet outside the studio. Children are encouraged to use the toilet before class.
If a child needs to leave the studio during a lesson, they should inform the teacher. The teacher cannot leave the remaining class unsupervised in order to accompany a child. Where appropriate, a parent/carer may be contacted to assist with supervision.
6. Professional Boundaries
Teachers and staff must maintain appropriate professional relationships with children.
Adults working with children should:
Communicate appropriately and respectfully.
Avoid unnecessary physical contact.
Only use physical contact where it is appropriate to teaching, safety or assistance and is reasonable and proportionate.
Avoid being alone with a child wherever reasonably practicable.
Never engage in inappropriate, sexualised or intimidating behaviour.
Never use physical punishment.
Avoid private or inappropriate communication with children outside appropriate NGU Dance channels.
7. Physical Contact in Dance
Dance teaching may sometimes require physical demonstration, correction or assistance.
Any physical contact should be appropriate to the student’s age, the activity and the teaching situation. Teachers should explain what they are doing where appropriate and use verbal or visual instruction wherever possible.
Children should never be made to feel uncomfortable or pressured into physical contact.
8. Changing and Personal Privacy
Students should have appropriate privacy when changing clothing or preparing for class. Teachers and staff should respect students’ personal space and avoid unnecessary involvement with changing.
Children should not be photographed or filmed while changing.
9. Photography and Filming
NGU Dance may photograph or film students for performances, promotional material or other legitimate purposes where appropriate permission has been obtained.
Images and videos must be handled responsibly and must never be used inappropriately.
Further details are provided in the NGU Dance Photography and Filming Policy.
10. Recognising a Concern
A safeguarding concern may arise from something a child says, something an adult observes, a change in a child’s behaviour or presentation, or information provided by another person.
Teachers should remain alert to signs that a child may be experiencing harm or may be at risk.
A child does not need to provide proof for a concern to be taken seriously.
11. If a Child Discloses Something
If a child tells a teacher or member of staff that they are being harmed or are worried about something, the adult should:
Listen calmly.
Take the child seriously.
Allow the child to speak in their own words.
Avoid asking leading or unnecessary questions.
Not promise to keep the information secret.
Reassure the child that they have done the right thing by speaking up.
Record the concern as soon as possible.
Report the concern through the appropriate safeguarding procedure.
12. Reporting Concerns
Any concern about the safety or welfare of a child should be reported to Nina Gorman, the person responsible for safeguarding at NGU Dance.
Concerns should be recorded factually, including what was seen, heard or reported, rather than assumptions or personal opinions.
Where a concern indicates that a child may be at immediate risk of harm, appropriate emergency or safeguarding services will be contacted without delay.
13. Confidentiality
Safeguarding information will be treated sensitively and shared only with people who need to know in order to protect the child or respond appropriately.
Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where information needs to be shared to protect a child or another person.
14. Parents and Carers
NGU Dance values communication with parents and carers. Where appropriate, parents/carers will be informed of concerns relating to their child.
However, there may be circumstances where information cannot be shared with a parent/carer, particularly where doing so could increase the risk of harm to the child or interfere with safeguarding procedures.
15. Allegations About Staff or Teachers
Any allegation or concern regarding the behaviour of a teacher, staff member or other adult working with children will be taken seriously and handled appropriately.
The person concerned will not be responsible for investigating an allegation made against them.
Where necessary, the matter will be referred to the appropriate safeguarding authority or organisation.
16. Safer Working Practice
NGU Dance expects all adults working with children to:
Behave professionally and appropriately.
Follow safeguarding procedures.
Maintain suitable boundaries.
Report concerns promptly.
Never ignore or dismiss a safeguarding concern.
Maintain confidentiality appropriately.
Complete relevant safeguarding training where required.
17. Bullying and Discrimination
NGU Dance does not tolerate bullying, harassment or discriminatory behaviour.
Concerns involving physical, verbal, emotional or online bullying will be taken seriously and addressed appropriately.
All children should be treated with respect regardless of their age, ability, background or individual circumstances.
18. Emergency Situations
If a child is believed to be in immediate danger, emergency services should be contacted where necessary.
NGU Dance will prioritise the immediate safety of the child and follow appropriate safeguarding and emergency procedures.
19. Records
Safeguarding concerns, disclosures and relevant incidents will be recorded securely and retained appropriately.
Records will be handled in accordance with the NGU Dance Data Protection Policy.
20. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if there are changes to safeguarding guidance, legislation, NGU Dance procedures or the way the studio operates.
Responsible Person: Nina Ely
Policy Date: 02/09/2026
Next Review: 02/09/2027