Safeguarding

In Australia, Child Protection Acts apply in each state and territory, including:

• Children and Young People Act 2008 (ACT);
• Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW);
• Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 (NT);
• Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld);
• Children’s Protection Act 1993 (SA);
• Children, Young Persons and their Families Act 1997 (Tas.);
• Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic.);
• Children and Community Services Act 2004 (WA).

All organisations that work with or come into contact with children should have safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that every child, regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, has a right to equal protection from harm. The RAD globally has three Senior Safeguarding Officers, a Safeguarding Committee and a Safeguarding Policy and set of procedures. We also have a Safeguarding officer here in Australia.

We do not, however, have the authority to investigate allegations of abuse or other safeguarding concerns. If a safeguarding concern is reported to us, we will report it to the relevant Local Authority or to the Police.

A list of Local Authorities can be found in our RAD Australia Child Protection Policy on pages 15 and 16.

RAD Safeguarding Requirements

As per the recent communication to members, RAD are strengthening our membership requirements to include mandatory safeguarding requirements. While it is your personal responsibility to ensure that you meet the safeguarding requirements of the area that you teach in, our requirements are there to support you by providing a clear standard to follow. You must now meet these obligations as a part of your professional membership:

Obtain a criminal record check (A working with Children Check is sufficient)
Self-declare any criminal convictions to the RAD
Participate in annual safeguarding training as part of your CPD hours
In Australia we have determined that working with children checks in each state satisfy RAD’s new requirement the obtain a criminal record check.

Working with children (WWC) checks are called different things in different Australian states and territories. For example, you might hear them called working with children cards, working with children or vulnerable people clearances, blue cards (in Queensland) or ochre cards (in the Northern Territory).

While there are some differences between WWC check in each state or territory, in all Australian states and territories, it is mandatory for dance teachers working with children to independently obtain a WWC check. To assist members, we have provided a brief guide with information regarding WWC checks in each state. Follow the links below for your state or territory below to find out more.

Further to obtaining a working with children check you are also obliged to self-declare any past or future criminal convictions to the RAD.

Safeguarding Training as part of your CPD

Safeguarding training courses and links can be found in the members area however, over the coming weeks we will identify and advise you on suitable safeguarding training for Australian members.

Please rest assured, you will have plenty of time to complete the training, along with the 12 month grace period on all new safeguarding membership requirements, safeguarding training can be completed as part of the 2023/2024 CPD year.

If you have any questions regarding the RAD membership safeguarding requirements please contact Safeguarding Coordinator Kassie Bromley at kbromley@rad.org.au and for general enquiries please email membership@rad.org.au

Find out the requirements of your state here.

What to expect from a dance school or teacher

As a parent or guardian, you need to know that your child is in the hands of a school or teacher that takes their safeguarding responsibilities seriously.

All dance teachers or dance school owners, have a duty of care for children and adults at risk who attend their classes or use their premises. While it is the responsibility of those who teach RAD ballet to ensure that they meet the legal safeguarding requirements of the region/country that they operate in, we require teaching members of the RAD to have the following safeguarding requirements in place to support them to follow the highest possible standards as a minimum part of their professional membership:

1. Obtain a criminal record check at least every three years
2. Self-declare any criminal convictions to the RAD
3. Participate in annual safeguarding training as part of their CPD hours

Our How to choose a dance teacher checklist is there to give a more thorough guide to what to look out for in a teacher or a school, and our online Register of Teachers will help you to find a dance teacher that meets our professional standards and training requirements in your area.

Reporting concerns

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If you have a concern about a child, you should report it to your relevant Local Authority or to the Police. Many people worry, “What if I am wrong?” but if we take a child-centred approach to safeguarding, we should all be asking, “What if I am right?” By raising a concern, you could be protecting not just one child but future children:

If a child is in immediate danger, call the police on 000.

Contact your local child protection services. Their contact details can be found on the website for the local authority the child lives in.

Contact the police. They will assess the situation and take the appropriate action to protect the child.

RAD Australia Safeguarding Contact

Safeguarding Coordinator:
Kassie Bromley
e: kbromley@rad.org.au
t: 0426 723 341.

Communications will be treated confidentially on a ‘need to know basis’ and all Personal Information will be dealt with in accordance with the Royal Academy of Dance Privacy Statement.

Anyone can also submit a report confidentially via the following email address: tellsomebody@rad.org.au