Safeguarding

Safeguarding

3 young dancers looking into an RAD studio
  • protecting children and adults at risk from maltreatment,
  • preventing the impairment of children and at risk adults’ health or development,
  • ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care, and
  • taking action to enable all children and at risk adults have the best outcomes.

We have also developed resources and training opportunities for dance teachers teaching RAD ballet, and provide guidance on safeguarding best practice. Teaching members of the RAD are required to meet the following as a minimum of their professional membership, to:

  • obtain a criminal record check at least every three years,
  • declare any criminal convictions to the RAD, and
  • participate in annual safeguarding training as part of their CPD hours.

Our safeguarding team are focused on supporting dance teachers teaching RAD ballet in their commitment to keeping children and vulnerable adults safe while dancing.

Reporting concerns – what do I do if I’m worried?

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If you have a concern about a child, you should report it to the local authority child protection services 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.

Reporting a concern if your child attends a dance school teaching RAD ballet

Whether it’s a big or small worry, always tell someone who can help:

We do not have the authority to investigate allegations of abuse or other safeguarding concerns, but if an issue is reported to us, we will report it to the relevant local authority or to the Police.

  • the vital nature of the child’s welfare, and
  • the expectations and requirements around duties of care to children.

Further safeguarding information

What to expect from a dance school or dance teacher

As a parent or guardian, you need to know that your child is in the hands of a school or teacher who 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:

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.

Safeguarding advice for dance schools teaching RAD ballet

We support RAD teachers in their commitment to keeping children and vulnerable adults safe while dancing. To support them, we have created a Safeguarding Hub for listing requirements, resources, training opportunities and advice on best practice.

Scotland

National guidance for child protection in Scotland (Scottish Government, 2021). In Scotland, a child legally becomes an adult when they turn 16, but statutory guidance which supports the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 includes all children and young people up to the age of 18.

Wales

Welsh Government (2021) Safeguarding guidance.

Welsh Government (2022) Working together to safeguard people: code for safeguarding practice.

Northern Ireland

Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) (2021) Revised regional core child protection policies and procedures for Northern Ireland.

Safeguarding resources for parents and students

The RAD is committed to safeguarding all our students, teachers and staff. We have a professional safeguarding team who are focused on supporting dance teachers teaching RAD ballet, and who are committed to keeping children and vulnerable adults safe while dancing.

If you’re not sure who to turn to over a safeguarding issue, or just want more advice and information on keeping children and vulnerable adults safe while dancing, the following links and resources are a good place to start.

How do I choose a safe dance class?

Who do I contact if I need help?

Who do I contact if I am worried about the mental wellbeing of my child?

Who can I contact if I live outside the UK?