Safeguarding
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and to keep them safe. At the RAD, we are committed to safeguarding all our students, teachers and staff.
At the RAD, we are committed to safeguarding all our students, teachers and staff. Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and to keep them safe. It means:
- 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 employ dance teachers at our headquarters and provide dance teacher training and a ballet syllabus to dance teachers worldwide. All dance teachers employed by the RAD must have an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, and two confirmed references. This is a way to determine whether someone has a criminal record and whether they are suitable for employment.
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:
- If a child is in immediate danger, call the police on 999.
- 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.
- Contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
- If you are concerned about the way a child is treated by an adult at a dance school contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) in England and Wales or the Police.
We have a dedicated Safeguarding Manager who can signpost you to help on +44 (0)20 7326 8014 or +44 (0)7552 613529, and via email at safeguarding@rad.org.uk.
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 Children Act 1989 provides the legislative framework for child protection in England. (see Safeguarding advice for RAD teachers for information relating to Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales). Key principles established by the Act include:
- the vital nature of the child’s welfare, and
- the expectations and requirements around duties of care to children.
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 has three Senior Safeguarding Officers, a Safeguarding Manager, a Safeguarding Committee chaired by a director, a Safeguarding Policy, a Safeguarding Reference Guide, FAQs, and a set of procedures.
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:
- Obtain a criminal record check at least every three years
- Self-declare any criminal convictions to the RAD
- 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.
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?
- How to choose a dance teacher.
- Keeping Children Safe during Community and Out-of-School Settings – Questions to help parents and carers.
- Non-Statutory Guidance for Providers of Out-of-School Settings – Non-statutory guidance for providers.
- Advice to Parents and Carers on keeping Children Safe from Abuse and Harm.
Who do I contact if I need help?
- The NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk.
- Childline – Call 0800 1111
- The Child Exploitation Online Protection (CEOP) team is made up of police officers that observe social networking sites to ensure you are safe whilst on the internet. If you have or have ever had a concern regarding someone on the internet or their behaviour towards you, you can make a report to CEOP
- Wandsworth Safeguarding Children Partnership have provided an information pack detailing crisis lines as well as other support available to those in need.