WE BELIEVE THAT NO CHILD OR YOUNG PERSON SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF NEGLECTFUL OR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOURS

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We will promote and maintain the safety and welfare of every child in our care and seek to protect them from harm regardless of race, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief or any other form of identity or creed. We will create a safe and welcoming environment for all. This policy applies to all our staff/ volunteers/ contractors/ licensees and covers children under the age of 18.

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To protect children and young people in our care, our staff and volunteers will:

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• Encourage and support children to express their culture and enjoy their cultural rights

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• Actively support and facilitate participation and inclusion within the organisation by Aboriginal children and their families

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• Racism will not be tolerated anyone displaying racism will risk having their enrolment terminated

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• Acknowledge and appreciate the strengths of Aboriginal culture and understand its importance to the wellbeing and safety of Aboriginal children

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• Committed to the implementation of the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy at all levels. Understand the responsibility and process for reporting. (refer to Reporting process last part of this document)

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• Be alert to the signs of child abuse and harm & prepared to report where neccessary

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• Value and respect children and listen to what they have to say

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• Work with children, parents and relevant organisations to promote the safety and wellbeing of the children in our care

• Share our policy with all staff, parents and students

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• Ensure all required checks are made when hiring staff and that those in regular contact with children hold a current working with children check

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• Provide appropriate training and support to all staff

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• Take responsibility for children and young people’s safety when in our care

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• Seek permission from parents before taking images (photographs or film) of students and inform them how and where the images will be used

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Additional guidance can be found in the following information at the end of this policy:

A) Use of Photographs and Film of Children

B) Appropriate Physical Contact in Dance

C) Reporting Suspected Neglect or Abuse

 

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TINY TWINKLE TOES BALLET COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION:

Tiny Twinkle Toes Ballet will recognise and respect the diverse needs of all children and provide avenues for children or their families to identify their individual needs through additional support if required (particularly in the initial part of the trial and enrolment process) to ensure that all children are reasonably supported to participate & succeed in our classes. Tiny Twinkle Toes Ballet will support equity and make reasonable changes to support participation by all children and respond to all children’s needs by clear communication with families and teachers.

Tiny Twinkle Toes Ballet upholds equity for all children with zero tolerance for child abuse and harm resulting from discrimination based on disability, race, ethnicity, religion, sex, intersex status, gender identity or sexual orientation through staff training and awareness and communication with parents.

 

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ADDITIONAL GUIDENCE A: USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND FILM OF CHILDREN:

We recognise that taking images of students in our care may not always be appropriate and that some children and parents may not want images taken at any time. Therefore, before taking images of a child or young person, we will:

• Tiny Twinkle Toes Ballet takes responsibility for pictures but it can’t extend to the pictures taken by customers. We ask that any parent wanting to take photographs or film at our events only do so with our prior permission. Permission will only be granted during trial days and special watching weeks and presentation days.

• Seek advice prior to posting on social media or internet (as per enrolment agreement)

 

 

 ADDITIONAL GUIDENCE B: APPROPRIATE PHYSICAL CONTACT IN DANCE:

Teaching dance is a physical activity and a teacher will sometimes need to make physical contact with a student to show an idea or to correct the student’s position. This can include:

• Adjusting arms, legs, rib cage, hips, feet, hands

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• Moving one student in relation to another

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• Holding hands

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• Physically reassuring a small child (by means of a rub on the shoulder or pat on the back, going down to their level to talk quietly to them)

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Where contact is needed, we will remain sensitive to the student’s wishes and put their welfare first. In all cases, we will say why and how we will be correcting the student’s position before making any contact.

We encourage students or parents to report any concerns.

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ADDITIONAL GUIDENCE C: REPORTING SUSPECTED NEGLECT OR ABUSE:

Concerns regarding a child’s welfare can be reported by:

• Parents

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• Teachers

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• Friends

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• The child or young person

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All allegations of neglect or abuse will be taken seriously. If a concern is reported directly by the child or young person we will not seek to disagree, ask probing or leading questions, or do anything else which may discourage them. We will make clear that reported concerns cannot be kept confidential but will need to be shared with a nominated member of staff or external organisation. Parents or guardians will also be involved if appropriate.

We recognise that early action is vital. Any concerns will be reported immediately. If the child or young person is in immediate danger of harm, we will contact the police on 000. In all other cases, we will report concerns to the local Protection Team: Child protection services in the relevant state.