South Coast Dance Festivals – Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy
1. Introduction
South Coast Dance Festivals has a moral and legal obligation to ensure that, when given responsibility for children, all staff, chaperones, parents/legal guardians, volunteers and crew accept their responsibilities to safeguard children from harm and abuse.
This means ensuring that everyone follows procedures to protect children and report any concerns about their welfare to the appropriate authorities.
The policy includes:
• Prevention through awareness of each individual child’s needs.
• Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect.
• Procedures for identifying and reporting cases or suspected cases of abuse.
At the outset of each festival, South Coast Dance Festivals will:
• Undertake a risk assessment and monitor risk throughout the festival process.
• Identify the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
• Recruit registered chaperones with appropriate vetting and DBS checks.
• Ensure that children are supervised at all times.
• Maintain contact with the Local Authority Safeguarding Team.
2. Prevention
South Coast Dance Festivals recognises consists of all young performers. We expect all staff, chaperones, parents/legal guardians, volunteers and crew to behave appropriately at all times, ensuring that ‘The Welfare of the Child is Paramount’.
We will:
• Act within the Children Act 1989 & 2004.
• Act within The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014.
• Follow Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 and Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024.
• Maintain an ethos where children feel safe, welcomed and respected.
• Ensure children know who to speak to if they have concerns.
• Always work in open environments and involve parents/chaperones wherever possible.
• Ensure registered chaperones and enhanced DBS checks for those with direct child contact.
• Ensure all staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities.
3. Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect
Abuse is a form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Abuse can occur online, in the home, or within institutions.
Categories include:
• Physical Abuse – causing physical harm (e.g. hitting, shaking, burning).
• Sexual Abuse – forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities.
• Neglect – persistent failure to meet a child’s basic needs (food, shelter, protection, care).
• Emotional Abuse – persistent maltreatment causing adverse effects on emotional development.
4. Legislation, Policy and Guidance
South Coast Dance Festivals will adhere to:
• Children Act 1989 and 2004.
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023.
• Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024.
• The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014.
5. Suspicion of Abuse
If abuse is suspected, staff must immediately report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). This includes concerns inside or outside the festival environment.
6. Disclosure of Abuse
If a child discloses abuse:
• Listen carefully and take the allegation seriously.
• Remain calm and supportive.
• Do not ask leading questions or interrupt.
• Do not promise confidentiality – explain you must share information with those who can help.
• Reassure the child that they did the right thing by speaking up.
• Record the disclosure using the child’s own words.
• Report immediately to the DSL.
7. Handling Allegations
Any allegation against a member of staff must be reported to the DSL, who will contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). If the allegation concerns the DSL, report to another senior manager or directly to Social Services.
8. Recording
All disclosures and incidents must be recorded promptly, accurately, and stored securely by the DSL. Records will only be shared with individuals on a strict need-to-know basis. All staff and volunteers have a duty to pass on their concerns.
9. Accidents
Accidents will be recorded in the accident book and countersigned by the DSL. Children arriving with visible injuries will have these recorded. First aid will be administered by trained First Aiders.
10. Chaperones
Chaperones
Chaperones will be appointed by the Local Authority for the care of children during the production process for children performing under a licence. By law the chaperone is acting in loco-parentis and should exercise the care which a good parent might be reasonably expected to give to a child. The maximum number of children in the chaperone’s care shall not exceed 12.
Potential chaperones will be required to supply photographic proof of identity (eg. passport, driving licence) and two references from individuals with knowledge of their previous work with children, unless already well known to Lucy Russell. They will also be asked to sign a declaration stating that there is no reason why they would be considered unsuitable to work with children.
Chaperones will be made aware of South Coast Dance Festivals Child Protection Policy and Procedures.
Chaperones will not usually have unsupervised access to children in their care. If unsupervised access is unavoidable, or if this is a requirement of the local authority, a DBS check will be required.
Where chaperones are not satisfied with the conditions for the children, they should bring this to the attention of the producer (or equivalent). If changes cannot be made satisfactorily, the chaperone should not allow the child(ren) to continue.
If a chaperone considers that a child is unwell or too tired to continue, the chaperone must inform the producer and not allow the child to continue.
Under the Dangerous Performances Act, no child of compulsory school age is permitted to do anything which may endanger life or limb. This could include working on wires or heavy lifting.
Chaperones should tell the producer to cease using children in this way and should contact the local authority.
During performances, chaperones will be responsible for meeting children at the waiting area and returning them there afterwards to their parent.
Chaperones will be aware of where the children are at all times.
Children are not to leave the theatre unsupervised by chaperones unless in the company of their parents.
Children will be adequately supervised while going to and from the toilets.
Chaperones should be aware of the safety arrangements and first aid procedures in the venue and will ensure that children in their care do not place themselves and others in danger.
Chaperones should ensure that any accidents are reported to and recorded by South Coast Dance Festivals
Chaperones should examine accident books each day. If an accident has occurred, the producer is not allowed to use that child until a medically qualified opinion has been obtained (not just the word of the parent or child).
If a parent has not collected the child, it is the duty of the chaperone to stay with that child.
• Individual changing tents will be in all dressing rooms and must be used by all performers
11. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
South Coast Dance Festivals requires enhanced DBS checks for all chaperones and crew in direct contact with children. Standard DBS checks may be required for those with limited supervised contact.
12. Responsibility of Parents
Parents are responsible for collecting their children after each performance from the waiting area.
Parents will be provided with a copy of this policy and are expected to work in partnership with the festival to safeguard children.
13. Unsupervised Contact
South Coast Dance Festivals will ensure no adult has unsupervised contact with children where possible. If unavoidable, contact will occur in public spaces or with open doors. Enhanced DBS checks are required in such cases.
14. Physical Contact
Adults must maintain safe and appropriate boundaries. Physical contact will only occur when necessary for performance-related reasons, with the child’s consent and explanation provided.
15. Managing Sensitive Information
• Parental consent will be sought on the application form for photography or video.
• Images will only be used for approved festival purposes.
• Web-based materials will be monitored for inappropriate use.
• All sensitive information, including DBS records & performers details will be stored securely and confidentially.
Designated Individuals for Safeguarding
Name: Lucy Russell
Position: Designated Safeguarding Lead
Email:info@southcoastdancefestivals.co.uk
Contact Number:07947276719
Signature: Lucy Russell
Updated September 2025