Health and Safety Policy

Balliamo Dance School are responsible to ensure the safety of their students.

Parents/ Guardians are required to complete the Registration Form at the first class which includes important and relevant medical history and emergency contacts.
Emergency contact details will be kept and brought with Miss Lucy on and off site.
Personal Data will be kept confidential and stored safely.
Parents/Guardians are responsible for and must inform Balliamo Dance School of any updates or changes to emergency contact information.
A child can only leave the hall with a parent or guardian unless consent has been given.
Teachers are required to have First Aid training and completion certificate. First aid certificates should be kept up to date.
If an incident occurs an Accident Form must be completed and a copy must be given to the parent/guardian when the child is collected at the end of the lesson.
Parents/Guardians understand the risks involved in dance activity and that injuries could happen. We are responsible for injuries occurred due to teachers negligence only.
If required we will first contact emergency services and then the first emergency contact.
Students/Parents/Guardians should inform the teacher of any existing injuries or health conditions or considerations that the teacher is not currently aware of before the student begins to take part in the lesson.
For safe dance practice the dress code should be followed for all classes which is non restrictive clothing that allows free movement as well as the appropriate footwear.
Students are encouraged to bring shoes to the lesson that will only be worn indoors to avoid creating hazards such as a wet floor if it is raining outside. If the weather is or has been raining or snowing you will be expected to bring a change of shoes.
Shoes must be worn when using the toilet facilities.
Students should not wear jewellery to class to avoid risk to themselves and others. Acceptable jewellery that can be worn are stud earrings and jewellery worn for religious or cultural reasons.
No food or chewing gum is allowed in the hall during class time. You are encouraged to bring water in a water bottle.
Parents/Guardians are responsible for children outside of the hall and toilet areas as children/students/pupils will be supervised during class time only.
We have no responsibility for persons on the grounds around the building.
Parents/Guardians are expected to keep their children punctual.
Balliamo Dance School should take regular risk assessments of the hall to ensure safety.
Teachers must have a clear understanding of the Fire Policy and what to do in the event of a fire emergency.
Teachers must have an up to date DBS check.
Teachers, staff, volunteers are required to wear appropriate uniform always.
Balliamo Dance School will review policies yearly.

Payment Policy

Payments will be due monthly for the current month. Payments will be expected and should be paid by the end of the first week of the month.

Prices for group dance classes are as follows:
- £4 per 30 minutes class
- £5.50 per 40 minutes
- £6 per 45 minutes class
- £7 per 60 minutes class
Private lesson price is £17.50 per 30 minutes

From December 2023 for class invoices we will be going cashless. From December 2023 we have the new option to set up Direct Debit payment. This is the preferred way to pay for classes and will be the way to pay for class invoices from February 2024. Invoices will be sent on the last day of each month. Direct Debit payment will be taken on the 2nd of each month, except when this falls on a weekend or public holiday, in which case it will be taken the following working day. Please note there will be a late fee of £5 added to invoices that have not been paid after 7 days. For new students joining cash can be paid for the first lessons until the next month starts where a monthly invoice will be sent.

Uniform/costumes can be paid for by cash or bank transfer. Competition tickets need to be paid by bank transfer so I can send directly to the competition by the date they require.

Bank Transfer details:

Name: Lucy Shuttleworth
Sort Code: 09-01-28
Account Number: 65648608

Please include your child’s name in the reference as well as the month or item the payment is for.

Invoices will be sent each month stating the amount due to be paid.

Tuition fees cover classes and this does not include uniform, dance-wear, costumes, exams, competition entry and all tickets for performances. (All events are optional).

The appropriate shoes will be required for class.
E.g Ballet shoes for Ballet.

Refunds:

Refunds are not provided for students sickness, school trips, social events, injury, holidays. If there is a long term sickness or injury please make Miss Lucy aware so we can discuss lessons and payments for this period. If you wish to terminate lessons you are required to give 2 weeks notice and to pay for all lessons up until that point and the Direct Debit will be cancelled.

In the event of a cancelled class the class will either be rescheduled or credited to your Class Manager portal account which can then be used for the next invoice.

Class policy

A registration form must be completed online before your first class. This will include emergency contact and parent/guardian contact information. It is important that these are kept up to date so please update me if there are any changes.
- Hair should be tied back if it is long enough to do so.
- Comfy clothing that allows movement should be worn for classes with the appropriate shoes.
- Stud earrings are acceptable for classes but may be asked to be removed for exams and performances.
- All other jewellery should be removed for classes.
If a student has an injury, they or their guardian must inform the teacher at the start of the lesson so that the teacher can ensure no harmful dance moves or exercises will take place. If a student has an injury that requires time to heal we must follow doctors orders to ensure safety and proof will need to be provided to allow the student to dance. Students that are recovering from an injury or illness are encouraged to observe classes to still learn.
Unwell students must not attend classes if they are contagious.

All personal details are confidential and only shared with appropriate parties if necessary such as exam societies. If you terminate classes your data will no longer be stored and be safely disposed of.

In the event of an evacuation of the building students in the hall will be immediately escorted out of the nearest fire exit by the teacher on the sound of the alarm and we will assemble outside. Everyone in the building should quickly evacuate including parents/guardians. Everyone who steps foot in the hall should make themselves familiar of fire exits.

In the event of an emergency first aid will be administered by a first aider. Parents/guardians and in extreme cases an ambulance will be contacted if necessary.

This company is only responsible for students when in the hall during their class times and cannot be responsible for supervising students outside of the hall. If a child refuses to stay in class it is illegal to forcibly detain a child against their will. This would be an extremely unlikely event but if a student decides to leave their class despite reasonable persuasion from the teacher, the parents or guardians retain parental responsibility for children including in class time and they must take responsibility for their child’s refusal to stay.

All children are required to be picked up by a parent or guardian at the end of their lesson. If no one arrives for the student they will wait with the teacher whilst the teacher tries to contact the parent or guardian. The teacher will wait with the student until someone picks them up. Parents are permitted to leave and return to the premises whilst their child participates in their class.

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Balliamo Dance School is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people up to the age of 18. We recognise our responsibility and duty of care to take all reasonable steps to promote safe dance practice and protect children from any harm, abuse and exploitation. We recognise our responsibility of our legal duty to act appropriately to any allegations, reports or suspicions of abuse under:
- Children and Young Persons Act 1963
- Children Act 1989
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Protection of Children Act 1999
- Care Standards Act 2000
- Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000
- Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and 2005
- Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015 and 2018
Balliamo Dance School believes that all children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse, therefore all staff and volunteers will work together to encourage the development of an ethos which embraces difference and diversity and respects the rights of children, young people and adults. The welfare of children is paramount therefore all suspicions and allegations of abuse should be taken seriously and responded to appropriately and swiftly.

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of this company. All staff and volunteers are obliged to never subject a child or young person to harm, abuse or exploitation and must be aware of their legal and moral responsibility to protect and keep children and young people safe. All staff and volunteers must be able to recognise evidence of harm or abuse where a child’s health or development has been impaired or ill-treated, and are responsible for and should have knowledge of how to report any concerns or a workers conduct towards a child or young person to the designated safeguarding lead or appropriate authorities.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Lucy Shuttleworth who can be contacted on 07585957567 or lshuttleworth32@gmail.com. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will ensure the child protection policy is adhered to, track and record safeguarding concerns and ensure concerns are shared with the correct authorities.

The purpose of this policy is to protect children and young people who attend classes, performances or exams with Balliamo Dance School, as well as to provide parents, staff and volunteers information on the steps we follow for child protection and what to do if a concern arises of a child or young person experiencing or at risk of harm.

This company will safeguard and protect children by:
- Putting the welfare of each child first
- Treating all children equally and fairly
- Ensuring everyone has the right to dance
- Treating everyone with respect and dignity
- Building balanced relationships based on mutual trust
- Providing a safe space where views are valued and communication can take place
- Giving constructive feedback rather than negative criticism
- Not accepting any form of bullying
- Ensuring that all adult members provide a positive role model
- Taking action to stop any inappropriate behaviour
- Keeping up to date with health and safety legislation, and any changes in legislation and policies for the protection of children
- Taking relevant training and developmentHolding relevant and necessary contact information and medical details at the place of teaching or performance in case of emergencies and ensuring these are kept up to date
- Ensuring Teachers have a DBS check, insurance and safeguarding training
- Responding appropriately in the event of an accident or incident
- Carry out risk assessments to avoid hazards
- Providing children, young people and parents/guardians information including where to go for help if a concern has arisen.
Consent

If necessary Balliamo Dance School will ask for consent from parents/guardians such as photo/video permission in the registration form. If there are concerns from or passed onto the DSL that must be referred to Blackpool Children’s Social Care consent will be asked from parents/guardians involved and information that and why a case is being referred. If consent is refused for information being shared, the information can still be shared to Blackpool Children’s Social Care and it must be recorded and reported why consent was not given. In some circumstances consent may not be sought if the child is in immediate danger and needs medical attention, gaining consent places the child or family member at risk or contacting and discussing with parent/guardian will put yourself or a staff member at risk. It is our legal responsibility to pass on information to the relevant authorities. If information is shared it will be recorded what information has been shared and who it has been shared with.

Child protection is in place to protect children from suffering or likely to suffer from harm, abuse and exploitation. This can include neglect, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and physical abuse. For more types of abuse or more information please visit the NSPCC. Remember it is not your responsibility to decide whether abuse has taken place but it is to report your concerns to the DSL.

Disclosure of Abuse

If a child informs you that abuse has taken place you should remain calm and in control of the situation. Listen carefully to what has been said and allow the child to tell you at their own pace and only ask questions if you need to clarify. Inform the child that you will need to share the information with only people who need to know who can help. Reassure the child they have done the right thing and tell the child what you will do next. Inform the DSL immediately and make a note of what has been said using the child’s words and record the date, time any names mentioned and who you gave the information too. Sign and date your record. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will liaise with relevant authorities such as Children’s Social Care or Police and discuss concern with parent/guardian if they are not involved in putting the child at risk. If the concern does involve the parent/guardian then advice should be sought from Children’s Social Care First.

Allegations Against Staff

A report of concern or allegation of abuse about the behaviour of a member of staff causing harm to a child must be reported to the DSL who will contact the Local Authority Designated Officer. The member of staff who reports the allegation as well as the member of staff alleged against must not be part of further investigation. If the DSL is who your concern is regarding, you can contact the Local Authority Designated Officer yourself.

Blackpool Local Authority Designated Officer
01253 477558
lado@blackpool.gov.uk

Fire Safety Policy

All students, parents/guardians and visitors should familiarise themselves with fire exits when they visit the hall. In the event of an evacuation on sound of the fire alarm or if instructed to evacuate the teacher will evacuate students from the class to the nearest fire exit and meeting point. Everyone should ensure fire exits are kept clear at all times incase of emergency evacuation taking place quickly but calmly.

When discovering a suspected fire:

You should shout ‘Fire, Fire, Fire!’ And raise the alarm at the nearest point

Fire Marshals may attempt to put out the fire if it is safe to do so

When hearing the Fire Alarm:
- All parents, guardians, visitors and students must follow instructions of the fire marshals.
- Students will be evacuated by a teacher.
- Everyone must evacuate the building via the nearest fire exit using the safest route, you must leave personal belongings behind.
- Parents / Guardians and Visitors should evacuate children that are not participating in the current class at the time the alarm sounds and head to the meeting point.
- Parents/ Guardians should not collect their children from the fire evacuation point unless instructed to do so.
- Please avoid using mobile phones whilst evacuating as it is important to listen further instructions and be alert of the situation.
- No one should leave the fire assembly points or re-enter the building until instructed by the fire brigade and services or lead fire marshal that it is safe to do so.
- In order to protect fire marshals and others in the building, in the event of people not responding to the need of evacuation you should leave the building to ensure your own safety and report to the Lead Fire Marshal.

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