Note from Enchant Dance Academy, not part of the policy:This is written for our staff and volunteers rather than for parents, and it is published as written — what you read here is what a teacher in the studio is bound to do. If anything in it raises a question, email contact@enchantdanceacademy.com. Our health and safety policy and the rest of what we publish are on the policies page.

Policy overview and accessibility

This policy outlines the essential safeguarding responsibilities for everyone involved with Enchant Dance Academy. It is mandatory reading for all staff and volunteers, who must fully understand and comply with their duties regarding child protection.

Accessibility. This document is publicly available via our website and is shared with parents, students, and staff as appropriate.

Zero tolerance. All personnel have a strict obligation never to subject a child to any form of abuse or harm. Any breach of these procedures is viewed as gross misconduct and will result in disciplinary action.

Our legal responsibility and core principles

Enchant Dance Academy operates under the legislative framework of the Children Acts 1989 and 2004 and the Education Act 2002 (England). We acknowledge that the welfare of the child is always paramount.

Equal rights. Every child — regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, or beliefs — has an absolute right to protection from abuse and equal access to supportive services.

Definition of a child. For the purposes of this policy, a child is defined as anyone under the age of 18. This protection applies equally regardless of whether a young person is living independently, working, or in further education.

Promoting welfare. Safeguarding means shielding children from maltreatment, preventing damage to their health and development, providing safe environments, and fostering optimal life chances.

We achieve this by:

Promptly identifying and addressing any welfare concerns.
Maintaining a secure, positive, and happy dance environment.
Adhering to robust health and safety policies and risk assessments.
Embedding equality and diversity into our operational practices.
Implementing strict safer recruitment protocols (including verified references and enhanced DBS checks).

Note from Enchant Dance Academy, not part of the policy:The health and safety policy and the risk assessments named above are published in full.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Designated Safeguarding Person — Kayleigh Pelling (Principal).

The DSP has completed advanced safeguarding training.

Medical emergencies protocol. If a child presents with a physical injury and abuse is suspected, medical treatment takes absolute priority. Emergency services must be contacted immediately without delay, followed by standard child social services referral procedures.

Safer recruitment and personnel standards

DBS checks. Every individual working or volunteering with children at Enchant Dance Academy must possess a clear, verified, and current DBS certificate.

Barred lists. Anyone barred from working with children will be strictly prohibited from employment or volunteering.

Reporting to authorities. Should a staff member leave or be dismissed due to harming a child, mandatory referrals will be made directly to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and relevant statutory bodies.

Recognising harm and abuse

All personnel must be vigilant and able to identify indicators that a child's health or development is being compromised. The primary categories of abuse include:

Physical abuse — involves hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, scalding, suffocating, or fabricating or deliberately inducing illness in a child.

Emotional abuse — persistent emotional maltreatment causing severe adverse effects on development. This includes making a child feel worthless or unloved, severe or cyberbullying, inappropriate developmental expectations, exposing them to domestic ill-treatment, or deliberate isolation.

Sexual abuse — forcing or enticing a child to participate in sexual activities (with or without their understanding). This encompasses penetrative and non-penetrative contact, non-contact grooming, exposure to sexual images, or inappropriate sexual behaviour encouraged by adults or peers.

Neglect — the persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical or psychological needs, resulting in significant harm. Examples include failing to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, supervision, medical care, or emotional responsiveness.

If a child discloses abuse

If a child speaks out about abuse or harm, staff must follow these rules:

Listen calmly with an open mind and let the child speak freely.
Do not interrogate or ask leading, probing questions.
Do not promise secrecy. Clearly explain that you have a duty to share this information to keep them safe.
Do not ask the child to write a formal statement.
Record the details accurately — including dates, times, exact setting, witnesses, and the child's own words.
Inform the DSP immediately.

Reporting concerns and multi-agency procedures

Internal reporting. All suspicions, concerns, or disclosures must be reported immediately to the Principal and DSP (Kayleigh Pelling).
Consulting parents. Where safe to do so, staff or the DSP should inform parents or carers before contacting social services and seek their consent. However, if parental consent is withheld but significant harm is suspected, staff remain legally bound to report the concern directly.
External contact (West Sussex). In the absence of the DSP, or for direct escalation, contact West Sussex Children's Social Services on 01403 229900, or through their report a concern page.
Data protection and GDPR. GDPR and data protection regulations do not block safeguarding disclosures. Information sharing must be honest, accurate, discreet, and appropriate.

Who to ring, and when — added by us

The number above is answered Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Our Saturday classes and the end of our weekday classes fall outside that, so West Sussex's out-of-hours numbers are here too. They are the council's, published on the page linked above and checked on 24 August 2026; this box is ours rather than part of the policy.

A child is in immediate danger, or badly hurt — call 999. This comes before everything else on this page.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm — 01403 229900.
Evenings, weekends and bank holidays — the Emergency Duty Team on 033 022 26664.
If that line does not answer — the duty social worker on 07711 769657. Calls only; it does not take text messages.

Managing allegations against staff

Colleague concerns. If a staff member or volunteer has concerns regarding the conduct of another adult within Enchant Dance Academy, this must be reported straight to the Principal (Kayleigh Pelling).

Investigation restriction. Staff must never attempt to investigate the allegation or question the child themselves.

LADO escalation. The Principal will immediately escalate the matter to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

Out-of-work conduct. General safeguarding principles and reporting duties apply equally if a staff member's conduct outside of work presents an indirect risk of harm to children.

Note from Enchant Dance Academy, not part of the policy:What we do with information about your child, and the one case where we would pass it on without asking you first, is set out in the privacy notice.

Note from Enchant Dance Academy, not part of the policy:Last updated 24 August 2026.