HARBOROUGH ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS SAFEGUARDING POLICY

Harborough Academy of Performing Arts (HAPA)

80a St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough LE16 7DX

Linda Greene 07763463097

Updated January 2025

The welfare of our each of our students is paramount. All children, without exception, have the right to be safe and protected from any abuse in any form, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or beliefs.

To promote best safeguarding practice during lessons, events, shows and rehearsals, we commit to:

ensuring that EVERY teacher and helper (over 16 years old) has a valid DBS Certificate checked by us;
ensuring that children are signed into the studio for all classes/workshops and in/out of the building for rehearsals/shows. The same will take place for shows and performances at alternative venues.
provide the appropriate number of qualified chaperones during shows & Enhanced DBS Checked Volunteers.

HAPA knows that being a child/young person (under 18) makes them vulnerable. The purpose of this Policy is to make sure that the actions of any adult in the context of the work carried out by us is transparent and to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children/young people.

If any parent or young person/child has any concerns about the conduct of any member of staff or any safeguarding concerns, this should be raised in the first instance with Linda Greene (Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)).

Child abuse can take many forms:

Physical abuse
Psychological or emotional abuse
Sexual abuse
Grooming
Child trafficking
Child sexual exploitation
Criminal exploitation and gangs
Domestic abuse
Female genital mutilation
Organisational or institutional abuse
Neglect or acts of omission
Online abuse

Allegations of any form of abuse

If a child has a physical injury, a symptom of neglect or where there are concerns about emotional abuse in the child’s home, the teacher will contact their local Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) where one is available. The teacher / DSL will:

Contact Children’s Social Services, or thirtyone:eight, or the NSPCC, or the Ann Craft Trust, for advice in cases of deliberate injury, if concerned about a child’s safety, or if a child is afraid to return home.
Not tell the parents or carers unless advised to do so, having contacted Children’s Social Services.
Seek medical help if needed urgently, informing the doctor of any suspicions.
For lesser concerns, (e.g., poor parenting), encourage the parent/carer to seek help, but not if this places the child at risk of significant harm.
Where the parent/carer is unwilling to seek help, offer to accompany them. In cases of immediate danger, if the parent/carer still fails to act, contact Children’s Social Services direct for advice.
Seek and follow advice given by the NSPCC, thirtyone:eight, or the Ann Craft Trust if unsure whether or not to refer a case to Children’s Social Services.

Allegations of sexual abuse

In the event of allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse, the teacher/DSL will:

Contact the Children’s Social Services Department Duty Social Worker for children and families or Police Child Protection Team direct. They will NOT speak to anyone else.
Seek and follow the advice given by the NSPCC, thirtyone:eight, or the Ann Craft Trust or if, for any reason, they are unsure whether or not to contact Children’s Social Services / Police.

Safeguarding issue	Risk	Mitigation
Examination	A candidate is abused or bullied by a teacher, parent, carer, examiner, contractors or fellow pupils	Examiners and teachers are trained to identify indications of such risks and what to do if identified; there is a whistleblowing policy and procedure in place
Photo shoot	Abuse is perpetrated or experienced by participants, teachers, parent, fellow pupils or a photographer	Teachers are trained to identify indications of such risks and what to do if identified
Events / Competitions	A participant is abused, exploited or bullied by the teacher, parent, carer or other participants	Staff are trained to identify indications of such risks and what to do if identified
Summer school	A participant is abused, exploited or bullied by staff, teacher, parent, or fellow pupils	Staff are trained to identify indications of such risks and what to do if identified
Staff	Bullying and harassment from colleagues or externally	The school maintains and enforces respect, and has zero tolerance to bullying & harassment
Social media	Participants in activities are harassed or bullied; undue influence or grooming, images or data being misused or used without consent	The organisation follows GDPR closely and always seeks permission for any thing posted online from parents.

Show

A participant is abused, exploited or bullied by teachers, helpers, other participants or theatre staff.

Teachers and helpers are trained to identify indications of such risks and what to do if identified

Children have a right to be protected from “all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s), or any other person who has care of the child.” 8
The school recognises that the welfare of children is of paramount importance. We have a responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of all children and young people we work with and have an explicit duty to do so under the Children Act 1989 and 2004 and the Education Act 2002. We will do this by:

Ensuring that all teachers have received appropriate professional safeguarding training and can act on concerns raised appropriately.
Identifying and responding to concerns about a child or young person swiftly and appropriately
Providing a safe and happy dance environment at all our events by making all necessary local authority BOPA applications, using effective risk assessments, and following our Safeguarding policies.
Supporting child development through both following carefully created syllabi and awards programmes that foster ability and creativity from the Royal Academy of Dance and ISTD as well as creating suitable content and class structures in our other genres.
Supporting parents, carers, children and young people to communicate freely with us, supporting their communication methods, and providing time and space to talk whenever they need it.
Fostering an environment of trust and building appropriate professional relationships with parents and children
Sharing information as appropriate with other associations, members, Council, the police and children’s social care / local authority designated officers as appropriate
Providing clear pathways for raising a concern for parents and carers.
Ensuring that at all our events children, families and professionals are aware of safeguarding measures and processes that are in place.
Providing information, advice and guidance for members on raising a safeguarding concern and information on where to access appropriate professional training.
Raising awareness of safeguarding through our website.
Ensuring that all teachers recognise the need to undertake safeguarding training and to have a DBS check.

8 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Safeguarding adults

Safeguarding adults supports their “right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted including, where appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action. This must recognise that adults sometimes have complex interpersonal relationships and may be ambivalent, unclear or unrealistic about their personal circumstances.” 9

All adult safeguarding work should be underpinned by an ethos of empowerment, prevention, proportionality, protection, partnership and accountability. The Care Act 2014 sets out a duty for any adult who:

has care and support needs (whether or not these are known to the local authority where they reside)
is experiencing or is at risk of experiencing abuse or neglect and
is unable to protect themselves due to their care and support needs.

Our duty to safeguard adults means that we must: 10

- Stop abuse and neglect where possible.
- Prevent harm and reduce the risk of abuse or neglect to adults with care and support needs.
- Safeguard adults in a way that supports them in making choices and having control about how they want to live
- Promote an approach that concentrates on improving life for the adults concerned
- Raise public awareness so that communities as a whole, alongside professionals, play their part in preventing, identifying and responding to abuse and neglect
- Provide information and support in accessible ways to help people understand the different types of abuse, how to stay safe and what to do to raise a concern about the safety or well-being of an adult and
- Address what has caused the abuse or neglect

Any safeguarding action should be person led and outcome focused. We should help the individual to receive the kind of help and support that is right for them.

9 Care Act 2014

10 Department for Health Care and Support Statutory guidance, issued under the Care Act 2014

It is recognised that a child may seek you out to share information about abuse or neglect or talk spontaneously (individually or in groups) when you are present. In these situations, you must:

listen carefully to the child – DO NOT directly question the child;
give the child time and attention;
allow the child to give a spontaneous account – do not stop a child who is freely recalling significant events;
make an accurate record of the information you have been given, taking care to record the timing, setting and people present, the child’s physical appearance as well as what was said. Do not throw this away, as it may later be needed as evidence;
use the child’s own words where possible;
explain that you cannot promise not to speak to others about the information they have shared;
reassure the child that: you are glad they have told you; they have not done anything wrong and what you are going to do next.
explain that you will need to get help to keep the child safe.
do NOT ask the child to repeat his or her account of events to anyone.

Under no circumstances should a member of staff, contractor or volunteer carry out their own investigation into an allegation or suspicion of abuse of a child. If anyone in any position has concerns about a child’s welfare and believe they are suffering or are likely to suffer significant harm they should follow procedures as below:

If the person is in receipt of allegations or suspicions of abuse or neglect which may have been perpetrated in the child’s home setting or other setting away from the dance school, they should report the concerns as soon as possible to the local children’s social services department for the alleged victim’s home address. If unsure what to do, they should contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and seek advice. Further advice can be obtained from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), from Thirtyone:eight, and from the Ann Craft Trust.
If the person is in receipt of allegations or suspicions of abuse or neglect which may have been perpetrated by a teacher, contractor or other staff, they should report the concerns as soon as possible to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), either by calling 0116 2792194 or emailing admin@harboroughacademy.co.uk
If the allegation or suspicion of abuse constitutes a potential criminal offence, the police should be contacted in the first instance. If unsure, advice should be obtained from the establishment’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or from an agency such as the NSPCC. If for any reason further advice cannot be obtained within 24 hours of receipt of the allegation or suspicion of a criminal offence having been committed, the police should be contacted.
The DSL should contact the appropriate agency or they may first ring the helpline of NSPCC, Thirtyone:eight or the Ann Craft Trust for advice. They should then contact social services in the area where the child lives.
The DSL may need to inform others depending on the circumstances and/or nature of the concern, e.g., LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) if the allegation concerns a worker, specialist contractor or volunteer working with someone under 18.
Suspicions must not be discussed with anyone other than those nominated above. A written record of the concerns should be made in accordance with these procedures and kept in a secure place.
A child body map should be used to record the site, appearance and dimensions of any visible marks observed on the child’s body
Whilst allegations or suspicions of abuse will normally be reported to the DSL, the absence of the DSL should not delay referral to Social Services or the Police, or taking advice from the NSPCC, Thirtyone:eight or the Ann Craft Trust

A referral involves giving Children’s Services or the Police information about concerns relating to an individual or family, in order that enquiries can be undertaken by the appropriate agency, followed by any necessary action. In certain cases, the level of concern will lead straight to a referral, without external consultation being necessary. Parents/guardians should be informed if a referral is being made, except in the circumstances outlined above. However, inability to inform parents for any reason should not prevent a referral being made. It would then become a joint decision with Children’s Services about how and when the parents should be approached and by whom.

If your concern is about abuse or risk of abuse from someone not known to the child or child’s family, you should make a telephone referral directly to the Police and consult with the parents.

If your concern is about abuse or risk of abuse from a family member or someone known to the children, you should make a telephone referral to Children’s Services.

Information required

Be prepared to give as much of the following information as possible. In emergency situations, all this information may not be available. Unavailability of some information should not stop you making a referral.

You should be prepared to provide:

Your name, telephone number, position and request the same of the person to whom you are speaking.
The full name, address, and telephone number of the family.
The date of birth of the child and any siblings.
Gender, ethnicity, first language and any special needs.
Names, dates of birth and relationship of household members and any significant others.
The names of professionals known to be involved with the child/family (e.g. GP, Health Visitor, School).
The nature of the concern and the foundation for them.
An opinion on whether the child may need urgent action to make them safe.
Your view of the needs of the child and family.
Whether the consent of a parent with parental responsibility has been given to the referral being made.

HAPA should ensure that any records made in relation to a referral are kept confidentially and in a secure place.

Information in relation to child protection concerns should be shared on a “need to know” basis. However, the sharing of information is vital to child protection and, therefore, the issue of confidentiality is secondary to a child’s need for protection. If in doubt, discuss with child services.

If you concern is regarding a member of HAPA staff, please contact the Local Authority Designated Officer directly (0116 305 414). CFS-LADO@leics.gov.uk