Child Protection

Many teachers have been in contact with the ISTD concerning the current situation with regard to Child Protection, and some have been asked for Child Protection Policies and to undergo checking.

Different pieces of legislation will affect dance teachers, depending on how, when, where and whom they teach. The most current legislation covering the issues of teachers being fit to work with children are the Protection of Children Act 1999, and the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2000. Under this latter piece of legislation it is a criminal offence for someone to apply for or accept any work if he or she is disqualified from working with children, and teachers may therefore be asked to provide child protection polices and undergo checks particularly if they are working in state schools, or on local authority premises. The Criminal Record Bureau has developed a scheme giving a disclosure of someone's record, but this is only available through a registered organisation, at a fee of £12 per person. Checks are not mandatory if you are running your own school. It is good practice however, to write your own child protection policy so that it is available to any interested party.

Useful guidance and information is included in 'Dance Teaching Essentials', available from Dance UK and the CDET (£7.50 plus p&p, £6.00 plus p&p for Dance UK members).

Further information and a wide range of advice is available from:

Department of Health - document 'A practical Guide to the Act for all Organisations working with Children' available from:
Department of Health
PO Box 777
London, SE1 6XH
Website: www.doh.gov.uk/scg/childprotect

Criminal Records Bureau
Tel: 0870 9090811
Website: www.disclosure.gov.uk

NSPCC - has put together a self-help pack designed to help small organisations and individuals in developing child protection. The document 'Firstcheck: a step by step guide for organisations to safeguard children' is available for £29.95.
Tel: 0808 800 500
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk

Council for Dance Education and Training
Tel: 020 7247 4030
Website: www.cdet.org.uk

English Amateur Dancesport Association, have a child protection policy document which can be adapted and used by teachers.
Tel: 0114 255 5236
They also have Child Protection Officers who will give guidance:
Jean Hodgkiss Tel: 01372 842807
Dennis Morley Tel:01704 545805