Safeguarding Checks

You, your staff and volunteers have a duty of care towards the children who attend your dance classes. This means that by law you must take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of the children and protect them from harm. 

Robust procedures must be applied to deter and prevent unsuitable people from working or volunteering in your setting.  Such as conducting pre-employment checks, seek references and the importance of Disclosure and Baring Service (DBS) checks in the UK or equivalent register or services in your country to check criminal records.

From 2021, the Society’s Safeguarding policy states the (following member) categories must maintain an enhanced DBS check or National equivalent:

• Full Teaching Membership – fully ISTD qualified teachers, teaching and entering students in exams.
• Affiliated Membership – Non ISTD qualified teachers who are actively teaching dance
• Contemporary Affiliated Membership – non ISTD qualified contemporary teacher. Can teach and enter exams.
• Provisional Membership – on the path to becoming a full teaching member – taking their DDE
• Life Membership – members hold a Licentiate, Fellowship or Associate qualification. and have been a member for 40 years

The following member categories may not be required to maintain an enhanced DBS check unless undertaking a Regulated Activity:

Student Membership – non ISTD qualified dance students wishing to be affiliated with the Society and wishing to take advantage of membership benefits.

Members within this category who are on a pathway to Regulated Activity (e.g. studying to become a Dance Teacher) are required to undertake a basic level DBS check (unless an enhanced check is required).

We are asking all members to visit the My ISTD area on our website my.istd.org and update your DBS or equivalent certificate details. You can do this by logging in below.