Safeguarding at the RAD

Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and to keep them safe. At the RAD, we are committed to safeguarding all our students, teachers and staff. It means:

• protecting children and adults at risk from maltreatment,
• preventing the impairment of children and at risk adults’ health or development,
• ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care, and
• taking action to enable all children and at risk adults have the best outcomes.

We employ dance teachers at our headquarters and provide dance teacher training and a ballet syllabus to independent dance teachers worldwide. All dance teachers employed by the RAD are required to have a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. This is a way to determine whether someone has a criminal record and whether they are suitable for employment.

We have also developed resources and training opportunities for dance teachers teaching RAD ballet, and provide guidance on safeguarding best practice. Teaching members of the RAD are required to meet the following as a minimum of their professional membership:

• Obtain a criminal record check at least every three years
• Self-declare any criminal convictions to the RAD
• Participate in annual safeguarding training as part of their CPD hours

Our safeguarding team are focused on supporting dance teachers teaching RAD ballet in their commitment to keeping children and vulnerable adults safe while dancing.

Reporting concerns – what do I do if I’m worried?

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If you have a concern about a child, you should report it to the local authority child protection services or to the Police. Many people worry, “What if I am wrong?” but if we take a child-centred approach to safeguarding, we should all be asking, “What if I am right?” By raising a concern, you could be protecting not just one child, but future children.

Reporting a concern if your child attends a dance school teaching RAD ballet

Whether it’s a big or small worry, always tell someone who can help:

• If a child is in immediate danger, call the police on 999.
• Contact your local child protection services. Their contact details can be found on the website for the local authority the child lives in.
• Contact the police. They will assess the situation and take the appropriate action to protect the child.
• Contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
• If you are concerned about the way a child is treated by an adult at a dance school contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) in England and Wales or the Police.

We have a dedicated Safeguarding Manager who can signpost you to help on +44 (0)20 7326 8014 or +44 (0)7552 613529, and via email at safeguarding@rad.org.uk.

We do not have the authority to investigate allegations of abuse or other safeguarding concerns, but if an issue is reported to us, we will report it to the relevant local authority or to the Police.

The Children Act 1989 provides the legislative framework for child protection in England. (see Safeguarding advice for RAD teachers for information relating to Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales). Key principles established by the Act include:

• the vital nature of the child’s welfare, and
• the expectations and requirements around duties of care to children.

All organisations that work with or come into contact with children should have safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that every child, regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, has a right to equal protection from harm. The RAD has three Senior Safeguarding Officers, a Safeguarding Manager, a Safeguarding Committee chaired by a Director and a Safeguarding Policy and set of procedures.