The purpose and scope of this policy statement:

Boom Arts Academy Ltd works with children and families as part of its activities. These include: Street dance, Music Video, Martial Arts, Poi, Ballet,  Break dance, Bboy Hip Hop, Yoga, Meditation, Musical Theatre, Acting, Cheer and Tumble, Ribbons, Acrobatic Arts, Contemporary, disco Freestyle, Tots classes, Modern, Tap  and Lamda, also fitness classes and other confidence boosting classes for children.

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The purpose of this policy statement is:

To protect children and young people who receive training with Boom Arts Academy Ltd. 

 This includes the children of adults who use our services to provide parents, staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

 

This policy statement applies to anyone working on behalf of Boom Arts Academy Ltd including senior managers and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and students.

 

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from nspcc.org.uk/childprotection.

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We believe that children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

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We recognise that the welfare of the child is paramount at Boom Arts Academy Ltd. All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse. Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

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We will seek to keep children and young people safe by valuing, listening to and respecting them. Appointing a nominated child protection/safeguarding lead, a deputy child protection/safeguarding lead and a lead trustee/board member for safeguarding developing child protection and safeguarding policies and procedures which reflect best practice using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately, creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise, developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures sharing information about child protection and safeguarding best practice with children, their families, staff and volunteers via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions, recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made. We will provide effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures implementing a code of conduct for staff and volunteers using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place and ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance recording and storing information professionally and securely maintaining GPDR.

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Related policies and procedures

This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies and procedures, including:

• Procedures for responding to concerns about a child or young person’s wellbeing

• Dealing with allegations of abuse against a child or young person

• Role of the designated safeguarding officer

• Managing allegations against staff and volunteers

• Safer recruitment policy and procedures

• Adult to child supervision ratios

• Code of conduct for staff and volunteers

• Anti-bullying policy and procedures

• Online safety policy and procedures for responding to concerns about online abuse

• Photography and image sharing guidance

• Child protection records retention and storage policy

• Whistleblowing policy

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Safeguarding Children and Young People 

Boom Arts Academy supports the principle that children and young people must be protected from harm at all times. 

Boom Arts Academy Designating Safeguarding leader Isla Selley (Principal), Katrina Kemp (Deputy Head) and Samuel Morais.

Boom arts academy staff are all fully vetted, hold DBS and relevant safeguarding training with the Nspcc.

 

General Guidelines 

We aim to create an environment that is safe for children and young people. We will do so by providing clear guidance for the staff and volunteers in knowing what is expected and how they can ensure the safety of the children and young people. 

The welfare of children and young people is paramount. All c/yp have a right to be protected and any suspicion or concern of abuse will be dealt with immediately and appropriately. All staff are aware that it is their duty to report any concerns regarding a children and young people welfare to the appropriate safeguarding officer. 

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Staff will implement this policy using the following guidelines when conducting work that involves children and young people. This will protect the safety and well-being of the children and young people and that of our own staff. 

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The Safeguarding children and vulnerable young people policy and Code of Practice will be reviewed annually or earlier as the need arises. 

Where staff are likely to engage with a child on a one-to-one basis, it is imperative that he/she is appropriately child protection trained and holds safeguarding. 

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Staff and volunteers are trained to work with children/young people with physical disabilities, learning difficulties, emotional difficulties and behavioural needs. Boom Arts Academy is not able to accommodate violent or aggressive behaviour in class that poses a physical threat. If a child/young person poses a risk to themselves, other students, volunteers or staff, we reserve the right to reassess their participation in class which may lead to permanent exclusion. 

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All staff are required to adhere to the procedures within this document as this will ensure that they are enabled to make informed and sensible responses to child/young people protection issues. 

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Safeguarding practices re: conduct by staff/volunteers/contractors.
The term staff is defined as anyone working under contract, whether paid or unpaid, with Boom Arts Academy Ltd. 

 

All staff will be required to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS). All staff will receive a copy of the organisation’s Child Protection Policy.
 

All staff will receive training to enable them to work safely with the children as well as training on how to deal with child protection issues that may arise. Staff will receive accredited training every 3 years and the Safeguarding Officer every 2 years. All staff will maintain good practice with the children. This will be ensured by: Isla Selley Director of Boom Arts Academy Ltd
 

All staff will maintain good practice with the children. This will be ensured by: 

• Not meeting with children outside of the designated activity times,without a parent or responsible adult being present.

• Not sharing inappropriate information with the children.

• Never using demeaning or belittling language with the children.

•  Treating all the children with dignity and respect.

•  Ensuring that all members of staff know the names of the designated safeguarding leads/officer. 

•  Always working in an open environment. 

•  Building balanced relationships based on mutual trust which empowers children to share in the decision-making process. 

• When attending to intimate or self-care needs staff will always work in pairs.

• Using physical contact to enhance access to dance. 

•  Securing parental consent in writing to act in loco parentis,if the need arises to
  administer emergency first aid and/or other medical treatment.

• Keeping a written record of any incident that occurs,along with the details of any treatment given in Boom Arts Academy accident book that every Boom Arts Academy teacher holds or has access to. This is followed up by parents immediately after and is checked every 6 months.

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When recruiting and training staff/volunteers the following will be addressed: 

•  All volunteers/staff will complete an application form. The application form will elicit information about an applicant's past and a self-disclosure about any criminal record. 

•  An enhanced DBS application will be completed and updated every three years as well as a full vetting on the staff member.

•  Two confidential references,including one regarding previous work with children,where appropriate. These references must be taken up and confirmed through telephone contact.

•  Evidence of identity (passport or driving license with photo,and dated and three months utility bill showing current address).

•  Child protection procedures are explained and training needs are identified. All staff are put on regular first aid, safeguarding and child protection courses.

• KCSIE and Boom Arts Academy Ltd Code of Practice and Child protection Policy must be adhered to and read Yearly.

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Safeguarding practices re: parents/carers and other organisations
It is the responsibility of the parent/carer and other organisations to ensure that Boom Arts Academy ltd has all relevant information concerning the children and young people with whom we work with or teach.
When enrolling at Boom Arts Academy parents are required to complete a personal information form  and an online booking system to keep Boom Arts Academy informed of any changes, including adults collecting children. 

No parents to be left alone with other children whilst in the care of Boom Arts Academy Ltd unless permission has been given. 

Use of photographic & filming equipment
Parents sign consent when children are enrolled in Boom Arts Academy Ltd . At any time this consent can be withdrawn.
Parents will always be informed of when, where and how images may be used or events including photos/film of students.
No photography or filming is permitted during classes by parents/carers.
All photos and films will be stored securely and safely.
At times film footage will be taken as part of staff training and development. 

Identifying and reporting abuse 

There are different forms of abuse namely: 

• Emotional

• Physical 

• Sexual

• Neglect 

 

There are a number of ways in which abuse may become apparent:

• A child or young person discloses abuse.

• Someone else discloses that a child or young person has told him/her or that he/she strongly believes a child or young person has been or is being abused. 

• A child or young person may show signs of physical injury for which there appears to be no satisfactory explanation. 

• A child or young person’s behaviour may indicate that it is likely that he/she is being abused. 

• A member of staff’s behaviour or the way in which he/she relates to a child which causes concern. 

 

The process when dealing with suspicion or disclosure of abuse:

• Stay calm and listen to the child or young person without asking probing questions.

• Give the child or young person time to say all they need to say.

• Reassure them that they have done the correct thing in telling you. Explain to them that only the professionals who need to know will be informed. Do not promise to keep it a
  secret. 

• Do not try to deal with it yourself. Report immediately to the Safeguarding Officer. 

• Report in writing what you have heard,as soon as possible. Ensure that the date,time, witnesses and other relevant information are recorded. 

• Do not discuss what you have heard with other members of staff who are not appointed as responsible for the children’s welfare.

• Do not make a child or young person repeat something unnecessarily.

 

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Contact details:

 

Nominated child protection lead Name: Isla Selley 

email: boomartsacademy@hotmail.com 

 

Deputy child protection lead Name(s): Katrina Kemp 

email: KKempBoom@hotmail.com

 

Safeguarding Lead:

Deputy Head:  Katrina Kemp 

Principle: Isla Selley 

Teacher: Samuel Morais 

 

NSPCC Helpline  0808 800 5000

 

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually. 

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