Child Protection Policy

Twirling Tots acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. Twirling Tots is committed to ensuring safeguarding practices reflect statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice.

This policy:

1. applies to all adults, volunteers, paid staff, agency staff and anyone working on behalf of Twirling Tots;
2. recognises that the welfare and interests of children and young people are paramount in all circumstances; and
3. aims to ensure that all children and young people have a positive and enjoyable experience in a safe and child centred environment and are protected from abuse whilst attending Twirling Tots classes and otherwise.

Twirling Tots acknowledges that some children and young people, including those disabled and those from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and accepts the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.

Twirling Tots will:

1.  promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people;
   
2. ensure that all staff, paid or otherwise, are clear about their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and are provided with appropriate mandatory learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people;
   
3. widely promote Twirling Tots safeguarding policies and procedures;
   
4. ensure that staff and volunteers take seriously all concerns and allegations of abuse and respond appropriately;
   
5. securely maintain and store confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns;
   
6. prevent the use of unsuitable individuals through the robust use of Disclosure and Barring arrangements as they apply in each nation within the UK, and the application of best practice in the safe recruitment of staff and volunteers working with children and young people;
   
7. ensure that robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation; and
   
8. address without delay any failure to comply with this policy.

Monitoring

This policy will be reviewed annually and revisions made where appropriate. This policy may also be reviewed in the following circumstances:

• changes in legislation or government guidance ;
  
• in the light of learning identified by a Local Safeguarding Children Board and
  
• as a result of any other significant change or event.