Here at Sorelle we believe the welfare of children is vital. All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from any form of abuse. All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. Staff at Sorelle academy have a responsibility to report concerns to the principal or other identified staff.

Sorelle Academy has a duty of care to safeguard all children involved in the school from harm. All children have a right to
protection and the needs of disabled children and others who may be particularly vulnerable must be taken into account. The school will ensure the safety and protection of all children involved in dance through adherence to the Child Protection guidelines, A child is defined as under 18 The Children Act 1989.
 

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Protecting children with staff at Sorelle Academy

All our tutors have completed a Disclosure Scotland enhanced search and have signed a copy of both our Child Protection Statement and Policy. This statement sets out a policy which requires the organisation, and all adults who seek to be involved in Sorelle academy, to accept the duty to safeguard the welfare of children and young people, and to prevent physical, sexual and emotional abuses of all children with whom they come into contact.

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Staff application process:-

• All adults who wish to work with children and young people during Sorelle Academy activities are required to provide an existing CRB/CRBS Disclosure.
   

• All adults are interviewed and met in person before working with the children at Sorelle Academy.
   

• A reference may be requested from a person who knows the applicant before they start working with children. If the reference causes any doubts, Sorelle Academy reserve the right to make further verbal or written contact with the referees before the Adult can work with children in the organisation.
   

• If a Disclosure or reference gives sufficient cause applicants will not be allowed to work with children or young persons.
   

• All adults who have responsibilities for children must abide by this policy document.
   

• All materials relating to the application will be held centrally, carefully and in confidence.

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Protecting the children at Sorelle Academy

In our work with children and young people, we respect and defend their individual rights. This means that we do not countenance any form of physical violence or abuse, whether committed by or inflicted upon either adults or young people.
 

It also means that we do not countenance verbal insults or destructive criticism. Sorelle encourages respect for others’ background, appearance, personality, abilities, opinions or preferences. It means that adults must accept the responsibility to exercise due care in all activities, so that young people are not exposed to risk through adult negligence or incompetence. Child Protection requires good child-care and good group-work practice.
 

Sorelle Academy should: 

• Always put the care, welfare and safety needs of a child first. 
   

• Respect a child’s right to be involved in making choices and decisions which directly affect them. 
   

• Respect a child’s culture (e.g. faith and religious beliefs) and right to privacy and personal space. 
   

• Respond sensitively to children who seem anxious about participating in certain activities. 
   

• Speak to someone in charge immediately if you are worried about a child. 
   

• Be aware and sensitive to the vulnerabilities of some children e.g. children with disability; children from ethnic minorities, same sex families etc. 
   

• Never dismiss what a child tells you as ‘lies’ or exaggeration. 
   

• Always set an example you would wish others to follow. 
   

• Always give constructive feedback and not negative criticism 
   

Minimising risk to children in all activities

Sorelle Academy activities are organised to reduce to a minimum those situations within which it  may be possible for children to be abused.

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The following guidelines are followed during all Sorelle Academy activities:

• Students will be appropriately supervised at all times. This may on occasion, involve parents remaining with children until this can be achieved.
   

• Adults should be discouraged from meeting individually with children outside Sorelle Academy activities.
   

• It is important to know who the leaders are on all activities.
   

• Adults should not be alone with children away from other people.
   

• In exceptional circumstances where an adult may be alone with a child for a short period, the adults should ensure that other adults are aware of the situation and that they support this action.
   

• Groups should be aware of how they use premises for group activities. Most activities are based on group work, but if there is the need for an adult to work with an individual child, it is better that this is organized in clear view of the rest of the group.
   

• Adults should ensure that the touch and physical contact they use is not exploitative and is not open to misunderstanding.  Children and young people should be encouraged to say what they find acceptable and unacceptable in the way they are approached by adults or their colleagues in the group.
   

• Confidential data that is collected on children including addresses, dietary needs, medical conditions etc. should be treated in confidence and with respect and should be shared between adults only on a need-to-know basis.
   

• Written reports are required for any significant incidents, and any such reports on serious incidents must be sent to the principle of Sorelle Academy.
   

• Tutors will ensure that workshop environments are safe.
   

• Staff hold a full chaperone license for our productions with their local councils.

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Responding To Concern About Possible Abuse Of A Child

Sorelle Academy is not a children’s counselling agency and adults working at Sorelle Academy should not be required to explore issues of abuse with children. However, it is possible that children and young people will take advantage of the trusting atmosphere during Sorelle Academy activities to disclose or describe abuse which is affecting them. Adults should be clear and honest in explaining that such information cannot be kept as a secret and that other agencies will have to be involved.

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Resources available to adults working with Sorelle Academy and activity participants

The telephone number, e-mail and website addresses of Child Line and local Child Protection Officers. The name of a suitable person with whom they could put the child or young person in contact or to whom they could turn to for help.