Policies - For The Love Of Dance

Child Safety & Protection Policy

For The Love Of Dance (FTLOD) — last reviewed 16 June 2025 • next review due June 2026

This policy sits beside the Staff Code of Conduct. It aligns with the 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards and forms part of every employee, contractor, volunteer and student-teacher agreement.

1 Scope

Applies to everyone working or volunteering for FTLOD (“staff”) and to all settings we operate or hire (studios, concerts, excursions, digital platforms).

2 Commitment & Key Principles

Zero tolerance for child abuse or neglect.
Students first, always. Every decision favours child safety and wellbeing.
Shared responsibility. Every adult onsite is a mandated notifier under Victorian law.
Cultural safety & inclusion. We actively respect:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
- Children from culturally/linguistically diverse backgrounds
- Children with disability
- LGBTIQ+ children

3 Behavioural Expectations

Do	Do Not
Ask consent before physical corrections (“Is it OK if I adjust your hip?”).	Swear, ridicule, or use sexually suggestive language.
Keep interactions observable & interruptible (door open / glass panel).	Be alone with a child in a closed space.
Give side-on or open-palm corrections; avoid chest, buttocks, groin.	Use corporal punishment or corrective touch in anger.
Use BAND or studio email for parent comms; add Meagan to any 1-to-1 Slack DM.	Text, call, or DM a parent/student from your personal phone.
Change students in communal areas with parent/helper present.	Enter change rooms while students are undressed.
Keep phones out of change rooms.	Film/photograph students without signed Media Release & Meagan’s OK.
Follow allergy/medical plans; administer only Epi-Pen/puffer in emergency.	Dispense other medication.
Log every injury/incident before leaving.	Shrug off “minor” knocks.
Drive < 10 km/h onsite; park in staff bays; no student passengers (except own child + written parent & Meagan consent).	Offer to drop a student home without written approvals.

4 Physical Environment & Supervision

4.1 Line-of-Sight Rule

Private lessons, mentoring chats, or costume fittings happen with the door open or in rooms with full-height glass panels.

4.2 Bathroom Protocol

Preschool & Junior: WWCC-cleared “Bathroom Monitor” escorts groups.
Never escort a single child alone—send two children or call the monitor.

4.3 Visitor & Helper Sign-In

Non-staff adults backstage/class sign the Visitor Log and wear a “Helper” badge.
WWCC numbers and expiries recorded in the WWCC Register (Google Sheet).

5 Injury, Incident & Disclosure Procedure

Step	Action
1. Immediate safety	Remove danger; call 000 for serious injury.
2. Notify	Call Meagan (0405 776 038) ASAP.
3. First aid	Use kit/defib; record treatment.
4. Document	Complete Incident Form (QR link) before leaving; include witnesses.
5. Parent contact	Phone parent/guardian; head knocks require speaking live (no voicemail).
6. Follow-up	Meagan reviews within 24 h; decides further action/reporting.

5.1 Suspected Abuse / Self-Harm

Listen, reassure, record exact words — no confidentiality promises.
Report to Meagan within 24 h max.
Immediate danger → call 000 then Meagan.

Meagan notifies Child Protection/Police as mandated.

6 Recruitment, Training & Supervision

Requirement	Frequency
Child-Safe e-Learning module	On induction & every January
CPR & First-Aid (HLTAID011)	Every 3 yrs (renew CPR annually)
Read & sign Code of Conduct + this Policy	On hiring & annually
Behaviour-management PD	Every 2 yrs or as directed

Recruitment checks

WWCC (or VIT) and police check for all child-related roles.
Two reference checks focused on child-safety behaviours.

Supervision

New staff paired with senior mentor for first 4 weeks.
Ongoing observation and feedback to ensure child-safe practice.

7 Fair Procedures & Record-Keeping

All allegations recorded in secure Incident-Tracker (Google Drive, restricted).

Families receive timely updates on investigations and actions taken.

Decisions are transparent, evidence-based, and respect procedural fairness.

8 Privacy

Personal information is handled per FTLOD Privacy Policy and the Privacy Act. We only share data when child safety or law requires it.

9 Legislative Responsibilities

Failure to Disclose: All adults must report reasonable belief of child sexual abuse.
Failure to Protect: Leaders commit an offence if they ignore a known substantial risk.

10 Risk Management

Annual child-safety risk assessment (incl. physical environment “lockable door” scan).
New programs/venues assessed before commencement; risks mitigated or program halted.

11 Policy Review & Family Input

Reviewed every two years or after significant incident.
Feedback welcomed via anonymous Google Form.
Where possible, consultation with Aboriginal, CALD, and disability communities.

12 Allegations, Concerns & Complaints

All allegations taken seriously; investigated promptly by Meagan (Child-Safety Lead).
Staff, families, and students know how to raise concerns (posters & handbook links).
Reasonable belief → immediate report to Police/Child Protection.

13 Core Values Underpinning Safety

Value	How it Protects Children
Fun & Engaging	Play-based learning keeps kids attentive and reduces risk behaviour.
Inclusive	Adapting content for every learner prevents exclusion-based harm.
Community	Strong parent-studio partnerships create extra eyes and ears for safety.

Contact

Child Safety Lead: Meagan Volta (Director)
📞 0405 776 038 ✉ admin@fortheloveofdance.com.au

If you’re ever unsure—pause and ask. Safety first, performance second.

General Health and Safety Policy

For The Love Of Dance

At For The Love Of Dance, we are wholeheartedly committed to the health, safety, and well-being of every student, family, and staff member. We aim to provide a safe, supportive environment where everyone can thrive—physically, emotionally, and creatively.

To help us maintain a safe and respectful space, we ask that students, families, and staff follow these guidelines:

Please stay home if you:

Are experiencing any cold, flu, or other contagious illness symptoms (e.g. fever, cough, vomiting, rash)
Have had a contagious illness within the past 24 hours and are still symptomatic
Have been in close contact with someone who is unwell or contagious
Are recovering from illness but are not yet well enough to fully participate in class

Notification Requirements:

If your child tests positive for a contagious illness (e.g. COVID-19, influenza), please notify us so we can take any necessary precautions.
In cases of head lice, gastro, or other easily spread illnesses, please let us know so we can discreetly implement hygiene measures.

Studio Rights:

For The Love Of Dance reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone who appears unwell or poses a health risk to others.
We may request a student be collected early if they become unwell during class.
Additional precautions (e.g. masks, temperature checks) may be reintroduced at any time, in line with current public health advice or during periods of heightened illness in the community.

Our Commitment:

We stay up to date with health and safety guidelines issued by local and national authorities.
Our studios are cleaned regularly, with high-touch areas sanitised frequently.
All staff are trained in our health and safety procedures and will not teach while unwell.
We maintain accurate attendance records to assist with any necessary communication or contact tracing.
We promote good hygiene practices, including handwashing, sanitising, and staying home when sick.

Together, we can keep our studio a safe, happy, and healthy space for everyone. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Privacy Policy

Who we are

Our website address is: https://fortheloveofdance.com.au.

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