Dani Grant School of Dance Safeguarding Policy
At Dani Grant School of Dance, the safety and well-being of all students, staff, and volunteers are our top priorities. We are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment in line with UK safeguarding laws and best practices.
This policy outlines our approach to protecting children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
1. Safeguarding Overview
1.1. What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding is the proactive approach to ensuring the welfare and protection of children, young people, and vulnerable adults by:
• Preventing abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Supporting physical and mental well-being.
• Ensuring a safe, nurturing environment.
1.2. Where Can Abuse Happen?
Abuse can occur in any setting, including:
• At home, in public places, educational institutions, workplaces, hospitals, or care facilities.
It can be perpetrated by family members, carers, teachers, healthcare workers, social workers, or peers.
2. Recognising Abuse
2.1. Types of Abuse
Physical Abuse
• Hitting, shaking, burning, poisoning, suffocation.
• Fabricating or inducing illness.
Emotional Abuse
• Threats, intimidation, humiliation.
• Controlling, isolating, verbal abuse.
Sexual Abuse
• Unwanted physical contact or coercion.
• Grooming, exposure to inappropriate content.
Neglect
• Failing to provide basic needs (food, shelter, medical care).
• Ignoring emotional or developmental needs.
Financial Abuse
• Theft, fraud, exploitation.
• Pressuring individuals over money, property, or inheritance.
Discriminatory Abuse
• Harassment based on race, gender, disability, or identity.
2.2. Criminal Offences & Legal Protection
Some forms of abuse constitute criminal offences and must be reported to the police immediately, including:
• Physical & sexual assault
• Financial exploitation
• Hate crimes & discrimination
3. Bullying & Cyberbullying
3.1. What is Bullying?
Bullying is deliberate and repeated harmful behaviour that involves a power imbalance.
It includes:
• Emotional: Exclusion, humiliation, hurtful messages.
• Physical: Hitting, kicking, pushing.
• Verbal: Name-calling, rumours, threats.
• Sexual: Inappropriate comments or actions.
• Cyberbullying: Harassment via social media, texts, or emails.
Bullying must never be dismissed as “just banter”. All incidents will be taken seriously.
4. Mental Health & Self-Harm
4.1. Recognising Self-Harm
Self-harm involves deliberately causing injury to oneself, including:
• Cutting, burning, hitting, or starving oneself.
• Substance misuse or risky behaviour.
4.2. Eating Disorders
Eating disorders often stem from emotional distress and can include:
• Anorexia Nervosa: Extreme restriction of food intake.
• Bulimia Nervosa: Binge eating followed by purging.
• EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified): A mix of disordered eating behaviours.
If a student shows signs of self-harm or an eating disorder, staff must report concerns immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
5. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
5.1. What is FGM?
FGM is the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.
5.2. UK Law on FGM
• FGM is illegal in the UK and is classified as child abuse.
• Section 5B of the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 requires professionals (teachers, healthcare workers, social workers) to report suspected FGM cases to the police.
Any concerns must be reported to the DSL or external safeguarding agencies immediately.
6. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns
6.1. Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs)
All safeguarding concerns should be reported to:
DSL: Dani Grant
📞 07868 715516 | 📧 danigrantdance@gmail.com
Deputy DSL: Rania Leontiou
📞 07748 027717 | 📧 rleontiou@gmail.com
6.2. Responding to Disclosures
If a child or vulnerable adult discloses abuse:
✅ Listen carefully – Let them speak freely.
✅ Reassure them – Tell them they are safe.
❌ Do not ask leading questions – Avoid suggesting answers.
✅ Do not promise confidentiality – Explain that the information must be shared.
✅ Report immediately to the DSL.
6.3. Reporting Allegations Against Staff
• All allegations against staff must be reported to the DSL.
• If the DSL is implicated, an external safeguarding agency must be contacted.
NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline 📞0800 028 0285
7. Emergency Contacts & Local Authorities
7.1. Key Safeguarding Contacts
Islington Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) 📞020 7527 8102 Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm
Islington Children’s Services 📞020 7527 7400 Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm
Emergency Duty Team (Islington) 📞020 7226 0992 5pm-9am, weekends & bank holidays
Police Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT) 📞020 8733 6495 / 020 8733 6500 24/7
Sutton LADO 📞020 8770 4776 Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm
Sutton Out of Hours Service 📞020 8770 5000 Evenings & weekends
Croydon LADO 📞020 8255 2889 Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm
Croydon Emergency Out of Hours 📞0208 726 6400 24/7
NSPCC 📞0808 800 5000 24/7
8. Commitment to a Safe & Supportive Community
At Dani Grant School of Dance, we are dedicated to:
• Creating a nurturing and secure environment.
• Ensuring that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
• Providing support and guidance to students, parents, and staff.
For any safeguarding concerns or queries, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Deputy DSL.
Dani Grant School of Dance