Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

All England Dance is committed to treating each individual as a person in his or her own right, with equal rights and responsibilities for all, whether they are an adult or a child. Discrimination on the grounds of gender, age, race, religion or belief, disability, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin, or political belief has no place within this organisation.

Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

  1. Policy Statement
    All England Dance (AED) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people, from age 3 to 21, who participate in our programmes or who are brought into contact with AED. AED provides opportunities for children and young people of all backgrounds, cultures, abilities, and experiences to benefit from dance in a professional stage environment. We believe every child and young person has the right to enjoy dance in a safe, supportive, and inclusive setting—free from abuse, harm, or neglect.
  2. Purpose of this Policy
    This policy outlines AED’s approach to safeguarding and child protection. It aims to:

    – Protect children and young people who take part in AED’s activities from any and all forms of abuse and harm.
    – Provide consultants, colleagues, volunteers, and partners with clear guidance on their responsibilities towards children and young people.
    – Ensure best practices are followed in safeguarding children and young people.
    – Ensure that safeguarding arrangements reflect the specific risks associated with performance environments, including backstage supervision, chaperoning, injury management, and the handling of sensitive disclosures during events.

  3. Legal Framework

    This policy has been developed in accordance with the principles established in UK legislation and guidance and Local Authority guidance on child performance licensing and chaperone responsibilities, including:

    – Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025)
    – Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)
    – The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014
    – Equality Act 2010
    – Children Act 2004
    – Children Act 1989
    – Children and Young Persons Act 1963 (Performance Licensing)
    – UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

  4. Scope of the Policy

    For the purposes of this policy, references to ‘children’ and ‘young people’ primarily refer to individuals under the age of 18, although aspects of this policy may also be applied to vulnerable adults participating in AED activities and apply to:

    – All AED settings, including festivals, competitions, backstage areas, and any environment where children perform or prepare to perform.
    – Anyone working on behalf of or with AED who comes into contact with or has access to children or young people during our activities, festivals, competitions, or events.
    – Anyone taking decisions to do with children or young persons.
    – Anyone who manages someone having access to children or young people during the course of AED activities.
    – Anyone involved in the recruitment and vetting process
    – Anyone who is part of the reporting and management of incidents.
    – Any third parties who work with AED and have access to children and young adults.

  5. Our Commitment

    AED will:

    – Treat children and young people with care, respect, and dignity, including their emotional and physical welfare.
    – Prioritise the safety and welfare of all children and young people.
    – Ensure all consultants, colleagues and volunteers are clear on their safeguarding responsibilities.
    – Promote inclusive, positive environments free from discrimination, bullying, and harm.
    – Take all concerns seriously and respond appropriately to any allegations and implement a disciplinary procedure as appropriate.
    – Recruit volunteers and consultants safely, including conducting DBS checks for relevant roles.
    – Provide safeguarding training, advice and regular updates to consultants, colleagues, and volunteers.
    – Record and store information adequately and securely.
    – Ensure that performance environments are risk‑assessed, supervised, and appropriately staffed with licensed chaperones where required.
    – Ensure that all accidents, injuries, or near misses are responded to promptly, recorded accurately, and reported to the Facility Security Officer (FSO) / Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and, where appropriate, to relevant authorities.
    – Ensure that any disclosure of abuse made during an event is managed sensitively, safely, and in accordance with statutory guidance.
    – Review this Policy on a regular basis.

  6. Safeguarding Roles and Responsibilities
    – Trustees: Ensure effective safeguarding governance and policy implementation

    – Chaperones: Where required by law or AED procedure, licensed chaperones will supervise children backstage, monitor welfare, and ensure compliance with regulations.
    – AED Teams: Responsible for ensuring safe physical environments, managing backstage access, and supporting safeguarding procedures during events.
    – All consultants, colleagues, and volunteers must read, understand, and follow this Policy, and report any concerns to the DSL and/or the deputy immediately.

  7. Contact Information
    Designated Safegugrding Lead (DSL): Elaine Bailey elaine.bailey@all-england-dance.org.uk

    Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Lynne Casey lynne.casey@all-england-dance.org.uk

    Facility Security Officer (FSO): Elaine Bailey elaine.bailey@all-england-dance.org.uk

    Emergency: If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

    Local Authority Safeguarding Team

  8. Contact on Site During an All England Dance Finals Event

    Whilst attending any of the Biennial Finals that AED runs, there will always be a senior member of the AED Team on site, and the Regional Directors will oversee and address any immediate matters requiring their input during the event.

    The Designated Safeguarding Leads’ and Facility Security Officer’s contact details are provided in Section 7 (above).

    The Regional Directors responsible for Safeguarding, and acting as regional FSO, during the 2026 Finals period are as follows:

East
Home Counties
North
Midlands
South
South East
West
Regional Director
Nicky Lewis
Lynne Casey
Fiona Watson
Dawn Barhan
Emma Barnard
Nikki Mansell
Elaine Bailey
Deputy Regional Director
Emily Waudby
Lynne Chilver
Hollie Whewell
Natalie Wells
Rosie Barnard
Harrison Cohen
Louise Cooper

During the National Final, both AED’s Designated Safeguarding lead and/or the DSL will be on site at the event. The individuals named above may be contacted via the Front Desk at each venue, who will ensure that the Regional Director or their Deputy is available to meet with you to discuss any immediate Safeguarding concerns.

  1. Recognising Abuse and Harm
    Abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect. AED recognises the additional vulnerabilities of children with disabilities, from minority backgrounds, or those with mental health needs. All consultants, colleagues and volunteers must be vigilant in recognising signs of abuse or exploitation.AED recognises that performance environments can create additional vulnerabilities, including:- High‑pressure situations
    – Physical strain or injury
    – Increased contact with unfamiliar adults
    – Potential for unsupervised movement between dressing rooms, backstage, and stage areasA full risk assessment will be completed before any AED activity involving access to children and young adults. The risk assessment will set out welfare arrangements and how they will be communicated to the children, young people, their parents and other appropriate parties.Risk assessments for each festival or performance will include:

    – Backstage access control
    – Chaperone deployment
    – First aid provision
    – Emergency procedures
    – Injury/accident reporting routes

  2. Reporting Concerns

    Any concern about a child or young person’s welfare must be reported to the DSL and/or Deputy immediately, or if this occurs whilst attending a Finals Event run by AED, contact should be made with the Regional Director or their Deputy.

    Where a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm or where it is believed a child or young person may have been abused or harmed, the police or children’s social care services must be contacted without delay.

    Where a child or young person is not at immediate risk of harm but where there are some concerns, the DSL and/or Deputy will assess the concerns, record information, alert the appropriate parties and decide on a course of action, which may include seeking guidance from social services or children’s protection agencies, contacting the police for further investigation and continue to monitor the situation.

    AED’s procedures for managing concerns include:
    – Recording and reporting incidents accurately and promptly;
    – Maintaining confidentiality and only sharing information on a need-to-know basis;
    – Cooperating fully with investigations;
    – Implementing disciplinary action.

    Safeguarding records will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.

    10. 1 If a Child Discloses Abuse During a Festival or Performance

    If a child or young person makes a disclosure:
    – Listen carefully and remain calm.
    – Do not ask leading questions or promise confidentiality.
    – Reassure the child that they have done the right thing.
    – Report the disclosure to the FSO/DSL or Deputy DSL immediately.
    – Record the disclosure factually, using the child’s own words.
    – The DSL will determine whether to contact the Local Authority, police, or other agencies.
    This applies if the disclosure occurs at any time during their attendance at the event including backstage, during a rehearsal, or immediately before/after a performance.

    10.2 Accidents, Injuries, and Medical Incidents

    AED requires that:

    – A qualified first aider is present at all events.
    – Any accident, injury, or near miss is:
      – Responded to immediately
      – Recorded in the event accident log
      – Reported to the DSL and event lead (FSO)
      – Communicated to the parent/guardian as soon as practicable.
    – Serious injuries or safeguarding‑related injuries must be escalated to emergency services without delay.
    – Where an injury may impact a child’s ability to perform safely, AED reserves the right to withdraw the child from performance for their welfare.

  3. Safer Recruitment

    AED follows safe recruitment procedures to ensure all individuals working with children are suitable. This includes:

    – Requiring all colleagues and volunteers working with children to complete an enhanced DBS check
    – Conduct References and identity checks for all personnel;
    – Clear role descriptions and safeguarding responsibilities; and
    – Induction and training relating to this Policy and the safeguarding of children and young people
    – Licensed chaperones must provide evidence of their licence issued by the Local Authority.

  4. Training and Support

    All colleagues and volunteers will receive safeguarding training appropriate to their role.

    Regular updates and refresher sessions will be provided to maintain awareness of emerging issues and responsibilities.

    Anyone working for, on behalf of or with AED will be given appropriate guidance to enable them to manage safeguarding appropriately.

    All staff and volunteers working in performance environments will receive additional training on:
    – Backstage safeguarding
    – Managing disclosures during events
    – Accident and injury procedures
    – Chaperone responsibilities
    – Performance licensing requirements

  5. Code of Conduct

    AED expects all adults involved with our activities to:
    – Treat all children and young people with respect, care and dignity;
    – Prioritise their wellbeing and safety, both emotional and physical;
    – Never engage in behaviour that is or may be perceived as abusive, discriminatory, or inappropriate;
    – Maintain professional boundaries at all times;
    – Work with children and young people in a safe and secure manner; and
    – Report concerns without delay.
    – Only a dancers designated adult (Parent / guardian / teacher) can accompany them into the ‘preparation area’. There is no full changing permitted outside of the pods provided.
    – Chaperones must maintain line‑of‑sight supervision and ensure children are never left unsupervised backstage.
    – Physical contact must be appropriate, necessary, and explained (e.g., first aid, costume adjustments).
    – Adults must not photograph or film children backstage unless explicitly authorised under AED photography rules.

    For the full code of conduct see here

  6. Online Safety and Photography

    AED promotes safe use of digital technology.
    – Photography or filming will only occur with the children / young person and their representatives’ prior consent.
    – AED will ensure all media use respects participants’ dignity and privacy.
    – Social media and digital communications will follow clear safeguarding guidelines.
    – Backstage photography is prohibited unless explicitly authorised by AED and compliant with consent records.
    – No images may be taken in ‘preparation area’ under any circumstances.

     

  7. Whistleblowing

    AED encourages a culture of openness and speaking up. Anyone with concerns about another individual’s behaviour should report it to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or the Deputy Safeguarding Lead via AED’s whistleblowing procedure. Retaliation against those who raise concerns in good faith will not be tolerated.

  8. Performance‑Specific Safeguarding Requirements

    AED requires the following for all festivals and performance events:

    16.1 Supervision and Chaperoning

    – Children remain the responsibility of their parent/teacher until signed into the backstage/holding area.

    – Once signed in, they are supervised by AED‑approved chaperones.

    – Chaperones must:

      – Monitor welfare

      – Manage movement between dressing rooms, warm‑up areas, and stage.

      – Ensure children leave with the correct adult.

    – No child may leave the backstage area unless collected by their parent/guardian or authorised teacher.

    16.2 Backstage Access

    – Only authorised personnel, performers, and licensed chaperones may enter backstage areas.
    – All adults must wear visible accreditation.
    – AED staff will challenge any unauthorised adult.

    16.3 Performance Licensing

    Where required by law:
    – Teachers/parents must ensure children have the correct performance licence or exemption.
    – AED will comply with Local Authority requirements for performance hours, breaks, and supervision ratios.

    16.4 Physical Safety During Performance
    – Holding areas must be supervised and safe.
    – Stage surfaces must be checked for hazards.
    – Children must not perform if injured or unwell.
    – AED may stop a performance if a child’s safety is at risk.

  9. Policy Review

    This policy will be reviewed annually or in response to changes in legislation, guidance, or practice. The review will ensure it remains current, effective, and relevant to AED’s work.

  10. Policy Ownership

    The Board of Trustees owns this policy. The Designated Risk Lead/Facility Security Officer is responsible for implementation and monitoring.

    All members of the AED community must be familiar with this policy and, as far as possible, keep within its spirit and intent in their own area.

    Any queries on the application or interpretation of the policy must be raised by contacting: PeopleSupport@all-england-dance.org.uk

    The Trustee Board of AED is responsible for ensuring the maintenance, regular review and updating of this policy. Revisions, amendments, or alterations to the policy can only be implemented following consideration by the Trustee Board and approval by the Chair of the AED.

 

Signed by Chair of Trustees:

Jacquie Brunjes

for and on behalf of All England Dance