Keeping Every Dancer Safe

Policy Number - CSP-001

Version - 1.0

Effective Date - 9/Jun/2026

Review Date- 8/Jun/2027

Policy Owner - Principal / Child Safety Officer

Approved By - Claudia Dean World

Our Commitment

Claudia Dean Academy is unconditionally committed to child safety. The welfare of every child and young person in our care is our highest priority. We have zero tolerance for child abuse in any form.

1. Introduction and Purpose

This Child Safeguarding Policy ('Policy') sets out the commitment of Claudia Dean Academy ('the School') to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people who participate in our programs, classes, performances, and events.

This Policy applies to all individuals associated with the School, including:

• Directors, principals, and management
• Teaching staff, instructors, and coaches
• Administrative and support staff
• Volunteers and chaperones
• Contractors and visiting artists
• Parents and guardians in a supervisory role

This Policy has been developed in accordance with the following Australian legislative frameworks and guidelines:

• Child Protection Act 1999 (QLD) and the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (QLD)
• The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (Australian Human Rights Commission)
• National Child Safe Standards
• The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Child Protection Act 1999 (QLD) and the Child Protection Reform Amendment Act 2017 (QLD)

2. Definitions

For the purposes of this Policy:

Child / Young Person: Any person under the age of 18 years.

Child Abuse: Includes physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and exposure to family violence. This includes but is not limited to:

• Any act or omission that causes harm or risk of harm to a child
• Grooming behaviour
• Online exploitation or exposure to inappropriate material

Child Safety Officer (CSO): The designated person responsible for receiving and managing child safety concerns within the School.

Staff Member: Any person engaged by the School in any capacity, paid or unpaid.

Working with Children Check (WWCC): A background screening requirement for adults who work or volunteer with children, as mandated under the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (QLD).

3. Roles and Responsibilities

3.1 The School (Principal/Director)

• Ensure this Policy is implemented, reviewed annually, and updated as required
• Appoint a designated Child Safety Officer
• Ensure all staff and volunteers hold a valid Working with Children Check
• Provide child safety training and induction for all staff
• Respond promptly and appropriately to all child safety concerns
• Maintain a safe physical environment for all children

3.2 Child Safety Officer (CSO)

• Act as the first point of contact for child safety concerns
• Receive, document, and assess all reports or disclosures
• Liaise with relevant authorities (Police, Child Protection Services) as required
• Maintain confidential records of all concerns and actions taken
• Oversee staff training in child safety

3.3 All Staff and Volunteers

• Familiarise themselves with and adhere to this Policy
• Complete all required Working with Children Checks before commencement
• Attend mandatory child safety training as required
• Report any concerns, disclosures, or observed incidents to the CSO immediately
• Maintain professional boundaries with students at all times
• Never place themselves in a position where they are alone with a child without appropriate visibility

3.4 Parents and Guardians

• Support the School's child safety culture and policies
• Discuss this Policy with their children in an age-appropriate way
• Report any concerns to the CSO or Principal immediately
• Model respectful behaviour when at the School

4. Recruitment and Screening

The School is committed to recruiting staff and volunteers who are suitable to work with children. All appointments will involve:

1. Verification of identity (e.g. photo ID)
2. A valid Working with Children Check (Blue Card) issued by Blue Card Services Queensland — this is a mandatory requirement before any person commences working with children
3. Reference checks, including at least one referee who can speak to the applicant’s suitability to work with children
4. Disclosure of any prior child protection concerns, findings, or criminal history relevant to child safety
5. Interview questions that explore values and attitudes relating to child safety

5. Code of Conduct

All staff, volunteers, and contractors must abide by the following standards of behaviour when working with children and young people:

5.1 Required Behaviours

• Treat all children with dignity, respect, and fairness
• Create a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment
• Maintain appropriate physical and emotional boundaries at all times
• Use positive and age-appropriate language
• Obtain consent for any necessary physical contact (e.g. correcting posture), and ensure such contact is appropriate, necessary, and transparent
• Communicate with students in visible, open settings where possible
• Ensure any one-on-one contact occurs in observable spaces (e.g. door open, window visible)
• Report all concerns to the CSO without delay

5.2 Prohibited Behaviours

The following behaviours are strictly prohibited and constitute grounds for immediate disciplinary action and/or termination:

• Any form of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse of a child
• Using offensive, degrading, or sexually suggestive language with or around children
• Initiating personal contact with students via private social media, personal phone numbers, or messaging apps outside of School-sanctioned communication channels
• Photographing or filming children without explicit parental/guardian consent
• Providing gifts or payments to children without parental knowledge and School approval
• Transporting a child alone in a vehicle without express prior written parental consent
• Consuming alcohol or drugs before or during any activity involving children
• Sharing personal information about students with unauthorised third parties

5.3 Physical Contact in Dance Instruction

Dance teaching may involve physical corrections and guidance. All staff must:

• Explain and seek verbal assent before making any physical correction
• Use the least intrusive form of physical contact necessary
• Never make contact that could be perceived as sexual or inappropriate
• Respect a student’s right to decline physical contact, and offer verbal or visual corrections instead
• Be aware that cultural backgrounds may influence comfort with physical contact

6. Recognising Child Abuse and Indicators

All staff should be aware of the following possible indicators of abuse or neglect. These indicators do not confirm abuse has occurred, but may warrant further attention and reporting:

6.1 Physical Abuse

• Unexplained bruises, burns, fractures, or injuries
• Injuries inconsistent with explanation given
• Fear of returning home or being with certain adults

6.2 Emotional/Psychological Abuse

• Extreme changes in behaviour, withdrawal, or aggression
• Low self-esteem or persistent negative self-talk
• Delayed emotional development

6.3 Sexual Abuse

• Age-inappropriate sexual knowledge or behaviour
• Unexplained physical complaints (abdominal pain, headaches)
• Fear of being alone with specific adults
• Reluctance to change clothes or participate in physical activities

6.4 Neglect

• Consistently poor hygiene, inappropriate clothing, or appearing hungry
• Frequent absence from school or activities without explanation
• Fatigue, listlessness, or untreated medical conditions

7. Reporting Procedures

All staff and volunteers have a responsibility — and in most Australian jurisdictions a legal obligation — to report child protection concerns. The following steps must be taken:

7.1 If You Observe or Suspect Abuse

1. Do not ignore the concern. Trust your instincts.
2. Do not investigate or attempt to conduct your own inquiry.
3. Report immediately to the designated Child Safety Officer (CSO). If the CSO is unavailable, report to the Principal.
4. Document what you observed in factual, objective terms (what was said or done, time, date, location, who was present).
5. Maintain confidentiality — do not discuss the matter with anyone other than the CSO/Principal or relevant authorities.

7.2 If a Child Makes a Disclosure

If a child discloses abuse to you:

1. Stay calm and do not show shock or disbelief.
2. Listen carefully and let the child speak at their own pace.
3. Reassure the child that they have done the right thing and are not in trouble.
4. Do not ask leading questions or press for details.
5. Do not promise to keep the information secret.
6. Tell the child that you will need to tell someone who can help keep them safe.
7. Report immediately to the CSO.
8. Record what was said as soon as possible, using the child’s own words.

7.3 Mandatory Reporting

Under the Child Protection Act 1999 (QLD), certain individuals — including teachers and school staff — are mandatory reporters. This means they are legally required to report a reasonable belief that a child is at risk of significant harm to the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs.

Staff must be aware of their mandatory reporting obligations under Queensland law. Key contacts include:

• QLD Child Safety After Hours Service: 1800 811 810 (24 hours, 7 days)
• QLD Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs: 1800 811 810
• Blue Card Services (Working with Children Checks): 1800 113 611
• Queensland Police Service: 131 444 (non-emergency) or 000 (emergency)
• Queensland Commission for Children and Young People: (07) 3900 6000
• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 (24/7 counselling for children)
• Parentline QLD: 1300 30 1300
• 1800RESPECT (domestic violence support): 1800 737 732

If a child is in immediate danger, call Emergency Services on 000.

7.4 Reporting Against a Staff Member

If the concern involves a staff member or volunteer:

1. Report directly to the Principal (or the Chair of the Board if the concern involves the Principal).
2. The accused person will be stood down from duties involving children pending investigation.
3. The matter will be reported to relevant authorities.
4. The School will cooperate fully with any external investigation.

8. Privacy and Confidentiality

The School is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all parties involved in a child safety matter, in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and applicable state legislation.

• Records of child safety concerns are stored securely and accessed only by authorised persons
• Information will only be shared on a need-to-know basis to protect the child or meet legal obligations
• Staff must not discuss child protection matters with colleagues, parents, or others unless specifically required
• Breaches of confidentiality may be subject to disciplinary action

9. Online Safety

The School recognises that children may be at risk of harm in digital environments. To address online safety:

• Staff must not communicate with students via personal social media accounts, personal email addresses, or private messaging apps
• All communication with students must be through official School channels (email, approved platforms) OR at the very least always should be visible to parents
• No images or videos of students may be taken by staff on personal devices
• Photos taken at School events must only be used for approved School purposes, with prior written consent obtained from parents/guardians
• Students must not be tagged individually on private social media without explicit parental consent
• If a staff member becomes aware of online bullying, grooming, or inappropriate contact involving a student, they must report it to the CSO immediately

10. Photography and Filming Policy

Claudia Dean Academy is committed to protecting the privacy, dignity, and safety of all children in our care. The filming or photography of any child other than your own is strictly prohibited at all School events, classes, performances, and activities.

10.1 Rules for Parents and Guardians

• You may only photograph or film your own child. Filming or photographing any other child — even incidentally — is strictly prohibited
• Photography and filming is only permitted in designated areas and at designated times (e.g. end-of-year concerts where permission has been granted by the School)
• Photography and filming is not permitted in or near change rooms, bathrooms, or any private areas at any time
• Any images or videos taken of your own child must not be shared publicly on social media or online platforms if other children are identifiable in the content without relevant parties consent
• Devices must be put away and not used for recording during classes unless the School has given prior written approval

10.2 School-Sanctioned Photography and Filming

• The School reserves the right to conduct filming for social media content as agreed to in the schools Terms And Conditions. If any parent or guardian takes issue with these please alert The Schools social media team or teachers  
• The School may arrange official professional photography or filming for promotional or educational purposes. Written consent will be sought from parents/guardians prior to any such activity for the relevant parties involved
• Official photographers and videographers engaged by the School must be approved, hold a current Blue Card, and operate in accordance with this Policy
• Images and footage of children will be stored securely and only used for the purpose for which consent was given

10.3 Breaches of This Section

Any person found filming or photographing children other than their own will be asked to delete the content immediately and may be required to leave the premises. Repeated or serious breaches may result in the child’s enrolment being reviewed and/or the matter being referred to Queensland Police. The School reserves the right to confiscate recording devices where there is reasonable belief that a child’s safety or privacy has been compromised.

This policy exists to protect every child at Claudia Dean Academy. We ask all parents, guardians, and visitors to respect and uphold this rule without exception.

11. Training and Education

The School is committed to ensuring all staff are equipped to uphold this Policy:

• Child safety induction training is mandatory for all new staff and volunteers before commencing duties
• Ongoing child safety training will be provided at least annually
• Staff will be trained to recognise indicators of abuse, understand reporting obligations, and know how to respond to a disclosure
• Child safety will be a standing agenda item at staff meetings
• Students will receive age-appropriate education about personal safety, appropriate touch, and how to seek help
• Parents will be provided with information about the School’s child safety approach on enrolment

12. Student Participation and Empowerment

The School acknowledges that children have a right to participate in decisions that affect their safety and wellbeing. We will:

• Encourage students to voice concerns, ask questions, and speak up if they feel unsafe
• Provide students with information about who they can talk to if they have concerns (CSO, trusted teacher, parent)
• Never dismiss or minimise a student’s concerns
• Ensure all students know they will be listened to and believed
• Display the School’s CSO contact details and relevant helpline numbers in accessible locations
• Display signage around the academy for students to see 

13. Risk Management

The School will undertake a child safety risk assessment at least annually, which will consider:

• Environmental risks (change rooms, toilets, isolated spaces, transport)
• Activity-specific risks (physical contact in dance instruction, costume fittings, overnight events)
• Digital and online risks
• Risks for children with additional vulnerabilities (disability, cultural background, LGBTQ+ youth)

Identified risks will be mitigated through specific controls and procedures, documented and reviewed regularly.

14. Policy Review

This Policy will be reviewed at least annually, or earlier if:

• There is a change in relevant legislation or national standards
• A child safety incident or concern has occurred
• Feedback from staff, students, or parents identifies a need for review

All staff will be notified of any material changes to this Policy. Feedback on this Policy is welcomed and should be directed to the Child Safety Officer.

15. Breaches of This Policy

Any breach of this Policy will be taken seriously and may result in:

• Disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or engagement
• Reporting to relevant authorities (Police, Child Protection Services, WWCC authority)
• Civil or criminal proceedings

Allegations will be handled fairly, promptly, and in accordance with natural justice principles, while prioritising the safety of the child.

16. Support for Those Involved

16.1 Support for Children

Any child involved in a child safety matter will be supported with:

• Immediate safety measures as required
• Referral to appropriate professional support services
• Regular check-ins from trusted staff
• Sensitivity and confidentiality throughout any process

16.2 Support for Staff

Staff who make a report or are involved in a child safety matter may also experience distress. The School will:

• Provide access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) or counselling services
• Ensure staff are not victimised or disadvantaged for reporting in good faith
• Offer debriefing support following any significant incident