The Dance Works

Risk Management Strategy for Child Protection

Policy with a statement of commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children and the protection of children from harm. Please use this link to download our Risk Management

As a Dance School operator, we are a part of a community of care. We will employ teachers who will enjoy working with children to develop their skills and help them learn in a positive and supportive environment, we are committed to their safety and wellbeing. We will treat them with respect and understanding at all times. To ensure children and young people are kept safe from harm, we will conduct our business activities in accordance with the following risk management strategies. I will:
•        ensure all staff are  unaffected by the use of substances which may compromise the appropriate supervision of children at all times
•        gain consent from parents or carers before photographing or videoing any child and gain consent from parents or carers before communicating by ‘phone or email with any child
•        not support bullying or harassment by anyone to anyone, including among children
•        ensure that no visitors or outsiders have contact with the children, and
•        notify you if we are unable to teach your child/children.

Code of Conduct for interacting with children and young people

As the business operator, I will:
•        foster mutual respect between myself, staff, children and young people regardless of cultural identity and cultural practices/behaviour
•        understand children and young people, their ages, stages of development, special circumstances and special needs
•        use language which is age/stage appropriate, clear, non-threatening and non- sexual
•        use physical contact only where it is completely necessary during the course of my business-related duties and where permission from the child and the child’s parent/carer has been gained in that instance
•        willingly listen to a child or young person’s concerns/issues
•        Willingly use a variety of methods to motivate child
•        Openly listen to parent/child suggestions, feedback and complaints

•    employ corrective practices which are not punitive, humiliating or aggressive.


Children also have responsibilities. They will demonstrate:
•    willingness to learn
•    willingness to listen and receive instructions
•    respect for other children, young people and adults who may be waiting for lessons.
•    safe and appropriate behaviour while waiting for lessons to commence, and
•    responsibility for appropriate behaviour and reporting inappropriate behaviour and unsafe situations or harm.

Parents and caregivers should:
•    feel welcome to stay and observe
•    raise any issues or concerns with me
•    drop off and pick up child in a timely fashion, leaving the child in my care only
•    accept feedback regarding child’s progress
•    provide the necessary resources/materials relevant to the activity as requested
•    alert me to any concerns as soon as they arise when possible
•    give constructive feedback on my policies and procedures
•    work with me to ensure their time and money is well spent, and
•    be aware that personal information will be treated confidentially and privacy will be respected.

As the sole business operator, I have the right to:
•    cease my business activities with a child or young person who is consistently non-compliant or obstructive, in which case the parent/guardian will be contacted immediately
•    raise any concerns I may have with child and/or parent
•    expect that child/parent make concerns known to me as soon as they arise so that a resolution can occur as quickly as possible
•    allow only a parent, guardian or other nominated person to pick up a child from my place of business, and
•    report disclosures and suspicions of harm (as detailed below).

Children and young people have the right to:
•    feel safe
•    be listened to
•    be involved in decisions that affect them
•    have their cultural values respected
•    have their best interests considered
•    be respected
•    be understood
•    be free from harassment, bullying or abuse of any kind, and
•    ask if they don’t understand something.

Parents and caregivers have the right to:
•        receive regular feedback on your child’s progress
•        ask questions or raise concerns about my business activities or your child’s progress
•        make complaints as per the procedures outlined below, and
•        stay and observe my business activities with your child.

Procedure for making complaints
If you have a concern or complaint, please contact me as soon as possible so I can respond as quickly as possible.

Arrange a time either at the beginning or end of the lesson or at a time convenient to both parties when there is sufficient time to discuss any issues.

Ensure only relevant parties are present when a complaint is being discussed. If possible, it should not be discussed within hearing range of the child or young person.

Recruitment, training and management procedures for staff
As a sole business operator who does not employ staff or volunteers, recruitment, training and management procedures for staff are not required for this risk management strategy.

Reporting guidelines and directions for handling disclosures and suspicions of harm
If confronted with a disclosure of harm from a child or young person, I will respond professionally and in the best interests of the child or young person subjected to the alleged harm.

Reporting of disclosures and suspicions of harm will be made in accordance with procedures recommended by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian.



In summary:
•        I will document the disclosure or suspicion of harm in a non-judgemental and accurate manner as soon as possible
•        I will notify the Department of Child Safety if I suspect or am told that your child is being harmed at home
•        I will notify the Queensland Police Service if I suspect or am told that your child is being harmed outside the home
•        I will notify the Department of Child Safety/Queensland Police Service if I am concerned that your child is self-harming, and
•        any reports or documentation on disclosures of harm will be kept confidential and secure, with access strictly limited and on a ‘need to know’ basis.

Policy for managing breaches of the risk management strategy
As a sole business operator who does not employ staff or volunteers who might otherwise breach a risk management strategy, a policy for managing breaches by staff members is not relevant for this risk management strategy.

Breaches of this risk management strategy by parents/carers or children, specifically in terms of breaching a code of conduct, may result in:
•        changes to future session arrangements
•        termination of further tuition, and
•       notification to external authorities if a breach is considered critical.


Policies and procedures for compliance with blue card legislation
I will review this strategy at least annually and record the date of review on the current version of this strategy.

Risk management plans for high-risk activities and special events
Where a high risk activity (one requiring extra planning/supervision) or special event takes place, parents/guardians will be provided with the relevant information regarding:
•        the purpose of the event and its intended outcome for your child
•        the venue
•        the organiser’s risk management strategy where possible/relevant (if the event is to take place at a venue other than my place of business)
•        any potential risks unique to the special event and how they will be prevented
•        location of venue and its reputation for conducting special events, bathroom locations, estimated attendance numbers supervision arrangements, and transportation arrangements

A ‘risk register’ for my general business activities will be used to plan for/calculate the likelihood of unsafe situations for my business and determine the necessary action if that situation were to eventuate. A ‘risk register’ for high risk activities is attached

Strategies for communication and support
A copy of my current risk management strategy will be displayed at my place of business, and a copy will be provided to for parents to read on this website. Parents can download a copy here.

Parents/guardians will be notified of any changes and will be provided annually with a new copy of this risk management strategy.

Parents/guardians will also be kept informed of changes to risk management/blue card legislation, through written or verbal communication.