See also our Safeguarding Policy: https://www.morrisfed.org.uk/for-teams/safeguarding/ and general advice on setting up and running a team.
We received this Question from a member:
“We’re planning to start a children’s morris side (probably 6-year-olds and older), and would appreciate some advice about safeguarding. Would all team members who wish to help have to be DBS checked? And if so, would we have to have a check specifically for this activity, or would a current checked status for (for example) working in a school be appropriate?”
We replied … (this advice also applies to Vulnerable Adults):
As long as someone in the room has had a recent DBS check and concentrates on that job rather than being too involved in the teaching then an existing DBS and one only will be enough – they will become the “responsible adult” and a chaperone. This is bare minimum.
Never let any one adult be alone with a child – 2 adults one doing, one chaperoning. A Chaperone course for several more members would be a good idea for those not having a DBS. https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/training/protecting-children-entertainment-chaperone-training
Also – be thinking about young bodies and how able they are to do the adult moves; malleable bodies can be injured more easily. https://iadms.org/media/5774/iadms-resource-paper-the-challenge-of-the-adolescent-dancer.pdf
Check your insurance with the JMO Insurance officer https://www.morrisfed.org.uk/for-teams/insurance/.
Further advice:
- UK Dance code of practice
- RAD safeguarding (policy & resources)
- “Safer Dance” resources
- DoE safeguarding in out of school settings
Create your Terms and Conditions (T&C) agreement outlining your requirements for participation – an example policy used in a children’s dance school is given here to inform you of areas for consideration.
That T&C agreement should be signed by parents, mother preferably, father if named on the birth certificate, of the child. It should set out your proposed course of tuition and their commitment to your team; what you will do if …
Get permission from parents for everything you can think of including parents’ names, addresses, contact numbers and email addresses. Don’t forget allergies and other medical matters and whether there is anyone using an inhaler or EpiPen.
Morris can be a contact hobby – a degree of physical contact is common, and this should be explained to the Parent / Guardian – express consent is worth considering.
You will also need:
- Safeguarding Policy.
- GDPR and Data Protection Policy.
- Risk Assessment for classes and outside venues.
- Performance Licence for Children – every local authority seems to have their own interpretation of the law, so it is suggested you contact your local Children in Performance department, who will be able to advise you.
- Image consent and which social media platforms parents permit you to share with. You are advised to never name a child in an image and if there is a child without permission in one of your photos you wish to use, you can blur their face or cover with a sticker.
There are some very helpful Facebook groups to support your policy writing, such as Creative Arts Business Support Hive https://www.facebook.com/groups/237085546871358/ - you can request to join the group. They can provide all sorts of template packages at a very reasonable cost.
