New Groove Creative Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy
Last updated: September 2025
Next review due: September 2026
1. Purpose and Statement
At New Groove Creative we recognise our duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
We are committed to:
Ensuring the welfare of the child is always paramount.
Creating a safe, inclusive, and positive environment where children can thrive.
Responding promptly and appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
This policy applies to all staff, freelancers, volunteers, class assistants, and visiting artists.
2. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Ellie Fiore (Owner & DSL)
📞 07546 400307
A Deputy DSL will be appointed when Ellie is unavailable.
The DSL is responsible for:
Overseeing safeguarding across all activities.
Keeping policies and procedures up to date.
Acting as the first point of contact for concerns.
Referring cases to Children’s Services, the Police, or the NSPCC.
3. Distribution and Awareness
Policy shared with all staff, freelancers, and volunteers during induction.
Parents/carers are signposted to our safeguarding policy.
Signed acknowledgements are kept on file.
4. Review and Monitoring
Policy reviewed annually, or sooner if legislation changes.
Implementation monitored through staff supervision and training.
5. Key Safeguarding Principles
The welfare of the child is paramount.
All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, or sexual orientation, have equal rights to protection.
All allegations or concerns will be taken seriously and acted upon quickly.
Staff are not responsible for deciding whether abuse has occurred, but they must report concerns.
6. Safeguarding Practice
6.1 Safer Recruitment
We follow safer recruitment practices to make sure anyone working with children is suitable and safe. This applies to all teachers, freelancers, assistants, and volunteers.
Our process includes:
References – at least two references are taken before anyone starts work.
DBS checks – Enhanced DBS checks (with the barred list where appropriate) are required for anyone working with children. These are renewed every 3 years or checked through the DBS Update Service.
Identity and suitability checks – we confirm identity, qualifications, and ask applicants to declare any convictions or safeguarding concerns.
Induction – everyone receives safeguarding information, is introduced to our policies, and signs to confirm they will follow them.
Supervision – new staff may be observed during their first sessions, and ongoing support and supervision are provided to maintain safe practice.
Insurance – freelance staff are required to hold appropriate public liability insurance.
If checks are still in progress, new staff may only begin work under direct supervision of an experienced, fully-checked adult until all checks are complete.
6.2 Safe Working Practices
Staff should avoid being alone with children where possible.
Registers are kept for all sessions.
Parents must collect children promptly at the end of sessions.
Risk assessments are completed for all venues and activities.
Physical contact is limited to what is necessary for safe and effective teaching, always respectful and explained to the student.
6.3 Photography & Data Protection
No images of children are used without written parental consent.
Names and personal details are never published with photographs.
Personal information is stored securely in line with GDPR.
7. Types of Abuse
We follow the definitions from Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023):
Physical abuse
Emotional abuse
Sexual abuse (including online abuse, exploitation, and harmful sexual behaviour)
Neglect
We also recognise:
Child-on-child abuse including bullying, sexual harassment, and online harm.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as a form of physical abuse, with mandatory reporting requirements.
Contextual safeguarding, recognising risks can occur outside the home.
8. Recognising and Responding to Concerns
8.1 Signs of Abuse
Staff should be alert to physical, behavioural, and emotional indicators of abuse (see Appendix A).
8.2 Reporting Concerns
Concerns must be reported immediately to the DSL.
If the DSL is unavailable or implicated, concerns must be raised with the Deputy DSL or directly with Children’s Services.
In an emergency, call 999.
Concerns about FGM must be reported to the Police via 101 if the child is under 18.
8.3 Responding to a Disclosure
Listen calmly and believe the child.
Do not promise confidentiality; explain you must share concerns.
Avoid leading questions.
Reassure the child they have done the right thing.
Record the disclosure in the child’s own words, signed and dated.
9. Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers
All allegations will be referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
Staff may be suspended pending investigation if advised.
Whistleblowing is supported, and no one will be victimised for raising concerns.
NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line: 0800 028 0285.
10. Peer-on-Peer Abuse
New Groove Creative does not tolerate any form of peer-on-peer abuse. Reports will:
Be treated seriously and never dismissed as “banter”.
Be managed in line with safeguarding procedures.
Involve parents unless doing so puts a child at greater risk.
Lead to referrals to statutory services if necessary.
Ensure support for both victim and perpetrator.
11. Online Safety
We are committed to protecting children from online harm, whether teaching in-person or online.
Only secure platforms (e.g. Zoom) are used with waiting room and password protection.
Staff must not communicate with students outside of agreed channels.
Parents of under-12s should remain in the room during online lessons.
Students must not share meeting links, record sessions, or use inappropriate chat.
12. Training & Support
All staff and volunteers receive safeguarding induction.
The DSL updates training at least every 2 years.
Refresher training covers current safeguarding issues, including online risks and contextual safeguarding.