Code of Conduct

The Dance Den · Staff · Teachers · Volunteers

Code of Conduct

A practical standard for everyone working with children at The Dance Den.

1. Who this code applies to

This Code applies to owners, managers, dance teachers, teaching assistants, employees, contractors, volunteers, guest instructors and adults helping with rehearsals, concerts or other Dance Den activities. It applies at the studio, at events and online. Anyone under 18 assisting with classes must be appropriately supervised.

2. I will always

• Treat every child with dignity, fairness, patience and respect; use positive, age-appropriate teaching methods and encourage children to speak up.
• Promote inclusion and cultural safety for Aboriginal children and respect children of all backgrounds, abilities and identities. Make reasonable adjustments wherever practicable.
• Listen to children, respect their personal boundaries, take concerns seriously and involve parents/carers appropriately.
• Maintain professional relationships and impartial treatment; disclose relevant outside relationships or conflicts of interest to management.
• Follow The Dance Den’s child safety, supervision, incident, privacy and emergency procedures and any screening obligations that apply to my role.

3. I will never

• Use physical punishment, intimidation, threats, humiliation, shaming, sexualised language or conduct, coercion, harassment, grooming or discriminatory behaviour.
• Comment on a child’s weight, body shape or food choices in a humiliating or inappropriate way, or pressure a child to train through pain or injury.
• Show favouritism through secret gifts, exclusive attention or personal relationships, or ask a child to keep adult interactions secret.
• Share inappropriate images or content, engage in private relationships with students, or contact children through personal social media accounts.
• Ignore a complaint, minimise a disclosure, retaliate against someone who raises a concern or discourage them from seeking outside help.

4. Physical guidance and safe dance instruction

• Explain and demonstrate movements verbally before considering hands-on corrections. Ask the child’s permission first and respect any refusal or discomfort.
• Use only brief, necessary and appropriate contact for the teaching task; avoid intimate areas. Never force flexibility, overstretch, restrain or reposition a child against their wishes, except where immediately needed to prevent harm.
• Adjust activities for each child’s age, capability, health needs and injuries; stop unsafe activity and arrange assistance where needed.

5. Supervision, privacy and collection

• Follow attendance, supervision, parent-approved collection and late-collection arrangements. Never leave a child unsupervised in circumstances where supervision is required.
• Keep any one-to-one lesson observable and authorised, with a parent/carer informed. Avoid being alone with a child in a concealed or locked space.
• Respect bathroom and change-room privacy. Do not photograph or film in these spaces. Enter only for a legitimate safety or supervision reason, with notice wherever practical.
• For concerts, rehearsals and costume changes, use designated helpers and age-appropriate arrangements that protect privacy. Do not provide unnecessary intimate assistance, personal care or unsanctioned transport.

6. Communication, photographs and information

• Use approved studio communication channels and include a parent/carer or authorised studio representative in direct electronic communication with minors.
• Before taking, using or sharing photographs/videos, check the studio’s recorded family permissions and child preferences. Do not publish or forward images outside approved purposes.
• Safeguard contact details, medical information and disclosures. Share information only with those who need it for safeguarding or where legally required.

7. Safety concerns, injuries and disclosures

• Act promptly to keep children safe. For immediate danger or an emergency call 000.
• If a child discloses harm, listen calmly, take the concern seriously, avoid leading questions or promises of secrecy, record factual details and report promptly.
• Report suspected abuse, inappropriate behaviour, policy breaches, injuries, hazards and near misses through The Dance Den’s procedures. Internal reporting does not replace an individual’s legal obligation to report to authorities.
• Do not conduct a private investigation or confront a suspected perpetrator where this could put a child at further risk or compromise an official investigation.

8. Reporting contacts

Child Safety Contact: Ashleigh Kempster · 0413 518 471 · ash.kempster@gmail.com

Alternative Contact: Kerry Kempster · 0488 664 708 · kerryjkempster@gmail.com

If the concern involves one contact, approach the other or report directly to the relevant authority. In an emergency or immediate danger, call Victoria Police on 000.

9. Breaches and accountability

Breaches will be addressed promptly and fairly, with the safety of children first. Actions may include additional supervision or training, suspension, termination of engagement and/or referral to external authorities, depending on the circumstances. Any suspected criminal conduct will be referred as appropriate.