Rec Stars Dance Studio (RSDS) staff, volunteers and board members must observe child-safe principles and expectations for appropriate behaviour towards and in the company of children, as noted below.

RSDS is committed to providing high-quality dance classes to enhance the child's overall development. We provide a safe, positive environment to encourage our students to explore dance with qualified, nurturing teachers.

We believe that dance training encourages young people to develop a positive self-image as they increase awareness of their physical being. Along with improving coordination skills and developing muscular awareness, dance classes allow children to express themselves through movement.

The highest educational standards are expected from all RSDS team members. They are lifelong learners who continue to educate themselves through certification programs, teacher-training schools, conferences, and other learning opportunities.

This Code of Conduct identifies positive child-safe behaviours that we ask staff, volunteers and contractors to demonstrate. It also identifies behaviours we consider unacceptable and not permitted at our school.

Not following standards of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour is a breach of this Code of Conduct and may result in disciplinary action. Some behaviours on their own may not be a serious breach of the Code of Conduct, but together, they may indicate a pattern of behaviour that poses a risk to the safety of children. Our disciplinary policy provides further information on processes to be followed if breaches are identified.

All Rec Stars Dance Studio staff, volunteers and contractors must always follow these standards of behaviour, including when at RSDS studios, attending events or performances, in our online classes and when engaging with Rec Stars Dance Studio students and their families at any time:

At RSDS, our values drive our business and inform our decision-making.

• Family: We encourage a sense of belonging and community where everyone, from students to staff, feels like part of our extended family.

• Support: We are committed to providing an environment where every student receives the guidance and encouragement they need to succeed.

• Empower: We strive to empower students to express themselves, embrace their uniqueness, and take ownership of their growth as dancers and individuals.

• Inspire: We aim to inspire our students to love the art of dance and to explore their creativity. Our teachers serve as role models, demonstrating passion, dedication, and excellence in everything they do.

• Fun: Our studio is a place where students can let loose, enjoy themselves, and develop a lifelong love for dance.

All Rec Stars Dance Studio personnel are responsible for supporting children's safety, participation, wellbeing and empowerment.

I WILL:

• Adhere to RSDS child safety policy at all times, uphold RSDS statement of commitment to child safety at all times and take all reasonable steps to protect children from abuse.

• Take disclosures of harm or abuse made by a child seriously.

• Raise concerns with management if risks to child safety are identified. Report and act on any concerns or observed breaches of this Code of Conduct.

• Participate in all compulsory training and professional development, including child safety and wellbeing training.

• Treat all children and young people with respect, regardless of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, nationality, cultural background, financial situation, disability or other characteristics.

• Consider the different needs of all children at Rec Stars Dance Studio, support them to participate fully in programs and help them and their families feel included in the academy.

• Make Aboriginal children and families feel included and welcome at Rec Stars Dance Studio and support Aboriginal children to express their culture and enjoy their cultural rights

• Never be racist towards anyone at Rec Stars Dance Studio, and report any instances of racism I become aware of.

• Help Rec Stars Dance Studio be a place where people of all cultures feel safe and included.

• Listen to children and respond to them if they feel unsafe.

• Value children and young people’s ideas and opinions

• Promote friendships and encourage children and young people to support their peers

• Involve children and young people in decisions about the activities they participate in at Rec Stars Dance Studio, and welcome the participation of parents and carers in these decisions.

• Report any conflicts of interest (such as an outside relationship with a child) that may affect my ability to perform my role.

• Respect the privacy of children and their families, including keeping all personal information confidential unless required by law to share it.

• Inform parents and carers if situations need to be safely managed but are outside the boundaries of this Code of Conduct (such as driving a child to a performance or competition or undertaking one-on-one training sessions).

• Ensure breaches of this Code are reported to our Child Safety Person immediately.

• Comply with all relevant Australian and New South Wales legislation and our child-safe policies and procedures.

• Uphold the rights of the child and always prioritise their needs.

I WILL NOT:

• Condone or participate in illegal, unsafe, abusive or harmful behaviour towards children – this includes physical violence, sexual abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, grooming, neglect or sexual misconduct.

• Ignore or disregard any concerns, suspicions or disclosures of child abuse or harm.

• Exaggerate or trivialise child abuse issues.

• Use hurtful or offensive behaviour or language with children.

• Fail to report information to police if I know a child has been abused.

• Touch children in a way that is unnecessary or unsuitable and falls outside what is reasonable to teach performing arts or otherwise engage in the activities of Rec Stars Dance Studio.

• Persistently criticise and/or denigrate a child.

• Make reference to the child’s appearance, shape or size under any circumstances.

• Deliberately prevent a child from forming friendships.

• Verbally assault a child or create a climate of fear.

• Offer children and young people alcohol, cigarettes or other drugs.

• Show children pornographic images.

• Share details of sexual experiences with a child.

• Use sexual language or gestures in the presence of children.

• Initiate unnecessary physical contact with children or do things of a personal nature that children can do for themselves, such as changing clothes.

• Provide hands on feedback for the purpose of correction without seeking permission from the child first.

• Develop ‘special’ relationships with specific children or show favouritism through the provision of gifts or unnecessary or unsuitable attention.

• Have unauthorised contact with children and young people online, on social media or by phone.

• Take photographs and screenshots or share images of children involved in activities Rec Stars Dance Studio does not authorise.

• Be alone with a child when there is no professional reason.

• Engage in babysitting, mentoring and/or tutoring a child out of work hours (without managerial approval for this kind of secondary employment).

• Enter changing facilities without first knocking.

If I suspect that another person in the organisation has breached this Code of Conduct:

I WILL:

• Act to prioritise the best interests of the child or children

• Promptly take action to ensure the child or children are safe

• As soon as possible, report the incident or concerns using the Rec Stars Dance Studio complaints process

• Maintain the privacy of those involved, following Rec Stars Dance Studio record keeping, privacy and information sharing guidelines.

Complaints about this Code of Conduct breach must be reported to our Child Safety Person, Kirstie Martinez. Kirstie can be contacted on her mobile: 0422 132 141 or via her email: kirstie.martinez@recstars.au.

Some breaches of this Code of Conduct may need to be reported to the NSW Police or the Office of Children’s Guardian. Our Complaint Handling Policy provides more information about our reporting obligations to external authorities and describes protections and confidentiality provisions for anyone making a report. The policy can be found by asking at the front desk. It is also available as a link on our website.

Staff and volunteers who breach our Code of Conduct may also be subject to disciplinary action. This can include increased supervision, appointment to an alternative role, suspension or termination from the organisation. Detailed descriptions of breaches are found in our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy. This can be found by asking at the front desk. It is also available as a link on our website.

PLEASE NOTE:

If any person in a position of authority within our organisation becomes aware of a substantial risk that a child may become the victim of a sexual offence committed by an adult associated with the organisation (for example, an employee, contractor or volunteer), and they have the power or responsibility to reduce or remove the risk, then they must take all reasonable steps to do so. A person in authority who negligently fails to take appropriate action to address the risk may be charged with the criminal offence of ‘failing to protect’ and may face a term of imprisonment.

If an adult reasonably believes a sexual offence has been committed by an adult against a child under the age of 16, they must report it to NSW Police by calling 000 or going to their local police station. Failure to disclose the information may be a criminal offence. I have read this Code of Conduct and agree to abide by its terms.