Safeguarding & Code of Conduct Policy
Dance2Salsa Dance Company
Safeguarding & Code of Conduct Policy
Keeping our dance community safe, respectful and welcoming for everyone
| Policy owner | Safeguarding Committee, Dance2Salsa Dance Company |
| Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) | Basil Pinnock, Director |
| Contact Details | Email: info@dance2salsa.co.uk Tel: 07595 397184 |
| Version | Version 3.0 |
| Date adopted | 29th June 2026 |
| Next review date | 28th June 2027 |
| Applies to | All classes, socials, workshops and events run or promoted by Dance2Salsa Dance Company in whole or in part. |
1. Our Commitment
Welcome to Dance2Salsa Dance Company. We are a Latin dance community built on respect, warmth and a shared love of salsa and mambo. To keep that atmosphere professional, positive and safe for everyone, we ask all members, students, guests, instructors and staff to read and follow this policy.
Dance2Salsa Dance Company is committed to providing an environment in which every person can learn, dance and socialise free from harassment, abuse, discrimination and any form of inappropriate behaviour. Partner dancing involves close physical contact and trust; we take the responsibility that comes with that seriously, and we expect everyone in our community to do the same.
This policy sets the standards we all agree to uphold. It applies whether you are dancing, teaching, working on the door, helping to run an event, or simply attending as a guest. By entering our venues and taking part in our activities, you accept these standards.
2. Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this policy is to:
- Make clear the standards of behaviour we expect from everyone in our community.
- Protect all participants from harm, harassment and abuse.
- Set out how to recognise, report and respond to safeguarding concerns and incidents.
- Explain the roles and responsibilities of our team, and the action we will take when standards are not met.
This policy applies to all Dance2Salsa Dance Company activities, including but not limited to:
- Weekly classes run by Dance2Salsa Dance Company in any location.
- Workshops, all-dayer events, weekend events, socials, performances, rehearsals, trips, social events and any other event organised or hosted by Dance2Salsa Dance Company.
- Private lessons held by Dance2Salsa Dance Company.
- Communications through our official company channels, including social media, messaging groups and email.
3. Our Safeguarding Principles
Everything in this policy is grounded in a few simple commitments:
- Safety first. The wellbeing of every participant comes before any class, performance or event.
- Consent always. Every physical interaction on and off the dance floor must be wanted and welcomed by both partners.
- Respect for boundaries. “No”, “not right now” and “please ease off” are complete answers that need no explanation.
- Listen and believe. Anyone who raises a concern will be taken seriously, treated with care, and never blamed for coming forward.
- Fair and proportionate. Concerns are handled confidentially, fairly and consistently for everyone involved.
4. Key Definitions
To make sure we all mean the same thing, the following terms are used throughout this policy:
| Term | What we mean |
|---|---|
| Safeguarding | Protecting people’s health, wellbeing and rights, and keeping them free from harm, abuse and neglect. |
| Consent | Active, freely given and ongoing agreement to a particular interaction. Consent can be withdrawn at any time, and the absence of a “no” is not a “yes”. |
| Harassment | Unwanted behaviour that violates a person’s dignity, or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment — whether or not it was intended that way. |
| Sexual misconduct | Any unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature, including comments, gestures, messages, or physical contact without consent. |
| Indecent / sexual assault | Any non-consensual physical or sexual contact. This is a criminal matter and will be treated as such. |
| Child / young person | No persons under the age of 18 will be allowed at Dance2Salsa Dance Company events. |
| Adult at risk | Any adult who, because of disability, age, illness or other circumstances, may be less able to protect themselves from harm or abuse. |
| Boundary violation | Ignoring or overriding a partner’s stated or physical limits regarding contact, spacing, grip or movement. |
5. Roles and Responsibilities
Everyone in our community
All members, students and guests are expected to:
- Treat instructors, venue staff, fellow dancers and guests with equal respect, courtesy and professionalism.
- Seek and respect consent in every interaction.
- Report concerns rather than ignore them.
- Follow the reasonable instructions of door staff, instructors and event organisers.
Door staff and event stewards
Door staff are the first point of contact for any concern at an event. They are briefed to:
- Welcome guests and make the standards in this policy clear on entry.
- Receive reports of harassment or boundary violations, ensure the reporter’s immediate physical safety, and document the details.
- Take immediate action where someone’s safety is at risk, including removing a person from the venue where necessary.
- Refer all logged incidents to the Safeguarding Committee.
Instructors and DJs
Those leading classes or running the floor have additional responsibility to:
- Model respectful, consent-based dancing and teaching.
- Be approachable and act promptly on any concern raised with them.
- Never use their position to pressure, single out or take advantage of a student or guest.
The Safeguarding Committee
All incidents logged at the door or submitted through our company channels are referred directly to our Safeguarding Committee for formal review, investigation and any disciplinary action. The Committee currently comprises seven members, all of whom are part of the Dance2Salsa Dance Company team.
The Committee is responsible for handling concerns fairly and confidentially, deciding on outcomes, keeping appropriate records, and reviewing this policy.
6. Code of Conduct on the Dance Floor
Partner dancing only works when both people feel safe. The following standards apply to everyone, every time.
Consent and partner handling
- All physical interactions require active, mutual consent. Ask before any dip, lift, or unfamiliar move.
- If a partner asks you to adjust tracking, spacing or grip, accommodate them immediately and courteously.
- Yanking, dipping without explicit consent, forcing a move, or any aggressive handling is strictly forbidden.
- You may decline or end any dance at any time, and you never owe an explanation. A polite “no thank you” is always acceptable, and must always be respected.
- Be mindful of floorcraft — protect your partner and those around you from collisions.
Respecting people and boundaries
- Keep comments and conversation respectful. Unwelcome remarks about a person’s body, appearance or dancing are not acceptable.
- Be aware that a difference in experience, age or role should never be used to pressure a less confident dancer.
- If you are unsure whether something is welcome, ask — and accept the answer gracefully.
7. Professional Relationships Between Teachers, Staff and Students
Our instructors, DJs, door staff and volunteers hold a position of trust and influence within the Dance2Salsa community. Students place confidence in them, learn closely alongside them, and are often guided through physical movement and close partner work. That trust carries responsibility. This section sets out the professional standards we expect everyone who teaches, leads or works on behalf of Dance2Salsa Dance Company to uphold in their relationships with students.
Maintaining professional boundaries
- Teachers and staff must act professionally at all times and put the wellbeing, comfort and learning of students first.
- A role as an instructor, DJ or organiser carries authority and influence. It must never be used to pressure, manipulate, single out or gain personal, romantic or sexual advantage over a student.
- Physical contact while teaching is limited to what is needed to demonstrate or correct a movement. It is kept appropriate, explained beforehand, and stopped the moment a student asks.
- Teachers seek permission before any hands-on correction, and are especially mindful of this with new, younger or less confident students.
- Staff do not show favouritism or form exclusive attachments with individual students in a way that could cause discomfort, divide the group or appear improper.
Communication and conduct outside class
- Contact with students outside class stays professional and relates to dance, classes or events. However, we recognise that genuine friendships and relationships can form within any dance community and this should not be discouraged. Where a personal relationship develops between a member of staff and an adult student, the member of staff remains mindful of the professional boundary and avoids any conduct that could be seen as favouritism or as taking advantage of their position.
When standards are not met
- Any concern that a teacher or member of staff has crossed a professional boundary is taken as seriously as any other safeguarding concern and handled under our reporting and response procedures.
8. Zero-Tolerance Standards
We operate a strict zero-tolerance policy for any inappropriate behaviour, sexual misconduct or harassment.
The following behaviours will not be tolerated under any circumstances:
- Indecent assault or any non-consensual physical or sexual contact.
- Sexual harassment, including unwanted comments, propositions, messages or gestures.
- Persisting with contact, conversation or attention after a person has indicated they are not interested.
- Aggressive, threatening, intimidating or abusive behaviour towards anyone.
- Discrimination, bullying or harassment of any kind (see Section 17).
Consequences. Serious breaches — including indecent assault or any non-consensual physical or sexual boundary violation — will result in immediate removal from the venue, an indefinite ban from Dance2Salsa Dance Company activities, and consideration as to whether or not the matter should be referred to the relevant authorities. Other breaches will be dealt with proportionately, as set out in Section 12.
9. Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk
All events at Dance2Salsa Dance Company are strictly for over 18s and not suitable for adults at risk. An adult at risk is anyone over the age of 18 who requires care and support, and due to those needs, is unable to protect themselves from the risk or experience of abuse, harm, or neglect. If you have any concerns about the above please speak to our door staff.
10. Recognising a Concern
You do not need to be certain that something is wrong to report it — a concern is enough. Signs that something may need attention include:
- Someone repeatedly ignoring another person’s stated boundaries.
- A dancer who looks uncomfortable, distressed, trapped or unable to leave a dance or conversation.
- Comments or contact of a sexual nature that are clearly unwelcome.
- A person being isolated, pressured or singled out, particularly where there is a difference in age, experience or vulnerability.
If you notice any of these, you can step in safely, check that the person is okay, and let our door staff know.
11. How to Report a Concern or Incident
If you experience or witness any form of harassment or boundary violation, please report it. You can do this in whichever way feels most comfortable:
- At an event — speak to our door staff on duty or any of our teaching team. They are fully briefed to assist you, ensure your physical safety, and document the details.
- Afterwards or confidentially — contact us through our official company channels:
- Email: info@dance2salsa.co.uk
- Tel: 07595 397184
You can ask someone you trust to report on your behalf. Reports are taken seriously and treated sensitively. We will never blame or penalise someone for raising a genuine concern in good faith.
Emergencies. If anyone is in immediate danger or a crime is taking place, call 999. To report a crime that is not an emergency, call 101.
12. How We Respond
When a concern or incident is reported, we will:
- Make sure anyone affected is safe and supported, and take any immediate action needed at the venue.
- Record the details accurately and confidentially.
- Refer the matter to the Safeguarding Committee for review.
- Investigate fairly, hearing from those involved as appropriate.
- Decide on a proportionate outcome and communicate it to the relevant parties.
- Escalate to the relevant authorities where the law requires it or the seriousness demands it.
Possible outcomes include (depending on the seriousness of the matter):
- A conversation and informal warning.
- A formal warning and agreed expectations going forward.
- Temporary suspension from classes, socials or events.
- Removal from a venue and, for serious breaches, an indefinite ban.
- Referral to the relevant authorities.
13. Confidentiality and Data Protection
We treat safeguarding information sensitively and share it only on a need-to-know basis — for example, with the Safeguarding Committee or, where necessary, the police or statutory services. We cannot promise absolute confidentiality, because we may have a duty to act to keep someone safe, but we will always handle information with care and discretion.
Any personal data we hold in connection with a concern is processed in line with UK data protection law (UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018), kept securely, and retained only as long as necessary.
14. Hygiene and Etiquette
Out of courtesy to your fellow dancers, please:
- Maintain high personal hygiene standards, including fresh attire and breath mints.
- Bring a spare change of clothes if you tend to perspire, and freshen up between dances where you can and use deoderant.
- Use hand sanitisers that are stationed around the room at each venue.
- Treat instructors, venue staff and other guests with the same respect and professionalism you would expect in return.
15. Photography, Filming and Social Media
We sometimes photograph or film our classes and events for promotion. We ask everyone to be considerate:
- If you would prefer not to appear in our photos or videos, let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you. Where photos or videos do contain identifiable individuals these will be removed upon request in line with our data protection guidelines.
- Do not film or photograph other guests without their agreement, and never share images of someone who has asked you not to.
- Be respectful when posting about our events online — the same standards of conduct apply on our channels as on the dance floor.
16. Alcohol, Drugs and Event Conduct
- Anyone who is intoxicated to the point of being unsafe to themselves or others may be refused entry or asked to leave.
- Illegal drugs are not permitted at any Dance2Salsa Dance Company activity.
- Please follow the rules of each venue and the directions of staff at all times.
17. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Dance2Salsa welcomes everyone. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment on the basis of any protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010 including age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or any other characteristic. Our floor is open to dancers of every level and background.
18. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed at least once a year, and sooner if there is a significant incident or a change in guidance or the law. The Safeguarding Committee is responsible for keeping it up to date. Next review due: 28th June 2027.
19. Useful Contacts
Internal contacts:
| Who | Details |
|---|---|
| Designated Safeguarding Lead | Basil Pinnock, Director |
| Safeguarding Committee | There are seven members of the current safeguarding committee. |
| Website Details | www.dance2salsa.co.uk |
External support and reporting:
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| Emergency (immediate danger or a crime in progress) | Police – 999 |
| Non-emergency police | 101 |
Thank you for helping us keep our dance community professional, safe and fun for all.
Dance2Salsa Dance Company