Terms & Conditions

Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer for dancing in the home environment VIA En Pointe Live

Please agree to the following in order to participate with our online classes at home.

You the Parent/Guardian are fully responsible for your child(ren)s health and wellbeing whilst they dance at home during our online live classes.

You the Parent/Guardian are fully responsible for any injury that may occur to any family member or pet, whilst they dance at home during our online live classes.

Please agree to the following:

• You will supervise your child(ren) at home whilst they are dancing.
• You will ensure they have adequate space to move.
• You will ensure the space is clear and free from obstacles such as toys, slippy mats, pets, siblings, and furniture
• You agree that your own use of any equipment is done so at your own risk.
• You will take full responsibility for your child during their online dance class.

En Pointe can not be held responsible for any damage to property or injury to any person in your home whilst joining in our live classes.

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Terms and Conditions

Fees, deposits and refunds

1.tA fee is charged for each class enrolled per term.

2.tStudents are expected to attend all classes.

3.tFees will only be pro rata when a student starts during a term.

5.tRefunds will not be given for non-attendance.

6.tRefunds will not be given where a class has to be cancelled and rescheduled.

7.tFees are currently exempt from VAT.

Register, attendance and absence

8.tA register for each class is maintained by the teacher and records student attendance for the purposes of health and safety and security.

9.tIf a student is absent from class for four or more consecutive weeks, a refund of 90% of the fees paid for those classes not attended will be given on the evidence of a medical certificate. The medical certificate must be provided within one month of the absence otherwise no refund will be given.

10.tIf a class is cancelled due to the sickness of the teacher, a health epidemic or any other seen or unforeseen event, En Pointe will endeavour to reschedule the class. This may be on a different day or a different time or both from when the class was originally scheduled, and might involve an extension to the term time dates. Replacement classes may also be offered via Zoom. No refunds will be given in this case.

Late Payment

11.tThe payer will receive both verbal and written notice if payment has not been received in accordance with these terms and conditions.

12.tEn Pointe reserves the right to charge a late payment fee if an invoice remains unpaid after the first class of a new term.

Termination of attendance

11.En Pointe reserves the right at any time during the term to ask students to leave a class if any fees remain outstanding after the start of term.

Discounts

12.tWhere two or more siblings attend class, the youngest sibling might receive a sibling discount on classes. The discount will commence in the term providing at least two siblings are still present.

13.tThe discount will be reversed if payment is not received.

14.tIn the event the eldest sibling leaves during a term, the discount will not apply at the start of the next term if only one sibling remains.

Waiver

15.tLight physical contact may be necessary by members of the teaching staff. If you have any concerns regarding this matter please contact the Principal.

Code of Conduct

16.tA Code of Conduct will be explained to students. Failure to follow the Code of Conduct may result in students being asked to leave. En Pointe reserves the right to refuse any student prior to or after enrolment. No refund will be given if the Code of Conduct has been invoked.

Content

17.tEn Pointe will occasionally take photographs of students in class for printed or online for advertising purposes to increase the school's profile from time to time. If you have any concerns regarding this matter please contact the Principal.

Uniform

18. En Pointe maintains a strict dress code. Please arrive presentable & professional En Pointe dance wear must be worn no other brands will be accepted.

Dance Studios & Reception

19. Any damage to the studios including the reception, kitchenette, or property within the building will result in either immediate removal from our school with no refund or an invoice for the replacement of that which is damaged.

DISCLAIMER OF RESPONSIBILITY AGREEMENT, PARENTAL PERMISSION FOR En Pointe Classical Dance School

20. Hereby give permission for our child to participate in the activity named above, and acknowledge and agree that the above En Pointe has no responsibility or liability for my child between before, after or between dancing lessons

I confirm I have provided all the necessary and proper instructions to our(my) child and that our(my) child can use and rely on their own good judgment and has adequate understanding of how to act and behave whilst awaiting for their lesson to begin or us to collect them.

We(l) agree that the En Pointe or anyone else who may provide some care for our(my) child, has absolutely no responsibility nor liability whatsoever even if the En Pointe or others may have provided some assistance with the arrangements.

We (I) give permission for En Pointe to seek emergency medical attention on any occasion for our child if En Pointe judge that it is needed.

We (I) have been made aware of the En Pointe Child Protection Procedure and know where to access it if I wish to read it.

Child protection policy

21.This document is the Child Protection Policy for En Pointe which will be followed by all members of the group, including staff, volunteers and customers.

To promote best safeguarding practice during shows and rehearsals En Pointe commit to

• Ensuring EVERY dance teacher has a valid DBS undertaken by En Pointe or Portable and checked by En Pointe

• Ensuring Children are signed for

• Ensuring Parents SIGN that they know and understand that En Pointe does NOT take responsibility for Children in the waiting area before, after and between dance lessons

• Provide appropriate number of qualified chaperones during danceshows.

En Pointe know that being a child/young person makes them vulnerable. The purpose of this policy is to make sure that the actions of any adult in the context of the work carried out by En Pointe are transparent and safeguard and promote the welfare of all children/young people.

If any parent or young person/child has any concerns about the conduct of any member of En Pointe, this should be raised in the first instance with Donya Keys and 07557355562 (designated child protection contact). The Safeguarding officer should then advise and continue with the procedure below. If the safeguarding officer is not contactable then the member of En Pointe should follow the procedure below.

This document is written in accordance with The Children’s Act 2004 and ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ guidance 2015.

Principles upon which the Child Protection Policy is based.

• The welfare of a child or young person will always be paramount.

• The welfare of families will be promoted.

• The rights, wishes and feelings of children, young people and their families will be respected and listened to.

• Those people in positions of responsibility within En Pointe will work in accordance with the interests of children and young people and follow the policy outlined below.

• Those people in positions of responsibility within En Pointe will ensure that the same opportunities are available to everyone and that all differences between individuals will be treated with respect.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

1.​Immediate Action to Ensure Safety

Immediate action may be necessary at any stage in involvement with children and families.

IN ALL CASES IT IS VITAL TO TAKE WHATEVER ACTION IS NEEDED TO SAFEGUARD THE CHILD/REN ie:

• If emergency medical attention is required this can be secured by calling an ambulance (dial 999) or taking a child to the nearest Accident and Emergency Department.

• If a child is in immediate danger the police should be contacted (dial 999) as they alone have the power to remove a child immediately if protection is necessary, via Police Protection Order.

2.​Recognition of Abuse or Neglect

Abuse or neglect of a child is caused by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting: by those known to them or more rarely by a stranger.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when someone fabricates the symptoms of illness, or deliberately causes ill health to a child whom they are looking after.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only in so far as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. It may involve causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of ill treatment of a child though it may occur alone.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative (eg rape or buggery) or non-penetrative acts. Sexual abuse may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material, or watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.

Individuals within En Pointe need to be alert to the potential abuse of children.

En Pointe should know how to recognise and act upon indicators of abuse or potential abuse involving children. There is an expected responsibility for all members of En Pointe to respond to any suspected or actual abuse of a child in accordance with these procedures.

It is good practice to be as open and honest as possible with parents/carers about any concerns.

However, you must not discuss your concerns with parents/carers in the following circumstances:

• where sexual abuse is suspected

• where organised or multiple abuse is suspected

• where fictitious illness by proxy (also known as Munchausen Syndrome by proxy) is suspected

• where contacting parents/carers would place a child, yourself or others at immediate risk.

What to do if children talk to you about abuse or neglect

It is recognised that a child may seek you out to share information about abuse or neglect, or talk spontaneously individually or in groups when you are present. In these situations you must:

• Listen carefully to the child. DO NOT directly question the child.

• Give the child time and attention.

• Allow the child to give a spontaneous account; do not stop a child who is freely recalling significant events.

• Make an accurate record of the information you have been given taking care to record the timing, setting and people present, the child’s physical appearance as well as what was said. Do not throw this away as it may later be needed as evidence.

• Use the child’s own words where possible.

• Explain that you cannot promise not to speak to others about the information they have shared.

• Reassure the child that:

you are glad they have told you;

they have not done anything wrong;

what you are going to do next.

• Explain that you will need to get help to keep the child safe.

• Do NOT ask the child to repeat his or her account of events to anyone.

3.​Consulting about your concern

The purpose of consultation is to discuss your concerns in relation to a child and decide what action is necessary.​

You may become concerned about a child who has not spoken to you, because of your observations of, or information about that child.

It is good practice to ask a child why they are upset or how a cut or bruise was caused, or respond to a child wanting to talk to you. This practice can help clarify vague concerns and result in appropriate action.

If you are concerned about a child you must share your concerns. Initially you should talk to one of the people designated as responsible for child protection within En Pointe. In En Pointethis person is Donya Keys and 07557355562. If this person is implicated in the concerns you should discuss your concerns directly with Children’s Services. York 01904 551900

You should consult externally with York Children Services Department in the following circumstances:

• when you remain unsure after internal consultation as to whether child protection concerns exist

• when there is disagreement as to whether child protection concerns exist

• when you are unable to consult promptly or at all with your designated internal contact for child protection

• when the concerns relate to any member of the organising committee.

Consultation is not the same as making a referral but should enable a decision to be made as to whether a referral to Children Services or the Police should progress.

4.​Making a referral

A referral involves giving Children Services or the Police information about concerns relating to an individual or family in order that enquiries can be undertaken by the appropriate agency followed by any necessary action.

In certain cases the level of concern will lead straight to a referral without external consultation being necessary.

Parents/carers should be informed if a referral is being made except in the circumstances outlined above

However, inability to inform parents for any reason should not prevent a referral being made. It would then become a joint decision with Children Services about how and when the parents should be approached and by whom.

IF YOUR CONCERN IS ABOUT ABUSE OR RISK OF ABUSE FROM SOMEONE NOT KNOWN TO THE CHILD OR CHILD’S FAMILY, YOU SHOULD MAKE A TELEPHONE REFERRAL DIRECTLY TO THE POLICE AND CONSULT WITH THE PARENTS.

If your concern is about abuse or risk of abuse from a family member or someone known to the children, you should make a telephone referral to your York Children Service.

Information required

Be prepared to give as much of the following information as possible (in emergency situations all of this information may not be available). Unavailability of some information should not stop you making a referral.

• Your name, telephone number, position and request the same of the person to whom you are speaking.

• Full name and address, telephone number of family, date of birth of child and siblings.

• Gender, ethnicity, first language, any special needs.

• Names, dates of birth and relationship of household members and any significant others.

• The names of professionals’ known to be involved with the child/family eg: GP, Health Visitor, School.

• The nature of the concern; and foundation for them.

• An opinion on whether the child may need urgent action to make them safe.

• Your view of what appears to be the needs of the child and family.

• Whether the consent of a parent with parental responsibility has been given to the referral being made.

Action to be taken following the referral

• Ensure that you keep an accurate record of your concern(s) made at the time.

• Put your concerns in writing to Children Services following the referral (within 48 hours).

• Accurately record the action agreed or that no further action is to be taken and the reasons for this decision.

5.​Confidentiality

En Pointe should ensure that any records made in relation to a referral should be kept confidentially and in a secure place.

Information in relation to child protection concerns should be shared on a “need to know” basis. However, the sharing of information is vital to child protection and, therefore, the issue of confidentiality is secondary to a child’s need for protection.

If in doubt, discuss with Children services.