Spotlight Studios Policies

Data Protection and Privacy Policy
Thank you for trusting Spotlight Studios with some information about you and/or yourchild/children. We would like to assure you that we take that trust seriously and we want you to know how we use your information and why.
Who is holding your information?
The information you have given to us is kept by the Principal of the school, with relevant information (such as names, emergency phone numbers and medical issues) also accessible by the class teachers. We do not permit copying or sharing by our staff and actively monitor for any potential breaches.
Where do we get data from?
We only hold data provided to us by you. Initial information is collected on the registration form that is filled out at enrolment. We may also collect data that is emailed to us by you. Once collected it is transferred onto our main database. We only keep data that is necessary to run Spotlight Studios in an efficient manner.
Where is your data stored?
In common with most small businesses, we do not have any tailor-made software – we use mainstream packages for record keeping, email and accounting etc. We have picked a mainstream supplier with appropriate security standards.
Do we share your data?
We never sell data we hold. Your information is held in the strictest confidence. Our staff are aware that confidentiality is paramount and any sharing of data is a breach of data regulations. To take part in exams, dance festivals or performances we will usually be asked to send personal data to the organising body. By filling out our registration form you consent to share the data and give permission to share this information when entering your child, please update a member of the team should this not be the case. We also reserve the right to share information if we suspect a safeguarding issue.
How long do we retain your data?
We will keep and update records for as long as your child/children attend Spotlight Studios.
Want to see what we hold on you?
Under the new regulations you have the right to know what information we hold about you and your
child/children. If you would like to see this information please email [email protected]
and we will send it to you. If you believe we have information we should not be keeping, or it is out of
date or otherwise wrong, please let us know and we will take appropriate action. The nominated members of staff at Spotlight Studios to deal with Data Protection (GDPR) from now
until the next review are:

Mrs Chick      Aimee Chick       Emma Lipton
This policy was last reviewed on 24/08/2022

Child Protection Policy
Spotlight Studios works with children and families as part of its activities.
The purpose of this policy statement is:
• To protect children and young people who receive Spotlight Studios services.
• To provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.
This policy statement applies to anyone working on behalf of Spotlight Studios, volunteers, and students.
Spotlight Studios believe that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a
responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. We are
committed to practice in a way that protects them.
Spotlight Studios holds the required measures to ensure safe and effective practice, this
Includes:
*All teachers are fully qualified with accreditation from appropriate bodies
*All people coming into contact with children and young people hold enhanced criminal records
checks.
We recognise that:
*The welfare of the child/young person is paramount
*All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation
or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
*Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is
essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:
*Valuing them, listening to and respecting them
*Adopting child protection practices through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers
*Sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers
*Sharing concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately.
All faculty are checked by the Disclosure and Barring Service and hold full Enhanced Disclosures.
What to do if you are concerned or need to make a report - Annette Chick of Spotlight Studios is the designated safeguarding contact. All incidents, allegations or suspicions must be reported to her in the first instance.
If an incident, allegation or suspicion of abuse is seen, heard or suspected, the person receiving the information, whether an employee, student/trainee, student, or volunteer should follow the procedure below:
*Stop other activity and focus on what they are being told or seeing. Responding to the incident being reported should take immediate priority.
*Where an incident is being reported, react in a calm and considered way but show concern.
*Tell the child, vulnerable adult or third party that it is right for them to share this information. Take
what the child, vulnerable adult or third party has said seriously and allow extra time if a child or
vulnerable adult has a speech difficulty and differences in language.
*Keep questions to an absolute minimum necessary to ascertain a clear and accurate understanding
of what has been said but do not interrogate the child, vulnerable adult or third party. Listen to the child, vulnerable adult or third party and do not interrupt if they are recounting significant events.
*Offer reassurance to the child or vulnerable adult.
* Do not give assurances of confidentiality but explain you will need to pass on this information to
those that need to know.
*Consider whether immediate action is needed to protect any child or vulnerable adult who may be
at risk. Think about the child or vulnerable adult who is the immediate concern and any others who
may be at risk, in light of what you have been told or seen.
*Make a record of what is said or seen and actions taken at the earliest possible opportunity.
Keep all original notes as they may be needed as evidence. The confidential record should include
the following:
*A detailed record of the incident in the child or vulnerable adult's own words or the words of
the third party reporting it. You should note this record may be used later in a criminal trial and
therefore needs to be as full and accurate as possible.
*Details of the nature of the incident.
*A description of any injury. Please note that you must not remove the clothing of a child or
vulnerable adult to inspect any injuries.  Dates, times or places and any other information that may be useful.
*Written records including emails and letters.
* The incident should be reported in writing immediately to the designated person for appropriate action to be taken.
Mrs Chick   Aimee Chick   Emma Lipton

This policy was last reviewed 24/08/2022