Safeguarding

We believe everyone participating in folk music, dance or other arts should be able to do so safely and without fear of oppression or abuse.

Terms of reference

This Safeguarding Policy includes all the work and activities of Ceilidh Cornwall in any location. It does not include activities or events run by other groups mentioned on the Ceilidh Cornwall webpages. Information included on these webpages about other groups does not denote any endorsement of safety or quality.

Safeguarding Policy Statement

Ceilidh Cornwall is committed to practice which protects all children and adults at risk from harm. We recognise that the welfare of all children and adults at risk is paramount and that all have equal rights of protection. We have a duty of care when they are in our charge, and we will do everything we can to provide a safe and caring environment whilst they attend our activities.

We require all staff and volunteers in this organisation to accept and recognise their
responsibilities to develop awareness of the issues that cause harm to children and adults at risk (please see definitions in section on Recognising Abuse in Children and Adults at Risk in the policy). When there are concerns about the welfare of any child or adult at risk, all responsible adults in our organisation are expected to share those concerns, without delay, with Kate Smith (or another adult if Kate is not available).

Our policy is based on the English Folk Dance and Song Society’s (EFDSS) safeguarding policy, which is approved by their Senior Management Team and Trustees and is reviewed and updated annually. We make this policy publicly available and downloadable from the Ceilidh Cornwall website here.

Equality and Inclusion Statement

We recognise that anyone can become subject to discrimination, harassment or victimisation because of differences which include (but are not limited to) these:

• age
• disability
• race, ethnicity or culture
• gender reassignment
• marriage and civil partnership
• pregnancy and maternity
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation
• social or economic background

All involved with Ceilidh Cornwall, teachers, volunteers and participants, will abide by the following:

• Promote equity of opportunity for all persons.
• Prevent unlawful occurrences of direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
• Promote a harmonious environment where all people are treated with respect and helped to achieve their full potential.
• Take positive action, where necessary, to adhere to this policy.
• Not discriminate or treat any individual unfairly on grounds of gender, race, disability, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation or social background.

Ceilidh Cornwall will aim to make reasonable arrangements to enable individuals with individual needs and/or disabilities to access the events, and expect participants to support this aim.

Wherever possible calling aims to be gender-neutral. Traditionally ceilidh calling refers to men and women and their traditional positions in a dance. However, this isn’t strictly necessary for ceilidh dancing at all. Where height matters for how a dance works then we’ll point that out.