Safeguarding Kit for Music and Drama Groups

Overview

Music and drama settings involve unique safeguarding considerations: rehearsals and performances may run late, costumes and changing arrangements require careful management, one-to-one tuition is common, and the creative environment can blur professional boundaries. Whether you run a Saturday theatre school, a choir, a dance class, or a private music teaching practice, this kit helps you put clear protections in place.

Key Risks

• •One-to-one instrumental or vocal tuition creating opportunities for inappropriate behaviour or false allegations.
• •Changing and costume areas lacking adequate supervision or privacy safeguards.
• •Late rehearsals and performances creating unsupervised waiting periods for children.
• •Physical contact during dance, stage combat, or movement coaching being misinterpreted or misused.
• •Online sharing of performance recordings or photographs without adequate consent protocols.

Policies

• •A safeguarding and child protection policy tailored to performing arts settings, reviewed annually.
• •A code of conduct covering physical contact during rehearsals, appropriate language, and professional boundaries.
• •A photography, filming, and recording policy covering rehearsals, performances, and promotional materials.
• •A late collection policy outlining procedures when parents are late to collect children after rehearsals or performances.

Adult Conduct Boundaries

• •One-to-one tuition must take place in a room with a window or open door, and parents should be informed of session times and locations.
• •Physical demonstrations in dance or drama should be explained verbally first, and physical contact should be minimal, necessary, and with the child's consent.
• •Adults must not be alone with children in changing or costume areas — same-gender supervision should be available.
• •Instructors must not offer private transport to children without prior written parental consent and, ideally, a second adult present.

Communication Boundaries

• •All communication with children and parents should go through official group channels, not personal accounts.
• •Rehearsal schedules, venue changes, and collection arrangements should be communicated to parents directly.
• •Social media promotion should use official accounts only, and children should not be asked to follow instructors' personal profiles.
• •Group messaging platforms should be monitored by at least two adults.

Image Guidance

• •Written parental consent must be obtained before photographing, filming, or recording children — specifying the intended use.
• •Performance recordings shared online should not include children's full names without explicit consent.
• •Photographs and videos must be stored securely on official devices and deleted when no longer needed.

Emergency Escalation

Safeguarding Checklist

Tick off items as you complete them. Progress is not saved — bookmark or print this page for ongoing reference.

0 of 6 items completed

External sources

• Safeguarding in sport & activities — NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit
• Keeping children safe — NSPCC