CDMT Recognised Awards scheme and the DfE guidance on Keeping Children Safe in Out-of-School Settings

                      COMPILED

                                                                            The above are supporters of the Recognised Awards Scheme

If you are a Performing Arts School or Teacher who is committed to upholding safe and professional standards of practice, CDMT’s Recognised Awards scheme is perfect for you. The Awards are a set of industry-designed standards for performing arts teachers and schools working in pre-vocational settings, and enable students and their parents/carers to make informed choices about schools and teachers providing performing arts training.

The Awards confirm that schools and teachers:

  • Have suitable Professional Policies and Procedures, including safeguarding and health & safety
  • Hold valid DBS Certificates and adequate Insurance
  • Adhere to the CDMT Code of Professional Conduct and Practice
  • Have the appropriate level of relevant Teaching Qualifications and/or Professional Experience

In October 2020, the Department for Education (DfE) published non-statutory guidance on Keeping Children Safe in Out-of-School Settings. The code of practice and supporting information, which can be accessed here, lays out the minimum level of safeguarding practice that organisations should have in place to reduce the risk of harm to children in clubs, tuition or community-led activities in England, and provides advice to parents/carers about what to look for when choosing suitable provision.

Following publication of the guidance, CDMT has updated the policy template documents for its Recognised Awards Scheme to ensure that they align with the DfE guidance as follows:

Code of professional conduct

  • References added to risk assessment and record keeping
  • References added to complaints and whistleblowing policies
  • Added information on safeguarding

Health and Safety policy guidelines

  • Minor amendments to information on safety checks
  • Addition of section on parental consent and registers

Child and at risk adults policy guidelines

  • Updates to terminology
  • Amendments to information about the role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead
  • Updated links to useful resources and organisations

CDMT aims to promote the scheme as a means for teachers working in Out-of-Schools-Settings across dance, drama and musical theatre to transparently address the DfE expectations.

Further information about the scheme and how to apply can be found here or please email [email protected]