Child Safety Policy
May 22, 2026 01:16 PM
PURPOSE AND COMMITMENT
Studio 4 Dance offers instruction in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acrobatics, and Musical Theatre to children across private one-on-one lessons, group classes, holiday workshops, intensives, and public performances. The safety and wellbeing of every child in our care is our priority. This policy sets out the expectations and practical procedures that all staff, volunteers, and contractors must follow to create and maintain a safe environment. It covers supervision, conduct, responding to concerns, physical environments, and what to do if you have information about a child's safety. Every person working with children at the studio is responsible for understanding and applying these expectations.
Karla Costanzo is appointed as Child Safety Officer, responsible for implementation, monitoring, and annual review of this policy and the studio's child safe practices.
The Child Safety Officer is responsible for: receiving and responding to child safety concerns and complaints; maintaining this policy and the Training Register; ensuring all staff and volunteers complete child safety induction; and coordinating the studio's annual child safety review. The Child Safety Officer's name and contact details are displayed on the Studio Pro Parent Portal and on the studio's website.
Child Safety Officer: Karla Costanzo Contact: available via info@studio4dance.com.au or Mb. 0499 875 875
The Child Safety Officer will complete child safety awareness training within 3 months of appointment and refresher training annually.
This policy applies to Studio 4 Dance operating weekly classes at the following venues:
• Peregian Beach Community House
• Noosa Leisure Centre
• Sunshine Beach High School (Performing Arts Block)
• Tewantin Primary School (Main Hall)
SCOPE
This policy applies to all persons engaged by Studio 4 Dance, including directors, employed staff (full-time, part-time, and casual), contractors and guest instructors, volunteers, and work experience students. It also applies to parents, guardians, and visitors while on the premises or participating in activities organised by Studio 4 Dance. The policy is in effect during all activities, classes, rehearsals, performances, competitions, online interactions, and any other context where children are present or involved. All persons covered by this policy are expected to understand and comply with its requirements. Studio 4 Dance uses an online safeguarding register to manage child safety compliance, including incident reporting, Blue Card tracking, staff training, anonymous reporting, and risk management. The register is accessible to staff via the staff portal and to parents and visitors via the studio website, displayed at the studio.
LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
This policy is structured with reference to Queensland child safety legislation, including: - Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (Qld) - Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld) - Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (Qld) - Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld) - Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) These documents are structured governance documentation aligned with Queensland child safety legislation. They are not legal advice and do not replace independent legal review. For complex circumstances or regulatory inquiries, consult a qualified Queensland solicitor.
CHILD SAFE PRINCIPLES
Studio 4 Dance is committed to the ten child safe standards under the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (Qld):
1. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
2. Children are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
3. Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
4. Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
5. People working with children are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
6. Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child focused.
7. Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe through ongoing education and training.
8. Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing and minimise the opportunity for children to be harmed.
9. Implementation of the child safe standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
10. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children.
RECRUITMENT AND SCREENING
Studio 4 Dance prioritises child safety throughout its recruitment process. All prospective staff and volunteers must hold a current Blue Card before commencing any child-related work, unless a specific exemption applies under the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (Qld). Applicable exemptions are detailed in the WWCC/Blue Card Compliance Checklist. Blue Card details are recorded and tracked in the studio's online safeguarding register, which monitors expiry dates and sends reminders. Staff must notify the Director immediately if their Blue Card status changes, is suspended, or cancelled; continued engagement without a valid Blue Card is not permitted. A minimum of two professional references are verified before appointment, and identity is confirmed against government-issued photo identification. Interview and screening processes address the candidate's child safety values, understanding of professional boundaries, and commitment to maintaining a safe environment. All new staff and volunteers complete a child safety induction — covering this policy, the Code of Conduct, reporting obligations, and the studio's online safeguarding register — before working unsupervised with children. Staff and volunteer records should be retained for a minimum of 7 years after the person's engagement ends.
REPORTING OBLIGATIONS
CALLOUT: Key Obligation | Generally, dance instructors at private performing arts studios are not prescribed mandatory reporters under s.13E of the Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld); however, individual circumstances may vary (for example, if an instructor is also a registered teacher, or if the studio operates on school premises). Mandatory reporting obligations under that provision apply to specified professionals including doctors, registered nurses, teachers employed in schools, police officers, and early childhood education and care professionals. All staff and volunteers at Studio 4 Dance are required by studio policy to report any child safety concern to the Director. All adults also have a duty under the Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld) to report to police any knowledge of sexual offences against children. As at the effective date of this policy, the studio is not a reporting entity under Queensland's Reportable Conduct Scheme. The Scheme commences for additional organisation types from 1 July 2026. The studio will monitor its obligations and implement required procedures if it becomes a reporting entity.
COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS
Studio 4 Dance takes all complaints and concerns about child safety seriously. Every complaint will be acknowledged within 48 hours of receipt. Concerns can be raised directly with the Director, via the designated Child Safety Contact Person, or submitted through the studio's online safeguarding register — accessible via the studio website. All complaints are logged in the safeguarding register to ensure they are documented, tracked, and reviewed. The Director is responsible for ensuring complaints are handled promptly, fairly, and with the child's safety and wellbeing at the centre of every decision. If an allegation involves the Director or another person in a position of authority, the complaint will be escalated to an independent person — such as a another staff member, external advisor, or relevant regulatory body — to ensure impartial handling. Where a
complaint involves potential criminal conduct, police must be contacted. Where it involves a Blue Card holder, Blue Card Services Queensland must be notified. People who raise concerns will be supported throughout the process, kept informed of progress, and protected from any form of retaliation.
Studio 4 Dance applies the definition of a complaint from the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS10002:2014 — Guidelines for complaint management in organisations:
An expression of dissatisfaction made to or about an organisation, related to its products, services, staff or the handling of a complaint, where a response or resolution is explicitly or implicitly expected or legally required.
Feedback — a compliment, criticism, comment, or suggestion where a response is not sought or not reasonably expected — is also welcomed and will be used to identify opportunities for improvement. The key difference between a complaint and feedback is the reasonable expectation of a response.
The following principles apply to all complaints and concerns raised with Studio 4 Dance:
- Simple matters will be addressed promptly, generally within 5 business days. Complex or sensitive matters will be resolved within 28 business days, or the complainant will be kept informed of progress. - The identity of the complainant will be protected unless permission for disclosure is given or disclosure is required by law. - There is no cost associated with lodging a complaint. - A student's enrolment will be maintained while the complaints process is ongoing, unless extenuating circumstances relating to safety or wellbeing apply. - Complainants will be provided with a written summary of the outcome, including reasons for decisions made. - Complainants have the right of appeal. If the internal process does not resolve the matter, Studio 4 Dance can arrange for an independent external review. - Learnings from complaints and concerns will be used to strengthen studio practices and procedures. - This policy, and the availability of complaints and appeals processes, does not remove the right of any person to act under Australia's consumer protection laws. Where an allegation involves the Director or a person in a position of authority, the complaint will be escalated to an independent person or external body. The complainant will be informed of this pathway within 48 hours of the complaint being received.
PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
Studio 4 Dance handles personal information in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld). Information collected for child safety purposes will be used only for that purpose, stored securely, and disclosed only as required by law or for child protection purposes.
INCLUSION, DIVERSITY AND CULTURAL SAFETY
Studio 4 Dance is committed to welcoming all children regardless of background, ability, culture, gender, sexuality, or family circumstances. The studio strives to create an environment where every child feels safe, respected, heard, and valued, and where diverse needs are recognised and responded to with sensitivity and care. Studio 4 Dance recognises its obligation under the Child Safe
Organisations Act 2024 (Qld) to have regard to the rights and best interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children across all ten child safe standards. The studio takes reasonable steps to provide a culturally safe environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families feel welcome, respected, and included. In practice, this means building staff awareness through training, being open to feedback from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members on how practices can be strengthened, and reflecting on cultural safety as part of the studio's ongoing review processes.
FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT (STANDARD 3)
Studio 4 Dance is committed to empowering children to participate in decisions that affect their safety and wellbeing. The studio provides the following concrete mechanisms for children's participation:
Regular student check-ins and wellbeing surveys are conducted at least once per term. These use age - appropriate questions to understand how students feel at the studio, whether they feel safe, and whether there is anything they would like to change. Feedback is welcomed through the studio's feedback processes, including the online safeguarding register, which is accessible via the studio website, displayed at the studio. Students, parents, and visitors can raise a concern or share feedback directly. Students are consulted on policies and rules that affect them, using language and methods appropriate to their age group. Younger children may participate through guided discussions or visual activities, while older students may provide written feedback or participate in informal focus groups. When feedback is received from students, Studio 4 Dance takes action and reports back in age-appropriate ways — such as class discussions, notice board updates, or direct conversations — so children know their voices matter and see that their input leads to real change. Above all, the studio fosters a culture where children know they have the right to be heard. Students are regularly reminded that they can speak up about anything that makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable, and that they will be taken seriously and supported.
Our safety policy ensures that all students, teachers, and visitors are protected while at the studio. All students must follow the teacher’s guidance during warm-ups, exercises, and performances to help prevent injuries. Students are expected to wear appropriate footwear and clothing for their specific class to avoid accidents. It is essential that any medical conditions or physical limitations are disclosed to the studio prior to attending classes. Should any student experience injury or discomfort during class, they must immediately inform the teacher. The studio reserves the right to ask a student to refrain from participating in class if they appear injured or unfit to continue. In case of an emergency, the studio staff are trained in first aid and emergency procedures. Students, parents or guardians are to keep emergency contact information up to date and provide a secondary contact if possible.
Parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring their child follows all safety procedures and is properly supervised while waiting for classes to start. Parents or guardians must also ensure that their child is picked up promptly after class. In the case of an emergency or unavoidable delay, please contact the studio immediately to inform us of the situation so we can keep your child calm and safe until they can be collected.
By enrolling, you agree that Studio 4 Dance may use images or videos of your child for marketing, promotion, and sharing on social media. If you do not wish for your child’s images to be used, please select the opt-out button in your StudioPro Portal Account and notify the studio in writing at the time of enrolment or at any time during the year. We will honour your request immediately.
We encourage positive engagement on social media. Negative comments or inappropriate content about the studio or others may result in disciplinary action. For students under 18, parents must grant or decline consent for media use. If you have any questions, please contact us.
POLICY ADOPTION
This policy is formally adopted by Studio 4 Dance and applies to all staff, contractors, volunteers and students. It takes effect on 1 APRIL, 2026