Photography & Social Media Policy 2026
Apr 02, 2026 01:21 AM
Photography & Social Media Policy
1. Purpose
Home Dance Co Deniliquin is committed to providing a safe, respectful and empowering environment for all children and young people. This policy outlines how photography, videography and social media content will be managed to protect the privacy, dignity and safety of students while celebrating their achievements and promoting our programs.
This policy aligns with the NSW Child Safe Standards, the Children's Guardian Act 2019 (NSW), and our studio's broader Child Safe Framework.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
- All staff, contractors and volunteers
- Students and their families
- Visitors to Home Dance Co. Deniliquin programs
- Any person capturing, sharing or publishing images or videos at studio activities, classes, workshops, rehearsals or events
3. Guiding Principles
- Children's safety, dignity and wellbeing come first.
- Parents and carers have the right to make informed decisions about their child's image being captured or shared.
- Images of children must be respectful, appropriate and never exploitative.
- Home Dance Co. maintains strict control over what is captured, stored and published.
4. Consent Requirements
4.1 Enrolment Consent
- Written consent for photography, videography and social media use is collected at enrolment.
- Families may choose:
- Full consent (studio may capture and share images)
- Internal use only (studio may capture for class use but not publish)
- No consent (no images captured or shared)
4.2 Changing Consent
- Parents/carers may update or withdraw consent at any time by contacting the Studio Director.
- Changes will be actioned promptly and respected without question.
5. Studio Photography & Videography
5.1 What We May Capture
With appropriate consent, Home Dance Co. may capture:
- Class activities
- Rehearsals
- Performances
- Group photos
- Promotional content
5.2 What We Will Never Capture
- Images that reveal a child's home address, school uniform, or personal identifiers
- Images of children in distress, injured, upset or in vulnerable situations
- Images that focus on body parts or could be interpreted as sexualised
- Images taken in bathrooms, change rooms or private spaces
5.3 Storage & Security
- All images and videos are stored securely on password-protected devices or platforms.
- Only authorised staff may access studio media.
- Images are retained only as long as needed for studio purposes.
6. Social Media Use
6.1 Platforms
Home Dance Co. may publish content on:
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Studio website
- Other platforms as communicated to families
6.2 Publishing Standards
When posting images or videos of children, the studio will ensure:
- Only children with active consent appear
- First names only are used if required (or no names if preferred)
- Captions are respectful, positive and non-identifying
- No tagging of children's personal accounts
- No sharing of sensitive information (e.g., schedules, locations, personal details)
6.3 Live Streaming
- Home Dance Co. does not live-stream classes or rehearsals.
- Performances may be live-streamed only with explicit written consent from all families involved.
7. Parent & Carer Photography
7.1 In-Studio Photography
To protect all students:
- Parents/carers may only take photos or videos during designated times (e.g., open weeks, end-of-term showings).
- Images must be for personal use only and not shared publicly if other children appear without their consent.
7.2 Performances
- Photography rules for concerts or events will be communicated in advance.
- Flash photography may be restricted for safety reasons.
8. Staff Responsibilities
All staff must:
- Follow this policy at all times
- Check consent lists before capturing or sharing images
- Report any concerns or breaches to the Studio Director or Child Safety Officer
- Model safe and respectful use of technology
9. Breaches of Policy
Breaches may include:
- Sharing images of children without consent
- Posting inappropriate or identifying content
- Capturing images in restricted areas
If a breach occurs:
- The image will be removed immediately
- Families will be notified
- Further action may be taken in line with our Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct
10. Complaints & Concerns
Families are encouraged to raise concerns with the Studio Director or Child Safety Officer.
All concerns will be taken seriously and addressed promptly, respectfully and confidentially.
Complaints or concerns should be addressed in writing to **CSO@homedancecodq.com**.
11. Review
This policy is reviewed annually or as required to ensure compliance with legislation and best practice.