Policy Statement

YSBD Workshops Ltd recognises that individual tuition can provide valuable opportunities for personalised learning and artistic development in performing arts training.

However, one-to-one teaching situations can present additional safeguarding and professional boundary considerations. This policy sets out clear procedures to ensure that all one-to-one lessons are delivered safely, professionally, and transparently.

YSBD Workshops Ltd is committed to ensuring that all individual lessons are conducted in a way that protects:

• Students and participants
• Staff, facilitators and freelance teachers
• The reputation and integrity of the organisation

This policy operates alongside the organisation’s safeguarding procedures and reflects guidance within the Children Act 1989, Children Act 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children, and Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to:

• Employees
• Freelance facilitators and teachers
• Visiting tutors or guest practitioners
• Volunteers assisting with teaching
• Students and participants receiving individual tuition

The policy applies to all one-to-one sessions delivered under the name or responsibility of YSBD Workshops Ltd, including:

• Singing lessons
• Acting coaching
• Dance tuition
• Audition preparation
• Performance coaching
• Online or remote lessons
• Face-to-face lessons
• Sessions delivered on organisational premises or approved external venue

Principles for One-to-One Lessons

All one-to-one sessions must be conducted in accordance with the following safeguarding principles:

• Transparency and accountability
• Professional boundaries between staff and students
• Clear parental awareness where the student is under 18
• Appropriate environments for teaching
• Protection for both student and teacher

One-to-one lessons must never take place in a way that creates unnecessary risk or secrecy.

Face-to-Face One-to-One Lessons

1. Approved Locations

Face-to-face lessons should take place only in appropriate environments such as:

• YSBD Workshops Ltd rehearsal or teaching spaces
• Approved studio spaces
• Community venues used by the organisation

Where possible, sessions should take place in areas where:

• Other staff or responsible adults are present nearby
• Rooms have windows or visibility into the space
• Doors remain unlocked where appropriate

Private or isolated locations should be avoided wherever possible.

2. Parental Awareness (Under 18s)

For participants under the age of 18:

• Parents or guardians must be aware that one-to-one tuition is taking place.
• Lesson times, location, and tutor details should be communicated clearly.
• Parents should have the option to remain nearby if they wish.

Where appropriate, waiting areas should be available for parents or guardians.

3. Staff Conduct During Lessons

Staff delivering one-to-one lessons must:

• Maintain professional behaviour at all times
• Use respectful and appropriate language
• Ensure any feedback is constructive and appropriate
• Maintain clear professional boundaries

Staff must not:

• Engage in inappropriate personal discussions
• Share personal contact details unless authorised by the organisation
• Arrange private meetings outside approved teaching arrangements.

4. Physical Contact

In performing arts training, limited physical guidance may sometimes be necessary (for example posture correction or movement demonstration).

Where physical contact may be required:

• The tutor must explain the reason for the contact beforehand
• Consent must be obtained from the student
• Contact must always be appropriate and minimal
• Alternatives should be used where possible (demonstration or verbal instruction)

Participants must never feel pressured to accept physical contact.

Online One-to-One Lessons

Online lessons can provide flexibility but must follow clear safeguarding procedures.

1. Approved Platforms

Online sessions should only take place using approved platforms where possible, such as:

• Organisational video platforms
• Secure meeting software
• Platforms agreed with parents/guardians

Public livestream platforms should not be used for one-to-one tuition.

2. Parental Awareness (Under 18s)

For participants under 18:

• Parents or guardians must be informed that the lesson is taking place.
• They should know the time and platform used.
• Parents should be able to access or observe the lesson if they choose.

3. Professional Online Conduct

During online sessions:

Staff must:

• Deliver lessons in an appropriate environment
• Dress appropriately and professionally
• Ensure backgrounds are appropriate and free from personal items where possible
• Maintain professional communication throughout

Students should also be encouraged to participate from an appropriate and safe environment.

4. Recording

Online sessions should not be recorded unless:

• There is a clear educational purpose
• Participants and parents have given consent
• Storage and use comply with data protection requirements

Any recording must be agreed to first by YSBD Company Director and parent/guardian. Where recording is used, participants must be informed beforehand.

Communication Outside Lessons

Communication between tutors and students must remain professional and appropriate. All communication must go through and include (via cc) the YSBD Company Director (info@ysbd.co.uk)

Staff should not engage in private or informal communication with students through personal social media or messaging platforms.

Communication regarding lessons should normally occur through:

• Official organisational email.
• Approved booking systems
• Parent or guardian communication channels where appropriate

For participants under 18, parents should be copied into relevant communications where possible.

Safeguarding and Concerns

If a staff member has concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a student during a one-to-one lesson, they must follow the organisation’s safeguarding procedures and report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

Similarly, students and parents are encouraged to report any concerns about behaviour during one-to-one sessions.

Concerns will be handled in line with the organisation’s safeguarding policy and may involve:

• Recording the concern
• Speaking with relevant individuals
• Escalation to safeguarding authorities where necessary

Protection for Staff

This policy is designed to protect staff as well as students.

Staff should ensure that:

• Lessons take place in visible or appropriate environments
• Parents are aware of lessons with under-18 participants
• Professional boundaries are maintained at all times
• Any concerns about behaviour are reported promptly

Staff should avoid situations where they are alone with a child in a private or isolated setting without organisational awareness.

Breaches of the Policy

Failure to follow this policy may result in action being taken by YSBD Workshops Ltd.

This may include:

• Informal guidance or retraining
• Formal warnings
• Suspension from teaching duties
• Termination of contract for staff or freelancers

Serious breaches involving safeguarding concerns may be referred to appropriate safeguarding authorities.

Monitoring and Review

YSBD Workshops Ltd will periodically review this policy to ensure that it reflects:

• Current safeguarding best practice
• Changes in legislation or guidance
• The operational needs of the organisation

Policy Approval

Approved by:
Hannah Curran
Director – YSBD Workshops Ltd

Effective Date: January 2026
Next Review Date: January 2027