Supporting young people

Does the school curriculum include elements on global citizenship, cultural or musical exchange or investigating pupils’ cultural heritage? Is a youth group focusing on a specific part of the world, or exploring heritage? A teacher might welcome help injecting some live cultural exchange into a lesson! This could include exchanging learning a Scottish dance and one from a local dance tradition; researching or investigating cultural links with Scotland, particularly where Burns Night is a reference point.

There is an international Robert Burns International Federation which might have local Branches in your area who could also help. Might there be children in the school with some Scottish cultural heritage that could be explored and the dance could be an element of this heritage experience and research? 

Some schools like to set up a link with a school in a different country to enhance their pupil’s knowledge and interest in the wider world. Maybe you could link with a school in Scotland using dance or cultural traditions as a linking theme? 

You might want to focus on the fitness and health elements; maybe you could work with a teacher to get pupils to choreograph a fitness and exercise sequence using SCD formations or footwork and do this exercise to SCD music, adapting the idea of Zumba. Alternatively you could teach a number of dances and get pupils to measure their heart rate before and after dancing!

Youth obesity, eating disorders and body image are often of concern. Focus on the tangible benefits of SCD in relation to health and fitness. You could offer to help the young people to choreograph a fitness and exercise sequence using SCD formations, Zumba style! Or, set up some workshops and deliver a short programme of dances with a view to them being performed at an upcoming event or concert.

Your local schools might be looking for activities to do to help them fundraise or support a local good cause; you could teach them a Scottish Country Dance and help them do a sponsored dance marathon to see how long a group of dancers could keep going or organise as many pupils as you can to get together to dance at one time (SCD might just be one of a number of dance forms used).

You might help set up a dance competition to see who can dance the best, with a small entry fee. Or you could help them run a Ceilidh to raise money and invite their families to participate!

Your Branch could be celebrating a milestone anniversary this year and will be holding a large event; the perfect time for holding a youth oriented activity. A youth demonstration; free classes for young people; or even a family day, there are many ways your Branch could get involved!

Is there a historic anniversary or festival happening in your country during 2019; and particularly during September? Might it have some link with Scotland, with dance, youth or fitness and health? Explore some options and get in touch with the Youth Services Committee to see how we can link up with your event.

This scheme is available in most countries in the world, and one of the elements of the award is ‘skills’ and another is ‘physical recreation’ – young people are encouraged to learn a skill and get fit and SCD could be the perfect combination!

Find your local D of E contact at www.intaward.org/near-you and see what opportunities there are in your local area. 

1. There’s room for all of us on the dance floor 
We welcome all dancers and music lovers regardless of gender/gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, religion or employment status. We encourage all dancers to explore dancing on either side of the dance (traditionally named Men’s and Ladies’ sides). Each dancer’s preference is left up to the individual. You may want to clarify with someone which role they would like to take when you ask them to dance as many dancers enjoy both sides and would be happy to dance on either. 

2. Respect others 
Be respectful, don’t be inappropriate. Do not use sexist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist or racist language. Remember that no means no. We hope that this will be common sense to most of our dancers. 

Unless someone specifically asks for feedback, don’t correct people’s dancing on the dance floor. In class, please leave giving feedback on an individual to the teacher. 

3. Look out for each other and your community 
Look out for each other. We are a big family and let’s ensure we love every step we take while at the same time looking out for those around us. If you feel harassed or are made to feel uncomfortable, please contact the event organiser or safer spaces volunteer immediately. The person at the front door, any staff member or committee member will point you in the right direction. If you see someone who looks uncomfortable or upset, ask if they are ok and if they would like you to report any unwanted behaviour to the safer spaces volunteer on their behalf. If you harass someone, you may be asked to leave. You may also be banned from other events and the police may be notified at our discretion and as guided by the complainant. 

4. Your personal boundaries are paramount 
Always respect personal boundaries. Dancing can involve close contact with others and we must respect each others’ personal space. If someone tells you that you are making them feel uncomfortable, respect their requirement for space. 

5. You can say no
If someone asks you to dance and you don’t want to, you can say “no thank you” – you don’t need to offer an explanation. You may then ask or say yes to someone else, if you want to. 

6. Be ok with people saying no 
If you ask someone to dance and they say no, respect their decision and ask someone else. No one is obliged to dance with you, and no one should feel obliged to accept a dance if they don’t feel like it. 

7. Dance Safe 
Keep your eyes open on the dance floor and try not to bump into others around you. Extra spins and variations are great fun if everyone is familiar with them but should not be carried out in such a way as to prevent the participation and enjoyment of others. Remember your partner may have an injury that you’re unaware of and even one extra turn might hurt them. If your partner is hurting you unintentionally please take care of yourself and let them know.

Safeguarding and Child Protection   

Under UK law anyone under 18 is considered a child and any organisation offering activities for children must have a child protection/safeguarding policy.  

The RSCDS strongly believes that children and young people should be encouraged to take part in Scottish Country Dancing and subscribes to the following principles: 

• Children and young people have a right to enjoy sport, free from all forms of abuse, exploitation and poor practice.  
• All children and young people have equal rights to protection from harm.  
• All children and young people should be encouraged to fulfil their potential, and inequalities should be challenged.  
• Everybody has a responsibility to support the care and protection of children.  
• Sporting organisations have a duty of care to children and young people who take part in sport. 

Under 18s are welcome to attend RSCDS events and to take part in our activities. There are two scenarios under which this is possible; Attending without their parent/guardian or attending with their parent/guardian 

Option 1: Under 18s without parents/guardians. 

At some of our events/activities (e.g. Spring Fling, Junior Summer School) under 18s attend partially or fully without their parent/guardian. Each of these events has a full Child Protection Policy and Procedures in place. The details of our Child Protection Policy and Procedures can be found on our website (link). 

As part of this Policy, at least one Event Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer will be identified. Should you see, hear or have any concerns regarding under 18s, please contact the Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer for the event or, if unavailable the RSCDS CWPO (cwpo@rscds.org). The volunteers (Welcome desk, Refreshments etc) or any committee member will point you in the right direction. 

Option 2: Under 18s attend events/activities with their parent/guardian. 

At some events under 18s may only attend with their parent/guardian (e.g. Autumn Gathering, Summer School). At these events the RSCDS is not responsible for their supervision while they are attending, competing, dancing or spectating. 

Should any under 18s not be attending with their parent/guardian, but with a group (e.g. their branch, club etc), then that organisation is expected to have their own child protection policy and procedures, including parental permission and background checked, appropriately trained adults (responsible adult), in line with Sport Scotland’s Standards for Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport. The RSCDS website (link) contains our Standards and templates to support Branches with putting this into practice. 

The parent/guardian/responsible adult is responsible for ensuring that any under 18 is appropriately supervised at all times. Please note that while attending class, performing, dancing etc themselves, a parent/guardian/responsible adult cannot be responsible for a child (unless that child is also a full participant). Please ensure you have made appropriate alternative supervision arrangements. For groups with under 18s not accompanied by parents/guardians, this will require having multiple approved responsible adults. For parents/guardians this could be an informal arrangement with a friend/other parent. Please ensure that all parties (child/young person; parent/guardian/lead responsible adult; and the new responsible adult) is aware who is responsible at any given time. 

A note on private spaces (e.g. changing rooms): Please ensure that at no time are under 18s in a private space with other people without their parent/guardian or responsible adult. Responsible adults, please ensure you are never alone with the under 18s in your care. 

A note on video/photography: Please avoid taking videos/photographs solely of under 18s unless you are their parent/guardian or have their parent/guardians’ permission. Where photos/videos include under 18s (or persons you could reasonably assume to be under 18), please do not share these on social media/other public platforms without permission from the parent/guardian. 

Should you see, hear or have any concerns regarding under 18s, please contact the Safer Spaces volunteer(s) for the event. The volunteers (Welcome desk, Refreshments etc) or any organising committee member will point you in the right direction. 

If you are injured and require medical attention or if you feel unsafe or threatened and would like to make the organisers aware of inappropriate behaviour, visit the event organiser or safer spaces volunteer.  

If you would like to make a complaint or pursue a concern, please contact: Jon Berridge (COO) on Jon.Berridge@rscds.org or if you would rather speak to a woman please contact Katie (CWPO) on cwpo@rscds.org. If Jon or Katie consider the situation to be more serious than their experience can deal with, the RSCDS will take appropriate action to refer the issue to appropriate professionals and act on their guidance.