Our policies

1

Participation agreement & consent

By registering, the dancer (or their parent or guardian, for anyone under 18) agrees to the following.

Taking part

• Morris dancing is a physical activity. It involves running, jumping, turning and dancing in groups, sometimes with props such as sticks or pom-poms. As with any sport there is some risk of trips, falls, sprains and other injuries.
• To the best of my knowledge the dancer is fit to take part. I have told Gemini about any medical condition, allergy, disability or additional need that leaders should know about, and I will update Gemini if anything changes.
• The dancer will follow leaders' instructions, the Code of Conduct and the Health & Safety Policy.

Emergencies

• If the dancer is injured or taken ill, I consent to Gemini's leaders giving basic first aid and, if they think it necessary, calling the emergency services.
• If I can't be reached, I consent to a responsible adult acting on my behalf to get the dancer emergency medical treatment, and to passing on the medical information I have given.
• Gemini will always try the parent or guardian first, then the emergency contact.

Children under 18

• I will make sure my child is dropped off and collected on time, and I will tell a leader if someone else is collecting them.
• Leaders are responsible for children during the session itself. Before and after the session, children are the responsibility of their parent or guardian.
• Tots, Babies and Dinkies must have a parent, guardian or nominated adult on site for the whole session.

Competitions and performances

• Travel to competitions (such as The Great Academy, Ashton, and the championships in Skegness) and to performances is arranged separately. Parents will be asked for any extra consent needed for each trip.

Photos and video

• When you register you choose, for each dancer, whether Gemini may use photos and video of them on social media, the website and in publicity. You can change your mind at any time.
• Gemini cannot control photos taken by members of the public at public performances and competitions.

What this agreement does not do

Nothing in this agreement limits Gemini's responsibility for death or personal injury caused by its own negligence, or any other right you have that the law does not allow to be removed.

2

Code of Conduct

Dancers

• Be kind, friendly and respectful to every dancer, leader, parent and member of the public.
• Listen to leaders and follow their instructions, especially about safety.
• No bullying, name-calling, unkind messages or leaving people out, in person or online.
• Look after the kit, props and the venue. Tidy up after yourself.
• Tell a leader if you feel hurt, unwell, unsafe or worried about anything.
• Represent Gemini well at competitions and performances, whether you win or lose.

Parents, guardians and supporters

• Encourage every dancer, not just your own. Be positive from the sidelines.
• Respect leaders, judges, officials and other teams. Raise concerns privately with the committee, never in front of the children.
• Drop off and collect on time, and keep Gemini's contact details for your family up to date.
• Follow the photo rules below and the venue's own rules.
• No alcohol on duty when responsible for children, and no smoking or vaping near dancers.

Leaders and volunteers

• Put the safety and wellbeing of dancers first, and follow the Safeguarding Policy at all times.
• Treat every dancer fairly, whatever their ability, background or needs.
• Avoid being alone with a child out of sight of others. Don't message children privately. Use group channels that include parents.
• Never use language or physical contact that could be harmful or misunderstood. Contact is only for teaching, safety or first aid, and should be explained first.

If the code is broken

Leaders will talk to the person first. Repeated or serious breaches may lead to a meeting with the committee, a break from sessions or, as a last resort, being asked to leave Gemini. Any safeguarding concern is handled under the Safeguarding Policy.

3

Safeguarding Policy

Gemini believes every child, young person and adult at risk should be able to dance in a safe, happy environment, free from harm. We follow the principles of the Children Act 1989 & 2004, the Care Act 2014 and Working Together to Safeguard Children.

Who to talk to

• Designated Safeguarding Lead: Keely Cave
• Chair: Susan MacDonald
• Gemini phone: 07704 123178
• Stockport Multi-Agency Safeguarding and Support Hub (MASSH): 0161 217 6028
• If a child is in immediate danger: call 999
• NSPCC helpline (adults worried about a child): 0808 800 5000. Childline (for children): 0800 1111

Our commitments

• Every session is run by at least two adults. A dancer is never left with only one adult.
• Gemini is putting DBS checks and safeguarding training in place for leaders who work regularly with children. Until then, sessions are always held in an open, shared space with parents welcome to stay and watch.
• Children are never left alone with one adult out of sight of others. Toilet trips for young children are handled by their own parent or guardian.
• We keep up-to-date contact, emergency and medical details for every dancer, and keep them confidential.
• We listen to children, take what they say seriously and act on concerns.

If you have a concern

• If a child tells you something worrying: stay calm, listen, don't promise to keep it secret, and don't ask leading questions.
• Write down what was said, in their words, with the date and time, as soon as you can.
• Tell the Designated Safeguarding Lead the same day. If the concern is about the Lead, tell the Chair. If a child is at immediate risk, call 999 or the MASSH directly.
• Never investigate yourself, and don't discuss it with others who don't need to know.

This policy is reviewed every year, and straight away after any serious incident.

4

Health & Safety Policy

• Before each session: leaders check the floor is clear, dry and safe, and that exits are unblocked.
• Warm up and cool down: every session starts with a warm-up and ends with a cool-down suited to the age of the dancers.
• Kit: dancers wear comfortable clothes and suitable flat footwear. No jewellery that could catch. Long hair tied back.
• Props: sticks, staffs and other props are only used when a leader says so, and are handed out and collected by leaders.
• Water and rest: dancers bring a named water bottle, and breaks are built into every session.
• First aid: a first aid kit is at every session. It is checked and restocked regularly. If anyone is seriously hurt or unwell, leaders call 999 straight away.
• Accidents: every accident or near miss is written in the accident book and reported to the parent or guardian the same day.
• Medical needs: parents tell us about conditions and allergies at registration. Dancers who need inhalers, adrenaline pens or other medication bring it to every session and keep it where leaders know.
• Fire and emergencies: we follow Stockport Labour Club's fire procedures and assembly point, and take a register every session so we know who is in the building.
• Illness: please keep dancers at home if they are unwell or have an infectious illness.
• Travel: trips to competitions have their own risk assessment and consent.
• Insurance: Gemini holds public liability insurance for its activities.

5

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy

Gemini is for everyone. In line with the Equality Act 2010, we welcome dancers, families and volunteers whatever their age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or background.

• We keep subs as low as we can, and offer pay-as-you-go sessions, so cost isn't a barrier. If money is tight, talk to us in confidence.
• We'll make reasonable adjustments so disabled dancers and those with additional needs can take part. Tell us what helps.
• Beginners and experienced dancers are equally welcome. Places in competition teams are decided fairly by leaders.
• Discrimination, harassment or bullying of any kind won't be tolerated and is dealt with under the Code of Conduct.
• Concerns can be raised with any committee member, and will be taken seriously and handled confidentially.

6

Data Protection & Privacy Notice

This explains what Gemini collects, why, and your rights under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

What we collect

• About parents, guardians and adult dancers: name, email, mobile number, relationship to the dancer.
• About each dancer: name, age, line, and any medical conditions, allergies or additional needs you choose to tell us. Also whether you consent to photos and video.
• Emergency contact: name, phone number and relationship.
• Records: which sessions each dancer attended, and subs paid (amount, date, method). We never see or store card numbers. Card payments are handled by Stripe.

Why we collect it

• To run sessions safely, keep a register, contact you about practices and changes, and act in an emergency.
• To keep track of subs.
• Our lawful bases are the legitimate interests of running a safe dance group, the agreement you make by registering, and, for medical information, your explicit consent, given when you register. Where it's needed, we also rely on protecting someone's vital interests in an emergency.

Who sees it

• Only Gemini's committee and session leaders who need it. Medical details are only seen by those responsible for the dancer's safety.
• Drywave Recovery CIC processes subs payments on Gemini's behalf, using Stripe (payments), Resend (emails) and Railway (secure website hosting).
• We never sell your information or share it for marketing. We'd only share it with emergency services, or with the authorities if there's a safeguarding concern or the law requires it.

How long we keep it

While the dancer is with Gemini, and for up to 12 months after they leave, then it is deleted. Payment records are kept for 6 years for accounting. Accident and safeguarding records are kept for as long as the law and guidance require.

Your rights

You can ask to see, correct or delete your information, or withdraw consent (including photo consent) at any time. Speak to a committee member or call 07704 123178. If you're unhappy with how we handle your data, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk, 0303 123 1113).