Free BDSA safeguarding training for dance teachers

If you teach children, you know how much trust a family hands you every time they wave goodbye at the studio door. Looking after that trust is part of every class we teach. So here’s some good news about safeguarding training for dance teachers. On 2 October 2026, BDSA’s new online course, Introduction to Safeguarding in Dance, went live, powered by Teach.Dance. It’s free for every Teach.Dance member.

A BDSA course, powered by Teach.Dance

The course comes from BDSA, the British DanceSport Association, which is the governing body for dance sport across the UK. BDSA is our endorsing and co-branding partner, and Teach.Dance provides the online platform where you take the course. That’s why you’ll see both names on the certificate you receive when you finish.

Safeguarding sits at the heart of BDSA’s work. It has a zero-tolerance policy towards the abuse of any child, young person or vulnerable adult, and it runs its own safeguarding helpline. It also created the National Activities Safeguarding Framework, which sets out a clear, consistent standard for activities like ours. We explained what that means for us in our post on BDSA’s national safeguarding framework.

More recently, BDSA launched the Dance Safe Register on 1 September 2026. The BDSA Dance Safe Register lists 14,307 UK dance schools, to help parents and guardians make informed choices when they pick a school. This course fits neatly alongside it, because it helps you and your team build the knowledge behind a safe, welcoming school. Reviewing your team’s checks too? Our guide to the DBS changes for dance teachers explains the new rules and lower fees.

Who the course is for

The course is for anyone who works with children, young people or adults at risk in a dance setting. The course page lists:

• dance teachers and instructors
• coaches and assistants
• studio owners and managers
• volunteers and support staff
• anyone working with children or vulnerable people in dance

So it suits your whole team, from the assistant at your Saturday baby ballet class to the parent who helps chaperone at shows. Have you welcomed new families after trial classes at your dance school this term? This is a lovely way to reassure them that everyone in the room knows how to keep their child safe.

What the course covers

There are eight modules, then a recap and a final assessment. Each module builds on the one before, and the course page puts the whole thing at about 35 to 45 minutes online. The modules are:

1. What is safeguarding?
2. Safeguarding in dance
3. Types of abuse
4. Recognising concerns
5. Responding and reporting
6. Safer practice in dance
7. Legislation and policy
8. Your responsibilities

Along the way, you’ll look at how different forms of abuse may show up in dance and how to spot early warning signs. You’ll learn how to handle a disclosure properly. You’ll also learn how to create safe, professional dance spaces and what your legal duties are.

It doesn’t forget what makes our world different. Dance involves physical contact, close relationships and a lot of trust. The course is built around UK safeguarding law and sector guidance. That includes Working Together to Safeguard Children and the Care Act 2014, plus guidance from the NSPCC and its Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU).

Your certificate

When you finish the course and its final assessment, you’ll receive a certificate of completion. The course is Level 1, certified by The CPD Standards Office, and it appears in their provider directory under BDSA’s provider number 23202.

Put simply, it’s an introductory training course rather than a regulated qualification. Think of it as a strong, shared starting point for everyone who helps at your school.

Free for all Teach.Dance members

The course is free for all Teach.Dance members. If you’re not a member yet, creating your Teach.Dance account is free too.

That means you can ask every assistant, volunteer and helper to take it, without worrying about the cost. It’s a simple way to give everyone the same grounding in keeping dancers safe.

How to start

Getting going is easy:

1. Log in to your Teach.Dance account, or create one for free.
2. Open the Introduction to Safeguarding in Dance page and add the course.
3. Check out for free. There’s nothing to pay, and the course then appears in your account.
4. Start with the welcome lesson, then work through the modules in order.
5. Finish with the recap and final assessment to get your certificate.

Ready when you are. Start Introduction to Safeguarding in Dance on Teach.Dance, grab a cup of tea and set aside about 45 minutes.

Good safeguarding is good teaching

Safeguarding is what lets dancers build confidence, develop their skills safely and trust the adults around them. When everyone in your team shares the same knowledge, your studio becomes a safer, happier place for dancers and families alike.

Planning holiday workshops? Our guide to running a dance summer intensive that’s safe and fun shows how registers and team briefings fit in. Taking this course together first is a great place to start.