Self Assessment for dance teachers: 2025 to 2026 dates
October 3, 2026
Teaching freelance? The Self Assessment dates for your 2025 to 2026 return, including 5 October 2026 and 31
The BDSA and Teach.Dance
Safeguarding training with the BDSA
The British DanceSport Association (BDSA) is a Teach.Dance partner. Together we offer Introduction to Safeguarding in Dance (Level 1), a free BDSA course powered by Teach.Dance, and Jump Into Dance, a dance programme for primary schools.
How it works
What the BDSA and Teach.Dance each do
The BDSA runs its own membership, competitions and safeguarding services. Teach.Dance hosts the BDSA safeguarding course on our website and app.
The BDSA
Runs BDSA membership, BDSA competitions and the Dance Safe Register. You join the BDSA, and pay for membership, on the BDSA website.
Teach.Dance
Hosts Introduction to Safeguarding in Dance (Level 1) on the Teach.Dance website and app, and looks after your login, your progress and your certificate.
What it costs
The safeguarding course is free. There’s nothing to pay, you just need a free Teach.Dance account to take it.
About the BDSA
The British DanceSport Association describes itself as the governing body for dance sport in all its forms across the UK. Its mission is to unify the dance community, set a fair and transparent regulatory framework, and make sure every dancer, from grassroots to elite, has the support and structure they need.
The BDSA also runs the Dance Safe Register, a public register of UK dance schools that parents and guardians can search.
The course
Introduction to Safeguarding in Dance (Level 1)
Introduction to Safeguarding in Dance (Level 1) is a BDSA course, accredited by The CPD Standards Office.
- Takes 35 to 45 minutes
- You need 80% to pass, and you can retake it as many times as you like
- Your certificate is saved to your Teach.Dance profile
- Free, on the Teach.Dance website and app
Free with a Teach.Dance account
More with the BDSA
Other ways we work together
Jump Into Dance
A video-led dance programme for primary schools, created by Teach.Dance and the BDSA. The BDSA subsidises every school licence.
BDSA membership and DBS checks
BDSA membership is run by the BDSA, not Teach.Dance, and we recommend it. The Dance Schools and Studios membership includes a DBS checking service.
The BDSA community group
Talk to other teachers in the BDSA group on Teach.Dance, on the website or in the app.
From the blog
BDSA posts on Teach.Dance
News, interviews and guides from the BDSA and from us, all tagged BDSA on the Teach.Dance blog.
DBS changes for dance teachers: new rules and lower fees
October 2, 2026
Good news for dance: from 1 September 2026, more of the helpers who support our young dancers can
Free BDSA safeguarding training for dance teachers
October 2, 2026
BDSA’s new safeguarding course, powered by Teach.Dance, is live and free for every Teach.Dance member. Here’s who it’s
Employed or self-employed? Hiring your first dance teacher
September 30, 2026
Growing your dance school and ready to bring in another teacher? A friendly guide to employment status, written
Dance school assistants: pay and safer recruitment
September 28, 2026
Thinking of taking on a young assistant at your dance school? A friendly guide to volunteers, child employment
London Youth Games Dance Is Opening Up to Primary Schools — Here’s Why That Matters
April 21, 2026
If you’ve ever watched a group of seven-year-olds absolutely lose themselves in a movement routine — all that
Getting help
Who to contact
The BDSA looks after membership, competitions and its safeguarding services. Teach.Dance looks after the course, the website and the app.
Contact the BDSA about
- BDSA membership and DBS checks
- BDSA competitions
- The Dance Safe Register
For a safeguarding concern, call the BDSA safeguarding helpline on 0800 917 9081 or email [email protected]. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Contact Teach.Dance about
- Logging in and your account
- Getting into the course, on the website or the app
- Finding your certificate
Email [email protected] and we’ll get back to you.
Questions
Common questions
Is the course free?
Yes. Introduction to Safeguarding in Dance (Level 1) costs nothing. You need a free Teach.Dance account to take it.
How long does it take?
Between 35 and 45 minutes. You need 80% to pass, and you can retake it as many times as you need.
Is the course accredited?
Introduction to Safeguarding in Dance (Level 1) is a BDSA course, accredited by The CPD Standards Office.
Where do I find my certificate?
When you pass, your certificate is saved to your Teach.Dance profile, so you can find it again whenever you need it.
Does the course replace a DBS check?
No. A course isn’t a criminal record check. The BDSA’s Dance Schools and Studios membership includes a DBS checking service, so please ask the BDSA about DBS checks.
Do I need to be a BDSA member?
No. BDSA membership has nothing to do with Teach.Dance, and you don’t need it to take the course, but we do recommend it. To join, or for any question about membership, please go to the BDSA: see BDSA memberships.
Start the free safeguarding course
Create your free Teach.Dance account, then take the course on the website or the app.
