Northumberland backs the BDSA’s call for stronger safeguarding in extracurricular activities

The British DanceSport Association (BDSA) has welcomed news that Northumberland County Council has voted to support the National Safeguarding Framework for Extracurricular Activities. The framework, led by the BDSA, aims to bring consistent, practical safeguarding standards to every community setting where children and young people take part in dance, sport or creative activities.

The motion, proposed by Cllr Caroline Ball and seconded by Cllr Dickinson, passed with a clear majority and cross-party backing. It’s another big step in the growing national effort to make safeguarding standards clearer, fairer and easier to apply in real-world settings.

For dance teachers, this shows that local authorities are listening and recognising the vital role independent schools, clubs and small organisations play in keeping children safe.

What this means for Northumberland

The council has now committed to:

• Supporting a national safeguarding standard, so parents can be confident that every activity provider meets consistent expectations.
• Offering greater support for community organisations, helping them to build and maintain strong safeguarding practice.
• Delivering positive local measures that make participation in sport, arts and community activities safer and more inclusive.

As Cllr Ball explained:

“Safeguarding must never depend on where a child lives or which activity they take part in. This is about closing a dangerous gap and ensuring no one falls through the cracks.”

Cross-party commitment to protecting young people

Northumberland’s councillors made it clear that safeguarding isn’t a political issue. Across the chamber, members agreed that protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults is a shared moral duty.

Cllr Dickinson said:

“We all share a duty to protect the most vulnerable in our communities, and a national safeguarding framework will bring much-needed consistency and clarity. Locally, we will lead by example.”

Why this matters for dance

Every week, millions of children and young people take part in extracurricular activities – from football and drama to dance. Most providers already work hard to create safe, welcoming spaces, but standards can still vary widely, especially in smaller or voluntary settings.

The National Activities Safeguarding Framework, developed and championed by the BDSA, offers a simple, step-by-step approach for providers of all sizes. It covers:

• Safer recruitment and vetting
• Clear codes of conduct
• Training suited to the size and type of setting
• Incident reporting routes that actually work
• Practical governance for small organisations

By endorsing the framework, Northumberland is helping to make good practice normal practice.

A growing national movement

Northumberland now joins a growing number of councils across the UK that are backing the framework. It’s a sign of real momentum – local champions, councillors and community leaders working together to fill a long-standing gap in how extracurricular activities are safeguarded.

This is exactly the kind of collaboration the BDSA envisioned when it launched the campaign earlier this year: councils, providers and families working side by side to make safeguarding consistent everywhere.

What’s next

The BDSA will work with Northumberland County Council and local partners to help implement the framework across the county. Providers can register their interest and access starter resources via the BDSA website.

If you’re a dance teacher, now’s the time to:

• Review your safeguarding policy and training
• Explore how the framework could support your practice
• Share information with parents and carers to build confidence and trust

Find out more at www.bdsassociation.com/nsf.

Teach.Dance says:

Safeguarding is the foundation of every safe and trusted dance environment. The BDSA’s leadership and Northumberland’s commitment show what’s possible when communities and councils work together. This is a big step towards making safety the norm, not the exception, for every child in every class.