Samen naar een sociaal
veilige danssector

urgent help

Dance Schools

As a dance school owner, you want your studio to be a safe and respectful place for everyone — a place where unwanted behaviour, bullying, name-calling, or exclusion have no place. This requires clear policies and concrete actions that involve staff, members, and the school itself. Social safety begins with awareness and setting clear standards: How do we treat one another?
IMG_8319

Guidelines

Dans Veilig has developed a practical practival guide (Dutch) containing information, knowledge, and tools to help prevent inappropriate behaviour and to provide clear steps for responding to signals or reports. The guide offers detailed background on the topics mentioned on this page and can be downloaded below. A printed copy can be requested by sending an email to info@dansveilig.nl.

practical guide

Staff

Raising awareness and knowledge about inappropriate behaviour and social safety is essential for prevention within every dance school. Make sure all staff members receive regular training to help maintain a safe environment.
For current training offers, visit Dans Veilig’s website, POS (Platform Ondernemende Sportaanbieders), your professional association, or trade organisation.

Dans Veilig also offers the Dutch e-learning course about recognising and preventing inappropriate behaviour”, which provides the knowledge and practical tools needed to strengthen social safety in your dance school.

  • A Certificate of Conduct (Verklaring Omtrent Gedrag, or VOG) is issued by the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security. It confirms that a person’s past conduct does not present an obstacle to performing specific work — such as working with minors or other vulnerable individuals.

    By obtaining a VOG for your staff, your organisation shows that it actively contributes to a safe and professional dance environment. It builds trust among students, parents, and colleagues.
    It is strongly recommended that all employees who work with dancers hold a valid VOG.

    Follow the step-by-step guide (Dutch) to apply for a VOG for your staff.

  • Feedback
    Plan regular feedback moments with your staff to discuss their development goals and needs. These conversations also give employees the opportunity to provide feedback to the organisation — allowing signals to be addressed early and ensuring that everyone contributes to strengthening social safety from their own perspective.
  • Reporting Procedure
    It is important that everyone knows how to report issues such as unwanted behaviour or unsafe situations. Create a clear reporting procedure and make sure both staff and students are familiar with it.
    Also ensure that your staff are aware of the steps to follow when dealing with reports.
  • Confidential Advisors
    A confidential asvisor is someone staff and students can approach with questions or concerns. Even small dance schools can appoint one, either internally or externally.
    Read more about appointing a confidential counsellor here.
  • Complaints Procedure
    In addition to a reporting procedure, it is recommended to establish a clear process for registering and handling complaints from staff or members.
    Because setting up an effective complaints procedure requires expertise, seek external advice — for example from your professional association. Smaller dance schools can also join a sector organisation or external complaints committee.      

Members

As a dance school owner, you ensure — together with your members — a safe and enjoyable dance environment. You do this through clear rules, a confidential counsellor, and attention to the wellbeing of your members.
This helps prevent inappropriate behaviour or misunderstandings, builds trust, and contributes to a positive atmosphere and strong reputation for your school.

  • Code of Conduct and Standards
    Cleare codes of conduct help prevent misunderstandings and unwanted behaviour. Describe how members, staff, and parents should interact with one another.
    Make sure everyone knows these rules and review them regularly.
  • Confidential Advisor
    A confidential counsellor is someone members can contact if they feel unsafe or have a concern. This can be someone within the school or an external professional.
    Make sure contact details are clearly visible. Even small schools can appoint an internal or external counsellor. Read more about     appointing a confiidential cousellor here.
  • Wellbeing
    A safe dance school not only creates a pleasant atmosphere but also supports the physical and mental wellbeing of its members. Ensure that dance teachers recognise signs of overtraining or eating disorders and provide help when needed. When in doubt, refer to a specialist.  

Premises

As a dance school owner, you are responsible for providing a safe and open environment where everyone feels comfortable. This means setting clear rules for changing rooms, ensuring proper supervision, and designing your facilities to encourage transparency and social oversight.
This reduces the risk of unwanted behaviour and allows everyone to feel free to dance.

  • Changing Rooms
    A well-designed and safe changing area prevents uncomfortable or unsafe situations. Clear rules and thoughtful layout help everyone feel respected and at ease.
  • Supervision and Openness
    A carefully designed space can reduce risks and foster a respectful, open atmosphere. Attention to layout, visibility, and supervision helps create an environment where social control is possible and everyone feels safe.
  • The Dans Veilig guide includes examples to help you create an open and transparent space while respecting dancers’ privacy. Since every school is different, consider which measures best suit your own setting.

Communication

Good communication and transparency about social safety are key. They ensure that everyone knows the rules and expectations, understands their rights and responsibilities, and knows where to turn with questions or concerns.
Use communication styles and visuals that fit your school’s culture and audience.

  • Website en Social Media
    Publish your codes of conduct, complaints procedures, and contact details of confidential counsellors on your website, and share updates via social media.
  • Member and Parent Meetings
    Organise meetings to inform members and parents about social safety, codes of conduct, and procedures for reporting inappropriate behaviour.
  • Internal Communication
    Send regular newsletters or updates to staff to keep them informed about social safety topics.
  • On-site Communication
    Display posters in visible areas showing key rules, codes of conduct, and information about support and the confidential counsellor.

Additional Recommendations

Finally, there are several broader measures you can take as a dance entrepreneur to further strengthen social safety within your organisation.

  • Sector Assocation
    Join a professional or sector association for extra support, advice, and access to training and updates.
  • Risk Assessment and Evaluation (RI&E)
    An RI&E is legally required for all employers, including dance schools. It helps identify risks — such as unsafe conditions or inappropriate behaviour — and find solutions.
    This not only prevents incidents but also builds trust among members and staff and demonstrates compliance with safety regulations.
  • Sport RI&E  
  • Inclusion and Diversity
    A socially safe environment embraces diversity in backgrounds, needs, and identities.
    The Our Club is for Everyone programme supports sports and dance organisations in promoting inclusion and clear behavioural standards.
    For practiacal guidedance, consult resources from NOC*NSF and the Equal Play Alliance, and visit  MKB Toegankelijk  for free support on improving accessibility.
  • A strong anti-discrimination policy is essential: adopt a zero-tolerance approach and provide training on inclusive communication so everyone feels welcome and respected.

E-learning

A safe and respectful dance environment is essential for dancers of all ages and levels. That’s why it’s crucial that everyone involved — from teachers and school owners to volunteers and staff — knows how to recognise and prevent inappropriate behaviour.

Dans Veilig’s e-learning course Recognising and Preventing Inappropriate Behaviour (Dutch) offers the knowledge and tools needed to strengthen social safety in your dance school.
Take the course and make your dance school a safer space for everyone.

start e-learning

Poster

Dans Veilig has developed a poster to show that your organisation is committed to social safety. These posters have been distributed to dance schools across the Netherlands.
We encourage all school owners to display the poster in a visible spot.

If you haven’t received the poster and letter yet, don’t worry — you can download them below or request a printed copy via info@dansveilig.nl. 

download letter
download poster

Kennisbank

Dans Veilig’s Knowledge Base contains useful tools, training opportunities, and resources to help you promote social safety in your dance school.

Want to stay up to date on our activities?

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive the latest news and updates from Dans Veilig.