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Safety & Safeguarding

Dancing is a social contact sport. Stay safe, look after your fellow dancers and immerse yourself in the spirit of the evening.

The health and safety of all of our members is paramount. Please consider and demonstrate our following codes of best practice to ensure you and your fellow dancers enjoy a happy evening without injury.

On the dance floor

Ceroc is not a dance form in its own right, but a method of teaching. We adopt moves from a multitude of different dance forms, and would respectfully ask members only to dance movements and variations that they have learnt safely in a Ceroc dance class at a Ceroc event.

  • Always be aware of the space around you. Do you have enough room to step back? Can you help your partner avoid any collisions?
  • Avoid long travelling steps on a busy dance floor, and if you do perform them, make sure you are not walking into someone’s path.
  • Execute dips and drops with care, paying special consideration to the space around you. Do not execute dips and drops that you have never been taught before. ALWAYS seek permission from your partner if they are happy to execute dips and drops before trying them.
  • Do not try and dance movements that you have seen, but not yet been taught. Our teachers are trained to highlight potential hazards that you may not be aware of unless you have learned the move in a lesson.
  • When you enter the floor, do not step into the path of anyone dancing.
  • When your dance is finished, retreat to the side of the room being careful not to step on someone’s path.
  • Never assume your partner’s ability level. Start with some easy movements until you know how to pitch the dance. Beginners can be intimidated by someone who dances complex moves, and your role is to make your partner feel comfortable.
  • Do not teach, irrespective of your dance credentials! Leave it to the pros please!
  • Aerials and airsteps (where the feet leave the ground) are not permitted in social freestyle.

Off the dance floor

  • Do not walk across the floor with drinks, and keep them a safe distance away from the dance space, with their lids on.
  • Report any spillages immediately to an event organiser so they can be mopped up.
  • Do not place drinks on or near speakers or electronic equipment, but use the tables provided.
  • Keep your bags tucked away under the chairs, and ensure no coats are blocking the pathways.
  • Do not stand directly in front of or behind the fans. Not only is there a possible risk of clothing getting caught, but you will also significantly reduce the fan's ability to cool the room.
  • Do not stand on the stage near the DJ or speakers. Whilst diligent care is taken, there will be wires that could create a tripping hazard. 

Clothing

  • Always wear layers. Dancing is an aerobic sport, and you will warm up as the night progresses.
  • Avoid footwear with too much grip. Trainers and rubber soles can make the dance seem more demanding. Leather/suede soles are best, allowing your feet to move without resistance.
  • Beginners, avoid high heels until you are confident with your balance. As you progress to high heels, build your way up slowly to ensure you are in control of your weight transfer. 
  • Jewellery is discouraged, especially items that could catch another dancer. Long necklaces or sharp rings are a big hazard, so please avoid at all costs.

Hydration & Nutrition

  • Keep hydrated throughout the class and practice freestyle. Water will always be provided at our venues.
  • Some venues have a licensed bar, however the consumption of alcohol at our venues is rare. Over 18s, if you do choose to have a drink, please do so in moderation. Any excessive alcohol consumption will result in membership suspension, especially if is poses a risk to other dancers in the venue. 
  • Please avoid eating smelly foods before turning up to a dance night, and bring with you chewing gum or mouthwash to ensure you are hygienic for your partners. Do not chew gum whilst you are dancing however, as this poses a choking hazard. 
  • For more information about dance, fitness and nutrition, please book on to a Nutrition class at one of our weekender events, where our resident Ceroc teacher and Nutrition expert, Natalie Baker, will teach the best diet for efficient and healthy dance practise.

Hygiene

  • Please bring a change of top, particularly in the Summer months, as you will get sweaty.
  • Shower, brush your teeth and wear clean clothes to ensure you are presentable. Dance is a contact sport, and your partner will thank you for your vigilance!
  • Wear deodorant, and bring some extra in your bag. 
  • Wash your hands frequently throughout the evening, and consider bringing antibacterial hand gel as an extra precaution.

Differentiation or alternative educational needs:

The Ceroc teaching model has been developed as an inclusive educational experience for all learning abilities and Special Educational Needs. The Ceroc Teacher Training Association have developed a program for all teachers to appreciate diversity, and our education specialist is always on hand to provide resources to Ceroc Teacher Association members who need to assist those who find difficulty with talking and listening, social skills, emotional behaviour and/or physical restrictions. 

If you or somebody you know requires additional assistance in a Ceroc class, you can speak directly to your teacher or venue operator, or contact our education specialist directly at ceroc7@ceroc.com. Message now to find out more about English as an Additional Language students (EAL), visual or auditory impairments, learning, social or cognitive educational needs, physical disabilities including (but not exclusive to) paralysis, limited movement, amputation, injury or wheelchair dependency.

Please make contact with Ceroc prior to attending on your first night, to ensure the team can obtain resources and sources any further training that they will need to help you enjoy your evening. Non-dancing carers are invited to attend Ceroc evenings free of charge.

Safeguarding and inappropriate behaviour:

Ceroc operate a zero-tolerance policy towards antisocial behaviour on and off the dance floor at our events and classes, and a full commitment to protecting all of our members and promoting a happy, healthy and safe environment for everyone. Any report of harassment such as physical, personal, sexual, psychological, third party or discriminatory, including but not limited to, racial, gender, sexual, religious, age or disability discrimination, will be investigated and could result in membership withdrawal or legal prosecution. 

CONDUCT

We ask all of our members to conduct themselves in a thoughtful, considerate, healthy and appropriate manner at all of our events. 

  • Dancing is a contact sport. Ensure any physical connection with your partner is appropriate and considerate. Dance the moves as they are taught, and respect people’s opinions if they ask you to avoid certain movements.
  • Dancing is a great place to meet people and create new friends. Do not treat it as a pick up joint and do not misconstrue physical contact as anything other than dance technique and connection.
  • Be thoughtful when speaking to others. Ask for dances politely and understand that everybody has the right to refuse. Bad language, even said in jest, is inconsiderate of those around you, and should be avoided. 
  • Bullying, either physical or verbal, will not be tolerated, and could result in immediate suspension.
  • Always endeavour to reflect Ceroc’s values, and make your dance venue a safe and enjoyable space for all

EMPOWERMENT

Understand your rights as a Ceroc member and how you can protect yourself and others.

  • Have the confidence to speak politely to your fellow dancers if you are ever uncomfortable with their behaviour, always empathising that they may be unaware of what they have done or how it may have affected you.
  • If the behaviour persists, speak directly to a crew member, event organiser or teacher present that evening. This is the best way for effective action to be taken. Our team are always available to help, and if they do not have the resources to immediately assist, they will contact the appropriate bodies.
  • Understand you have a right to refuse any dance, being sure to consider the feelings of others when you respond.
  • Look out for your fellow dancers and speak out to an organiser if you witness any inappropriate behaviour. Always be available to offer support to those who ask.

ACTION

Ceroc will investigate all matters that have been reported, initially speaking to and requesting information from all parties involved, and then making a decision on the findings. In case of legal matters, or those that already have involvement by the police, the memberships of ALL parties will need to be temporarily suspended until a legal decision has been reached and communicated back to the event organiser. 

CONFIDENTIALITY

  • Ceroc (The Company) are entitled at any time to refuse you admission at any premises at which Ceroc dance classes or a Ceroc function of any nature is being held.
  • Pending or following complaints and investigation, Ceroc (The Company) will respect privacy laws and will therefore not discuss any investigations, decisions or convictions with any members or team members.
  • As a members only club, Ceroc reserves the right to suspend or withdraw any membership without explanation.

Safeguarding Young People:

Ceroc welcomes children and young adults to their classes. They too are expected to adhere to the guidelines above to ensure their safe and effective dance education. Young people have rights and choices, especially the right to be protected against harm. As an organisation, we want to work closely with our dancers to keep young people safe. Safeguarding children and protecting them from harm is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children has a role to play.

This includes:

  • protecting children from maltreatment
  • preventing impairment of children’s health or development
  • and taking action to enable all children to have the best experiences.

As a dancer, if you see something that concerns you, raise it with the appropriate crew members at the venue and do it as soon as possible. Be mindful of stereotypes and try not to make assumptions too quickly. For instance, many young people look ‘grown up’ but they are still children under the age of 18. If you find yourself making assumptions about a young person based on their behaviour, their dress or their presence, it is important to question yourself ‘Would I be responding in the same way if that was my daughter/son/friend’s child?’

It is good to know the common factors that might make young people more vulnerable to exploitation. Always use your judgement: if you have a feeling a young person is in danger or needs help, speak to the appropriate teacher or event organiser immediately. Behaviours that could be observable:

  • The young person looking uncomfortable dancing with somebody
  • The young person having multiple dances with one individual, and feeling unable to socialise with the wider dance community at the venue
  • The young person seeming unattended or ignored by the parent/legal guardian
  • The young person making disclosures and then withdrawing them
  • The young person asking for help and then rejecting it
  • The young person acting out, appearing to be difficult, angry or aggressive
  • The young person refusing to acknowledge that an event has occurred, even if you have just seen something happen

Ceroc (The Company) have strict rules for young people who attend their classes, and these rules will be managed by the membership secretaries, event organisers and all other crew present at the Ceroc event. 

  • All under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is responsible for them for the entire evening. 
  • Non-Dancing parents/legal guardians are invited to attend Ceroc events free of charge, however will need to remain present, taking vigilant care of their young person, for the duration of their attendance at the event.
  • Parents/legal guardians can choose to participate in the lesson as a fixed partnership with their young person, or can select a fixed partner for their young person, for the duration of both lessons. 
  • Parents/legal guardians must understand that adults also attend Ceroc classes, and that there is no practical method of obtaining records of attendees. Any inappropriate behaviour must be reported to a teacher or event organiser immediately, and the minor removed from the lesson/freestyle whilst the matter is dealt with.
  • Parents/legal guardians must promote the morals, ethics and responsibilities of all other dancers in Ceroc, and must instil these moral and ethical expectations with their young people prior to attending. 

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