Dancehouse Policies are developed in line with our Code of Conduct to reflect the standards of Dancehouse, and our expectations for those who engage with us.

Reporting

Dancehouse is committed to transparent, timely and confidential processes, and takes all reports seriously. Completing an Incident Report allows you to record and notify the correct person in the Dancehouse organisation of an incident. Incidents may include breaches of the Dancehouse Code of Conduct, a near miss or injury, a complaint, an experience of discrimination, or a comment on these policies.

Incident Reports can be completed by anyone engaging with or at Dancehouse, including employees, hirers, users, artists and the general public.

You can nominate who the form should be directed to Dancehouse Operations Manager (Jacqui Martin); Dancehouse Production Manager (Rebecca Etchell); Dancehouse CEO/Artistic Director (Joshua Wright), or Dancehouse Chair (Melanie Lane).

You may either:

1. Complete the online form;
2. Complete the word document and email directly to any of the people indicated above;
3. Request a confidential conversation with any of the people above, and they will complete the form on your behalf.

The reporting process is as follows:

1. In all instances, you will receive a soft copy of your report.
2. The chosen recipient will acknowledge in writing receipt of your report within 2 business days.
3. Dancehouse reviews the Incident within 7 days
4. Dancehouse communicates any actions within 7 days

Report an Incident — Operations or Production

Report an Incident — Director / CEO

Report an Incident — Board Chair

WorkCover — If you are employed by Dancehouse as a salaried employee or as a contracted artist, you are insured by Dancehouse’s WorkCover Insurance. Claims process is outlined in the WorkCover Policy.

Dancehouse Code of Conduct

This policy affirms Dancehouse’s belief in responsible social and ethical behaviour. Dancehouse expects cooperation from all persons engaged with Dancehouse in conducting themselves in a professional, ethical and socially acceptable manner of the highest standards. This policy clarifies the standards of behaviour that Dancehouse expects of all employees, artists, contractors, volunteers, general public, venue users, and all others engaged in activity at Dancehouse or Dancehouse offsite programs. The Code of Conduct does not replace legislation and if any part of it is in conflict, then legislation takes precedence. 

Policy

Act in and maintain a high standard of integrity and professionalism;

Be considerate and respectful of others and recognise Dancehouse as professional environment;

Exercise fairness, equality, courtesy, consideration and sensitivity in dealing with each other: employees, contractors, stakeholders, suppliers and members of the public;

Treat all Dancehouse staff, other members of the public, and other venue users with respect and civility;

Under no circumstances partake in behaviour that could be described as bullying, discrimination or harassment;

Perform duties with skill, honesty, care and diligence;

Abide by policies, procedures and lawful directions from Dancehouse and our stakeholders;

Be responsible and scrupulous in the proper use of Company information, funds, equipment and facilities;

Adhere to instructions relating to venue use, access and CovidSafety;

Avoid conflict of interests and declare any conflict of interest to the Artistic Director / CEO as soon as they arise;

Under no circumstances may Dancehouse employees offer or accept money for personal advantage;

Anyone engaged with Dancehouse who in good faith discloses an alleged breach of this Code of Conduct, whilst following correct reporting procedures, will not be disadvantaged or prejudiced. All reports will be dealt with in a timely and confidential manner.

ACTION PLAN:

Disability Action Plan

This policy is for the purpose of ensuring accessibility and inclusion in Dancehouse’s employment and programming practices.

Policy

This policy is available in full and updated on our Action Plan.

Diversity Action Plan

This policy is for the purpose of ensuring diversity in arts practice, culturally safe spaces, and self-determination in Dancehouse’s employment and programming practices.

Policy

This policy is available in full and updated on our Action Plan.

Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Action Plan

This policy is for the purpose of ensuring accessibility, cultural safety, self determination, and opportunity to First Nations artists in Dancehouse’s employment and programming practices.

Policy

This policy is available in full and updated on our Action Plan.

Climate Crisis Action Plan

This policy is for the purpose of ensuring Dancehouse advocates and supports programs engaging with climate activism, and establishing best practices for the Dancehouse venue.

Policy

This policy is available in full and updated on our Action Plan.

Anti-Modern Slavery Policy

Slavery, forced labour, servitude, and human trafficking are types of ‘Modern Slavery’ – criminal activity that deprives victims of their liberty and usually involves financial and other Exploitation.

Dancehouse operates ethically and with respect to fundamental human rights. Dancehouse is committed to ensure, to the best of our ability, that there is no Modern Slavery in any part of our operations or supply chain. We respect and support the dignity and well-being of our employees, artists, and the wider community with whom we engage.

Should Dancehouse become aware that any supplier has an incident of Modern Slavery in its business or its supply chain, we will engage with the supplier and if necessary terminate the relationship.

As a small organisation, Dancehouse takes a risk-based approach to preventing Modern Slavery, by focusing on identification and assessment of the higher-risk areas in our business and direct (tier 1) suppliers. We are committed to continuing to learn and improve our practices to prevent Modern Slavery.

Dancehouse’s CEO has overall responsibility for ensuring this policy is implemented and complied with.

Collections and Archives

This policy is for the purpose of outlining how the institution values and is committed to both building the legacy of the organisation and contributing to the histories of its art form through regular organisational practices of archiving and digital preservation.

Definitions

Archive:

An archive is a collection of historical documents or records providing information and resources about a place, institution, or group. Dancehouse’s archives consist of both physical and digital items such as photographs, recordings, and documents. The archives are a vital part of the Dancehouse’s legacy and contribution to the literacy of the art form through reference, education, and research.

Intellectual Property:

Intellectual property (IP) is the intangible property that is the result of creativity. For the purposes of this definition the intellectual property of a Dancehouse Program belongs to the choreographer / artist who created it, and appropriate permissions must be obtained from the IP holder for documentation, preservation, and dissemination of the work. This permission is stipulated in the contract with the choreographer / artist.

Metadata:

Metadata is a set of data that describes and provides information about other data, providing context. Dancehouse ensures that archived items will contain important metadata including dates, location, choreographer, artists, program, etc.

Policy

Dancehouse seeks to select and permanently preserve records and artefacts that are needed on an ongoing basis by the organisation and the dance community that document the Dancehouse’s impact and legacy on history, culture and society, and the arts community; those associated with Dancehouse both past and present; and any records legally required to be preserved, including: Documentation and preservation of key Dancehouse Programs; Corporate Records; Production Materials; Marketing and Publicity; Memorabilia and Artefacts.

Dancehouse will preserve the fullest, highest-quality available version of the material, whenever possible and always incorporate the (descriptive, structural and administrative) metadata associated with it. Dancehouse will preserve archives indefinitely (up to 10/20/30 years) as long as it can be physically and digitally supported.

Dancehouse continually reviews digital preservation methods and actions changes to archive storage to best support the intended length of preservation. Engaging with other organisations to assist in the preservation of the archive is preferable.

Dancehouse will ensure that the organisation holds or has obtained the appropriate permissions in regards to responsibilities or restrictions to access and/to preserve the material and that all intellectual property rights and stipulations have been agreed to with the content owner/author, including modality and duration of access to the material.

Confidentiality and Privacy

This policy is in relation to individuals engaged with Dancehouse as the following, but not limited to: staff member, volunteer, intern, contractor, venue user, audience member, ticket holder, resident and workshop participant.

Policy

Confidentiality:

Contracts with Dancehouse including, but not limited to a Project Agreement, Letter of Engagement, or a Letter of Employment include a clause on Confidentiality. This includes having access to and be entrusted with information concerning personnel, governance issues and commercial affairs of Dancehouse. It may also include a clause on embargoed information as it relates to a particular project. Such information is or may be confidential and the contractor agrees not to disclose such information publicly upon signing a contract or agreement with Dancehouse.

Privacy:

Individuals who engage with Dancehouse as including, but not limited to an audience member, participant, ticket holder, venue user, member or subscriber may over the course of this engagement provide Dancehouse with personal details such as email, phone number, address, concession status, gender identity and/or other identifying data.

This information is used for the following purposes: contacting individuals in relation to a ticketed event, booking enquiry, membership or other Dancehouse activity; non-identifying statistical reports including marketing statistics, Annual Report or grant reporting requirements; informing previous participants of similar opportunities. Dancehouse utilises an opt-in policy for marketing and newsletter communications, and does not share data with other third-parties.

Third party applications in use by Dancehouse include e-news, financial, venue booking and ticketing. These applications have terms and conditions relating to data protection and privacy. Please contact Dancehouse if you would like more information.

Conflict of Interest

This policy is for outlining the expectations placed upon Dancehouse board members and staff with regard to situations where there may be real, potential or perceived conflicts of interest, and to protect the public interest.

Definitions

Conflict of Interest:

Staff member activities or relationships which may be / appear to be inconsistent with performance of duties and abilities of judgement on behalf of Dancehouse.

Exploitation of a staff member’s position with Dancehouse for the purpose of financial gain, including but not limited to: vested or financial interest(s) or relationship(s) with the provider(s) of commercial services; If a staff or board member, or any immediate family serves as an officer, director, partner, employee, consultant, or agent of a commercial organisation, owns an equity interest in a commercial organisation, has received compensation during the prior twelve months, or has contracted to receive compensation during the next twelve months, from a commercial organisation.

Additionally, if the commercial organisation intends to fund proposed activity that the individual will perform for Dancehouse; currently funds activity that the individual performs for Dancehouse; or will receive payment for goods or services in connection with activity that the individual performs for Dancehouse.

Non-financial Conflict:

A professional relationship where an applicant for space grants, performances, and other non-financial opportunities is known to Dancehouse staff and / or board members.

Policy

A conflict of interest may be identified by any Dancehouse staff or board member, or other stakeholder. If a conflict of interest is identified the affected activity should be avoided so as to remove the conflict of interest; activity may proceed with some alterations to the activity and full disclosure of the conflict. 

Full disclosure of a potential conflict of interest must occur prior to any programming or financial decisions including contracting; this may include completing a Conflict Of Interest Declaration.

Failure to disclose a conflict of interest will be dealt with by the Dancehouse Board, in interest with Dancehouse’s standing in the community. Reporting to the Chair of the Board is available through this form.

Dancehouse Statements & Supporting Freedom of Cultural Expression

Dancehouse represents a diversity of visions, practices, and generations committed to the expression, development and celebration of dance artists, and the artform itself.

Dancehouse aims to create a safe, respectful and welcoming space for artists, communities, audiences, our dance sector, and our team.

At times, artists’ works may be provocative, political, and offer perspectives not shared by all audiences. This is the nature of art and art-making.

Dancehouse supports and respects artists’ and communities’ fundamental right to express their artistic and political views at Dancehouse without fear of retribution, and in keeping with principles of freedom of cultural expression. This creative freedom does not extend to defamation, vilification, discrimination, or urging violence.

Although Dancehouse is not a representative organisation, Dancehouse is an expert organisation and will actively speak, advocate, and make statements about dance and the dance sector locally, nationally and internationally.

Dancehouse will not speak or claim to speak on behalf of all dance communities or artists. Our organisation and community holds a plurality of views and, beyond the subject of dance, we are not experts, and will not make statements.

Dancehouse resolutely stands against hate speech, bigotry, discrimination, racism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, antisemitism and Islamophobia.

Questions or breaches of this policy can be raised through Dancehouse’s Incident Reporting mechanisms at the top of this page.

Equal Employment Opportunity

When seeking employees, Dancehouse preferences dance artists and the engagement of First Peoples, women, trans and gender diverse people, People of Colour, and/ or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people in the recruitment and appointment of roles. Many Dancehouse roles work closely with local artists and communities, many of whom will be proud members of these cultures, identities, communities, and experiences.

Financial Policy and Approvals

This policy is for the purpose of ensuring accuracy and transparency in Dancehouse’s financial procedures.

Policy

Dancehouse processes Accounts Payable every week on a Wednesday.

• Invoices submitted to Dancehouse must be approved by the assigned Manager (i.e. Program Manager)
• Once approved, invoices are submitted to the Operations Manager for processing
• Once submitted for processing, the Artistic Director / CEO approves payments in the bank
• If an invoice has not been processed within 14 days of receipt, please contact [email protected]

Dancehouse has the following signatories attached to their Financial Institution:

• Artistic Director / CEO
• Operations Manager
• Treasurer of the Board

Sexual Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination

Dancehouse recognises the diversity of its workforce and is committed to ensuring all workers are respected and valued. As such, Dancehouse endeavours to provide workers with a safe, inclusive and flexible work environment free from all forms of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and bullying.

All Dancehouse workers are required to treat others fairly with dignity, courtesy and respect.

By implementing this policy, Dancehouse sets out that unlawful discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and bullying will not be tolerated. Disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment/cessation of engagement, may be taken against workers who breach this policy.

This policy applies while the worker is at work. It also extends to work-related functions and to conduct outside of work where there is a sufficient connection to the workplace, including, but not limited to, the following circumstances:

• All aspects of employment including recruitment and selection, conditions and benefits, training and promotion, task allocation, shifts, hours, leave arrangements, workload, equipment and transport.
• On-site, off-site or after-hours work, work-related social functions
• Use of social media and other electronic communication (e.g. emails).
• Workers’ treatment of other workers, clients, visitors and members of the public encountered in the course of undertaking their duties for Dancehouse. 

All workers are entitled to:

• A workplace free from discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and bullying.
• The right to raise Issues or to make an enquiry or complaint In a reasonable and respectful manner without being victimised.
• Request to have a support person (e.g. a co-worker, friend, family member or union representative) present during the complaints process.
• Reasonable flexibility In working arrangements, especially where needed to accommodate family responsibilities, disability, religious beliefs or culture. 
• Have recruitment and selection decisions based on merit and not affected by personal characteristics (unless permitted by law). 

All workers must:

• Comply with the standards of behaviour outlined in this policy, the Code of Conduct and other related policies.
• Treat everyone with dignity, courtesy and respect at all times.
• Where appropriate, offer support to people who experience discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and bullying, such as providing Information about how to make a complaint.
• Avoid gossip about historical matters or matters that are subject of a current complaint or Investigation.
• Respect the confidentiality of complaint resolution procedures.
• Where applicable, assist and cooperate In the Investigation of complaints made under this policy.
• Participate In training provided by Dancehouse around workplace discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and bullying.
• Take bystander action (if safe to do so) If they see or hear about discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment or bullying in the workplace. 

If a worker engages in discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, bullying, vilification or victimisation, or otherwise breaches this policy, they may be subject to disciplinary action which may lead to the termination of their employment or engagement with Dancehouse.

Workers may also be held personally liable for their own behaviour or conduct. This means that when a worker undertakes discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, bullying, vilification or victimisation, the worker may be subject to a penalty or an order from the regulator, the Fair Work Commission or another relevant tribunal or court. 

Dancehouse’s CEO has overall responsibility for ensuring this policy is implemented and complied with.

Reporting of an incident can be done through our reporting detailed at the top of this page. Dancehouse is committed to transparent, timely and confidential processes, and takes all reports seriously. Completing an Incident Report allows you to record and notify the correct person in the Dancehouse organisation of an incident. 

Incident Reports can be completed by anyone engaging with or at Dancehouse, including employees, hirers, users, artists and the general public.

Social Procurement Policy

Dancehouse’s Social Procurement Policy aims to ensure value-for-money considerations are not solely focused on price, but encompass opportunities to deliver social and sustainable outcomes that benefit the community and Dancehouse’s strategic plan.

Social procurement objectives and priorities include:

Opportunities for Local businesses and Dance artists
— Purchasing from local suppliers and businesses
— Purchasing from businesses owned or operated by dance artists

Opportunities for Aboriginal people
— Purchasing from Aboriginal businesses
— Employment of Victorian Aboriginal people by suppliers

Opportunities for Victorians with disability
— Purchasing from Victorian social enterprises and Australian Disability Enterprises
— Employment of Victorians with disability by suppliers

Procurement will be undertaken with the view of equity and sustainable objectives including: 
— Purchasing from Victorian social enterprises
— Gender equality within suppliers
— Job readiness and employment initiatives (long-term unemployed, disengaged youth, single parents, migrants and refugees, workers in transition)
— Suppliers who comply with industrial relations laws and promote secure employment
— Suppliers articulating sustainability goals and low carbon emission procurement and supply considering:

• maximising recyclable/recovered content;
• local sourced and reduced freight weight and distance
• minimising waste and greenhouse gas emissions;
• conserving energy and water;
• minimising habitat destruction and environmental degradation; and
• providing non-toxic solutions

Ticketing Terms and Conditions of Purchase

This policy is for the purpose of all publicly ticketed events at Dancehouse, including at Dancehouse 150 Princes Street Carlton North VIC 3054, any associated offsite events at different locations, and any virtual and/or digital events held completely online.

Definitions

Box Office: The Box Office is the point of sale for ticketed events at Dancehouse, or at an offsite venue. It is staffed and opened from 20 minutes prior to a performance; there is no contact number. The Box Office is permitted to sell tickets for the performance occurring for which it has opened, books, snacks and cold drinks. Alcohol is able to be sold between the hours of 5PM-11PM only and must be consumed within the venue.

Latecomers: Latecomers are patrons who have purchased tickets to an event, or wish to purchase tickets to an event, who arrive at the venue after the advertised start time and after the performance has already begun. Dancehouse is not responsible for patrons who are unable to arrive at the venue prior to the advertised start time of the event.

Lockout: A lockout is when no latecomers are permitted to gain entry to a performance after the doors to the theatre are closed and after the performance has begun. Reasons to lockout an event include, but are not limited to:

• The discretion of the artist;
• Maintaining the artistic quality of the work;
• The stage must be crossed to access the seating.

Policy

Events at Dancehouse are General Admission. All pre-sale bookings must be paid in advance via Humanitix — due to capacity limitations, Dancehouse cannot guarantee that tickets will be available at the Box Office. Dancehouse encourages purchasing pre-sale tickets. Any tickets purchased through Humanitix will incur a 0.50c administration charge.

Patrons can book tickets in advance for events any time online at Humanitix; Pre-sale bookings may need to close up to two hours prior to the advertised start time in some circumstances. All tickets will be sent via email and are not required to be printed. 

If a performance sells all available tickets prior to the beginning of a performance, it is Sold Out. Additional tickets cannot be sold unless a seat becomes available, which is not guaranteed. If there is a late entry point, Dancehouse may offer uncollected tickets to any waitlisted patrons at a discount.

Refunds and Exchanges

Dancehouse offers no refunds on tickets sold except in line with the Live Performance Australia Ticketing Code of Practice. These exceptions include:

• Where a performance is rescheduled/cancelled and no viable exchange option is available to the patron;
• Where a booking has been made through an error on Dancehouse’s behalf and the patron has notified us prior to the ticketed event;
• Where a performance fails to meet the patron’s expectations due to acknowledged false, misleading or deceptive representation regarding the performance.

Refunds will not be provided for:

• Patrons who are no longer able to or choose not to attend a ticketed event, or who have been asked to leave the venue with just cause;
• Patrons who arrive at the venue after the performance has begun, and a lockout is in place.

Exchanges will be provided under the following circumstances, and at the discretion of Dancehouse staff:

• Where the exchange is for a different session time for the same event and can be actioned within Dancehouse’s ticketing system;
• Where the patron has contacted Dancehouse prior to the first date of the entire Season;
• Where there are tickets available for the desired exchange.

COVID-19 refunds and exchanges

In the instance that a patron cannot attend the event due to a COVID requirement to test and isolate. Dancehouse can action the following:

• An exchange to another session of the same performance;
• Where an exchange is not possible, (e.g. the patron will not be out of isolation until after the event) a full refund.

In order for the above to be completed the patron will be required to send an email to Dancehouse with proof of communication from the DHHS of a requirement to test and isolate.

Ticket Types

Full Price: General Admission

Concession: Children aged 16 and under; full-time students; Health/Pension/Seniors card holders; Unwaged

Members / Locals: Individuals who have an active Dancehouse Membership, or are a resident of the City of Yarra.

MobTix: For First Nations community and Elders

Companion Card: Dancehouse participates in the Victorian Government’s Companion Card Scheme enabling equal access for patrons who require a companion. A Companion Card ticket must be purchased in conjunction with a paid ticket and can be used for the purposes of: a companion card holder, or an additional seat requirement related to access. Dancehouse strives to improve access for all people; please contact Dancehouse or visit the event page on the Dancehouse website for full access information for each event.

Children: Under two years do not require a ticket when not occupying a seat, and over two years require a concession ticket; Under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a full paying adult, and must not be left unaccompanied for the duration of any show. Dancehouse reserves the right to refuse entry to children if the event is advertised as an 18+ event.

Dancehouse reserves the right to ask patrons to pay the difference for a full priced ticket if a concession card or proof of Dancehouse Membership is not presented upon ticket collection.

Privacy and Data Collection

Personal details collected when making a booking are never passed on to any third party, except in Dancehouse reports that do not contain names or contact information. Phone numbers and email addresses are used for contact in the case of event cancellation or other necessary contact regarding a specific booking. Patrons are only signed up to the Dancehouse mailing list if they give consent at the time of booking. If you wish to unsubscribe or have been subscribed in error, please contact our administration on 03 9347 2860 or by email.

Accuracy

Every effort is made to ensure that dates, times, prices and other information are correct at time of publishing. All dates, prices and programs are subject to change, amendment, cancellation or postponement without notice. For up-to-date information, please check the Dancehouse Website. Upon being made aware of a change in an event’s details, Dancehouse will make every attempt to notify all patrons that have already booked for the event as soon as possible. All communication regarding tickets at Dancehouse will be sent via Humanitix including event reminders, COVIDSafety and cancellations.

Venue Use and Hiring Dancehouse

This policy is intended for all persons who intend to and are accessing the Dancehouse Venue for the purposes of rehearsals, creative development, private coaching, public classes and workshops, residencies, private showings, public performances and all other paid or in kind use of the venue.

Policy

The Venue User must complete and agree to the following:

• Venue Use Agreement
• Booking and Cancellations Policy
• Code of Conduct 
• Working with Children and Childsafe 

Any Venue User found to be in breach of the above will forfeit the right to access Dancehouse for the purposes listed above.

The following is available to the Venue User if needed:

• Venue Induction

Bookings and Cancellations

About Dancehouse

Dancehouse is first and foremost a performance venue, with dedicated annual programming, performance seasons, residencies and other opportunities for artists. As such, venue hire has limited and varied availability throughout the year. 

Bookings

All current booking information is available on our Spaces page. 

All booking requests must be received via a Booking Enquiry Form; a Dancehouse staff member will respond within 3 business days to discuss and or confirm your booking.

Dancehouse has the following confirmation schedule (subject to change):

January — June: Confirmed from October the year prior
July — December: Confirmed from April the year of

All confirmed bookings are managed through SKEDDA, including:

• Bookings
• Payments
• Cancellations / amendments
• Access instructions
• Links to key documents including the Venue Use Agreement and Venue Information

A booking in SKEDDA is 100% confirmed and subject to our cancellation policy. All bookings must be paid for in advance through SKEDDA — 24-72 hours prior. If a payment is unsuccessful, the user will be contacted, and the booking and/or future bookings may be forfeited.

It is the responsibility of the user to check their confirmed bookings in SKEDDA. If a user misses a confirmed booking in SKEDDA the booking must be paid in full. If a user attends Dancehouse under the assumption that they have a booking, and it is not in SKEDDA, Dancehouse is not liable.

The SKEDDA calendar in Dancehouse is view only. To request a booking, check availability in SKEDDA and then submit a Booking Enquiry Form

All Lead Hirers (the name the booking is made under in SKEDDA) must:

• Complete the Venue Use Agreement

Cancellations

Single bookings (one-off or in a series) can be cancelled by the user directly through SKEDDA up to 72 hours prior to the booking at no cost. A booking can only be cancelled through SKEDDA; emails or phone calls will not be actioned. Multiple day / weeklong bookings must pay a 25% non-refundable deposit 4 weeks prior to the booking, and the subsequent bookings can be cancelled by the user directly through SKEDDA up to 72 hours prior to the booking at no cost.

Cancellations within 72 hours will be charged the full cost of the booking; if a booking is cancelled within 72 hours and the user’s card is unable to be charged, they will forfeit the ability to hire Dancehouse in future.

Dancehouse’s performance program sometimes changes; if a confirmed booking in SKEDDA must be amended or cancelled due to a program, Dancehouse will attempt to inform the user a minimum of 4 weeks prior to the booking, however this may not always be possible.

Any cancellations due to COVID-19 and government regulations will be refunded the full cost of the booking, including deposit. This includes:

• Government enforced shutdown
• Capacity restrictions that inhibit the intended activities of the booking
• The lead hirer or a member of the hiring group not attending Dancehouse due to isolation requirements

Any refunds processed to teachers whose bookings have been cancelled due to the above reasons should be passed on to the students who have paid to attend.

Working with Children and Childsafe

This policy is in relation to all children and minors who access Dancehouse, and in particular staff, individuals, teachers, and volunteers who run activities, classes and workshops intended for children at Dancehouse in relation to the Childsafe Standards and Reportable Conduct Scheme (2017) and the new Standards announced in 2021.

Policy

Dancehouse is committed to the safety of children and does not tolerate abuse of any kind. Dancehouse has a moral and legal obligation to contact authorities in the instance of allegations. Dancehouse is committed to training all staff and volunteers in best practice and expect the same from the individuals and teachers whose activities involve children. These individuals and teachers are legally held to the same reporting requirements as Dancehouse staff.

The new Standards have been updated to include cultural safety for diverse and indigenous children, a focus on consultation with children, families and communities in relation to the policy, and promotion of safety and wellbeing in both physical and online settings.

All individuals and teachers whose activities involve children must:

• Have a current Working With Children Check
• Have relevant insurance for their activities
• Supervise minors at all times
• Inform Dancehouse immediately of any emergency, instance of abuse or other safety concern
• Ensure children are culturally safe and can express and enjoy their cultural rights

To increase the strength of this policy and encourage community consultation, Dancehouse encourages feedback from students, teachers and groups who work with children. To do so you can:

• Submit an incident report
• Email the Operations Manager or Artistic Director
• Call the office on 03 9347 2860

Legal Responsibilities

Failure to disclose: All adults in Victoria who have a reasonable belief that an adult has committed a sexual offence against a child under 16 have an obligation to report that information to the police.

Failure to protect: It is an offence to know of a substantial risk of child sexual abuse and have the power or responsibility to reduce or remove the risk, but negligently fail to do so.

Mandatory Reporters: All adults in Victoria are mandatory reporters, and must comply with their duties.

Further information is available on the Department of Justice and Regulation website.

Reporting

Use the reporting features listed above to immediately and confidentially report an allegation to Dancehouse. To submit a report to the Director / CEO use this form.

All personal information considered or recorded will respect the privacy of the individuals involved, whether they be staff, volunteers, parents or children, unless there is a risk to someone’s safety.

Workplace Health and Safety and Risk Assessment

This policy is for the purpose of ensuring employees and artists contracted under an Agreement.

Policy

Operational Health and Safety is everybody’s responsibility; Dancehouse, employees, artists engaged by Agreement, and venue hire users.

• All Dancehouse employees and artists engaged through payroll (PAYG) are covered by Dancehouse’s WorkCover Insurance. For more information on WorkCover, please see the WorkCover policy.
• All venue hire users and their participants are covered by Dancehouse’s Public Liability Insurance.
• Venue hire users engaging in Public Classes, Workshops or Events are required to provide their own Public Liability Insurance for their activities.
• All artists engaged by Agreement and venue hire users must complete a Venue Use Agreement. Any activity not permitted by the Venue Use Agreement stipulations must be submitted to and approved by the Production Manager. A Risk Assessment template will be provided.
• Dancehouse employees are certified as required for their role, e.g. RSA, Working With Children, First Aid.

Worksafe and Accidents at Dancehouse

If you are employed by Dancehouse as a salaried employee or as a contracted artist engaged through payroll (PAYG), you are insured by Dancehouse’s WorkCover Insurance.

If you sustain an injury while employed by Dancehouse, please follow the below steps:

1. Submit an Incident Report Form on the Dancehouse website.
2. Complete an Injured Worker Claim Form — accessible on the WorkSafe website.
3. Return the form to Dancehouse; Dancehouse has 10 calendar days from the receipt of the Injured Worker Claim Form to submit to WorkCover.
4. The WorkCover eligibility process can take 5-7 days. Once confirmed, the claim is sent to the WorkCover Claims team for processing.
5. If seeing a medical professional about an injury, please request a medical certificate or report and send a copy to Dancehouse.

If you are seeking treatment from a medical service provider for an injury that you are submitting a WorkCover claim for, please be advised:

• The medical service provider must be registered with WorkSafe — check at the time of booking
• You must inform the medical service provider prior to services rendered that a WorkCover claim is being processed and a claim number will be provided
• Request not to pay up front / be out of pocket if possible. Once the claim number is provided to the medical service provider, payments will be managed by Dancehouse
• If payment is required by the medical service provider, request that the bill is charged at the correct WorkCover rates and item codes.
• Keep a record of all expenses