Wellbeing & Safety
While Swing North has its own Manifesto, which acts as a Code of Conduct, it also subscribes to (and contributed to the development of) the S.T.E.P.S. Code, which promotes appropriate behaviour at all participating swing dance classes and events; and has a framework for reporting problems or concerns.
Swing North has a dedicated Safety Team, who will listen to any concerns that you may have about the behaviour of a fellow attendee, volunteer or contractor.
If something or somebody makes you feel uncomfortable at a Swing North class or event, we encourage you to raise your concerns with any of the volunteer team, and if you wish, ask them to escalate it to the Safety Team on your behalf.
The current Safety Team is made up of the following volunteers…
Leanne F, Sarah J, Rob C, Hephzibah I, Marie S. They are supported by Caroline R, and board members Linford and Kevin.
The Safety Team reports to the Admin Board, but acts independently on initial disclosures, and won’t pass on specific details or identities, without the express permission of the person making the disclosure; except where either the law or safeguarding conventions dictate that it is necessary.
You can approach any of the Safety Team direct with any concerns of any nature. This could be face to face on a Tuesday, or via social media or online messaging. We have also subscribed to an online platform called trusty.report, which allows disclosures to be made anonymously (but you may also disclose your name).
Disclosures made via swingnorth.trusty.report will be seen by only those members of the Safety Team that do not sit on the board or core team, or anybody directly related to them.
If you feel that you can’t speak to anybody locally, or if you feel that a disclosure isn’t being taken seriously, the S.T.E.P.S. Network lists other swing dance organisations, whose representatives are willing to hear reports from any swing dancer, regardless of where they dance.
Likewise, dancers from elsewhere may contact Swing North’s Safety Team, with concerns or disclosures about an issue elsewhere in the swing dance community; either direct, or via swingnorth.trusty.report.