Voted 'LEADING PERFORMING ARTS EXAM BOARD' 2025
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Safeguarding means protecting children, young people, and vulnerable adults by creating safe, respectful, and professional learning environments. In the performing arts, this is about everyday practice, clear boundaries, and shared responsibility.
I-PATH supports teachers and studio owners with straightforward guidance, processes, and policies that work in real-life teaching environments. Our aim is to help you feel confident, compliant, and supported - without unnecessary jargon or confusion.
Anyone working with children or vulnerable adults must have up-to-date safeguarding training. I-PATH provides specialist safeguarding CPD and resources, helping you meet your legal duties and maintain the highest professional standards.
A DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service) is one of the key ways in the UK to help keep children and vulnerable adults safe. It shows whether a person is suitable to work in roles where they are teaching, supervising, or supporting others. If you run a studio or work as a teacher, having the right level of DBS check, kept up to date, is an important part of good safeguarding practice — not just a tick-box exercise.
For our international members, the DBS is a UK system, so it may not apply in the same way. However, the principle is the same worldwide: teachers and staff should have appropriate background checks that are recognised in their own country (such as police checks or criminal record certificates). I-PATH encourages all members, wherever they are based, to follow local legal requirements and to apply the highest safeguarding standards, especially when working with children and young people.
Step 1: Make Payment
The DBS fee is £75.
Pay by bank transfer to:
Account Name: International Performing Arts & Theatre Limited
Sort Code: 20-79-06
Account Number: 13268764
Reference: Your full name
Step 2: Email Your Details
Once payment is made, email the following to info@i-path.org:
Title, full name, date of birth, National Insurance number, mobile number, email address, role (set as Performing Arts Teacher), and city.
Step 3: Upload ID Documents
We will start your DBS application and you’ll receive an automated email to upload your ID via our system. Documents must be original, valid, and show your full legal name and current address.
Please also email copies to info@i-path.org for approval.
Step 4: Processing Time
Your DBS certificate usually arrives within 3–4 weeks once everything is complete.
Important
By applying, you agree to I-PATH’s Terms and Conditions. We use secure technology to verify ID documents. Any suspected fraudulent documents may be shared with validation providers and relevant authorities. Using false documents is a criminal offence under the Identity Documents Act 2010.
Once you’ve received your new DBS, we recommend adding it to the DBS Update Service for a small annual fee. This will keep your DBS certificate updated.
A DBS certificate must be added to the Update Service within 30 days of the certificate’s issue date.
If it is not registered within those 30 days, it cannot be added later, and the Update Service cannot be used for that certificate. In that case, a new DBS check will be required if you want Update Service coverage.
From a safeguarding best-practice point of view, I-PATH strongly recommends registering as soon as the certificate arrives, especially for teachers and freelancers working across multiple settings. This helps studios and organisations carry out ongoing status.
The DBS Update Service allows employers and studio owners to check whether a teacher or staff member’s DBS certificate is still valid and up to date, without needing to apply for a new one each time.
To carry out a check, you will need the individual’s permission, their DBS certificate number, Surname, and their date of birth. Once you have these, you can use the DBS Update Service to see whether there have been any changes to their certificate since it was issued. The result will clearly show whether the certificate remains current or if new information has been added.
This is a quick, secure, and recommended best-practice safeguarding tool, particularly for studios employing freelancers or working with visiting teachers. It helps ensure ongoing safeguarding compliance while reducing unnecessary repeat DBS applications.
To earn your 5 CPD points, you will receive an I-PATH Safeguarding Booklet and a Safeguarding Questionnaire to complete. Once finished, simply email your completed questionnaire to info@i-path.org. If you meet the required standard, you will receive your official I-PATH CPD Certificate, confirming your safeguarding training and CPD points.
The I-PATH Safeguarding Summit is our annual virtual CPD event, held every August, bringing together teachers, studio owners, examiners, and safeguarding professionals from across the performing arts industry. It is designed to keep safeguarding knowledge current, relevant, and sector-specific.
The Summit explores real safeguarding challenges, legal updates, emerging risks, and best practice across training and professional settings. Sessions are practical, accessible, and rooted in the realities of teaching and running performing arts organisations.
Attendance counts towards safeguarding CPD, helping you meet your legal responsibilities while staying confident, informed, and aligned with world-leading safeguarding standards.
Copyright © 2023 International Performing Arts & Theatre Limited - All Rights Reserved. Company Number: 7440007
I-PATH, 163 Herne Hill, London, SE24 9LR
General Enquiries: info@i-path.org
Exams & Global Operations: exams@i-path.org
Talent Agency: agency@i-path.org
Tel: 020 7078 8693
Patrons: Ross Campbell (Professor of Singing, Royal Academy of Music) & Layton Williams (West End Star & TV Actor)
Dr Adam Tate - Designated Safeguarding Officer
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