SAFEGUARDING POLICY (2021)
1. Safeguarding Policy – Overview
1.1 Commitment to safeguarding: Aldeburgh Music Club choir (AMC) believes that a child, young person or adult at risk should never experience abuse of any kind. We recognise that we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk. We are committed to safeguarding the well-being of all children, young people and adults at risk we come into contact with and to protecting them from harm.
1.2 About this policy: This policy applies to all members, staff (whether employees or freelances), volunteers and anyone working on behalf of AMC or taking part in AMC activities. The purpose of this policy is to provide members, staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to the protection of all vulnerable people.
1.3 Vulnerable people: This policy recognises vulnerable people as:
• Children up to the age of 16 or young people aged 16-18.
• Adults aged over 18 at risk as defined by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. This might include adults with a learning or physical disability, a physical or mental illness, chronic or otherwise, including an addiction to alcohol or drugs, or reduced physical or mental capacity. This policy also recognises risk is determined by the activity an adult is taking part in and not solely on the personal characteristics or circumstances of the adult, as such any adult can be at risk, and the risk can be temporary.
1.4 Aims: This policy aims to:
• protect children, young people and adults at risk who are members of, receive services from, or volunteer for AMC;
• ensure members, staff and volunteers working with children, young people and adults at risk are carefully recruited and understand and accept responsibility for the safeguarding of those vulnerable individuals with whom they are interacting;
• ensure that safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk is a primary consideration when AMC undertakes any activity, event or project.
1.5 How AMC might work with vulnerable people: membership of AMC is open to anyone. We run regular rehearsals for members and put on concerts for the general public. As such, our involvement with vulnerable people might include, but is not limited to:
• Members of the group who attend rehearsals and concerts.
• Relatives and friends of members who attend rehearsals and concerts in a volunteering capacity.
• Musicians (singers or instrumentalists) invited to take part in an AMC event from time to time in an amateur or professional capacity.
• Audience members at public concerts.
1.6 Named safeguarding person: AMC’s Named Person has responsibility for safeguarding issues. All queries and concerns relating to safeguarding should be referred to the Named Person in the first instance. As at the date hereof, the Named Person for the purpose of this Safeguarding Policy is Helen Tye. Any projects, events or other activities that will involve vulnerable people must be planned with the involvement of the Named Person and in line with established procedures and ground rules (see below).
2. Safeguarding Policy – Ground rules, ways of working and procedures
2.1 Ground rules and ways for working regarding the safeguarding of vulnerable people
2.1.1 When AMC organises an activity or event where vulnerable people are involved, they will ensure:
• Planning is carried out in line with the procedures set out in this policy.
• The event is attended by an appropriate number of DBS checked adults – this will be a minimum of one but more when practically possible.
• Where practically possible the total number of adults in attendance (not necessarily DBS checked) compared with the total number of children will be in line with the ratio table below – as per Ofsted recommendations.
• There is a main contact for safeguarding on the day – this will be an individual who has been DBS checked.
• The main contact has access to emergency contact details and other relevant details (e.g. information about picking up arrangements for vulnerable people).
• That if vulnerable people of different gender will be taking part in activities, adults of different gender will be in attendance too.
• A vulnerable person is not to be left alone with an adult, unless that adult is DBS checked and carrying out regulated activity.
• Two adults (one DBS checked) should be the last to leave a venue once the activity has finished and will be responsible for ensuring vulnerable people get home safely.
2.1.2 Child to adult ratio table:
Childs age Number of adults Number of children
0-2 1 3
2-3 1 4
4-8 1 6
9-12 1 8
12-18 1 10
2.1.2 Working with parents/guardians: If a vulnerable person wishes to take part in AMC activities, written (includes email) permission should be obtained from parents/guardians where appropriate, and before the activity takes place. Written permission should include emergency contact details and relevant pick-up arrangements – including permission for another adult to pick up the vulnerable person after the activity has finished.
2.2 Procedures for raising safeguarding concerns and incidents of abuse
2.2.1 If any member, staff or volunteer of AMC witnesses, suspects, or is informed of a witnessed or suspected case of abuse, they should immediately report it to the Named Person.
2.2.2 If the Named Person is not available, or is involved in or connected to, the abuse, it should be reported to the AMC’s Chairman for the time being or a DBS checked adult.
2.2.3 If an individual wishes to report an incident of abuse against themselves they should report it to the Named Person or an individual they trust.
2.3 Procedures for dealing with concerns and incidents of abuse
2.3.1 The Named Person (or the person to whom an incident of abuse is reported in their absence) will first make a decision based on the immediacy of the concern and the following two factors:
(i) If the vulnerable person is in immediate danger or needs emergency medical attention – call the police and/or ambulance service.
(ii) If the person at the centre of the allegation is working with vulnerable persons at the current time – remove them, in a sensitive manner, from direct contact with vulnerable people and follow the procedures below.
2.3.2 If neither of the above applies, the Named Person will:
(i) Make a note of the concerns reported to them.
(ii) Speak with committee members to decide how to handle the reported abuse, excluding any committee members who are involved in the incident.
(iii) Escalate the report by:
• Raising concerns with the police – for serious or possible criminal offences; or
• Requesting an assessment by the local authority social care department about whether a vulnerable person is in need of protection; or
• Instigating an internal investigation – for less serious incidents where they feel internal mediation will be successful and appropriate.
2.3.3 Where a case is escalated, AMC’s committee will cooperate with the police or local authority in dealing with the reported incident.
2.3.4 Where an internal investigation takes place, the committee will:
(i) Inform all parties involved of the reported abuse as soon as possible.
(ii) Inform the family/guardians of the person reported as having been abused of the incident.
(iii) Arrange separate meetings with both parties within 10 days of the reported incident. A joint meeting may be arranged if appropriate.
• Both parties should be given the opportunity to bring a friend or representative to the meeting.
• Meetings will be attended by the Named Person and at least one other committee members.
• All parties will also be invited to submit a written statement in advance of the meeting.
(iv) Once meetings have taken place the committee will decide on next steps and communicate them to all parties in writing within five days. Next steps will be either:
• to escalate the incident to the relevant authority; or
• further investigation, with established procedures and timelines to work towards a resolution; or
• a decision or resolution.
2.4 Resolution and disciplinary action
If abuse is found to have taken place any final resolution or decision will be taken in the best interest of the person who has suffered the abuse and the best interests of AMC. Any disciplinary action will be taken in line with AMC’s Constitution.
3. Safeguarding Policy – review
This policy will be reviewed and amended (if necessary) by the Committee every two years. It will also be reviewed in response to changes in relevant legislation, good practice, or in response to an identified failing in its effectiveness.
Reviewed and endorsed by AMC Committee [Date] 18.05.2021
Signed by Veronica Posford, Chair [Veronica Posford]