Cheylesmore Music School Safeguarding Policy

Contents 

Part 1          Safeguarding Policy Statement

Part 2          What is abuse? 

Part 3          How to recognise abuse? 

Part 4          Good practice guidelines

Part 5          Protocol for Cheylesmore Music School staff 

Part 6          Unacceptable practice

Part 7          Implementation

Part 8          Review

Part 1: Safeguarding Policy Statement

Cheylesmore Music School is dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults in our care. We acknowledge our duty to foster safe practices and protect individuals from harm, abuse, and exploitation.

Definitions

- Child: An individual under the age of 18.

- Young Person/People: Individuals aged 14 to 17.

- Vulnerable Adult: An individual aged 18 or over whose ability to protect themselves from harm, abuse, neglect, or exploitation is significantly compromised due to physical or mental disabilities, illness, old age, emotional fragility, or other factors. This impairment can be either temporary or permanent.

Policy Overview

This document details the safeguarding policy for children, young people, and vulnerable adults at Cheylesmore Music School. It has been developed in conjunction with Cheylesmore Community Centre, with whom we collaborate on various safeguarding matters.

Safeguarding Responsibility

In Cheylesmore Music School, safeguarding is a collective responsibility that everyone must take seriously to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults:

1. The School: The school is committed to maintaining robust safeguarding policies and ensuring they are followed. Failure to do so may result in the school being held liable for any harm that occurs. We are responsible for ensuring that the appropriate policies and training are in place to protect those in our care.

2. Safeguarding Lead: The Safeguarding Lead is responsible for overseeing all safeguarding activities. If those designated do not fulfil our duties properly, we can be held accountable for any issues that arise.

3. Staff: Every employee, freelancer, and volunteer is required to adhere to the safeguarding policies and report any concerns. Failure to do so could result in personal liability if your actions contribute to harm.

In conclusion, while the school bears overall responsibility for safeguarding, each individual has a crucial role to play and may be held accountable if we fail to protect those entrusted to our care. All employees, freelancers, and volunteers at Cheylesmore Music School are responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of those in their care. We are committed to embracing diversity, respecting rights, and adhering to our safeguarding policies and procedures.

Core Principles

Our safeguarding policy is based on these key principles:

1. The welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults is our highest priority.

2. Every individual, regardless of age, culture, disability, gender, language, race, socio-economic status, religion, or sexual identity, has the right to protection from harm and abuse.

3. Safeguarding is a collective responsibility shared by everyone involved.

4. Individuals have the right to voice their views on matters affecting them and should be encouraged to do so.

5. We will collaborate with children, parents, and carers to promote their welfare and development.

Part 2: Understanding Abuse

Abuse refers to harm inflicted on a child's, young person's, or vulnerable adult’s physical, mental, or emotional health. Examples include:

- Physical Abuse: Actions causing physical harm, such as hitting, burning, or administering harmful substances.

- Neglect: Failing to provide basic needs like food, drink, and supervision, or exposing individuals to unnecessary risk.

- Sexual Abuse: Involves inappropriate sexual behaviour, including accessing harmful content online and physical contact.

- Emotional Abuse: Encompasses behaviours such as shouting, bullying, and placing unreasonable demands on individuals.

Part 3: Recognising Abuse

While staff and volunteers are not expected to diagnose abuse, they are responsible for taking action when abuse is suspected. Signs of abuse may include:

- Unexplained or suspicious injuries, such as bruises or burns

- Doubtful explanations for injuries

- Disclosure of abuse by the individual

- Concerns raised by others about an individual's welfare

- Unexplained changes in behaviour or emotional state

- Inappropriate sexual knowledge for their age

- Difficulty forming relationships or significant weight changes

Part 4: Good Practice Guidelines

To ensure the safety of individuals, employees, freelancers, and volunteers, Cheylesmore Music School advocates for the following practices:

- Policy Familiarity: All staff and volunteers should understand and apply this safeguarding policy.

- Safeguarding Concerns: Report all safeguarding concerns to a safeguarding officer and immediately notify the statutory authorities if an adult or child is at imminent risk of harm or discloses abuse that constitutes a criminal offence.

- Appropriate Boundaries: Maintain professional boundaries at all times. To protect individuals and ensure a professional environment, Cheylesmore Music School encourages adherence to the following practices: maintain appropriate physical, emotional, and communication boundaries, and respect time and confidentiality at all times.

- Involvement of Parents/Carers: Engage parents and carers, particularly in sensitive situations like changing clothes. 

- Gender Considerations: Ensure appropriate interactions, considering the possibility of abuse across genders.

- Limit Time with Individuals: In private lessons, especially in noisy environments like drum rooms, maintain safety by keeping the door slightly ajar and opening window curtains to ensure visibility from outside. When other music tutors are present, coordinate with them for regular check-ins to enhance accountability. Additionally, work with the Centre manager and/or staff for periodic oversight.

- Parental Consent: Obtain explicit permission for participation in special activities or out-of-the-ordinary teaching sessions, such as workshops or unique events.

- Incident Recording: Document and report any incidents in the designated incidents book and safeguarding officer. 

- Children Act 2004: To carry out actions under the Children Act 2004.

Part 5: Staff and Volunteer Protocols

- DBS Checks: All employees, freelancers, and volunteers will undergo DBS checks to ensure no relevant criminal convictions.

- References: Obtain references for individuals working with those under 16.

- Training: Mandatory child protection training for staff and recommended for volunteers.

- Unaccompanied Access: Children may enter the Cheylesmore Community Centre unaccompanied only for scheduled activities.

- Reporting Concerns: Any harm or abuse indications must be reported to a user group leader or a board member.

- Concerns about Colleagues: Report concerns about colleagues’ behaviour to Jesse Stephen Salalila, the Principal.

- Handling Allegations: Jesse Stephen Salalila will investigate allegations against staff members.

- Suspected Abuse: Report suspected abuse to Jesse Stephen Salalila, who will liaise with Social Services (For Adults / For Children)

- Investigations: Investigations may include criminal, safeguarding, or disciplinary proceedings.

- Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality and record sensitive information appropriately.

Part 6: Unacceptable Practices

All employees, freelancers, and volunteers must avoid:

- Contact sports with children.

- Any form of inappropriate physical contact.

- Sexually suggestive comments.

- Ignoring or failing to address allegations of abuse.

- Performing personal tasks that individuals can do themselves.

Part 7: Implementation

Cheylesmore Music School will:

- Promote safe participation in music activities.

- Respect and uphold the rights and wishes of individuals.

- Implement procedures to ensure safeguarding and protect against abuse.

- Recruit, train, and supervise all employees, freelancers, and volunteers in best safeguarding practices.

- Enforce adherence to this policy and respond to allegations appropriately.

- Follow local guidelines for safeguarding that comply with the gov.uk guidance.

- Regularly review and assess the effectiveness of this policy.

Part 8: Policy Review

This policy and procedures will be reviewed:

- In response to changes in legislation for safeguarding guidance.

- After any concerns or issues about safeguarding arise within Cheylesmore Music School.

- At least every three years, or sooner if necessary.