Dobcross Youth Band Safeguarding Policy

The purpose of this policy statement is:

• To protect children, young people and adults who take part in Dobcross Youth Band from harm

• To provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Dobcross Youth Band including committee members and the musical directors, volunteers and students.

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up based on the following laws and guidance that seeks to protect children and adults at risk:

• Children Act (1989)

• United Convention of the Rights of the Child (1991)

• Data Protection Act (1998) and subsequent data protection guidance

• Sexual Offences Act (2003)

• Children Act (2004)

• Protection of Freedoms Act (2012)

• Working together to safeguarding children: a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; HM Government (2015)

• The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006)

• The Human Rights Act (1998)

• The Children and Families Act (2014)

• Special educational needs and disability (SEND) code of practice: 0 to 25 years – Statutory guidance for organisations which work with and support children and young people who have special educational needs or disabilities; HM Government (2014)

• General Data Protection Regulations (European Union) (2017) Information sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers; HM Government (2015)

• The Care Act (2014)

• The Care Act (2014) Care and Support Statutory Guidance (specifically the safeguarding section of this

• The Mental Capacity Act (2005)

We believe that:

• Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind

• We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

We recognise that:
• The welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse

• Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues

• Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

In addition, bands are aware that they also have safeguarding responsibilities towards adult members, some of whom may be vulnerable at different times in their lives.

The principles outlined above in relation to children, also apply to our work with adults. In terms of a legal framework, the arrangements for those over 18 are governed by the Care Act 2014. This Act stipulates that statutory safeguarding duties apply to an adult who:

• Has care and support needs, and

• Is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect, and,

• As a result of those care and support needs, is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse or neglect.

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

• Valuing, listening to, and respecting them

• Appointing a nominated child protection lead for children and young people, a deputy, and a lead committee member for safeguarding

• Adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures, and code of conduct for committee members and volunteers

• Developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures

• Providing effective support for committee members and volunteers with responsibility alongside training, where appropriate

• Recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made

• Sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families

• Making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern

• Using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately

• Using our procedures to manage any allegations against adults appropriately

• Ensuring that we have effective whistleblowing measures in place

• Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance

• Building a safeguarding culture where committee members and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.

Recognising abuse and acting

The Designated Safeguarding Lead have robust training and support the members of the committee in carrying out safeguarding practices and procedures.

If you believe a child is suffering or likely to suffer harm or is in immediate danger you must make a referral to children’s social care and/or the police immediately. Anyone can and has a responsibility to make a referral.
Report child abuse to a local council GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If a child makes a disclosure to you:

• Listen to them. Allow them time to talk freely and do not ask leading questions

• Stay calm and do not show that you are shocked or upset

• Tell the child they have done the right thing in telling you. Do not tell them they should have told you sooner

• Explain what will happen next and that you will have to pass this information on. Do not promise to keep it a secret

• Write up your conversation as soon as possible in the child’s own words. Stick to the facts, and do not put your own judgement on it

• Sign and date the write-up and pass it on to the DSL. Adults should not question the child; other than to respond with TED – Tell me what you mean by that, Explain what you mean by that, Describe that.

• Adults will observe and listen, but do not probe/ask any leading questions.

Concerns will be discussed with the child’s family unless:

• A family member may be the cause of the concern

• The child may be in danger if the family is informed

• Informing the family may interfere with a criminal investigation

Where appropriate the DSL and Deputy DSL for Dobcross Youth Band will make further referrals to Children’s Social Care.

If there is a concern about an adult’s safety or welfare:

• Another adult will make notes of the concern following the TED procedure noted above

• The adult’s views may be sought about what they would like to happen

• With the consent of the adult, it may be appropriate to seek the views of their partner or carer, unless that person may be responsible for the abuse

If there is any uncertainty about the concerns or questions such as consent or mental capacity, the DSL will discuss and seek advice from Oldham Social Care services without disclosing the identity of the adult or their family.

If there is a concern about a committee member or musical director’s conduct the DSL will investigate fully and make further referrals to the police, Oldham Social Care or the LADO as appropriate.

Useful contact details:

• Designated Safeguarding Lead: Melanie Garlick dybsafeguarding@gmail.com

• Oldham’s Local Authority Designated officer (LADO): Collette Morris 07583 101 863/0161 770 8870 or colette.morris@oldham.gov.uk

• Police (non-emergency): 101

• Oldham’s children’s social care department: 0161 770 7777 (or 0161 770 6936 – Emergency Duty Team)

• NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk

• ChildLine: 0800 1111 (textphone 0800 400 222) or www.childline.org.uk

• Local authority adult social care department 0300 123 5010 (or 0300 123 5022 out of hours)

• Brass Bands England Welfare Officer: 01226 771 015