The choir was very fortunate in having an HPC registered safeguarding advisor who assisted in putting policies and practices together to ensure fairness and inclusivity were upheld
However safeguarding is about adults too
All children's rehearsals were supported by DBS checked adults
Alot of time and effort was spent writing this policy which was checked by qualified professionals
It could be useful to you if you are starting a similar sort of group so that you are clear what is allowed and what is not
Information from other websites helped in this journey including the advice of insurers
This is a copy of the policy signed and agreed to by all until June 2019
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy
Statement of Purpose
The Choir is determined to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from harm.
This policy outlines the Choir’s position, role and responsibilities and clarifies what is expected from everybody involved in the Choir.
The Choir places great importance on the protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Every child, young person and adult who participates in the Choir’s activities
should be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment and be
protected from harm.
This is the responsibility of every adult involved in the Choir.
The Choir recognises that abuse can be an emotive subject. It is important to understand the feelings involved and not to allow them to interfere with judgment about any action that needs to be taken.
The Choir recognises its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect and bullying.
The Children Act 1989 defines a child as anyone who has not reached their 18th
birthday. The fact that a child has reached 16 years of age, is living
independently or is in further education, is a member of the armed forces, is in
hospital, in prison or in a Young Offenders’ Institution does not change his or her
status or entitlement to services or protection.
The Choir will ensure that:
• The welfare of the child, young person or vulnerable adult remains paramount.
• All children, young people and vulnerable adults, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/ or sexual identity have the right to be protected from harm.
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and
responded to swiftly and appropriately.
• All members of the Choir have a responsibility to report concerns to the designated officer, Jo Colwell. She can be contacted on: 07813 306641
If someone discloses that they are being abused, then upon receiving the
information you should act immediately by informing Jo Colwell.
The vast majority of adults who mix with children act professionally. Some
individuals will actively seek settings/ activities with young people in
order to harm them. All concerns regarding individuals’ practice should be
reported to the designated officer, Jo Colwell.
The Choir welcomes children of choir members. However, parents/ guardians have responsibility for supervising and ensuring the safety of their own children at rehearsals, events and concerts.
Guidance for Safer Working Practice for Adults who work with Children and
Young People
If a young person or vulnerable adult reports abuse to you as a choir member, you should:
• React calmly.
• Reassure the individual that they were right to tell and that they are not to
blame and take what the individual says seriously.
• Be careful not to put words into the person’s mouth.
Establish the facts if you can.
• Do not promise confidentiality.
• Inform the child/ young person/ vulnerable adult what you will do next.
• Make a full and written record of what has been said as soon as possible
Immediately pass on all the information to Jo Colwell.
Jo Colwell, as the designated officer, will then complete a report and take responsibility for passing the report to the appropriate agency.
Her report should include:
• The child/ young person/ vulnerable adult’s known details including name, date of birth, address and contact numbers from the membership secretary, Judith Harrison.
• Whether or not the person making the report is expressing their own
concerns or those of someone else.
• The nature of the allegation, including dates, times, specific factors and
any other relevant information.
• Make a clear distinction between what is fact, opinion or hearsay.
• A description of any visible bruising or other injuries. Also any indirect
signs, such as behavioural changes.
• Details of witnesses to the incidents.
• The child/ young person / vulnerable adult’s account if it can be given, of what has happened and how any bruising or others injuries occurred.
• Accounts from others, including parents/ carers.
The Police are the only agency with statutory powers for the immediate protection of children.
Referral
Any referral the Choir needs to make should be made to the local Children’s Services / Social Services and will be done by the designated officer, Jo Colwell.
Emergency action.
In some cases you may need to protect a child, young person or vulnerable adult immediately- in these situations dial 999.
It is not the Choir’s responsibility to decide whether abuse has taken place or not. However it will pass on information to the appropriate authority/ authorities immediately.
Taking photographs and video (summary of the Law in England and Wales)
What is “a photographer”?
A photographer is anyone engaged in the pursuit, professional or otherwise, of capturing moving or still images.
Do I need permission before I take someone’s photograph?
No.
There are no laws preventing photography of people, children, buildings, objects or anything else in a public place. There is no expectation of privacy in a public place.
Is it illegal to take photographs of children?
No, there are no separate laws for minors (but it is of course illegal to capture an indecent photograph of a child).
Please note that restrictions that apply to schools and sports centres cannot normally be imposed or enforced in a public location
Can I publish photographs containing people and children?
Yes. The photographer does not need the permission of the individual(s) who appear in that photograph in order to publish it online, in a newspaper, textbook or in a magazine. The Data Protection Act includes a ‘special purposes’ exemption and such publication would not constitute a breach of the right to privacy. The general term for such usage is ‘editorial’ and the photographer can pass on or sell their work for that purpose (and may use the images for the purpose of artistic expression). The same rights extend to all photographers, amateur or professional
I’ve received a complaint from someone appearing in one of my pictures, what do I do?
Many parents wrongly assume that you need permission to take or publish images of them or their children (this would only be the case if the image were used in paid advertising).
Politely explain the law.
Keep a record of any communication between yourself and the complainant.
I’m an events photographer and a parent is insisting I remove images from my Blog and Facebook page containing her child, what do I do?
It is reasonable for anyone attending a public event to presume there will be perhaps both a professional photographer in attendance and guests who will be taking photographs.
It is also reasonable to expect that the professional photographer, and the guests, will share their images on the internet for the enjoyment of others.
Photos and video will be taken and uploaded on social media, youtube etc in order to promote and publicise the work of the choir and the charities it supports.
Photos and video will also be taken by audience members both at the concert and out and about.
By agreeing to our safe guarding policy you are agreeing to this
No names will be added unless specifically requested
Whenever possible we also tried and get local newspaper coverage. Some examples can be seen on this website.
It could be useful to you if you are starting a similar sort of group so that you are clear what is allowed and what is not
Information from other websites helped in this journey including the advice of insurers
This is a copy of the policy signed and agreed to by all until June 2019
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy
Statement of Purpose
The Choir is determined to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from harm.
This policy outlines the Choir’s position, role and responsibilities and clarifies what is expected from everybody involved in the Choir.
The Choir places great importance on the protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Every child, young person and adult who participates in the Choir’s activities
should be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment and be
protected from harm.
This is the responsibility of every adult involved in the Choir.
The Choir recognises that abuse can be an emotive subject. It is important to understand the feelings involved and not to allow them to interfere with judgment about any action that needs to be taken.
The Choir recognises its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect and bullying.
The Children Act 1989 defines a child as anyone who has not reached their 18th
birthday. The fact that a child has reached 16 years of age, is living
independently or is in further education, is a member of the armed forces, is in
hospital, in prison or in a Young Offenders’ Institution does not change his or her
status or entitlement to services or protection.
The Choir will ensure that:
• The welfare of the child, young person or vulnerable adult remains paramount.
• All children, young people and vulnerable adults, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/ or sexual identity have the right to be protected from harm.
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and
responded to swiftly and appropriately.
• All members of the Choir have a responsibility to report concerns to the designated officer, Jo Colwell. She can be contacted on: 07813 306641
If someone discloses that they are being abused, then upon receiving the
information you should act immediately by informing Jo Colwell.
The vast majority of adults who mix with children act professionally. Some
individuals will actively seek settings/ activities with young people in
order to harm them. All concerns regarding individuals’ practice should be
reported to the designated officer, Jo Colwell.
The Choir welcomes children of choir members. However, parents/ guardians have responsibility for supervising and ensuring the safety of their own children at rehearsals, events and concerts.
Guidance for Safer Working Practice for Adults who work with Children and
Young People
If a young person or vulnerable adult reports abuse to you as a choir member, you should:
• React calmly.
• Reassure the individual that they were right to tell and that they are not to
blame and take what the individual says seriously.
• Be careful not to put words into the person’s mouth.
Establish the facts if you can.
• Do not promise confidentiality.
• Inform the child/ young person/ vulnerable adult what you will do next.
• Make a full and written record of what has been said as soon as possible
Immediately pass on all the information to Jo Colwell.
Jo Colwell, as the designated officer, will then complete a report and take responsibility for passing the report to the appropriate agency.
Her report should include:
• The child/ young person/ vulnerable adult’s known details including name, date of birth, address and contact numbers from the membership secretary, Judith Harrison.
• Whether or not the person making the report is expressing their own
concerns or those of someone else.
• The nature of the allegation, including dates, times, specific factors and
any other relevant information.
• Make a clear distinction between what is fact, opinion or hearsay.
• A description of any visible bruising or other injuries. Also any indirect
signs, such as behavioural changes.
• Details of witnesses to the incidents.
• The child/ young person / vulnerable adult’s account if it can be given, of what has happened and how any bruising or others injuries occurred.
• Accounts from others, including parents/ carers.
The Police are the only agency with statutory powers for the immediate protection of children.
Referral
Any referral the Choir needs to make should be made to the local Children’s Services / Social Services and will be done by the designated officer, Jo Colwell.
Emergency action.
In some cases you may need to protect a child, young person or vulnerable adult immediately- in these situations dial 999.
It is not the Choir’s responsibility to decide whether abuse has taken place or not. However it will pass on information to the appropriate authority/ authorities immediately.
Taking photographs and video (summary of the Law in England and Wales)
What is “a photographer”?
A photographer is anyone engaged in the pursuit, professional or otherwise, of capturing moving or still images.
Do I need permission before I take someone’s photograph?
No.
There are no laws preventing photography of people, children, buildings, objects or anything else in a public place. There is no expectation of privacy in a public place.
Is it illegal to take photographs of children?
No, there are no separate laws for minors (but it is of course illegal to capture an indecent photograph of a child).
Please note that restrictions that apply to schools and sports centres cannot normally be imposed or enforced in a public location
Can I publish photographs containing people and children?
Yes. The photographer does not need the permission of the individual(s) who appear in that photograph in order to publish it online, in a newspaper, textbook or in a magazine. The Data Protection Act includes a ‘special purposes’ exemption and such publication would not constitute a breach of the right to privacy. The general term for such usage is ‘editorial’ and the photographer can pass on or sell their work for that purpose (and may use the images for the purpose of artistic expression). The same rights extend to all photographers, amateur or professional
I’ve received a complaint from someone appearing in one of my pictures, what do I do?
Many parents wrongly assume that you need permission to take or publish images of them or their children (this would only be the case if the image were used in paid advertising).
Politely explain the law.
Keep a record of any communication between yourself and the complainant.
I’m an events photographer and a parent is insisting I remove images from my Blog and Facebook page containing her child, what do I do?
It is reasonable for anyone attending a public event to presume there will be perhaps both a professional photographer in attendance and guests who will be taking photographs.
It is also reasonable to expect that the professional photographer, and the guests, will share their images on the internet for the enjoyment of others.
Photos and video will be taken and uploaded on social media, youtube etc in order to promote and publicise the work of the choir and the charities it supports.
Photos and video will also be taken by audience members both at the concert and out and about.
By agreeing to our safe guarding policy you are agreeing to this
No names will be added unless specifically requested
Whenever possible we also tried and get local newspaper coverage. Some examples can be seen on this website.
