Inspiring, developing and connecting the brass players of the future
Safeguarding Policy
Key details
Commitment to safeguarding
Cotswold Edge Brass Festival believes that a child, young person or vulnerable adult should never experience abuse of any kind. We recognise that we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults. We are committed to safeguarding the well-being of all children, young people and vulnerable adults we come into contact with and to protecting them from harm.
Why is this policy important?
This policy provides players (and their parents) and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to the protection of vulnerable people.
This policy ensures that Cotswold Edge Brass Festival:
Who does this policy apply to?
This applies to all those working on behalf of Cotswold Edge Brass Festival, e.g.:
How Cotswold Edge Brass Festival might work with vulnerable people
Our groups are open to children and adults of all ages. We run regular rehearsals, events and workshops for brass players in the area. As such, our involvement with vulnerable people may include, but is not limited to:
Designated Safeguarding Officer
The Designated Safeguarding Officer for Cotswold Edge Brass Festival is Anne Anderson. They, together with the committee, are responsible for Safeguarding within the organisation. All queries and concerns relating to safeguarding should be referred to Anne Anderson in the first instance, either in person or via email to cotswoldedge@email.com. Any projects, events or other activities that will involve vulnerable people must be planned with Anne Anderson's involvement and in line with established procedures and ground rules (see below).
Important Contact Details for Safguarding
Gloucestershire Safeguarding Board
Visit their website: http://www.gscb.org.uk/contact-gscb-and-sign-up-for-gscb-alerts/
Ground rules, ways of working and procedures
Key details
This document forms part of the Cotswold Edge Brass Festival Safeguarding Policy.
Who does this policy apply to?
This applies to all those working on behalf of Cotswold Edge Brass Festival, e.g.:
What is the purpose of the policy?
The purpose of this policy is to provide participants and their parents, volunteers, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to the protection of vulnerable people.
This policy recognises vulnerable people as:
What does this document include?
This document includes:
- Policy prepared by: Anne Anderson
- Approved by committee on: 21st January 2018
- Next review date: 21st January 2019
Commitment to safeguarding
Cotswold Edge Brass Festival believes that a child, young person or vulnerable adult should never experience abuse of any kind. We recognise that we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults. We are committed to safeguarding the well-being of all children, young people and vulnerable adults we come into contact with and to protecting them from harm.
Why is this policy important?
This policy provides players (and their parents) and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to the protection of vulnerable people.
This policy ensures that Cotswold Edge Brass Festival:
- protects children, young people and vulnerable adults who use our service or volunteer with us.
- takes care when recruiting volunteers and committee members to ensure they understand and accept responsibility for the safeguarding of those individuals they are interacting with.
- keeps the safeguarding of the children, young people and vulnerable adults as a primary consideration when it undertakes any activity, event or project.
Who does this policy apply to?
This applies to all those working on behalf of Cotswold Edge Brass Festival, e.g.:
- Committee members
- Volunteers
- Participants
- Contractors/3rd party suppliers
How Cotswold Edge Brass Festival might work with vulnerable people
Our groups are open to children and adults of all ages. We run regular rehearsals, events and workshops for brass players in the area. As such, our involvement with vulnerable people may include, but is not limited to:
- Participants attending our groups & events
- Relatives and friends of participants who attend rehearsals and concerts in a volunteering capacity
- Audience members at public concerts
Designated Safeguarding Officer
The Designated Safeguarding Officer for Cotswold Edge Brass Festival is Anne Anderson. They, together with the committee, are responsible for Safeguarding within the organisation. All queries and concerns relating to safeguarding should be referred to Anne Anderson in the first instance, either in person or via email to cotswoldedge@email.com. Any projects, events or other activities that will involve vulnerable people must be planned with Anne Anderson's involvement and in line with established procedures and ground rules (see below).
Important Contact Details for Safguarding
Gloucestershire Safeguarding Board
- Children's Help Desk (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) 01452 426565
- Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team 01452 614194
- Children's Practitioner's Advice Line 01452 426565 (option 3)
Visit their website: http://www.gscb.org.uk/contact-gscb-and-sign-up-for-gscb-alerts/
Ground rules, ways of working and procedures
Key details
- Policy prepared by: Anne Anderson
- Approved by committee on: 21st January 2018
- Next review date: 21st January 2019
This document forms part of the Cotswold Edge Brass Festival Safeguarding Policy.
Who does this policy apply to?
This applies to all those working on behalf of Cotswold Edge Brass Festival, e.g.:
- Committee members
- Volunteers
- Participants
- Contractors/3rd party suppliers
What is the purpose of the policy?
The purpose of this policy is to provide participants and their parents, volunteers, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to the protection of vulnerable people.
This policy recognises vulnerable people as:
- Children up the age of 16
- Young people aged 16-18 years
- Adults over the age of 18 defined as vulnerable by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Group Act 2006; this might include adults with learning or physical difficulties, a physical or mental illness, chronic or otherwise, including an addition to alcohol or drugs, or reduce physical or mental capacity.
What does this document include?
This document includes:
- Recruitment practices around safeguarding
- Ground rules and ways of working regarding safeguarding or vulnerable people
- Procedures for raising safeguarding concerns and incidents of abuse
- Procedures for dealing with concerns and incident of abuse
1. Recruitment practises around safeguarding
If an existing or potential new volunteer will be working with vulnerable people as part of the Cotswold Edge Brass Festival activities the appropriate level of DBS will be requested before that work is undertaken.
The level of DBS check required will be decided by the committee and in line with DBS rules regarding regulated activity. The results of any check to inform a decision on the potential volunteers suitability for the role will be used confidentially and in line with the Cotswold Edge Brass Festival Data Protection Policy.
If a DBS returns a positive disclosure then a risk assessment will be carried out to determine whether the potential volunteer is suitable for the role.
Cotswold Edge Brass Festival accepts original DBS certificates from other organisations provided that it is not more than 3 years since the DBS was carried out and that the relevant checks have been requested on an enhanced certificate.
A record of DBS Certificates is kept by the Data Controller and DBS certificates are renewed every 3 years.
2. Ground rules and ways of working regarding safeguarding or vulnerable people.
When Cotswold Edge Brass Festival organises an event or activity where they will be responsible for vulnerable people they will ensure:
Working with parents/carers:
If a vulnerable person wishes to take part in a Cotswold Edge Brass Festival activity or event, written permission should be obtained (email and website applications are fine) from the parent/carer where appropriate and before the activity takes place. Written permission should include: emergency contact details and details on who will be collecting the vulnerable person at the end of the activity.
3. Procedures for raising safeguarding concerns and incidents of abuse
If any volunteer or participant witnesses, suspects or is informed of a witnessed or suspected case of abuse they should immediately report it to the Designated Safeguarding Officer, Anne Anderson. If the Designated Safeguarding Officer is not available or is involved in or connected to the disclosure it should be reported to a committee volunteer or a DBS checked volunteer. If an individual wishes to report an incident against themselves they should report this to the Designated Safeguarding Officer or an individual they trust.
4. Procedures for dealing with concerns and incident of abuse
The Designated Safeguarding Officer (or person reported in their absence) will first make a decision based on the urgency of the concern and the following two factors:
If none of the above applies the Designated Safeguarding Officer will:
Where cases are escalated, the committee will cooperate with the Police or Local Authority in dealing with the reported incident.
Where an internal investigation takes place the committee will:
Resolution and disciplinary actions
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 Cotswold Edge Brass Festival.
Any disciplinary action will be taken in line with the Cotswold Edge Brass Festival Constitution.
If an existing or potential new volunteer will be working with vulnerable people as part of the Cotswold Edge Brass Festival activities the appropriate level of DBS will be requested before that work is undertaken.
The level of DBS check required will be decided by the committee and in line with DBS rules regarding regulated activity. The results of any check to inform a decision on the potential volunteers suitability for the role will be used confidentially and in line with the Cotswold Edge Brass Festival Data Protection Policy.
If a DBS returns a positive disclosure then a risk assessment will be carried out to determine whether the potential volunteer is suitable for the role.
Cotswold Edge Brass Festival accepts original DBS certificates from other organisations provided that it is not more than 3 years since the DBS was carried out and that the relevant checks have been requested on an enhanced certificate.
A record of DBS Certificates is kept by the Data Controller and DBS certificates are renewed every 3 years.
2. Ground rules and ways of working regarding safeguarding or vulnerable people.
When Cotswold Edge Brass Festival organises an event or activity where they will be responsible for vulnerable people they will ensure:
- Planning is carried out in line with policy and procedures.
- The event is attended by an appropriate number of DBS checked volunteers.
- At least one adult (not necessarily DBS checked) will be in attendance for every eight children (or part thereof).
- There is a main contact for safeguarding on the day – this will be an adult volunteer who is DBS checked and has undergone basic safeguarding training.
- The main contact for safeguarding has access to emergency contact details and other relevant details (eg information about collection arrangements for children).
- At least one male and one female DBS checked volunteer will be working during an event or activity
- A vulnerable person is not left alone with an adult, unless that adult is DBS checked and carrying out regulated activity.
- Two adults (at least one DBS checked) should be the last to leave the venue once the activity is finished
Working with parents/carers:
If a vulnerable person wishes to take part in a Cotswold Edge Brass Festival activity or event, written permission should be obtained (email and website applications are fine) from the parent/carer where appropriate and before the activity takes place. Written permission should include: emergency contact details and details on who will be collecting the vulnerable person at the end of the activity.
3. Procedures for raising safeguarding concerns and incidents of abuse
If any volunteer or participant witnesses, suspects or is informed of a witnessed or suspected case of abuse they should immediately report it to the Designated Safeguarding Officer, Anne Anderson. If the Designated Safeguarding Officer is not available or is involved in or connected to the disclosure it should be reported to a committee volunteer or a DBS checked volunteer. If an individual wishes to report an incident against themselves they should report this to the Designated Safeguarding Officer or an individual they trust.
4. Procedures for dealing with concerns and incident of abuse
The Designated Safeguarding Officer (or person reported in their absence) will first make a decision based on the urgency of the concern and the following two factors:
- If the vulnerable person is in immediate danger or needs emergency medical attention then the Designated Safeguarding Officer will call the Police and/or Ambulance service.
- If the person at the centre of the allegation is working with vulnerable people at the current time then the Designated Safeguarding Officer will remove them, in a sensitive manner, from direct contact with vulnerable people and follow the procedure below.
If none of the above applies the Designated Safeguarding Officer will:
- Make a written record of the concern/allegation reported to them and sign and date the record.
- Speak to the committee to decide how to handle the disclosure (excluding any committee members who are involved in the incident). For additional, confidential advice the committee may choose to ring the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Board's Children's Practitioner Advice Line on 01452 426565 (option 3). This service allows the caller to give the scenario without having to give any names and the service will offer advice on the next step.
- The next step will be one of the following:
- An internal investigation – for less serious incidents where the committee feel internal mediation will be successful.
- Reporting the disclosure to the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Board's Children's Help Desk on 01452 426565
- Raising the concern with the police – for serious or possibly criminal offences.
Where cases are escalated, the committee will cooperate with the Police or Local Authority in dealing with the reported incident.
Where an internal investigation takes place the committee will:
- Inform all parties involved of the reported incident as soon as possible.
- Inform the parent/carer of the vulnerable person(s) at the centre of the reported incident.
- Arrange separate meetings with all parties within 10 days of the reported incident. A joint meeting may be arranged if appropriate.
- All parties should be given the chance to bring a friend or representative to the meeting.
- Meetings will be attended by the Designated Safeguarding Officer and at least one other committee member.
- An independent note taker will also be asked to attend with the sole purpose of recording the meeting.
- All parties will be invited to submit a written statement in advance of the meeting if they wish.
- Once meetings have taken place, the committee will decide on the next steps and communicate them with all parties in writing within 10 days. They will be either:
- Escalate the incident to the Local Authority (as above).
- Further investigation – with established procedures and timelines to work towards a resolution.
- A decision or resolution.
Resolution and disciplinary actions
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 Cotswold Edge Brass Festival.
Any disciplinary action will be taken in line with the Cotswold Edge Brass Festival Constitution.
We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.
This policy was last reviewed on 21st January, 2018.
This policy was last reviewed on 21st January, 2018.
Here is a downloadable version of the policy.
| safeguarding_policy.pdf |
