CHORLEYWOOD MUSIC SAFEGUARDING POLICY - OVERVIEW

Commitment to safeguarding

Chorleywood Music 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.

About this policy

• This policy applies to: all members, staff (whether employees or freelances), volunteers and anyone working on behalf of Chorleywood Music or taking part in Chorleywood Music 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 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 defined as vulnerable 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 aims to:
  • Protect children, young people and vulnerable adults who are members of, receive services from, or volunteer for Chorleywood Music.
  • Ensure members, staff and volunteers working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are carefully recruited and understand and accept responsibility for the safeguarding of those vulnerable individuals they are interacting with.
  • Ensure that safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults is a primary consideration when Chorleywood Music undertakes any activity, event or project.

How Chorleywood Music might work with vulnerable people

Membership is open to those over 16 years of age. We run regular rehearsals for members, workshops for non-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
• Audience members at public concerts
• Workshop participants

Named safeguarding person

Ruth Colin has responsibility for safeguarding issues. All queries and concerns relating to safeguarding should be referred to Ruth Colin in the first instance. Any projects, events or other activities that will involve vulnerable people must be planned with the involvement of Ruth Colin and in line with established procedures and ground rules (see below).

Procedures and ground rules:

A further document – ‘Ground rules, ways of working and procedures’ is available and forms part of this policy.

Policy review:

This policy will be reviewed and amended (if necessary) on an annual basis by the Management committee and/or Board of Trustees. It will also be reviewed in response to changes in relevant legislation, good practice, or in response to an identified failing in its effectiveness.
Andrew McFarlane
Chairman
April 2018

The Safeguarding Policy can be read in full here.