Safeguarding, Child Protection and Prevent Policies – updated Feb 2017
Safeguarding Statement (Updated 2/2/17)
Blewbury Brass Band (“BBB”) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all BBB members to share this commitment and to adhere to the provisions of its Child Protection Policy. The following BBB members and committee members are required to have an up-to-date Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate:
- Musical Director of BBB Main Band;
- Musical Director of Learner Band and Beginner Band;
- BBB Safeguarding Officer; and
- All adult BBB members who regularly assist with the Learner and Beginner Bands.
A copy of the BBB Child Protection Policy is available at the Band Hut and on our website: https://blewburybrassband.org/. This is based on a template currently under development by Brass Band England with guidance from Safe Network, the National Safeguarding Unit for the Third Sector (jointly managed by the NSPCC and Children England). A copy of Safe Network’s guidance material, “Everyone’s Business, Safeguarding for Trustees” has also been issued to each of BBB’s Trustees.
The BBB Child Protection Policy is reviewed annually by BBB’s Safeguarding Officer. All BBB members are required to familiarise themselves with its contents and to adhere to its Code of Conduct. Changes and updates to the Child Protection Policy are notified to BBB Members by the BBB Safeguarding Officer.
Kath Heard
Safeguarding Officer
safeguarding@blewburybrassband.org.uk
Child Protection Policy (updated 8/2/2017)
This policy applies to all Musical Directors, playing members and committee members of Blewbury Brass Band (“BBB Members”) and, where practicable, to visiting deputies and volunteers assisting at BBB concerts and events.
The purpose of this policy is to:
- provide protection for children and young people aged under 18 years of ages and vulnerable adults (together “Child” or “Children”) who participate in, play with or support BBB activities;
- ensure that BBB provides a safe and welcoming environment to all, both adults and Child BBB Members and their families;
- provide BBB members with guidance on procedures to follow should a concern arise as to a Child’s welfare and to ensure that their own actions/behaviour follows best practice in terms of the welfare of Children who are BBB members or supporters.
TO this end, all BBB Members recognise that it is always unacceptable for a Child to experience abuse of any kind. BBB Members’ commitment to this policy and code of conduct recognises that:
- the welfare of Children participating in, playing with or supporting BBB activities is paramount;
- all such Children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm, abuse or prejudice;
- on occasion, it may become necessary to work with child protection agencies to ensure that the purposes of this policy are achieved.
All BBB Members will adhere to the following Code of Conduct and will:
- recognise and accept their responsibilities under the BBB Child Protection Policy;
- value Children, listen to and respect them;
- take reasonable steps to develop their own awareness of issues which can give cause harm to children, young people ad vulnerable adults and give rise to an allegation of abuse. The following recommendations are adapted from the ABRSM’s Code of Practice:
- one-to-one tuition should be as open as possible, spending no more time alone with children than is necessary to conduct the lesson;
- physical contact with Children should be avoided;
- it is not good practice to take a Child alone on a car journey, however short;
- never make suggestive or inappropriate remarks to, about or in the presence of a Child, even in fun, as this could be misinterpreted;
- share any useful information about child protection, safeguarding and good practice with the BBB Committee;
- if appointed the position of Musical Director, Assistant Musical Director or Safeguarding Officer or, on becoming a regular adult helper at either of the Learner or Beginner Bands, complete the necessary steps to acquire a Disclosure and Barring Service (“DBS”) clearance certificate;
- report any concerns as to a Child’s welfare in accordance with the reporting procedure below.
DBS Clearances: These will be coordinated by the Safeguarding Officer, free of charge, through BBB’s membership of Brass Band England (membership no. 1519).
Reporting Procedure: All suspicions and allegations of abuse should be taken very seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
A Child should never be deterred from making a “disclosure” of abuse through fear of not being believed. Therefore, if a Child makes an allegation of abuse to a BBB Member, he/she should listen and reassure the Child, taking care not to question what is being said. BBB Members should never promise to keep the information secret but can explain that it will only be told to those that “need to know” in order to help and that the matter will not become common knowledge.
Where a BBB Member becomes aware of a concern as to a Child’s welfare (whether by disclosure or otherwise) it is important that an accurate record be made as soon as possible, noting what was said or seen and giving a time, date and location and logged with the BBB Safeguarding Officer or in his/her absence (or if the allegation is made about him/her), to either of the Musical Directors. Any such report will be referred to the Social Services department of the relevant Local Authority (or if urgent and made out of hors, to the Police). Any further disclosure about the cause for concern/allegation should only be made in the manner and to the extent advised by Social Services and/or the Police and unless or until advised otherwise, will be kept confidential.
Review, Changes and Updates: The BBB Child Protection Policy is reviewed annually by BBB’s Safeguarding Officer. A report of any changes and updates to the Child Protection Policy will be notified to BBB Members by the Safeguarding officer at BBB’s Annual General Meeting (and more regularly, if necessary).
Please note the recent updates to the KCSIE (Keeping Children Safe in Education – updated September 2016), it is now every member of ‘staff’s’ responsibility to report any concerns regarding child/vulnerable adult welfare. It is also relevant to mention that it is any responsible adult’s responsibility to be aware of e-safety in regards to children.
The Prevent Duty (updated 2/2/2017)
Blewbury Brass Band (“BBB”) recognises its responsibility under the ‘Prevent Duty’ June 2015 (DfE guidance). The Designated Safeguarding Lead will assess risk of members of the band being drawn into terrorism, including support for extremist ideas that are part of terrorist ideology. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will work with the relevant Local Authority to ensure that any action needed is co-ordinated and timely. The active promotion of fundamental British values and tolerance for different religious beliefs and faiths is acknowledged in our Child Protection policy. Any concerns about a particular pupil will be reported through BBB’s Safeguarding Procedures.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead(s) will consider the level of risk to a member of the band, with the support of the relevant Local Authority, in order to identify the most appropriate referral, which could include Channel or Children’s Social Care.
Normal referral processes are also available when there are concerns about Children who may be at risk of being drawn into terrorism. Any member of staff can make a referral if necessary through Channel (a multi-agency approach to supporting those at risk of radicalisation) via the relevant Local Authority. If the child’s situation does not appear to be improving the band member with concern should press for re-consideration. Concerns should always lead to help for the Child at some point in the process if appropriate.
While decisions to seek support for a child in need, or about whom where are concerns relating to radicalisation, would normally be taken in consultation with parents, it must be noted that their consent is not required for a referral when there are reasonable grounds to believe that a child is at risk of serious harm.
Blewbury Brass Band 
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