The Reading Spring Gardens Brass Band is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all participants in our activities to share in this commitment and to adhere to the provisions of our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. The band will not compromise on issues of safeguarding and child protection. Refusal or non-compliance with this policy will not be tolerated and may result in exclusion from the band and, in extreme cases, the police being contacted.
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Rebecca Devaney (Tel. 01189 414920)
The Policy
This policy applies to all members of the band and participants in its activities. The band values the unique contribution of all its members and participants, whatever their gender identity or gender expression and is committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect. The band will at no time discriminate against people on the grounds of their gender identity or gender expression. The band seeks to provide a positive and safe environment that promotes and encourages the highest standards in brass band music-making free from discrimination, harassment and / or victimisation.
The purpose of this policy is to:
- provide protection for children and young people aged under 18 years of age and vulnerable adults who participate in, play with or support the band in its activities;
- ensure that the band provides a safe and welcoming environment to all;
- provide guidance on procedures for the band to follow should a concern arise as to a child’s welfare and to ensure that its actions and / or the behaviour of its members and participants follows best practice in terms of the welfare of children.
The band believes that it is always unacceptable for a child to experience abuse of any kind; and recognises that:
- the welfare of children participating in, playing with or supporting the band’s 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 in partnership with child protection agencies to ensure that the purposes of this policy are achieved.
Code of Conduct
This code of conduct sets out the standards required by the band as a condition of membership and participation.
The band expects all members and participants to:
- recognise and accept their responsibilities under this policy;
- value children, listen to and respect them;
- take reasonable steps to develop their own awareness of issues which can cause harm to children, young people and 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 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 trustees of the band;
- if requested by the Designated Safeguarding Lead, complete the necessary steps to acquire a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate (the fee charged by the DBS for the certificate only will be incurred by the band on receipt of an expense claim submitted to the Designated Safeguarding Lead);
- report any concerns as to a child’s welfare in accordance with the Reporting Procedure below.
Reporting Procedures
All suspicions and allegations of abuse should be taken 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 member or participant, they should listen to and reassure the child, taking care not to question what is being said. Furthermore, the member / participant should never promise to keep the information a secret but can explain that it will only be told to those that “need to know” to help and that the matter will not become common knowledge.
Where a member or participant 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 or alleged and giving the time, date and location and the action taken. Any such record must be signed and dated by the reporting member / participant and logged with the Designated Safeguarding Lead; or in their absence (or if the allegation is made about them), to a trustee of the band.
Any such report will be referred to the social services department of the relevant local authority (or if urgent and made out-of-hours, 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 & Updates
This policy is reviewed annually by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (and more regularly, if necessary).
This policy will be made available to all members and participants, including parents and guardians, through the band’s website and promoted through other appropriate communication channels where necessary. Paper copies of this policy will be made available on request.