Sheffield Music Makers Safeguarding policy

This Safeguarding Policy applies to Sheffield Music Makers choir members, committee members, employees and all others invited to perform or work with SMM.

Sheffield Music Makers is a Registered Charity, composed of volunteer choir members. Officers are elected and others co-opted to serve on the committee. Rehearsals are run by our self-employed Musical Director or a substitute on occasion, with a self-employed accompanist. From time to time Sheffield Music Makers organises other events such as concerts, choral workshops and social activities.

Sheffield Music Makers does not promote itself as an activity suitable for children or vulnerable adults. Most choir members are independent adults. It happens only rarely that a young person or vulnerable adult joins, rehearses and performs with us.

Choir rehearsals and performances are group activities, and there is no requirement for a member of the choir to be alone with another member of any age. Sheffield Music Makers is therefore unlikely to be targeted by a person seeking opportunities to abuse children or vulnerable adults. Nonetheless Sheffield Music Makers recognises the need to safeguard any young and vulnerable members and the Committee has therefore agreed the following Safeguarding Policy.

Sheffield Music Makers recognises that it is not the role of our organisation to decide whether a child, young person or vulnerable adult has been abused or not. This is the role of other qualified agencies who have powers to investigate child protection concerns under the Children Act or the Police.

Scope

SMM is committed to ensuring that all children, young people and vulnerable adults have the same protection regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity. SMM is committed to anti- discriminatory practice and explicitly recognises the additional needs of children, young people and vulnerable adults from minority ethnic groups and the disabled and the barriers they may face, especially around communication.

 

The law requires any organisation involving children, young people or vulnerable adults to take all reasonable measures to ensure that the risks of harm to vulnerable adults’ and children’s welfare are minimised, and where there are concerns, to share them with other local agencies.

 

Who are Children or Vulnerable Adults?

In this context anyone up to the age of 18 is a child. An adult is defined in the Care Act 2014 as someone over 18 years old who has care and support needs, is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect as a result of their care and support needs or is unable to protect himself or herself against abuse or neglect or the risk of it.

SMM recognises that it is not the role of our organisation to decide whether a child, young person or vulnerable adult has been abused or not.  This is the role of the Social Services department which has the legal responsibility, the NSPCC who have powers to investigate child protection concerns under the Children Act or the Police.

The main laws and guidance supporting this policy are:
The Children’s Act 1989 and 2004;     The Human Rights Act 1998;     The Protection of Children Act 1999;     The Sexual Offences (Amendments) Act 2006;     The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1991;     Government guidance on safeguarding children;     Caring for the Young and Vulnerable 2000;     The Care Act 2014;     The Charity Commission’s ‘Strategy for Dealing with Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Issues in Charities’.

Expectations of Committee

The committee are expected to review this policy annually and to appoint a nominated Safeguarding and Inclusion Officer who shall be the main point of contact for any safeguarding concerns. This officer will have three yearly background checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service. They are also expected to keep a permanent confidential record of all concerns raised.

They shall ensure that the safeguarding policy is published on the choir website and that it is drawn to the attention of members at the beginning of each season.

Expectations of Choir Members

Choir members are expected to speak to the nominated officer should they see or hear anything that they feel could be putting another member at risk.

The Choir notes the importance of being alert to signals of abuse and to the difficulty individuals may have in reporting it. To assist in responding appropriately to a complaint, we offer the following strategy for anyone who is made aware of an issue:

  • Listen carefully.
  • Reassure the child or person involved that this matter will be disclosed only to those who need to know about it and that they are doing the right thing in telling you.
  • Avoid leading questions or closed questions.
  • Write down what has been said, with date and time and any names mentioned.
  • Tell the child/person what you are going to do next (in the first instance, report the matter to the Designated Person for safeguarding)

Privacy Arrangements

In the rare event of it not being possible to arrive at a venue in concert dress, the Choir will endeavour to ensure an individual’s privacy is respected if required to change at a venue.

Audiences and Social Events

Sheffield Music Makers is aware that children and vulnerable adults may attend their concerts as members of the audience, or attend social functions hosted by SMM. It is the responsibility of the parent, guardian or carer to ensure adequate supervision. If a parent/guardian/carer is not personally attending an event this policy requires them to be satisfied that the child or vulnerable adult will be accompanied and adequately supervised by a responsible adult acting on their behalf at all times.

Actions if a concern is raised

Choir members or anyone with concerns should report to the Designated Person (or in their absence the deputy safeguarding officer), who will take action as described in the section below and:

  • Obtain and record information from the person expressing the concern;
  • Assess the information quickly and carefully and ask for further clarification as appropriate;
  • Seek medical attention if necessary and or make a referral to a statutory child protection agency or the police without delay depending on the particular circumstances;
  • If in any doubt as to what to do, seek advice from Social Services;

 Maintain confidentiality as far as possible subject to the principle of the welfare of the child/vulnerable adult being paramount which means that information may have to be shared (but only with people who need to know about it).

A permanent confidential record will be kept of the report by the Choir Secretary.

Monitoring and Review

The policy and procedures will be brought to the attention of members at the next choir rehearsal meeting following approval at the next committee meeting and reviewed annually by the committee before the next choir AGM.

 

THE POLICY
​Sheffield Music Makers will publicise its Safeguarding Policy on its website.

 

Designated person for safeguarding: Fiona Heath 07853 187221

 

 

Adopted by Committee on 01/2025

Signed by Chair: Fiona Heath