Safeguarding Policy

Reviewed by All Voice Limited board of directors 12th January 2022.

This policy is based on the policy of the British Association of Barbershop Singers and applies to all ensembles, currently:

  • All Voice
  • Bristol A Cappella

Purpose

All Voice Limited (“AV”) is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk (also known as vulnerable adults) it comes into contact with and to promoting their well-being.

Everyone involved with AV has a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and adults at risk and to keep them safe.

We recognise that the welfare and wellbeing of all children and adults at risk is paramount and that all individuals have a right to equal protection for all types of harm regardless of their age, gender, race, religion or belief, ability, family status, social background or sexual identity and should be able to sing in a safe and fun environment.

The purpose of this policy is to protect the children and adults at risk involved with the activities of AV from harm, including the children of adult members and to provide members with guiding principles as set out in the Safeguarding Code of Conduct.

Aims

We will seek to keep children and adults at risk safe by:

  • valuing them, listening to and respecting them;
  • adopting child/adult at risk protection best practice and a Safeguarding Code of Conduct for AV and members to clarify the standard of behaviour required;
  • sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents of children and adults at risk appropriately; and
  • following the requirements for UK legislation in relation to safeguarding children and adults at risk.

Definitions

A child is a person aged under 18 years.

An adult at risk is any person who is aged 18 or over and at risk of abuse or neglect because of their need for care and support.

Child protection and adult protection is part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the action that is undertaken to protect specific children or adults at risk who are suffering, or at risk of suffering, significant harm.

Parent is used as a generic term to represent parents, carers and guardians.

Roles and responsibilities

This policy applies to all members, including Volunteers, Officers, and Board of Directors, students or anyone involved in the activities of AV.

All visitors will be informed that this policy and the Safeguarding Code of Conduct is in operation and that they are bound to comply with its principles and requirements.

AV recognises that it is not its role to decide whether a child or adult at risk has been or is at risk of harm or abuse. This is the role of the relevant local authority safeguarding children or adults at risk team and/ or the police that has the legal responsibility, who have powers to investigate child protection concerns.

AV will make available a copy of the policy to all members and visitors and will review it and endorse it annually at annual singers meetings.

Measures for implementation of this policy

Company directors, through each ensemble's committees and Designated Persons, have overall responsibility for this policy.

Each committee shall nominate a Designated Person, who is DBS checked, and shall undertake appropriate training as required and will be identified to children and adults at risk as the principal person they should turn to if they have any concerns or queries. This is to be reviewed at each annual singers meeting.

Any concerns regarding a child, a member or other adult at risk must immediately be reported to the Designated Person.

Bristol A Cappella has nominated: Vikki Sterling

… as the Designated Person, who is DBS checked, in respect of safeguarding, and this is to be reviewed at each annual singers meeting. If ensembles are members of national associations, the Designated Person must report all concerns shared with external agencies to the appropriate person in each association1).

The Designated Person is responsible for acting as a source of advice on child/adult protection matters, for coordinating action within the Club and for liaising with other agencies about suspected or actual cases of abuse. They may also be responsible for implementing child/adult protection training within the ensemble.

Supervision and Planned activities

All children and adults at risk should be adequately supervised at all times. Children or adults at risk who participate in AV activities must be accompanied by a parent or carer, who remain responsible for them throughout. If a parent or carer is not personally attending an event this policy requires them to be satisfied that the child or adult at risk is accompanied and adequately supervised by an adult acting on their behalf at all times.

AV are aware that children and adults at risk may attend their concerts as members of the audience, or attend social functions hosted by them. It is the responsibility of the parent, or carer of the adult at risk or where such concerts take place in third party premises, such as schools or care homes, for that third party to ensure adequate supervision.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Review

We will regularly evaluate the effectiveness of this policy. Our commitment to safeguarding is an active one. This policy will be reviewed as necessary and at least annually when it will be amended, where required. We will seek to keep up to date with new developments in safeguarding best practice and actively seek information on this issue.

Data Protection

We will comply with our obligations in relation to the processing of personal data as described in our Data protection policy.

Safeguarding Code of Conduct

Recognising and responding to concerns

Remember these four key elements to safeguarding children or adults at risk:

  1. Recognise concerns that a child or adult at risk is being harmed or might be at risk. Abuse can take a number of forms, including, but not limited to physical abuse, sexual abuse/exploitation, emotional/ psychological abuse, neglect and financial abuse.
  2. Respond appropriately to a child or adult at risk who is telling you what is happening to them.
  3. Report the concerns to the ensemble's Designated Person. Where a child or adult at risk is at immediate risk of harm then tell the Designated Person so that they can contact the police and / or relevant local authority safeguarding team, immediately.
  4. Record the concerns appropriately and any subsequent action taken.

You must:

  • prioritise the welfare, health and wellbeing of children and adults at risk.
  • provide a safe environment for children and adults in need of care and support.
  • provide an example of good conduct you wish others to follow.
  • ensure that there is more than one adult present during activities with children and adults at risk, or at least that you are within sight or hearing of others.
  • respect their right to personal privacy as far as possible. If someone discloses abuse to you, be sympathetic and supportive but do not agree to keep confidences. Explain to the child or adult at the earliest opportunity that it is your duty to pass on information appropriately.
  • encourage children and adults at risk to speak out about attitudes or behaviour that makes them uncomfortable.
  • remember that someone else might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well intentioned.
  • be aware that physical and verbal contact with a child or adult at risk may be misinterpreted.
  • operate within AV's guidance and any specific procedures including the Code of Conduct.
  • challenge unacceptable behaviour and report all concerns/allegations/disclosures/suspicions of abuse or harm to the Designated Person.

You must not:

  • allow concerns or allegations to go unreported.
  • take unnecessary risks.
  • have inappropriate physical or verbal contact with children or adults at risk.
  • act in a way that can be perceived as threatening or intrusive.
  • let children or adults at risk have your personal contact details (mobile number, email, postal address) or have contact with them via a personal social media account.
  • patronise or belittle children or adults at risk.
  • allow yourself to be drawn into inappropriate behaviour/making suggestive or derogatory remarks or gestures in front of children or adults at risk.
  • jump to conclusions about others without checking facts.
  • exaggerate or trivialise abuse issues.
  • show favouritism to any individual.
  • rely on your good name or that of the organisation to protect you.
  • believe “it could never happen to me”.
  • take a chance when common sense, policy or practice suggests another more prudent approach.

You should:

1)
For BABS, this is the Director of Administration