This version adopted by Bristol A Cappella's committee 1^st September 2024.

This policy is based on the policy of the British Association of Barbershop Singers and best practice guidance from the NSPCC on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. It applies to all ensembles of All Voice Limited (AV), currently:

• Bristol A Cappella

Commitment to safeguarding: AV believes that a child, young person or adult-at-risk should never experience abuse of any kind. We recognise that we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk. We are committed to safeguarding the well-being of all children, young people and adults at risk we come into contact with and to protecting them from harm. Everyone involved with AV has a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk and to keep them safe. We recognise 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 and engage with a safe and fun environment.

The purpose of this policy statement is:

• To protect children, young people and adults at risk involved in with the activities of AV from harm. This includes the children of adults who use our services.
• To provide members, volunteers and everyone connected with AV, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

This policy applies to anyone working with or on behalf of AV including directors, members, volunteers and contractors and should be read in conjunction with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct, Equality and Diversity Policy and Data Protection Policy.

This policy aims to:

• Protect children, young people and adults at risk who are; members of, receive services from, or volunteer for, AV.
• Ensure members, and volunteers working with children, young people and adults at risk 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 adults at risk is a primary consideration when AV undertakes any activity, event or project.

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

• valuing them, listening to and respecting them;
• adopting child/adult-at-risk protection best practice and a Code of Conduct for AV and members to clarify the standard of behaviour required;
• having at least one named, qualified designated safeguarding lead with a DBS check (ideally two);
• sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents of children and adults at risk appropriately;
• following the requirements for UK legislation in relation to safeguarding children and adults at risk;
• recognising that child on child harm can happen;
• ensuring that communication procedures keep children, young people and adults at risk safe;
• ensuring that our policies and procedures are reviewed at least annually, incorporating the latest guidance, and are shared with all members upon review; ensuring that the safeguarding lead maintains appropriate training and DBS checks.

A child is a person up to the age of 16 years.

A young person is someone aged between 16 and 18 years.

An adult at risk is any person who is aged 18 or over where 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 may put them at greater risk of abuse or neglect (Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006).

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, and refers to anyone holding responsibility for a child, young person, or adult at risk.

Safeguarding is the measures we take to protect the health, well-bring, and human rights of individuals, which allow people – especially children, young people, and adults at risk – to live free from abuse, harm, and neglect.

All visitors will be informed that this policy, alongside the associated policies, 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 have 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 a general meeting.

Everyone involved with AV has a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk and to keep them safe, including reports concerns to the appropriate person or body.

Company directors, alongside committee members and designated safeguarding leads, have overall responsibility for this policy.

Bristol A Cappella has nominated: Lacey Flook

… as the designated safeguarding lead, 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 safeguarding lead must report all concerns shared with external agencies to the appropriate person in each association¹⁾.

The designated safeguarding lead 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.

Where a concern exists with the designated safeguarding lead, concerns should be reported to the deputy safeguarding lead, or in their absence, one of the company directors or committee chair.

All children, young people and adults at risk should be adequately supervised at all times. Children, young people 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 and who is DBS checked. Children, young people or adults at risk should not be left alone with any adult that is not DBS checked.

AV are aware that children, young people 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.

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.

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

There are four key elements to safeguarding children, young people, or adults at risk:

1. Recognise concerns that a child, young person, 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, financial abuse, and coercive control.
2. Respond appropriately to a child, young person, or adult at risk who is telling you what is happening to them, but don't ask leading questions or agree to keep it confidential.
3. Report the concerns to the ensemble's designated safeguarding lead. Where a child, young person, or adult at risk is at immediate risk of harm then tell the designated safeguarding lead 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.

• prioritise the welfare, health and wellbeing of children, young people, and adults at risk.
• provide a safe environment for children, young people, 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, young people, 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, young person, or adult at the earliest opportunity that it is your duty to pass on information appropriately.
• encourage children, young people, 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, young person, or adult at risk may be misinterpreted.
• operate within AV's guidance and any specific procedures including this Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
• challenge unacceptable behaviour and report all concerns, allegations, disclosures, or suspicions of abuse or harm to the designated safeguarding lead.

• allow concerns or allegations to go unreported.
• take unnecessary risks.
• have inappropriate physical or verbal contact with children, young people, or adults at risk.
• act in a way that can be perceived as threatening or intrusive.
• patronise or belittle children, young people, or adults at risk.
• allow yourself to be drawn into inappropriate behaviour/making suggestive or derogatory remarks or gestures in front of children, young people, 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.

Children, young people, or adults at risk should not share mobile numbers without the consent of their parent. This should only be used for communication about events relevant to AV and transparently with their parent. Children, young people, or adults at risk cannot themselves be added to chat groups that would expose their mobile numbers.

• be aware of further guidance on how to both handle and report incidents, for instance as provided by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.
• consult the NSPCC Helpline when support is needed, by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing help@nspcc.org.uk.
• contact the Bristol First Response Team on 0117 903 6444 if you're concerned about eh well-being of a child. When these offices are closed, call the Emergency Duty Team on 01454 615 165 or if the child is at immediate risk call the Police on 999.