Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Crossroads Music Lessons and Music Therapy (“Crossroads”) is committed to promoting a safe environment for all students, clients, staff, and volunteers. This policy outlines our safeguarding standards to protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults from harm.
• Applies To: All teachers, therapists, volunteers, contractors, and anyone working on behalf of Crossroads.
• Legal Basis: Aligns with UK legislation, including the Children Act 1989 & 2004, the Care Act 2014, and the Working Together to Safeguard Children guidelines.
1. Purpose and Scope
2. Definitions
• Child or Young Person: Anyone under the age of 18.
• Vulnerable Adult: An adult who may be unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation (due to mental or physical health conditions, age, disability, or other factors).
• Safeguarding: The process of protecting children, young people, and vulnerable adults from maltreatment, ensuring they grow up in safe conditions that enable optimal outcomes.
3. Responsibilities
1. Management
• Ensure all staff and volunteers understand the Safeguarding Policy.
• Appoint a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to oversee compliance and handle concerns.
• Provide training and resources for safeguarding best practices.
2. Staff and Volunteers
• Familiarize themselves with the policy and attend training as required.
• Report any safeguarding concerns immediately to the DSL.
• Respect confidentiality while ensuring concerns are documented properly.
3. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• Oversee implementation of safeguarding procedures.
• Liaise with external agencies (e.g., local authorities, social services) when concerns arise.
• Keep up-to-date records of incidents and follow-up actions.
4. Recruitment and Vetting
• DBS Checks: All staff and volunteers working with children or vulnerable adults must have an Enhanced DBS Check.
• References: New hires must supply professional references.
• Induction: Include safeguarding and code of conduct training in the initial orientation.
5. Code of Conduct
• Respect and Dignity: Treat every student/client with respect regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, or beliefs.
• Appropriate Boundaries: Avoid situations where you are alone in an isolated space with a child or vulnerable adult unless necessary for a lesson and approved by guardians.
• Physical Contact: Keep to a minimum and only when necessary (e.g., correcting posture on an instrument). Seek consent where appropriate.
• Communication: Use professional language. Limit direct text or online messages to lesson-related matters, keeping parents/guardians in the communication loop where appropriate.
6. Recognising signs of Abuse
Staff and volunteers must be vigilant in recognizing any sign of abuse or neglect. Types of Abuse may include:
• Physical Abuse: Hitting, shaking, or causing physical harm.
• Emotional Abuse: Persistent emotional ill-treatment, belittling, or verbal harassment.
• Sexual Abuse: Forcing or enticing a child or vulnerable adult to take part in sexual activities.
• Neglect: Failing to meet a basic need—e.g., food, shelter, medical care.
If you suspect any form of abuse, document it and report it to the DSL immediately.
1. Immediate Action: If a child or vulnerable adult is in imminent danger, call the emergency services (999).
2. Raise Concern: Report suspicions or disclosures to the DSL verbally and follow up in writing (using an Incident Report Form).
3. Next Steps: The DSL will assess the concern and, if necessary, contact local safeguarding authorities or police.
4. Confidentiality: Only share information with those who need it. Do not promise absolute confidentiality to the student or client; explain that you must share concerns with the DSL for their safety.
7. Reporting Procedures
• Secure Storage: Keep all safeguarding records (incident forms, emails, notes) in locked cabinets or secured encrypted files.
• Access Control: Only the DSL and authorized management personnel may access these records.
• Retention Period: Follow legal guidelines for retaining child protection records; typically at least until the student is 25, or longer if advised by local authorities.
8. Record-Keeping
9. Training
• Induction Training: All new staff and volunteers receive a safeguarding briefing.
• Ongoing Training: Regular refreshers on key safeguarding topics.
• External Courses: Encourage attendance at local authority or accredited child protection courses where possible.
10. Photography and Social Media
11. Whistleblowing
• Consent: Obtain written or verbal parental/guardian or client consent before taking photos or recordings for marketing or social media.
• Usage Limits: Only use images in ways consented to; avoid identifying personal details (full names, addresses).
• Storage: Store digital media securely.
• Annual Review: The Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed yearly or following any major incident or legislative change.
• Feedback Loop: Encourage staff and volunteers to provide input on how to improve safeguarding processes.
• Policy: Staff have a responsibility to raise safeguarding concerns about colleagues.
• Protection: Those who report in good faith are protected from retaliation.
• Contact: If concerns involve the DSL, contact an independent authority (e.g., local safeguarding board).
12. Monitoring and Review
13. Contacts
• Designated Safeguarding Lead: Soumya Prasad Ghosh | 07824883172
• Emergency Services: 999