Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy November 2024
About the band:
The Moonlight Swing Band is an amateur big band based in Dorset. MLSB is a registered charity, and run as a self governing group on a not for profit basis. The band is managed by a committee of members, elected annually, and works with a professional Musical Director. We meet on a fortnightly basis for rehearsal and perform approximately six times a year.
We have around 19 regular members who pay a small annual subscription and are keen amateur musicians and semi professional from a variety of backgrounds. We do not formally audition members and are joined by occasional deputies when members are absent. The deputies are paid a small fee in lieu of expenses.
MLSB is a band for adult, amateur and semi professional musicians and we do not actively seek members who are under 18 years of age. However, the band is occasionally approached by prospective members who are under 18, and there may be circumstances in which players who are under 18 may join us as a guest player for a rehearsal or concert. While the band doesn’t actively recruit children, it is the band’s intention to welcome children into the band should the occasion arise, and recognise that playing with the band can be a valuable part of the child’s musical development.
This policy and guidance is written for those occasions when children play with the band.
For the purposes of this policy and guidance a child is anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday.
In terms of audience, the band cannot be reasonably expected to monitor children in the audience who are not under parental supervision. However, in the event of an incident involving a child attending a concert, the band would deal with the matter in the spirit of this policy.
The committee is responsible for ensuring that this policy and guidance are observed by all members, and the committee has responsibility for promoting best practice and the highest standard of conduct among its members in relation to the safety of children on any occasion in which children are playing with the band. MLSB is committed to practices which protect children from harm, and helping protect members from misunderstandings and erroneous allegations.
MLSB Responsibilities
MLSB’s committee recognises that we have a particular responsibility to protect any children and vulnerable adults who play with the Band.
We must be aware of the issues which can cause children and vulnerable adults harm.
We must be aware of ‘grooming’ behaviour (the befriending of children as a precursor to abuse).
We must immediately report any concerns, following our Reporting Procedures (detailed below).
The band will not tolerate inappropriate behaviour towards children, and will refer accusations of abuse to professional child protection agencies.
For the purposes of this policy, wherever appropriate, reference to ‘members’ should be deemed to include not only subscription paying full member of the band, but also the Musical Director, guest players, and anyone else participating in the band’s activities.
Where the word child or children is used, please also infer vulnerable adult.
Our Policy
1.If a child is to play with the band at any time, the MLSB committee should be aware of this, and reminded of the band’s Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy. All committee members accept responsibility for the welfare of children playing with the band, and will report any concerns about a child or someone else’s behaviour, using the procedures laid down in this policy. The Musical Director and any other members of the band (such as the fixer) who are likely to come into direct contact with the child will also be informed of the Policy.
2. The band’s Chairman will act as the Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP) who will take action following any expression of concern. The DSP will be responsible for making any appropriate referrals to statutory child protection agencies.
3. Several members of the band, including the Musical Director, are DBS registered.
4. In the event of any allegation or disclosure concerning the welfare of a child playing with the band, the DSP must ensure that information is recorded as soon as possible. Information should normally be gathered within 48 hours, and appropriate action taken within 7 days of an allegation or disclosure. Every effort should be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned when an allegation has been made and is being investigated.
Our Code of Practice
1. Inappropriate physical contact with children must be avoided. Physical contact is only appropriate in very limited circumstances.
2. No adult member of the band should be alone with a child (unless they are the parent or guardian) unless absolutely unavoidable. It is not good practice for members to take children alone in a car on journeys, however short, unless with the prior consent of the child’s parent or guardian, and then only in exceptional circumstances.
3. Suggestive and inappropriate remarks should not be made to or about a child, even in fun, as this could be misinterpreted. Inappropriate remarks include innuendo, swearing, and discussing their or your own intimate relationships.
4. For children under the age of 16, communication directly with children by email or text messages should be avoided, other than in exceptional circumstances. All communication should be directly with the parent or guardian.
5. For children over the age of 16, communication directly with children by email or text messages should be limited to practical details, such as venues and timing for rehearsals and concerts, and should be made in an appropriate and professional manner. Any communications should be copied to a/ another committee member (usually the DSP), and the parent or guardian of the child. Other than in exceptional circumstances, knowledge of the contact details of the child should be limited to the chair, DSP and fixer. The child should never be openly copied into general communications.
6. No communication should be made with children via Twitter, Facebook or other social media.
7. Any behaviour which could be construed as ‘grooming’ a child should be avoided at all times (for example giving a child money, presents or favours, or talking or behaving in an inappropriate or unprofessional manner towards children).
8. Any disclosure of abuse from a child will be taken seriously, and should be reported to the DSP. The band recognises that it is important not to deter children from making a ‘disclosure’ of abuse through fear of not being believed, and to listen to what they have to say. Guidance on responding to an allegation of abuse is set out in the next section of this document. If the allegation gives rise to a child protection concern, it is important to follow the band’s procedure for reporting such concerns.
9. Any member of the band with concerns regarding the conduct of another member in relation to children playing with the band should report those concerns to the DSP.
Guidance on Responding to a Child Making an Allegation of Abuse
1. Stay calm. Listen carefully to what is said and show that you are taking it seriously.
2. Find an appropriate early opportunity to explain that it is likely that the information will need to be shared with others – do not promise to keep secrets.
3. Tell the child that the matter will only be disclosed to those who need to know about it. Allow the child to continue at his/her own pace.
4. Ask questions for clarification only, and at all times avoid asking questions that suggest a particular answer.
5. Reassure the child that they have done the right thing in telling you.
6. Tell them what you will do next, and with whom the information will be shared.
7. Make no judgement about what you have heard.
8. Record in writing what was said, using the child’s own words as soon as possible – note the date, time, any names mentioned, to whom the information was given and ensure that the record is signed and dated.
9. Remember that whilst you may have been the first person encountering an allegation of abuse, it is not your responsibility to decide whether abuse has occurred. That is a task for the professional child protection agencies, following a referral from the DSP.
Reporting Procedures
1. Any event of a child making an allegation of abuse, or a member of the band reporting concerns regarding the conduct of another member of the band towards children playing in the band, should be referred to the DSP.
2. The DSP will ensure that the committee is kept informed of events, although he may choose to withhold details, including the names of those accused, while the matter is being dealt with.
3. Any instances of inappropriate behaviour towards children playing with the band will be taken extremely seriously. The DSP will consider that those who abuse children can be of any age, gender, ethnic background or class, and they will not allow personal preconceptions about people to prevent appropriate action being taken.
4. The DSP will seek and, other than in exceptional circumstances, follow advice from professional child protection agencies concerning how the matter should be handled. They may refer the matter to the police or local authorities, decide to deal with the matter internally or decide not to take any further action.
5. The DSP will make the utmost effort to treat the matter in confidence, including the identity of any member accused of abuse or inappropriate behaviour, until it is resolved. They will recognise that an unfounded accusation that became public knowledge could be highly detrimental to the reputation of the member.
6. In the event of the allegation or concern involving the DSP, the committee should nominate one of the society’s other elected officers (treasurer or secretary) to decide the appropriate course of action.
7. In line with the band’s policy of zero tolerance of any abuse of, or inappropriate behaviour towards, children playing with the band, the committee has the power to terminate membership of the band for anyone found guilty of abuse or inappropriate behaviour in accordance with the procedures laid out in the band’s governing constitution. The band’s responsibility to safeguard the welfare of children who come into contact with the band will always take precedence over the value of any member’s contribution to the band musical activities.
Resources
NSPCC
Advice on children protection issues can be sought from the NSPCC’s free 24hour Child Protection Helpline 0808 800 5000.