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Safeguarding Notice

Definitions

  • Child: Any individual under the age of 18.

  • Vulnerable Adult: Any person aged 18 or over who is, or may be, unable to care for themselves or protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation.

 

Safeguarding Lead

  • Contact details of the designated Crib Notes Choir Safeguarding Officer:

 

Purpose and scope of the policy statement

Crib Notes Choir is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all members, including both adults and children. The purpose of this policy is to ensure the protection and welfare of all participants, particularly children and vulnerable adults, while participating in choir activities.

Crib Notes Choir is a series of non-auditioned community choir clubs, currently based across South London, and open to all parents. The main aims are singing together, social connection and wellbeing. The choir is for the adults, but members are welcome to bring their children to the sessions too - as rehearsals usually take place on weekday daytimes, in practice this is usually children under the age of 4 who are not yet at school, and most commonly children under the age of 2. The choir clubs are composed of choir members, Choir Facilitators and Choir Directors - who organise and run the business side of the choirs as well as acting as Choir Facilitators. They are supported by freelance staff members who run our social media accounts and sometimes help with admin. 

 

Most Choir members are independent adults. The children who attend our rehearsals, performances and events are generally under the age of 4 and always accompanied by a responsible adult. It happens only rarely that an older child or a vulnerable adult attends, rehearses or performs with us. There are no volunteers directly charged with the care of others, although some of the members may have first aid and/or medical experience. The Directors are First Aid trained and all Directors and Facilitators are DBS checked. 

 

Choir rehearsals and performances are group activities, and there should be no need for a member of the choir to be alone with another participant of any age, except parents with their own children. The Choir is therefore unlikely to be targeted by a person seeking opportunities to abuse children or vulnerable adults. Nonetheless the Choir Directors recognise the need to safeguard the welfare of its members and in particular, any young and vulnerable people with whom we may work or come into contact.

 

Crib Notes Choir recognises that it is not our role to decide whether or not a young person or vulnerable adult has been abused. However we are committed to ensuring best practice within our remit. 

 

Context

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

 

The law also requires an organisation to create a safe working environment, free from any form of harassment, discrimination or inappropriate behaviour.

 

The relevant legal requirements arise from:

  • The Care Act 2014

  • The Children’s Act 1989;

• The Human Rights Act 1998;

• The Protection of Children Act 1999;

• The Sexual Offences Act 2003 (as amended)

• The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child;

• The relevant government guidance including: Safe from Harm 1993; Working Together to Safeguard Children 1999; Caring for the Young and Vulnerable 2000.

• Equality Act 2010

• Protection from Harassment Act 1997

• Sections 4 & 5 Public Order Act 1986 (as amended).

• Offences of assault under The Offences Against the Person Act 1861

  • Any future legislative requirement or guidance.

 

Policy statement

We believe that:

  • Everyone has a responsibility to promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them

  • All people, regardless of age, disability, gender or gender reassignment, racial heritage, religion or belief, sexual orientation, and identity, have the right to equal protection from harm

  • We recognise that some people are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of discrimination, previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.

  • Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

​

Aims

  • To protect choir members, staff, children, young people and vulnerable adults with whom the choir has any involvement, from abuse or exploitation. 

  • To ensure that all choir members, staff, and volunteers understand their responsibilities

  • To provide clear guidelines on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

  • Ensuring Choir Members know about the organisation's safeguarding and child protection policies and what to do if they have a concern

  • To promote a culture of safety, respect, and inclusion.

 

Recruitment and Training

  • All Choir Directors and Facilitators working directly with children or vulnerable adults will undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

  • Staff (and any volunteers) will receive appropriate safeguarding training, including how to identify and report concerns.

 

Code of Conduct

For All Members:

  • Treat everyone with respect and dignity.

  • Avoid any behaviour that could be considered inappropriate, abusive, or exploitative.

  • Be mindful of language, physical contact, and personal boundaries, particularly with children and vulnerable adults.

  • Do not engage in one-on-one communication or meetings with children or vulnerable adults; should this situation be necessary ensure another responsible adult is present.

 

For Adults Working with Children or Vulnerable Adults:

  • Always work in an open and transparent way.

  • Avoid spending time alone with a child or vulnerable adult unless absolutely necessary (e.g., in an emergency).

  • Maintain appropriate boundaries and avoid developing personal relationships that could be seen as exploitative or abusive.

  • Report any concerns immediately to the Safeguarding Officer.

 

Supervision and Safe Spaces

  • Children present at Crib Notes Choir rehearsals and events are always the responsibility of their parent or carer, who must also attend.

 

Photography and Social Media

  • Crib Notes Choir may sometimes take photos or videos during rehearsals, workshops, socials and events, to be shared on social media, our website and for other publicity purposes; as covered in the Choir terms. Members should discuss with us at the time if there are any questions or concerns about how these will be shared.

  • Choir members must refrain from taking photos/videos during Crib Notes Choir sessions and events, and from posting such images on social media, without specific parent/guardian consent.

 

Reporting concerns

  • If you think a child or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999. 

  • If you're worried about a child but they are not in immediate danger, you should share your concerns:

  • Contact the Crib Notes Choir Safeguarding Officer.

  • Contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. Our child protection specialists will talk through your concerns with you and give you expert advice. Or contact Childline.

  • Contact your local child protection services. Their contact details can be found on the website for the local authority the child lives in. 

  • Contact the police.

  • If you think a vulnerable adult is being abused in any way, you should report this as a safeguarding concern to Crib Notes Choir and/or your local authority via their website or contact phone number. 

 

Review and Monitoring

This policy will be reviewed at least annually to ensure it stays up-to-date. 

 

Last reviewed: December 2024

​

Signed: ……E. Rastall………………………………    Date:…03/12/24………………

 

Eleanor Rastall, Crib Notes Choir Director and Safeguarding Officer

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

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Júlia, Balham Club

Crib Notes was one of the highlights of my second maternity leave. It was quite impressive how we put together beautiful songs in such a short time. I felt cheery and refreshed after each session, even if the night before had been difficult… It was the perfect way to take care of myself; so important when you are taking care of a little one.

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Eve, Crystal Palace club

An absolute wellbeing boost. I can't think of a more wholesome, fulfilling, welcoming activity to do whilst on parental leave. What a fantastic environment to expose your babies to and I don't just mean the music. I'm sure they gain a lot from their parents doing something creative, physical and communal. I always feel welcome, and the songs stay with me for days, weeks and years in fact!

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Tali, Beckenham Club

It was so refreshing to find an activity that isn't your typical baby class, but that is as much for the mum as it is for the baby. Singing as part of a community in such an inclusive and supportive environment lifted me on the days that I felt totally depleted and sleep deprived - it has definitely been one of the highlights of my maternity leave!

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