Safeguarding

Keeping our singers safe.

Commitment to safeguarding

Forres Youth Choir 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.

About this policy

This policy applies to all members, staff (whether employees or freelancers), volunteers and anyone working on behalf of Forres Youth Choir or taking part in Forres Youth Choir activities.

The purpose of this policy is to provide members, staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to the protection of all vulnerable people.

This policy recognises vulnerable people as:

  • Children up to the age of 16 or young people aged 16–18.
  • Adults aged over 18 at risk as defined by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. This might include adults with a 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. This policy also recognises risk is determined by the activity an adult is taking part in and not solely on the personal characteristics or circumstances of the adult, as such any adult can be at risk, and the risk can be temporary.

This policy aims to

  • Protect children, young people and adults at risk who are members of, receive services from, or volunteer for Forres Youth Choir.
  • Ensure members, staff 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 Forres Youth Choir undertakes any activity, event or project.

How Forres Youth Choir might work with vulnerable people

We run regular rehearsals for members and put on concerts for the general public. As such our involvement with vulnerable people might include, but is not limited to:

  • Members of the group who attend rehearsals and concerts
  • Relatives and friends of members who attend rehearsals and concerts in a volunteering capacity
  • Audience members at public concerts

Named safeguarding person

All queries and concerns relating to safeguarding should be referred to the named safeguarding person in the first instance. Any projects, events or other activities that will involve vulnerable people must be planned with their involvement and in line with established procedures and ground rules.

Shaun Brown

Named Safeguarding Lead (Interim)

Musical Director & Co-founder, Forres Youth Choir

hello@forresyouthchoir.co.uk

Adam Csenki

Deputy Safeguarding Lead (Interim)

Musical Director & Co-founder, Forres Youth Choir

hello@forresyouthchoir.co.uk

These are interim appointments. Once the choir achieves SCIO status and appoints trustees, a dedicated safeguarding trustee will be appointed.

Ground rules and ways of working

Recruitment practices around safeguarding

If an existing or potential new member, staff member or volunteer will be working with vulnerable people as part of Forres Youth Choir activities the appropriate level of PVG check will be requested before that work is undertaken. The level of PVG check required will be decided by the committee and in line with Disclosure Scotland rules regarding regulated activity. The results of any check to inform a decision will be used confidentially.

Safeguarding at events and activities

When Forres Youth Choir organises an activity or event where they will be responsible for vulnerable people they will ensure:

  • Planning is carried out in line with this policy and procedures.
  • A minimum of 3 adults are present at rehearsals, with at least one being PVG-checked.
  • For other events, a specific risk assessment determines the appropriate number of adults required.
  • There is a main contact for safeguarding on the day — this will be an individual who has been PVG-checked.
  • The main contact has access to emergency contact details and other relevant details (e.g. information about picking up arrangements for vulnerable people).
  • That if vulnerable people of different gender will be taking part in activities adults of different gender will be in attendance too.
  • A vulnerable person is not left alone with an adult, unless that adult is PVG-checked and carrying out regulated activity.
  • Two adults (one PVG-checked) should be the last to leave a venue once the activity has finished and will be responsible for ensuring vulnerable people get home safely.

Working with parents/guardians

If a vulnerable person wishes to take part in Forres Youth Choir activities written permission (email is fine) should be obtained from parents/guardians where appropriate, and before the activity takes place. Written permission should include emergency contact details and any relevant pick-up arrangements — including permission for another adult to pick up the vulnerable person after the activity has finished.

Procedures for raising safeguarding concerns and incidents of abuse

If any member, staff or volunteer in Forres Youth Choir witnesses, suspects or is informed of a witnessed or suspected case of abuse they should immediately report it to the named safeguarding person, Shaun Brown.

If the named person is not available, or is involved in or connected to the abuse, it should be reported to Adam Csenki (Deputy Safeguarding Lead) or a PVG-checked adult.

If an individual wishes to report an incident of abuse against themselves they should report it to the named safeguarding officer or an individual they trust.

You can also:

  • Email us at hello@forresyouthchoir.co.uk — mark your email “Safeguarding” in the subject line
  • Contact Moray Council’s Social Work team directly if you believe a child is at immediate risk
  • Call the police on 999 in an emergency, or 101 for non-emergencies

Procedures for dealing with concerns and incidents of abuse

The named person (or person reported to in their absence) will first make a decision based on the immediacy of the concern and the following two factors:

  • If the vulnerable person is in immediate danger or needs emergency medical attention — call the police and/or ambulance service.
  • If the person at the centre of the allegation is working with vulnerable persons at the current time — remove them, in a sensitive manner, from direct contact with vulnerable people and follow the procedures below.

If none of the above applies the named person will:

  • Make a note of the concerns reported to them.
  • Speak with committee members to decide how to handle the reported abuse. Excluding any committee members who are involved in the incident.
  • Escalate the report by either:
    • Raising concerns with the police — for serious or possible criminal offences.
    • Requesting an assessment by the local authority social care department about whether a vulnerable person is in need of protection.
    • An internal investigation — for less serious incidents where they feel internal mediation will be successful.

Where cases are escalated the committee will cooperate with the police or local authority in dealing with the reported incident.

Where an internal investigation takes place the committee will:

  • Inform all parties involved of the reported abuse as soon as possible.
  • Inform the family/guardians of the person reported as having been abused of the incident.
  • Arrange separate meetings with both parties within 10 days of the reported incident. A joint meeting may be arranged if appropriate.
  • Both parties should be given the chance to bring a friend or representative to the meeting.
  • Meetings will be attended by the named safeguarding officer and at least one other committee member.
  • All parties will also be invited to submit a written statement in advance of the meeting.

Once meetings have taken place the committee will decide on next steps and communicate them to all parties in writing within 5 days. They will be either:

  • Escalate the incident to the relevant authority.
  • Further investigation — with established procedures and timelines to work towards a resolution.
  • A decision or resolution.

Resolution and disciplinary action

If abuse is found to have taken place any final resolution or decision will be taken in the best interest of the person who has suffered the abuse and the best interests of Forres Youth Choir. Any disciplinary action will be taken in line with the Forres Youth Choir constitution.

PVG scheme

Both directors are members of the PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) Scheme, managed by Disclosure Scotland. If an existing or potential new member, staff member or volunteer will be working with vulnerable people as part of Forres Youth Choir activities the appropriate level of PVG check will be requested before that work is undertaken.

Policy review

This policy will be reviewed and amended (if necessary) on an annual basis by the Board of Trustees. It will also be reviewed in response to changes in relevant legislation, good practice, or in response to an identified failing in its effectiveness.

Full Safeguarding Policy Document

The full policy PDF will be available here for download once approved by the trustees. In the interim, the policy as published above is in effect. Contact hello@forresyouthchoir.co.uk to request a copy of the current draft.