CHROMA Safeguarding (England and Wales)

CHROMA Child/Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy for work in England and Wales

BEST PRACTICE

In working with children/young people CHROMA freelancers must observe the following:

- To always work in an open environment avoiding private or unobserved situations and encouraging open communication with no secrets.

- To treat all young people equally, and with respect and dignity, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

- To maintain a safe and appropriate distance with participants. Where physical contact/ assistance is appropriate (for example, in music when adjusting a bow/ instrument hold), it is important to always explain to the individual what is going to happen, to ensure that actions cannot be misinterpreted and to make sure that others in the vicinity are clear as to the actions that are going to take place.

- Do not make suggestive or inappropriate remarks, even in fun, as this could be misinterpreted.

- When working with children to always have designated DBS checked adult present and never find themselves alone with a child/children.

- To not make contact with children/vulnerable adults outside the working environment

If the workshop is extra-curricular:

- Parental permission must have been given to take part

- CHROMA will only be responsible for children for the duration of the workshop; not after or on the way home.

CHROMA CODE OF CONDUCT

for members and volunteers working with children and young people

CHROMA members and volunteers involved in music for children and young people have a great opportunity to be a positive role model, to support learning and help build confidence.

CHROMA members and volunteers are expected to:

- Ensure the safety of all children by providing effective supervision, proper pre-planning of workshop sessions.

- Consider the wellbeing and safety of participants before the development of performance.

- Establish and address the additional needs of disabled participants or other vulnerable groups.

- Encourage and guide participants to accept responsibility for their own behaviour.

- Treat all young people fairly and ensure they feel valued. Have no favourites.

- Demonstrate an inclusive way of working, which does not discriminate on the grounds of religious beliefs, race/heritage, disabilities hidden or visible, gender, sexual orientation, social classes or ability.

- Respect and listen to the opinions of young people.

- Maintain confidentiality about sensitive information.

- Be positive, approachable and offer encouragement to promote the inclusive culture of CHROMA at all times.

- Develop an appropriate working relationship with participants, based on mutual trust and respect.

- Be a role model, displaying consistently high standard of behaviour, remember children learn by example.

- Not allow any bullying, or the use of bad language or inappropriate behaviour.

- Not let any allegations of abuse of any kind to go unchallenged or unrecorded. Incidents to be recorded using the CHROMA safeguarding reporting system.

- Not abuse members physically, emotionally or sexually.

- Have access to telephone for immediate contact to emergency services if required.

Members and volunteers have the right to:

- Support in reporting of suspected abuse or poor practice.

- Fair and equitable treatment by CHROMA

- Not to be left vulnerable when working with children.

PHOTOGRAPHS/FILMING

The consent of parents/legal guardians of children aged 12 and under must be sought prior to the taking of any images (photographs or filming) and this consent should cover both the taking/recording of images and any subsequent publication of them either in printed (marketing materials, reports etc.) or electronic (websites, e-newsletters, presentations) format.

Guidance on the use of photographic images in general can be obtained from:

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/briefings/photography-sharing-images-guidance

WHEN A CHILD/YOUNG PERSON DISCLOSES TO YOU

There are things that we can do to help children and young people to feel safe and comfortable should they disclose abuse to us. If a child or young person comes to you and makes a disclosure of abuse, here are some important things to remember:

- Your calm, neutral and supportive reaction is important

- Never promise a child that you will not tell anyone what they have told you. Explain that your concern for their wellbeing requires you to have to pass this information on, but that it will be handled confidentially and it will only be reported to those people that need to be told. If possible, tell them who will be told and, to the best of your knowledge, explain to them what will happen next.

- Be neutral and non-judgmental. If a child is telling you about abuse they may have suffered, this can be difficult to hear but is important that any reactions you might have are kept to a minimum. Remember that they may be telling you about something scary or frightening that has happened to them.

- Do not press the child for more information. You should not ask any leading questions, for example “did **** do this you?”. Allow the child to tell their story, you only need to establish the basics of what happened and whether the child is at immediate risk. For example, is the adult the child is talking about the one that they will be going home to today? You just need to establish how urgent it is that any action is taken.

- Keep in mind that the child may have been told not to tell anyone. Sometimes people who abuse children and young people will threaten them, or someone they care about, with further harm if they tell anyone. Reassure the child that they have done the right thing in telling you and that you and others are going to help them. There are lots of reasons why children may be afraid to tell. They may have been bribed not to tell, made to feel that they are to blame for what has happened, threatened with, or experienced, actual violence from the abuser, and/or made to feel afraid of what might happen to the abuser as they could be someone that they know and care about.

- Write down what a child has told you as soon as possible. Be careful to ensure that your note accurately reflects what the child or young person said and the circumstances in which they told you about it. This record may become evidence in a police investigation and will need to be kept confidentially, in line with the workshop host organisation’s recording and storage policies.

- Report this information to the designated officer in the organisation you are working with. It is the responsibility of this person to pass the information to the appropriate authorities outside your organisation, such as the police or local authority, and to consult with them on any immediate action that should be taken to ensure the safety of the child. Remember, it is not your responsibility to investigate or decide if abuse has or has not occurred.

Safeguarding for CHROMA’s Educational Workshops in England and Wales prepared by Claire Shovelton (Producer)
reviewed 25 January 2023 and approved by the trustees on 26 January 2023

CHROMA Education Workshops AGREEMENT FORM

Workshop Name

School/Organisation

Organisation’s child protection officer

Tel

Date

Workshop Facilitators Names:

Designated Responsible Person for workshop:

Name

Tel No.

Status (i.e. Teacher/Learning support/parent):

I understand and agree with the CHROMA Child/Vulnerable Adult Protection policy and adhere to its contents.

Name:

Signed:

Date:

CHROMA

Reporting Form

Name of workshop facilitator:

Name of Designated Responsible Adult:

Who was present?

Account of Incident (Include When & Where):

What was said?

Actions taken: