SAFEGUARDING Policy

Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir Safeguarding Policy 

The Welsh Government Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 requires any organisation, offering activities or services to young people and vulnerable adults, to take all reasonable measures to ensure that the risk of harm to their welfare is minimised and, where there are concerns, to share them with other agencies, as appropriate. For the purposes of this policy, anyone up to the age of 19 is a child and anyone over 18 years who is or may be unable to take care of themselves or unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation is a vulnerable adult. Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir recognises that it is not the role of our organisation to decide whether a child or vulnerable adult has been abused or not. This is the role of the Social Services department who have legal responsibility or the NSPCC who have powers to investigate child protection concerns under the Children Act 1989. The choir is committed to: Valuing, listening to and respecting children and young people as well as promoting their welfare and protection from abuse regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or beliefs. Adopting a procedure for dealing with concerns about possible abuse. Encouraging and supporting parents/carers. Supporting those affected by abuse. Maintaining good links with the statutory childcare authorities and other organisations. Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir generally comprises members who are independent adults but occasionally we may be joined by children (generally members of children’s or youth choirs), and possibly vulnerable adults, who may rehearse and/or perform with us. We recognise the need to safeguard any young and vulnerable members and the Committee has therefore adopted the following Safeguarding Policy. This policy applies to Presidents, Vice Presidents, Choristers, and the Musical Staff and their deputies of Abertillery Orpheus Male Voice Choir (AOMC). 

The Choir committee will designate a committee member or other co-opted choir member to be the Designated Safeguarding Officer (“DSO”). The DSO shall undertake appropriate training as required and will be identified to children as the principal person they should turn to if they have any concerns or queries. On any occasion when children or vulnerable adults are required to rehearse and/or perform with AOMC there will be at least two adults appointed by the children choir / youth group taking part, who will remain responsible for them throughout rehearsals. During performances chaperones/parents will be responsible for their children. There should be no need for a member of the choir to be alone with a child or vulnerable adult. Any concern regarding a child, vulnerable adult, adult choir member, or any other adult associated with the choir must immediately be reported to the DSO (or in his or her absence to the Chair or Deputy Chair of the Committee) who will take the lead on responding to information that may constitute a safeguarding concern. This includes: • receiving and recording the information from the person expressing the concern. • assessing and clarifying the information. • consulting with and informing the Chair of the Committee. • making referrals to statutory organisations (e.g. the local authority child protection services/the Police, etc.) as appropriate; • storing and retaining records according to legal requirements; and • maintaining confidentiality, subject to the principle of the welfare of the child being paramount which means that information may have to be shared (but only with people who need to know about it). • If in any doubt as to what to do, the DSO or other person acting shall seek advice from NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. 

 21 April 2022