Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy
Putney Music School
Contents
Introduction
Scope of this policy
Aims and intent
Legal considerations
Criminal records
Planning and supervision
Physical contact
Communication
Use of technology
Photography
Bullying
Teachers’ behaviour
Suspicions of abuse
Safety
Confidentiality
Contact outside of work
Gifts and inducements
Communicating this policy and concerns
Implementation, monitoring and review of this policy
Policy created: December 2021
Last reviewed: December 2021
Date of next review: December 2022
Person responsible for this policy: Rhiannon Llewellyn, Designated Safeguarding Lead
www.putneymusic.co.uk
Putney Music School
Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy, December 2021
1. Introduction
Putney Music School, like most musical and instrumental tuition providers, represents a group of individual, self-employed private music teachers working under a collective identity. The conduct of one member of the collective reflects upon the whole, and therefore Teachers are expected to behave with the utmost propriety in their dealings with children and adults.
This policy acknowledges that the role of a singing/instrumental teacher is a privileged and rewarding one. The commonality between a child and music teacher, as opposed to the more structured environment of school, can provide a warm, nurturing environment for the child to learn, grow and be supported. However, with this informality there is also potential for misunderstandings or breaches of trust.
Putney Music School, as an agent for private music tuition, brings adults into regular, unsupervised contact with children. Putney Music School takes its responsibilities to safeguard and protect the interests of all children very seriously.
This policy is non-contractual but indicates the way in which Putney Music School intends to deal with such matters.
2. Scope of this policy
This policy applies to all those working with children under the aegis of Putney Music School, including directors, employees and self-employed teachers. These individuals are collectively referred to throughout as “teachers” as shorthand.
A “child” is anyone under the age of 18.
“Parents” is anyone in the role of parent, who has legal custody of a child. This includes adoptive parents, grandparents, carers, guardians etc.
“Designated safe-guarding lead” or “DSL” at Putney Music School is Rhiannon Llewellyn.
3. Aims and intent
This policy, at its heart, is in place to create and maintain the safest possible environment for children whom we are working with, as well as their parents and teachers from Putney Music School. All reasonable steps will be taken to protect all parties from harm.
4. Legal considerations
There is a considerable body of legislation and statutory guidance designed to ensure that children and vulnerable adults are protected and it is important to understand that everyone is responsible for their safety. The main acts include:
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2019
The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Business Regulations 2003
Protection of Children Act 1999/Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000
Care Standards Act 2000
Equality Act 2010
The Police Act 1997
The Children (Protection from Offenders) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1997
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
This policy will be maintained and updated in line with ever-changing legislation and statutory guidance. It will be reviewed at least once each academic year.
5. Criminal records
Those who are involved in work situations where they have sustained or prolonged unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders legislation. This means that prospective employees, self-employed contractors and volunteers must declare all criminal convictions, however long ago; and these will be taken into account when deciding on their suitability for working with children. No-one will be permitted to undertake a role with Putney Music School which involves regular contact with children without providing:
Evidence of suitable qualifications for the role they are undertaking
A satisfactory Enhanced DBS check
A criminal record may not prevent a person from working for Putney Music School in another capacity than teaching: if that person is then asked to undertake tasks which will bring them into unsupervised contact with children, such as work experience placements, any record must be declared to the Designated Safeguarding Lead of Putney Music School who will take appropriate advice where necessary and will decide whether this task should be allocated to another person.
6. Planning and supervision
All activities or assignments involving children should be planned in advance to ensure they take into account the age range and ability of the participants. Any teacher supervising children should be competent to do so. Supervision should take account of the age, gender and individual needs of the child, as well as the nature of the activity. Where required, a risk assessment will be undertaken and documented.
Teachers should avoid working alone in a property with a child; a pupil’s parents or suitable guardian should be present in the house or workspace at all times. If possible, the teacher should also move to a location where they and the child can both be seen by another other adult and/or the door should be left open.
This guidance applies also to transport in vehicles: teachers must not offer to transport a child unless accompanied by a further person or as part of a formal arrangement.
If, during a lesson, a teacher should find themselves in a compromising or awkward situation, they must always report their concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
7. Physical contact
Teachers should be aware that physical contact between children and adults can easily be misunderstood. Physical contact should not be used to demonstrate how to play an instrument or sing as it may make a child uncomfortable, be misconstrued and place the teacher in a compromising position.
We do not place a blanket ban on all physical contact since there are occasions where it may be required:
Proportionate response to prevent accident or injury to a child or anyone else (e.g. to prevent a fall)
To prevent serious damage to property
In the case of medical assistance being needed (e.g. to administer First Aid)
If a child is hurt or distressed, the teacher should do their best to comfort or reassure the affected person without compromising his/her dignity or doing anything to discredit the person’s own behaviour.
All adults working with children should consider that, for some children, any physical contact may be distressing, for example when a child has sensory issues, a history of abuse or when it may interfere with religious practices.
Teachers of Putney Music School sometimes work with very young children, for whom touch is a vital part of healthy attachment. Any physical contact should be instigated by a child. Teachers working with children of this age group will receive specialist training to ensure that the child is respected, while the professional status of the Teacher is maintained.
8. Communication
When a teacher or any fellow of Putney Music School is in direct contact with a pupil is must only be through the My Music Staff system. It is vital that the parent or guardian is copied in all correspondence through the My Music Staff system and pupils can only be emailed their practice notes through the system with the express consent of their parent or guardian.
Teachers should not have any direct contact with pupils that parents or guardians are not party to. Any correspondence with children should maintain an appropriate boundary between educator and pupil: email through My Music Staff is acceptable as long as parents are copied in; text messages, any form of social media or instant messaging are not.
Communication with children is vital in establishing relationships built on trust. Those working with children should listen to what they are saying and respond appropriately. Children are entitled to the same respect as any adult. It should also be made clear to them, in age-appropriate terms, what standards of behaviour and mutual respect are expected from them.
Those working with children should behave appropriately, ensure that language is moderated in children’s presence and should refrain from adult jokes or comments which are clearly unsuitable. Teachers should also note that what may be acceptable language to their friends may not be regarded as such by those of an older generation.
9. Use of technology
Technology can, with sensitive use, greatly enrich children’s learning experience. Teachers should be mindful of how they use technology, especially personal mobile devices, while working with children; they should not send emails, text messages or instant messages while teaching – even if the child is completing an activity.
If teachers are showing online content to a child as part their lesson, they must first ascertain that any material is suitable for the child and will not cause harm.
10. Photography
No photos will be taken or published of any child attending an event or activity unless prior written permission is sought from a person with parental responsibility. If any person has any concerns regarding any person taking photos at an event or activity, that person should contact Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately.
Sometimes, children may wish to have their photograph taken of their achievements during lessons, or to have a video of their playing/singing made in order to check their progress. Both of which their parents need give prior written permission. If this is the case, then the following protocol should be followed:
Parents’ written consent should be checked
Child’s consent should be asked before taking the photo/video
Photo/video will be immediately sent to the Principal, Rhiannon Llewellyn
Photo/video will be deleted from the teacher’s device
Rhiannon Llewellyn will send the photo/video to the parents to double check they are happy with it being shared in accordance with our photography and video agreement
Rhiannon Llewellyn will double check with the teacher that all copies have been deleted.
11. Bullying
We will not tolerate the bullying of children either by adults or by other children. If any incident of child-on-child bullying should arise at a Putney Music School event, those involved will be separated immediately and the parents of the children involved will be asked to deal with the matter. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will review all incidents of child-on-child bullying and assess the likely future risk to children. If appropriate, the DSL will consider banning a child from future events, but only in full accordance with the rules and procedures of Putney Music School Allegations of adults bullying children will be dealt with in accordance with this Policy.
12. Teachers’ behaviour
All Teachers of Putney Music School should aim to promote an environment of trust and understanding. Those working with children adults should not tolerate unsociable behaviour but should try to ensure good working relationships.
All teachers with Putney Music School (including directors, employees, and self-employed Teachers and consultants) have a strict duty never to subject any fellow human being – child or adult – to any form of harm or abuse. This means that it is unacceptable, for example, to treat anyone in the following ways:
• causing distress by shouting or calling them derogatory names
• slapping or hitting
• holding them in such a way that it causes pain, or shaking them
• physically restraining them – except to protect them from harming themselves or others
• taking part in horseplay or rough games
• allowing or engaging in inappropriate touching of any kind
• doing things of a personal nature for the person that they can do for themselves (this includes changing
clothing, or going to the toilet with them unless another adult is present)
• allowing or engage in sexually suggestive behaviour within a person’s sight or hearing, or making suggestive remarks within earshot
• sharing or showing anything which could be construed as pornographic
• seeking or agreeing to meet a child anywhere outside of the normal working situation without the full prior knowledge and agreement of the child’s parents
• engaging online in an unacceptable manner
13. Suspicions of abuse
Teachers SUSPECTING ABUSE OF A CHILD
Any teacher who witnesses or suspects abusive behaviour towards a child should record the details and report it to the Designated Safeguarding Lead of Putney Music School. It is NOT the individual teacher’s responsibility to investigate their suspicions – this requires expertise they are not expected to have.
However, all teachers are trained in what to do if a child makes a disclosure as part of their tuition:
Listen to what the child is saying without interruption and without asking leading questions
Reassure the child that they have done the right thing in sharing
Respect the child’s right to privacy but not promise to keep an allegation secret, as this may not be in the best interests of the child.
Explain to the child that in order to keep them safe from harm the information that has been shared must be passed on
Report what has been disclosed to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, where possible using the child’s own words
Teachers should ensure that they maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality whilst at the same time liaising with relevant professionals such as the Designated Safeguarding Lead and children’s social care.
PARENTS SUSPECTING ABUSE BY A Teacher
Any allegations of abuse made against anyone working for or on behalf of Putney Music School will be thoroughly investigated and dealt with through our disciplinary procedures. Serious breaches may lead to dismissal (for employees) or termination of any agreement (for self-employed teachers or consultants).
The Designated Safeguarding Lead will appropriately record an allegation or reported incident. She is responsible for contacting the relevant child protection agency such as the Local Safeguarding Children Board or the police if necessary.
ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD
If any teacher has concerns about the behaviour of the Designated Safeguarding Lead, they should contact Wandsworth LADO within 24 hours of an incident occurring:
Email: LADO@wandsworth.gov.uk
Phone: Anita Gibbons, LADO 07974 586 461
14. Safety
The safety of the people we work with is paramount and we are committed to providing a safe environment within which to work. Those working with children should ensure all appropriate risk assessments and security checks have been carried out prior to any assignment.
Any equipment used must be safe and only used for the purpose for which it is intended. Users should be adequately trained. Appropriate insurance should be up to date and adequate to cover such assignments.
15. Privacy
All personal information regarding children and their families is highly confidential and should only be shared with appropriate people on a need-to-know basis. Data will be stored with appropriate levels of encryption, with access limited to teachers who are required to access it to fulfil their duties, and will only be kept for as long as it is needed. This ensures that Putney Music School is compliant with the legislation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and associated acts.
Anyone who is likely to have access to confidential material regarding children or their families may be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Teachers should not share any information relating to an assignment on their personal social media.
16. Contact outside of work
Teachers should not make contact with any child with whom they are working for any reason unrelated to the particular work. Should a pupil instigate contact with a teacher through personal channels, the teacher should report this to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, who can make the pupil’s parents aware or take any further action that may be needed if the content of the messages is concerning.
Teachers are required to maintain Putney Music School’s reputation for integrity and safeguarding the wellbeing of children.
17. Gifts and inducements
Adults working with children in a professional capacity should never give a child a gift or buy refreshments etc. as a bribe or inducement to enter into a relationship with the adult.
This does not preclude genuine, selfless and appropriate acts of warmth and care, such as giving a birthday card. Parents should be aware of any gift, and the teacher, as a professional working with children, should ensure that their behaviour could never give rise to any false allegations of improper conduct.
Teachers are permitted to receive gifts from students, but only with the full knowledge of the child’s parents.
18. Communicating this policy and concerns
All teachers working with Putney Music School are required to be aware of this policy, and a copy will be published on the company’s website.
Any concerns about the assignment or people involved should be addressed immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead of Putney Music School.
19. Implementation, monitoring and review of this policy
As Designated Safeguarding Lead, Rhiannon Llewellyn has responsibility for implementing and monitoring this policy, which will be reviewed at least once a year, and additionally whenever there are relevant changes in legislation or to our working practices. She has received appropriate training to undertake this role.