Safeguarding Policy – Stockport Symphony Orchestra – overview

Commitment to safeguarding: Stockport Symphony Orchestra, a registered charity, is an amateur orchestra. Although its members are mainly adults, occasionally some young or vulnerable people become involved in the activities of the orchestra. Stockport Symphony Orchestra believes that a child, young person or vulnerable adult should never experience abuse of any kind. We recognise that we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults, fostering their musical development and as a way of encouraging future membership. We are committed to safeguarding the well-being of all children, young people and vulnerable adults we come into contact with and to protecting them from harm.

About this policy
• This policy applies to; all members, freelancers, volunteers, and anyone working on behalf of Stockport Symphony Orchestra (SSO) or taking part in SSO activities.
• The purpose of this policy is to provide members, freelancers and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to the protection of vulnerable people
• This policy recognises vulnerable people as:
• Children up to the age of 16
• Young people aged 16-18.
• Adults aged over 18 defined as vulnerable 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 aims to:
• Protect young people and vulnerable adults who are members of, freelancing for, or volunteering or taking part in SSO activities.
• Ensure members, freelancers and volunteers working with young people and vulnerable adults understand and accept responsibility for the safeguarding of those vulnerable individuals they are interacting with.
• Ensure that safeguarding of young people and vulnerable adults is a primary consideration when SSO undertakes any activity, event or project.

How SSO might work with vulnerable people: membership of the orchestra is open to those over 16 years of age. We run regular rehearsals for members and put on concerts for the general public. We hold a biennial international music competition. As such our involvement with vulnerable people might include, but is not limited to:
• Members of the group who attend rehearsals and concerts
• Competition participants
• Relatives and friends of members who attend rehearsals and concerts and audience members at public concerts.

Named safeguarding person: Craig Eastwood has responsibility for safeguarding issues. All queries and concerns relating to safeguarding should be referred to Craig Eastwood in the first instance: safeguarding@stockportsymphony.co.uk.

In any instance where a report to Craig Eastwood would be inappropriate the report should be made to the orchestra secretary Jo Hossle- Standring: secretary@stockportsymphony.co.uk
Any projects, events or other activities that will involve vulnerable people must be planned with the involvement of Craig Eastwood and in line with established procedures and ground rules.

Procedures and ground rules: A further document – ‘Ground rules, ways of working and procedures’ is below and forms part of this policy.
Policy review: This policy will be reviewed and amended (if necessary) on an annual basis by the committee. It will also be reviewed in response to changes in relevant legislation, good practice, or in response to an identified failing in its effectiveness.

Safeguarding Policy - Ground rules, ways of working and procedures

This document forms part of the SSO Safeguarding policy
• The policy applies to; all members, volunteers and anyone working on behalf of SSO or taking part in SSO activities.
• The purpose of this policy is to provide members, freelancers and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to the protection of vulnerable people.
• This policy recognises vulnerable people as:
o Children up to the age of 16
o Young people aged 16-18.
o Adults aged over 18 defined as vulnerable 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 document includes:
• Ground rules and ways for working regarding safeguarding of vulnerable people
• Procedures for raising safeguarding concerns and incidents of abuse
• Procedures for dealing with concerns and incident of abuse

Ground rules and ways for working regarding safeguarding of vulnerable people

The Committee shall be responsible for nominating the appropriately trained safeguarding officer and deputy, and ensuring that they hold current DBS certification. The Secretary will hold electronic copies of all DBS certificates.

When SSO organises an activity or event where they will be responsible for vulnerable adults they will ensure:
• Planning is carried out in line with this policy and procedures.
• The event is attended by an appropriate number of DBS checked adults – this will be a minimum of one but more when practically possible.
• There is a main contact for safeguarding on the day - this will be an individual who has been DBS checked.
• The main contact has access to emergency contact details and other relevant details (e.g. information about picking up arrangements for vulnerable people). Storage of this information will conform to SSO’s GDPR policy.
• A vulnerable person is not to be left alone with an adult, unless that adult is DBS checked and carrying out regulated activity.
• On first arrival at the event, the vulnerable person will be introduced to the safeguarding officer/main contact.

Working with parents/guardians: If a vulnerable person wishes to take part in SSO 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 of 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 freelancer or volunteer in SSO witnesses, suspects or is informed of a witnessed or suspected case of abuse they should immediately report it to the named safeguarding officer; Craig Eastwood safeguarding@stockportsymphony.co.uk
• If the named person is not available, or is involved in or connected to, the abuse, it should be reported to the SSO Secretary Jo Hossle-Standring secretary@stockportsymphony.co.uk
• If an individual wishes to report an incident of abuse against themselves they should report it to the named safeguarding officer Craig Eastwood or Jo Hossle-Standring.

Procedures for dealing with concerns and incidents of abuse

The Named person (or person reported in their absence) will first make a decision based on the immediacy of the concern and the following two factors:
1. If the vulnerable person is in immediate danger or needs emergency medical attention – call the police and/or ambulance service on 999.
2. 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 may be involved in the incident.
• Escalate the report if required. In the first instance this will involve contacting the Stockport MASSH (Multi-agency Safeguarding and Support Hub) for advice. The number for the MASSH is 0161 217 6028, select option 1. For out of hours emergencies call 0161 718 2118.
• If required, the DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead) will also;
o Raise concerns with the police – for serious or possible criminal offences.
o Request an assessment by the local authority social care department about whether a vulnerable person is in need of protection. This is done by using the MASSH online referral form at https://forms.stockport.gov.uk/contacting-the-massh/level-select
o Initiate 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:
o Inform all parties involved of the reported abuse as soon as possible.
o Inform the family/guardians of the person reported as being been abused of the incident.
o 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 change 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.
o 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 SSO
• Any disciplinary action will be taken in line with the SSO constitution.