Safeguarding Policy

CAVMS fully recognises its responsibilities for Child Protection.

Our policy applies to all musicians working in schools and music centres. There are 4 main elements to our policy:

  • Establishing a safe environment in which children can learn and develop.
  • Ensuring we practice safe recruitment in checking the suitability of musicians to work with children.
  • Developing and then implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.
  • Supporting pupils who have been abused in accordance with his/her agreed protection plan.

We recognise that because of the day-to-day contact with children, our musicians are well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse. CAVMS will therefore:

  • Establish and maintain an environment where children feel safe and secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to.
  • Ensure children know that there are adults in school/music centre whom they can approach if they are worried.

We will follow procedures laid out by the Local Safeguarding Children Board and take account of guidance issued by the Department for Children, Schools and Families to:

  • Ensure every musician knows the name of the designated senior person in the school responsible for child protection, and their role.
  • Ensure all musicians have information about their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and their responsibility for referring any concerns to the designated senior person responsible for child protection.
  • Ensure that parents have an understanding of the responsibility placed on CAVMS and its musicians for child protection by setting out its obligations in its prospectus.
  • Keep written records of concerns about children and the action taken to pass the information on.
  • Ensure all records are kept securely.
  • Fully investigate any allegation against a musician, immediately contacting all concerned (complainant, musician and school) to assess the situation and take action as required.
  • Ensure safe recruitment practices are always followed.

The Designated Safeguarding Leads for CAVMS are the directors David Miller and John Murray, who can be contacted in the CAVMS office.