1. Statement of Intent

Core Music CIC is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all musician members, partners, staff and participants. We recognise our responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults at risk and to respond appropriately to any concerns.

Safeguarding is the responsibility of all staff, members (Core Musicians), volunteers, and trustees.

2. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to:

• All staff, members, and volunteers

• All children, adults and partners engaging with the organisation

• All activities delivered on-site and, where applicable, off-site

3. Definitions

Children

As defined by the Children Act 1989 & 2004

For the purposes of this policy, a child is any person under the age of 18.

Adults at Risk

As defined by the Care Act 2014

An adult at risk is a person aged 18 or over who:

• has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting those needs);

• is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect; and

• as a result of those needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse or neglect.

Vulnerable Persons / Persons at Risk

For the purposes of this policy, a vulnerable person or person at risk refers to:

• any child, and/or

• any adult meeting the definition above

 Vulnerability may be temporary or long-term and may arise from factors including disability, health needs, care status, or social and emotional circumstances.

4. Safeguarding Principles

The organisation will:

• Provide a safe and welcoming environment

• Ensure appropriate safeguarding measures are in place for all participants

• Respond promptly and appropriately to concerns

• Promote a culture of transparency, accountability, and early reporting

5. Roles and Responsibilities

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The organisation will appoint a Designated Safeguarding Lead (Safeguarding Officer) responsible for:

• Receiving and managing safeguarding concerns

• Maintaining records

• Liaising with relevant agencies where necessary

Core Musicians and Staff

All staff must:

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries

• Follow safeguarding procedures

• Report any concerns, including low-level concerns, to the DSL

6. One-to-One Teaching

The organisation recognises that one-to-one tuition is a central part of music education and is not inherently a safeguarding risk.

One-to-one sessions are permitted, including with vulnerable persons, provided that:

• arrangements are transparent and accountable

• any specific needs or risks are identified and documented

• parent/carer or relevant authority is aware and in agreement where appropriate

Where a participant is identified as a vulnerable person, additional safeguards may include:

• a bespoke lesson or support plan

• agreed teaching arrangements

• clear communication with relevant parties

The organisation’s approach is that vulnerability requires additional safeguards, not exclusion.

7. Arrival, Departure, and Supervision

Arrival

Students are expected to arrive promptly for their scheduled lesson or session.

The organisation cannot guarantee general supervision in our waiting facilities outside of scheduled lesson times. Participants should therefore not arrive significantly early unless this has been agreed in advance.

Students may wait briefly before a lesson begins where necessary; however, the premises must not be used as an unsupervised drop-in or holding space.

Where earlier arrival is unavoidable:

• this must be communicated and agreed in advance with the assigned musician member / partner, in line with Core Music policy, and

• appropriate arrangements must be in place

Repeated early arrival without agreement may result in safeguarding concerns being raised and/or revised participation arrangements being required.

Departure and Collection

Collection and departure arrangements should coincide as closely as possible with the scheduled end of the lesson or session.

Participants should not remain on the premises unnecessarily after their lesson has ended unless:

• this has been agreed in advance, or

• they are attending another supervised activity

Parents/carers are responsible for ensuring timely collection arrangements are in place.

If unavoidable issues occur with collection arrangements, and no staff are present, children will be asked to wait with their tutor in their teaching room, this is a fall-back option only as it disrupts services for others.

Supervision on Site

Children under the age of 11 should not normally be left unsupervised on the premises outside of their scheduled lesson time.

Any exceptions:

• must be agreed explicitly in advance

• must involve clear, transparent, and appropriate arrangements

The organisation reserves the right to refuse arrangements that cannot be safely accommodated.

Children under the age of 9 should always have a parent / carer on site and accessible

Responsibility

• Parents/carers remain responsible for children outside of scheduled lesson times, including arrival, waiting, and collection arrangements.

• Project Musicians are responsible for students during scheduled lesson delivery only.

• The organisation does not provide general childcare or ongoing supervision outside agreed activities.

• During ‘opening hours’ Core Music staff will be present in the building as an aid to safeguarding – however, this does not imply childcare responsibilities, and staff may be away from communal areas for extended periods of time.

• During ‘out-of-hours’ access, safeguarding is the sole responsibility of the tutor and parent / carer. Clear and transparent arrangements must be made to align with Core Music Safeguarding policy and procedure standards

8. Use of Communal Areas

The organisation recognises that students may use waiting or communal areas.

Supervision in these areas is supported through:

• staff presence during peak hours (where available)

• clear communication with families

• environmental safeguards (e.g. visibility, CCTV where installed)

No single staff member can supervise all areas at all times; proportionate measures will be taken to manage risk.

9. Building Use and Access

Opening Hours

During designated hours:

• the building is staffed and accessible

• safeguarding arrangements are in place and managed by Core Music CIC

Out-of-Hours Operation

Outside of opening hours:

• access is limited and is made by prior arrangement only

• entry is not guaranteed

• parents/carers are responsible for safe drop-off and collection

• parents/carers will be asked to remain

The assigned musicians member, partner, or staff member will clearly communicate these arrangements to all users.

Out-of-Hours Use
Where activities take place outside of designated open building hours, these are governed by a separate Out-of-Hours Usage Agreement.

This agreement:

• must be signed by the relevant tutor and parent/carer (where the participant is under 18)

• sets out specific responsibilities for supervision, access, and conduct

• operates in conjunction with, and does not replace, this Safeguarding Policy

All out-of-hours activity must:

• comply fully with this Safeguarding Policy

• be pre-agreed and documented

• maintain appropriate safeguarding standards, always including clear responsibility for participants

The organisation reserves the right to withdraw out-of-hours access where safeguarding expectations are not met.

10. Safe Learning Environments

To support safe teaching environments:

• teaching spaces should maintain appropriate visibility wherever possible

• doors should remain open where visibility is limited, unless inappropriate for the session

• improvements to visibility and security (e.g. windows, access controls, CCTV) will be implemented as resources allow

11. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

All staff must report any safeguarding concern to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

This includes:

• disclosures from a child or adult

• concerns about behaviour or welfare

• low-level or emerging concerns, such as unusual or abrupt communication

Staff, members & partners must:

• remain calm and neutral

• not ask leading questions

• not attempt to investigate

• explain that concerns must be shared

• record and report the concern promptly

Staff are not expected to act as counsellors and should refer individuals to appropriate support where needed.

12. Low-Level Concerns

The organisation encourages a culture of early reporting.

Concerns that may not meet formal safeguarding thresholds should still be reported, as they may:

• indicate emerging risk

• contribute to a broader pattern

This approach protects both participants and staff.

13. Information and Consent

All participants must complete safeguarding and consent forms prior to starting.

These forms will include:

• emergency contact details

• medical or additional needs information

• travel and supervision permissions

Annual Renewal

All safeguarding and consent information will be:

• reviewed and updated annually

• reissued to all families each September

14. Training and Development

The organisation will:

• ensure staff receive appropriate safeguarding training

• provide guidance on boundaries and handling disclosures

• explore scenario-based training to support real-world situations

15. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if required due to:

• legislative changes

• organisational changes

• safeguarding incidents or learning