Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy
updated January, 2026
Policy Statement
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Stannington Mixed Choir provides people of all ages with the opportunity to participate in and demonstrate the skills of their performing arts, singing within a safe environment. Full risk assessments will be available for each location we use and be available on demand. Stannington Mixed Choir is an inclusive organisation and will enable the inclusion of all those people and groups who express an interest and wish to participate in making any necessary adjustments, where appropriate.
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The safeguarding policy will underpin the working philosophy of Stannington Mixed Choir committee, which ensures that the physical and mental wellbeing and safety of all young and vulnerable people is held paramount by both the young people and adults involved. This policy applies to all activities involving young and vulnerable people.
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It is the duty of all adults who are helping throughout the choir, to have a working knowledge of the current safeguarding issues, not only of safeguard young and vulnerable people taking part, but also to be able to deal with situation which may cause concerns, regarding the welfare of a young or vulnerable adult.
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There will be appointed two Child Protection and Safeguarding Officers (CPSOs) for the choir, who will have training and have a DBS clearance.
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The key principles which underwrite this policy are:
- anyone under the age of 18 years will be considered a child for the purposes of this document. Vulnerable adults are vulnerable people over the age of 18. Both may be referred to as "vulnerable people"
- a person's welfare is paramount
- all people, whatever their age, culture, ability, gender, sexual orientation/identity, or faith, have a right to protection from abuse.
- all suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously, and responded to swiftly and appropriately
- all members will be aware of best practice in order that they can be protected from wrongful allegations
- all members will be are of protection policies, in order to comply with procedures in the event of, or suspicion of an allegation of abuse
- each individual must accept accountability for their own practice. Where they have a job to do, they cannot put their trust in which might follow by others, to justify their own actions, or inactions
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Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people is defined as:
- protecting vulnerable people from maltreatment
- preventing bullying, including cyber bullying
- preventing the impairment of a vulnerable person's physical and mental health or development
- ensuring vulnerable people are acting in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
- preventing radicalisation
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Safeguarding young and vulnerable people
This refers to the activity that is undertaken, to protect specific people who may be suffering, or are likely to suffer significant harm.
Effective safeguarding is essential as part of a wider ethic to safeguard and promote the welfare of all people. However, all agencies and individuals should aim to proactively safeguard vulnerable people, and promote their welfare, so that the need for action to protect them from harm is reduced.
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Abuse
Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment. Failure to prevent harm may lead to maltreatment. Maltreatment may take place in a family, institutional, or community setting, by those known to them, or more rarely, by a stranger. This may occur from other adults, or other children.
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The term abuse is used to describe ways in which people are harmed, usually by adults and often by those that are known and trusted. It is generally accepted that abuse falls into four main categories. All committee members are make aware of these categories, which are;
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Physical Abuse
May occurs when adults or children themselves deliberately inflict physical injuries on a person, or knowingly do nothing to prevent such injuries. Physical abuse includes hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning or misuse of medications, burning, scalding, drowning or suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm, which may include administering alcohol or inappropriate drugs, or failure to supervise access to any such substances. Physical harm may also be caused when a carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes ill health to a vulnerable person.
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Emotional Abuse
May occur when adults persistently fail to show due care, love or affection, where they are expected to do so, or where a person may be constantly shouted at, or threatened, or subjected to sarcasm, ridicule or unrealistic pressure. It may involve making the vulnerable person feel, or believe that they are worthless, unloved or inadequate.
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Sexual Abuse
May involve forcing, or enticing a vulnerable person to take part in sexual activities. It may be perpetrated by a member of the same sex, or opposite sex, or by young people, or adults. Sexual abuse also includes non-contact activities, such as involving children or vulnerable people in looking at, or in the production of pornographic material, watching sexual activities or encouraging them to behave in a sexually inappropriate way.
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Neglect
May occur when essential needs of food, warmth and care fail to be met. Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a vulnerable person's basic, physical or psychological needs, and is likely to result in the impairment of the person's health or development.
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Guidelines for Stannington Mixed Choir members in dealing with disclosure or suspicion of abuse
Abuse may become apparent in a number of ways.
- a person may have developed a trusting relationship with a particular adult and disclose information
- a third party may report an incident observed, or have a strong suspicion of wrongdoing
- you may yourself have a suspicion, or evidence of wrongdoing
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If a person tells you they are being abused, or an allegation comes to your attention;
- stay calm, do not rush into inappropriate action
- show that you take the allegation seriously and reassure the person that they are not to blame and confirm how difficult it is to discuss these issues
- do not promise to keep anything secret; explain that you have a duty to share information with the safeguarding officer, whilst still maintaining maximum possible confidentiality
- allow only one person to talk to the person concerned, reducing discrepancies in any formal statements that my be made later
- do not question the person in any depth, but allow them to freely speak. Remember, as an adult (including the CPSO) we refer to the appropriate authorities, we do not investigate.
- do not prompt or make the person repeat themselves
- do not ask leading questions
- do not interrupt if the person is recalling events
- do not take sole responsibility for further action. Contact the Child Protection Officer for help and support, who in turn will take the relevant action necessary (e.g. police or social services)
- explain to the person what your next steps are going to be
- take into account the person's views, age and level of understanding when responding to them
- take whatever action is necessary to ensure their immediate safety
- record the facts as clearly, and as soon as possible, following disclosure
- quote exact words and phrases used
- note the time, date and place, and who else, if anyone, was present
- be as specific with the details as possible
- ensure the record is kept confidential
- do not discuss the situation with anyone other than the CPSO, the Chairman, or relevant authorities
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Procedures and systems
- there will be nominated 2 Child Protection and Safeguarding Officers for the choir, one male and one female, who will have their photograph and name displayed both on the website, and at the rehearsal room
- the choir members will be made aware of this
- the committee will ensure that these CPSOs have the appropriate training and DBS clearance
- choir members will be encouraged to voice concerns regarding any unethical behaviour
- the choir has a separate policy for online and social media, and concerns relating to abuses should be reported through this policy
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Reporting Process
Issues and concerns should be reported to Kerry Levesley or Graham Elliott, or if neither are available, the Chairman, David Cartwright.
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Procedure
- the adult will conform to the guidelines discusses
- the adult will inform the CPSOs as soon as possible
- the CPSO will consult with relevant agencies and follow advice given by them
- the CPSO will inform the Chairman that an incident has occurred
- further discussion with any other member of choir will not take place
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Training
- safeguarding training will be arranged by Stannington Mixed Choir, when needed
- the committee will ensure funds are available to commission any necessary training
- appropriately trained adults is mandatory, and a record of training will be kept by the committee
- if necessary, workshops will be provided to allow members the opportunity to explore their feelings with regard to disclosure or allegations
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Implementation and monitoring
- it is the responsibility of Stannington Mixed Choir CPSOs to ensure the policy is implemented
- it is the responsibility of the committee to ensure that implementation is monitored
- it is the responsibility of the committee to review and update this document, at least annually
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This document has been reviewed and agreed by Stannington Mixed Choir Committee, January 2026
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Kerry Levesely CPSO
Graham Elliott CPSO
Online and Social Media Safeguarding Policy
Introduction
This policy provides guidance on how Stannington Mixed Choir uses the internet and social media, and the procedures for doing so. It also outlines how we expect members to behave online.
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Aims
- to protect children and adults with Stannington Mixed Choir who make use of technology such as internet platforms, whilst they are using platforms set up by us, namely, facebook, youtube, whatsapp and this website
- to provide members with policy and procedures regarding online safety, and to inform them how they may respond to incidents
- to ensure that Stannington Mixed Choir is operating in line with our values, stated in our constitution (available on request) and within the law, whilst using our platforms
- to ensure that we adhere to relevant legislation and good practice when using platforms
- incorporate procedure for reporting incidents of cyber bullying into our safeguarding policy
- to review and revise policy on at least an annual basis
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Managing our online presence
- all platforms used by Stannington Mixed Choir will be password protected, and at least three committee members will have access to each account
- each account will be monitored by those persons, and who will seek advice if necessary, from our CPSOs
- any inappropriate post will be removed by the responsible committee members, and an explanation given for the action taken
- only necessary identifying details will be given online, with the permission of the member, or parents of the member, where applicable
- any online communication with a minor will be done through the parent
- any other communication with a minor will have the consent of the parent, or be done through the parent
- photographs of minors will be approved by the parent
- all adults should be aware of the policy and act in accordance with it
- if any member, or member of the public has a concern about an online post, please contact the Chairman
- adults should not "friend" or "follow" minors on their personal accounts, or communicate via private messages
- the Choir will communicate with members through formal means, such as email
- at least one other committee member should be copied into any communication with a minor
- signing should be formal (no emojis or xxx's)
- disclosures of wrongdoing disclosed through social media should be dealt with in the same way as a face to face disclosure, in accordance with out safeguarding policy procedures
- smartphone users should respect the private lives of other members and not take or distribute of other members, without explicit permission
- no members will engage in "sexting" or send pictures to anyone that are obscene, indecent, menacing or distressing
- we expect all members, children and adults to be aware of this policy and agree to its terms
- we expect all members' behaviour whilst using our platforms, to be consistent with our guidelines and policies
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Choir members and committee members will take the following precautions
- avoid have a minor's phone number, and seek contact via a parent/carer
- seek permission from a parent/carer on each occasion that a minor needs to be communicated with
- copy in another committee member to all email or other communication
- whatsapp will be used for information distribution, with a separate account for social chat. Minors will not be part of the social chat, unsupervised and without permission from parent/carer
- all members may join or leave these group entirely at their own discretion
- all choir information will also be distributed by email
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If a child tries to engage in conversation via text, take the following steps -
- end the conversation, suggestion a discussion at the next rehearsal
- stop replying
- if concerned about the child, provide contact details of the Chairman or CPSO
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This policy applies to any devices used, either current or future, such as all smartphone, laptops, computers, smart TVs, social media apps or websites.
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We expect all adults and minors to adhere to these guidelines. We are committed to addressing any concerns quickly and appropriately.
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This document was last updated in January, 2026
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