POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR THE
SAFEGUARDING OF CHILDREN AND
ADULTS AT RISK

Last updated Jan 2023

Contents Page
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 4
1.1 Terminology ................................................................................................. 4
2. POLICY OBJECTIVES ...................................................................................... 4
3. CBSO SAFEGUARDING COMMITMENT .......................................................... 4
4. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES.......................................................................... 5
5. DBS POLICY ..................................................................................................... 5
6. TRAINING ......................................................................................................... 6
7. CODE OF CONDUCT........................................................................................ 6
8. MUSICIANS WORKING IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS ................................... 6
9. MUSICIANS PROVIDING PRIVATE TEACHING AT THE CBSO CENTRE ....... 7
10. HIRE OF THE CBSO CENTRE BY EXTERNAL GROUPS .............................. 7
11. DEFINITIONS OF ABUSE ............................................................................... 8
11.1
Physical abuse..................................................................................... 8
11.2
Emotional abuse ................................................................................... 8
11.3
Sexual abuse ........................................................................................ 8
11.4
Neglect ................................................................................................. 8
11.5
Discriminatory Abuse ............................................................................ 9
11.6
Financial Abuse: ................................................................................... 9
11.7
Domestic Abuse:................................................................................... 9
11.8
Psychological Abuse ............................................................................. 9
12. RECOGNISING INDICATORS OF ABUSE ...................................................... 9
12.1
Physical abuse:..................................................................................... 9
12.2
Emotional abuse ................................................................................... 9
12.3
Sexual abuse ...................................................................................... 10
12.4
Neglect ............................................................................................... 10
12.5
Changes in behaviours ....................................................................... 10
13. RESPONDING TO DISCLOSURES AND CONCERNS ................................. 10
13.1
Responding to a disclosure from a child or adult at risk ...................... 10
13.2
Barriers to reporting concerns ............................................................. 11
13.3
Responding to concerns about a child or adult at risk ......................... 11
13.4
Recording concerns or disclosures ..................................................... 11
13.5
Information Sharing - the DSO’s responsibility .................................... 12
13.6
Referring the concerns to the relevant agencies ................................. 13
14. RESPONDING TO ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE OF A CHILD OR ADULT ATRISK AGAINST A MUSICIAN, MEMBER OF STAFF OR VOLUNTEER .............. 13
14.01 Roles & Responsibilities following an allegation .................................. 14
14.02 Persons to be notified ......................................................................... 14
14.03 Support ............................................................................................... 15
14.04 Suspension ......................................................................................... 15
14.05 Timescales ......................................................................................... 16
14.06 Initial action by person receiving or identifying an allegation or concern
16
14.07 Initial action by the designated safeguarding officer ............................ 16
14.08 Initial consideration by the designated safeguarding officer and the
LADO team ......................................................................................... 17
14.09 Allegations against staff in their personal lives .................................... 18
14.10 Disciplinary Process ........................................................................... 18
14.11 Sharing information for disciplinary purposes ...................................... 19
14.12 Unsubstantiated and false accusations ............................................... 19
14.13 Substantiated allegations and referral to the DBS ............................... 19
14.14 Learning Lessons ............................................................................... 19
15. CHILDREN AS PERFORMERS ..................................................................... 20
15.1
When Licences are required ............................................................... 20
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15.2
Performances by children and young people outside school hours ..... 20
15.3
Performances by children and young people during school hours ...... 21
15.4
Education sharing events during school hours .................................... 21
16. IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND REVIEW OF THIS POLICY .......... 22
APPENDIX A........................................................................................................... 23
Safeguarding Responsibilities and Roles within the CBSO .................................. 23
APPENDIX B........................................................................................................... 25
Safeguarding Training Matrix ............................................................................... 25
APPENDIX C .......................................................................................................... 27
Expected Behaviours when working with children and adults at risk .................... 27
APPENDIX D .......................................................................................................... 28
CBSO SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP GUIDANCE ..................................................... 28
APPENDIX E........................................................................................................... 30
CBSO SAFEGUARDING REPORT FORM .......................................................... 30
APPENDIX F ........................................................................................................... 32
Useful Contacts ................................................................................................... 32
APPENDIX G .......................................................................................................... 33
Online rehearsal guidance ................................................................................... 33

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1. INTRODUCTION
This policy has been drawn up to ensure the safety and protection of all children andadults at risk involved in the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s (CBSO)
activities through adherence to the guidelines outlined in this document.
This policy applies to all those who work for the CBSO, in paid or unpaid roles, and isintended to ensure that all CBSO activities are conducted in safe, secureenvironments and that there will be a fast, appropriate, and effective response for
dealing with concerns about the safety and welfare of children and adults at risk withwhom we work.
This policy is not contractual but sets out the way in which the City of Birmingham
Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) will respond to any safeguarding concerns ordisclosures raised by children, adults at risk, staff, volunteers, and others associatedwith our activities.
1.1 Terminology• Children refers to anyone under the age of 18 years• Adult at risk refers to a person over the age of 18 years who is unable to takecare of themselves, or unable to protect themselves against serious harm or
exploitation. The person may be elderly or frail, have learning or physicaldisabilities, suffer from a mental illness or be living with dementia• Throughout the document the acronym CBSO refers to all aspects of theactivities and work of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
2. POLICY OBJECTIVES
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To ensure that all musicians, staff, and volunteers understand their duty of care
to, and expected behaviours towards, children and adults at risk as set out in the
CBSO Code of Conduct
To ensure that all musicians, staff, and volunteers know where to go for advice
and support if they have any questions in relation to safeguarding.
To ensure that all musicians, staff, and volunteers working with children andadults at risks understand their responsibilities should a disclosure be made by aparticipant, parent, volunteer, or any others associated with our activities.
To provide clarity in relation to the roles and responsibilities of the Board, Chief
Executive, Designated Safeguarding Lead and Designated Safeguarding
Officer(s) in relation to all aspects of safeguarding and the welfare of children andadults at risks engaging with the CBSO.
To provide clarity in our legal obligations in relation to children as performers.

3. CBSO SAFEGUARDING COMMITMENT
The CBSO believes that a child, young person, or adult at risk has the right toengage with our activities in a safe and secure environment and should neverexperience abuse of any kind. We take this responsibility seriously, and understandthat:• The welfare of children and adults at risk is paramount.
• All children and adults at risk, regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity,religious belief, sexual orientation, or identity, have a right to equal protection
from all types of harm or abuse.
• Some children and adults at risk are additionally vulnerable because of the
impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs
or other issues.

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•Working in partnership with children, adults at risk, their parents, carers, andother agencies is essential in promoting their welfare.

We will seek to keep children and adults at risk safe by:• Valuing them, listening to them, and respecting them.
• Adopting safeguarding practices through procedures and a code of conduct for all
staff and volunteers working with children and adults at risk.
• Developing and implementing an effective e-safety policy and related procedures.
• Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision,
support, and training.
• Recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made.
• Sharing concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents, carers,
children, and adults at risk appropriately.
4. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIESEveryone working with, or volunteering for, the CBSO has a shared responsibility forthe safeguarding and welfare of children and adults at risk engaging with the CBSO,
whether as a participant, audience member, performer, or visitor to the CBSO
Centre.
The Board, Chief Executive, Designated Safeguarding Lead and DesignatedSafeguarding Officer(s) have specific responsibilities which are set out in Appendix A
on page 23.
5. DBS POLICY
All musicians, staff, volunteers and chaperones who work with, or regularly come into
contact with, children and adults at risk as part of their duties are required to undergoa DBS check to ensure that they are suitable and appropriate people to be working
with children or adults at risk
No musicians or other artists (inclusive of CBSO employees and freelancers) will be
engaged to work with children or adults at risks without having a DBS check that isless than 3 years old. This includes working within schools, engaging with the
CBSO’s Youth ensembles and other activities involving contact with children or
adults at risk. Musicians will also be unable to use CBSO Centre rooms for private
teaching without a valid DBS certificate.
A database of DBS checks is held by the CBSO’s Learning & Engagement
department, and this will be maintained by the Head of Learning & Engagement. All
records are held in accordance with the CBSO’s Privacy Policy and GDPR
legislation.
The level of DBS checks (Standard or Enhanced) undertaken will be in accordancewith the level of engagement that the individuals have with children or adults at risk intheir regular duties. Please refer to the CBSO’s Employment of Ex Offenders Policy
for full details on the level of DBS checks required for musicians, staff andvolunteers.
The CBSO will administer checks through the MENCAP online DBS checking
process. Musicians and staff have a responsibility to provide the CBSO with a copyof their DBS check once this has been received. All DBS checks will be renewed
every 3 years.

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6. TRAINING
There will be different levels of training and frequency required for CBSO musicians,
staff, and volunteers.
Training will be delivered in a variety of ways depending upon the level of
responsibilities and understanding required by that individual to deliver their role inrelation to the welfare and safeguarding of children and adults at risk.
The Designated Safeguarding Officers will undertake accredited DSO refresher
training every 2 years in line with good practice, in addition to attending further or
specific training as required e.g. Charity Commission training.
All staff working in the Learning & Engagement Department will attend the one day
Safeguarding Children and Young People course delivered by an accredited
provider.
All other training will be delivered internally by the Designated Safeguarding Officers,
unless there is a specific need for external expertise, in which case the DesignatedSafeguarding Officers, in consultation with the Chief Executive and Board
Safeguarding Champion, will identify the appropriate trainer or agency to provide this
support.
The CBSO’s Training Matrix (See Appendix B, page 25) provides specific details of
training requirements.
7. CODE OF CONDUCTThe CBSO has a responsibility to inform musicians, staff and volunteers of their
responsibilities and appropriate behaviours when working with children and adults at
risk.
This is issued to all musicians, staff and volunteers working with children and adults
at risk with their contracts for work or volunteering agreement. A copy of this Code of
conduct can be found in Appendix C, page 27.
8. MUSICIANS WORKING IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGSThe CBSO works with hundreds of children in school and other educational settings(e.g. Early Years settings) every year.
To ensure that these activities are delivered effectively and safely the CBSO has
produced guidance for schools outlining the expectations and requirements fromthem to keep children and musicians safe, and to provide the very best outcome foractivities, whether creative workshops, residency programmes, one off activities andensemble visits.
These guidelines require schools to provide the CBSO’s Learning & Engagement
department with the name and contact details of the school’s Safeguarding Lead forthe dates on which activities are taking place at least one week prior to activity being
delivered. This information will be shared with those musicians working in the school
to enable them to raise any concerns they may have while in the school environment
quickly and through the appropriate channels.
The CBSO’s School Partnership Guidelines document can be found in Appendix D,
page 28.
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9. MUSICIANS PROVIDING PRIVATE TEACHING AT THE CBSO CENTRE
The CBSO provides access to studio space for private teaching for CBSO musicians,
and most pupils attending these lessons are children or students aged 18 - 21 years.
While the CBSO is not responsible for the arrangements relating to these lessons,
CBSO musicians using the CBSO Centre must adhere to our safeguarding
procedures when giving private lessons as follows:
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All teaching must take place in a room with a window in the door, therefore only
the following rooms can be used for private teaching: Studio 1, Studio 2, Studio 3,
Artist Room 1 and Artist Room 2.
Rooms must be booked in advance, and musicians clearly need to state if these
are to be used for private lessons.
CBSO musicians must have a current DBS Check to be eligible to book rooms
for private teaching. This will be monitored by the CBSO Centre team in
conjunction with the Head of Learning & Engagement.
All pupils attending private lessons must sign in at reception, and be issued witha visitors pass, and must sign out following their lesson.
The CBSO musician providing the teaching must ensure that their pupil is
accompanied to reception at the end of the lessons and leaves the building.
Pupils must not make use of CBSO studio spaces without appropriate
supervision.

10. HIRE OF THE CBSO CENTRE BY EXTERNAL GROUPSThe CBSO Centre can be hired by other groups for events, workshops andperformances involving children or adults at risk - this includes the otherorganisations based at the CBSO Centre, Ex Cathedra and BCMG.
For all groups hiring the CBSO Centre for activities or performances involving
children or adults at risk they must provide the CBSO with the following prior to theirevent taking place:• Details of their Designated Safeguarding Officers - including name and contact
details along with a copy of their Safeguarding policy.
• Details of the member of staff on duty on the day with specific responsibilities for
Safeguarding - including name and contact details.
If the event includes a public performance involving children who are aged under 16
and/or in Year 11 and below, the CBSO will also require:• Evidence of their BOPA (Body of Performers Application) to demonstrate that the
young people involved have been appropriately licenced to take part.
• Details of their changing room and toilet arrangements for young people toensure that the organisation is meeting the legal requirements of their BOPA.
• Confirmation that the legal number of licenced chaperones have been booked tosupport young performers.
NB If the performance is the culmination of a workshop day and is an informal
sharing event then no licence in required.
The CBSO’s Designated Safeguarding Officers will be available to offer any advice
or guidance to external hirers in relation to keeping children and vulnerable adults
safe, and how to adhere to the legal requirements of the BOPA.

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11. DEFINITIONS OF ABUSE
Abuse is the term used when one individual harms another through cruelty, violenceor maltreatment. This policy focuses specifically on the abuse of a child or adult at
risk. An adult is most likely to be the perpetrator of abuse, but the CBSO is mindful ofthe fact that child on child abuse is also possible.
There are four key areas of abuse as defined in Keeping children safe in education(HM Government, Department for Education, March 2015), in addition organisations
now have a responsibility to report any concerns in relation to female genital
mutilation (FGM) and child sexual exploitation (CSE).
The four areas are:11.1
Physical abuse, which includes FGM - is a form of abuse which isdeliberately hurting a child causing injuries such as bruises, broken bones, cuts,
and burns. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricatesthe symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child or adults at risk.
11.2 Emotional abuse, which includes bullying and cyber-bullying - is thepersistent emotional maltreatment or neglect of a child or adult at risk resulting insevere and adverse effects on the individual’s emotional development andmental health. It may lead to a child or adult at risk feeling that they areworthless or unloved, inadequate or valued insofar as they only meet the needsof another person. It may also involve serious bullying (including cyberbullying),
causing an individual frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitationor corruption of children or adults at risk. Some level of emotional abuse isinvolved in all types of ill-treatment, though it may occur alone.
11.3 Sexual abuse, which includes CSE - involves forcing or enticing a child or
adult at risk to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high levelof violence, whether the individual is aware of what is happening. The activities
do not have to involve physical contact, they may include children looking at, or
being the subject of, sexual images, encouraging children to behave in sexually
inappropriate ways, or grooming a child or adult at risk in preparation for abuse.
Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit
acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.
11.4 Neglect, which is the persistent failure to meet an individual’s basic physicaland/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of that
person’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy becauseof maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent
or carer failing to provide adequate food, clothing and shelter, adequate
supervision; or ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may
also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, an individual’s basic emotional
needs.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list but an illustrative guide as to the sort ofbehaviour which could give rise to a safeguarding concern.
Further to the four key areas of abuse defined in Keeping children safe in education,
adults at risk and children might encounter additional categories of abuse.
Exploitation and abuse of power are common themes and often abuse can take one
or several of these forms:

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11.5 Discriminatory Abuse: includes some forms of harassment, slurs or unfair
treatment because of race, sex, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation,
religion, or marriage status.
11.6 Financial Abuse: This could be coercive behaviour encouraging an adult at
risk to spend money in a way they are not happy without consent.
11.7 Domestic Abuse: Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive,threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse between those aged 16 or over who
are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender orsexuality. A new offence of coercive and controlling behaviour in intimate andfamilial relationships was introduced into the Serious Crime Act 2015. The
offence will impose a maximum 5 years’ imprisonment, a fine or both.
11.8 Psychological Abuse: Is characterised by a person subjecting or exposing
another person to a behaviour that may result in psychological trauma. This can
include, but is not limited to, emotional abuse, threats of physical or emotional
violence, verbal abuse, cyberbullying, intimidation, and harassment.
12. RECOGNISING INDICATORS OF ABUSE
There are multiple signs by which the different forms of abuse could be identified,and musicians, staff and volunteers should be aware of the key indicators by which
abuse could be identified.
The CBSO recognises that within our work with children and adults at risk many ofthese signs will not be identifiable during our daily activities, however in extended
engagements with children or adults at risk (for example our youth ensembles orresidency programmes) indicators may become apparent and require further
investigation. It is the responsibility of musicians, staff, and volunteers to raise any
concerns in this area to the Designated Safeguarding Officers.
Key indicators of the four areas of abuse are as follows:
12.1 Physical abuse: Most people will collect cuts and bruises in their daily life.
These are likely to be in places where there are bony parts of their body, likeelbows, knees, and shins. Some children and vulnerable adults, however, will
have bruising which can almost only have been caused non-accidentally.
Additional signs are:• Unexplained bruises or injuries, or where the explanation does not fit the
injury• Untreated or inadequately treated injuries or medical needs• Multiple bruises in clusters or of uniform shape - e.g. looks like a hand print• Cigarette burns, scalds, burns, bite marks
12.2 Emotional abuse: Emotional abuse can be difficult to measure, and often
children who appear well cared for may be emotionally abused by being taunted,
put down or belittled. They may receive little or no love, affection or attention fromtheir parents or carers. Emotional abuse can also take the form of children not
being allowed to mix/play with other children. Signs of emotional abuse can
include:• Sudden speech disorders• Developmental delay in either physical or emotional progress• Neurotic behaviour e.g. sulking, hair twisting, rocking• Self harm
• Fear of parents/carers being approached regarding their behaviour
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12.3 Sexual abuse: Usually, in cases of sexual abuse it is the child’s behaviour
which may cause you to become concerned, although physical signs can also bepresent. In all cases, children who talk about sexual abuse do so because theywant it to stop. It is important, therefore, that they are listened to and taken
seriously. Signs of sexual abuse can include:• Pain, itching, bruising or bleeding in the genital or anal areas• Stomach pains• Discomfort when walking or sitting down
• Signs of emotional or psychological distress12.4 Neglect: Neglect can be a difficult form of abuse to recognise yet has someof the most lasting and damaging effects on children, as well as an enormous
impact on adults at risk. Signs of neglect can include:• Constant hunger, sometimes stealing food from others• Constantly dirty, or smelly• Loss of weight, or being constantly underweight• In appropriate dress for the weather conditions
12.5 Changes in behaviours: All these forms of abuse can also result in changes
in a child’s or adult at risk’s behaviour. These can include:• Fear of parents, guardians or carers being approached for an explanation• Sudden or unexplained changes in behaviour, eg, becoming aggressive or
withdrawn• Fear of being left with a specific person or groups of people• Eating disorders• Using sexual language or demonstrating sexual knowledge which is beyond
their age or developmental level• Having few friends• Complaining of being tired all the time
It is important to be aware that many children and adults at risk will exhibit some ofthese indicators at some time, and the presence of one or more should not be taken
as proof that abuse is occurring. In addition, there may well be other reasons forchanges in behaviour, such as the birth of a new baby or a death in the family,
relationship problems between their parents/carers etc.
13. RESPONDING TO DISCLOSURES AND CONCERNS
13.1 Responding to a disclosure from a child or adult at risk
As well as the possible signs and indicators of abuse detailed above, abuse may
come to your attention via a disclosure from the child or adult at risk concerned, via
another child or adult at risk, or via a member of staff or concerned adult.
If a child or adult at risk says they want to tell you a ‘secret’ or they disclose
information that suggests that they are at risk, or have been abused, it is essentialthat you do not promise to keep a secret.
The following guidelines are intended to support musicians, staff and volunteers if achild or adult at risk makes a disclosure to them. All musicians, staff and volunteers
will receive induction and support in this area.
•

Stay Calm

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•
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•

Listen carefully to what is being said
Find an appropriate early opportunity to explain that it is likely that the information
will need to be shared with others – do not promise to keep secrets
Allow the child or adult at risk to continue at their own pace
Ask questions for clarification only, and always avoid asking questions thatsuggest a particular answer
Reassure the child or adult at risk that they have done the right thing in telling you
Tell them what you will do next and with whom the information will be shared
Record in writing what was said using the child or adults at risk’s own words assoon as possible – note date, time, any names mentioned, to whom theinformation was given and ensure that you have signed and dated the written
record. A template is provided by the CBSO for this purpose (See Appendix E,
page 30)
Contact one of the CBSO Designated Safeguarding Officers at the earliest
opportunity

If you feel the child is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical attention dial
999 and ask for the appropriate emergency service. Once you have made sure thechild is safe inform one of the Designated Safeguarding Officers immediately, or
within 24 hours of the incident occurring.
13.2 Barriers to reporting concerns
The CBSO recognises that there are several significant barriers that can preventchildren and adults at risk reporting their concerns, and that musicians, staff andvolunteers who have a disclosure made to them may face barriers in reporting or
sharing their concerns with the Designated Safeguarding Officer.
The CBSO will address this by ensuring all musicians, staff and volunteers who are
engaging with children and adults at risk have appropriate training and support toknow how and when to report such concerns.
It is important that everyone in the organisation is aware that the person who
first encounters a case of alleged or suspected abuse is not responsible for
deciding whether abuse has occurred. That is a task for the professional
agencies following a referral to them of concern about a child or adults at risk.
13.3

Responding to concerns about a child or adult at risk

It is essential that whatever your concern is you must share it. Any concernsthat CBSO musicians, staff, Trustees, and volunteers may have about a child should
be reported as soon as possible, and within 24 hours, to either of the CBSO’s
Designated Safeguarding Officer on 0121 616 6531 or 0121 616 6508.
Should the concerns involve both Designated Safeguarding Officers the report
should be made directly to the CBSO’s Chief Executive or Board Safeguarding
Champion.
13.4 Recording concerns or disclosures
Every concern must be recorded in writing, whether this is observational, or a childhas made a verbal disclosure, within 24 hours. This written report should include
details of reasons for concern if observational. If the report is being written following
a disclosure from a child or adult at risk the report needs to be a true and accurate
report of what was said, by whom, when and where. All reports need to be signed
and dated along with the name and job title of the musician, member of staff, or

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volunteer writing the report. A template is provided by the CBSO for this purpose(See Appendix E, page 30)
It is essential that the report contains only fact, if stating a personal opinion
this needs to be clearly indicated e.g. ‘There were burns on the child’s arms
which, in my opinion, could have been caused by a cigarette’.
Practice issues to consider when recording concerns:• Be specific - what is the exact nature of the concern and which category ofabuse does it suggest in your opinion• Show the evidence - what did you see, hear? Who said what, when, how?
• Be precise with time words - what does always, frequent, never mean?
Suspicions must not be discussed with anyone other than those nominated above.
This written record will be updated through any resulting investigation, with a detailed
chronology of events and the contact details for the lead person in the relevant
agencies (social care, police etc.)
The CBSO’s Senior Management Team and Board will support the DesignatedSafeguarding Officers in their role, and accept that any information they may have intheir possession will be shared in a strictly limited way on a need-to-know basis
The role of the Designated Safeguarding Officer is to collate and clarify the precise
details of the allegation or suspicion and pass this information on to the relevantSocial Services Department and/or police. It is Social Services and/or the Police’srole to investigate the matter
13.5 Information Sharing - the DSO’s responsibility
The Designated Safeguarding Officer will:• always explain to children, adults at risk and families at the outset, openly andhonestly, what and how information will, or could be shared and why, and seek
their agreement. The exception to this is where doing so would put that child, orothers at increased risk of significant harm or an adult at risk of serious harm, or if
it would undermine the prevention, detection or prosecution of a series crime
including where seeking consent might lead to interference with any potential
investigation.
• always consider the safety and welfare of a child or adults at risk when making
decisions on whether to share information about them. Where there is concernthat the child or adults at risk may be suffering or is at risk of suffering significant
harm, the child or adults at risk’s safety and welfare must be the overriding
consideration.
• where possible, respect the wishes of children, adults at risk or families who do
not consent to share confidential information, however, may still share
information if, in their judgement on the facts of the case, there is sufficient need
to override that lack of consent.
• always seek advice when in doubt, especially when the doubt relates to aconcern about possible significant harm to a child, adults at risk or serious harm
to others.
• ensure that the information shared is accurate and up to date, necessary for the
purpose for which they are sharing it, shared only with those people who need tosee it, and shared securely• always record the reasons for their decision – whether it is to share information ornot.

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A full description of the Designated Safeguarding Officers Roles and Responsibilities
can be found in Appendix A, page 23.
13.6 Referring the concerns to the relevant agencies
The Designated Safeguarding Officer making the referral to Children’s Social Care or
the relevant Safeguarding Adults Board will:• Clearly identify themselves, their agency and give details of where they can becontacted• Provide as much basic information as possible including the name of the child or
adults at risk, the age and date of birth if a child, ethnicity, any specificcommunication needs, any disability issues, the parents’/carers’ names, the childor adults at risk’s current address and any known previous addresses• State what has prompted the concerns, including details of any specific incidents
or disclosure by the child or adults at risk
• State any physical, behavioural, or indirect signs which support the concern andsuggest that the child or adults at risk is at risk of, or suffering significant harm
• Give details of any conversations with the child or adults at risk relating to theconcern• Give details of any contact and conversations with the child’s parents/carers or
adults at risk’s family/carers relating to the concern• Give details of any contact and conversations with the alleged abuser• Give details of any other agencies or individuals consulted in relation to theconcern• Ensure that an accurate and detailed record is made of the concern and thereferral using the CBSO Safeguarding Report Form (See Appendix E, page 30)• Follow up the referral in writing to the Children’s Social Care Unit or relevant
Safeguarding Adults Board within 48 hours• Maintain the record of the concern with information on the development of theinvestigation and ultimate outcome
See Appendix F (page 32) for contact details of relevant agencies to which
allegations and disclosures should be reported.
14. RESPONDING TO ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE OF A CHILD OR ADULT ATRISK AGAINST A MUSICIAN, MEMBER OF STAFF OR VOLUNTEERThis includes anyone working with children or adults at risk in a paid or voluntary
capacity on behalf of the CBSO. Abuse can and does occur outside the family
setting. Although it is a sensitive and difficult issue, abuse of children and adults at
risk has occurred within institutions and may occur within other settings. Recent
inquiries indicate that abuse that takes place within a public setting is rarely a one-off
event. It is crucial that those involved in CBSO activities are aware of this possibility
and that all allegations are taken seriously, and appropriate action is taken. It is
important that any concerns for the welfare of the child or adults at risk arising fromabuse or harassment by a musician, member of staff or volunteer is reported
immediately.
All allegations of abuse of children by those who work with children must be taken
seriously. The following procedures will be applied in the instance of an allegation orconcern that an individual has:••

Behaved in a way that has harmed a child or may have harmed a child.
Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child.

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•Behaved towards a child or children that indicates that they may pose a risk ofharm to children.

If concerns arise about the person's behaviour to their own children, the police and/or
children's social care must consider informing the employer / organisation to assess
whether there may be implications for children with whom the person has contact atwork / in the organisation, in which case this procedure will apply.
A clear and comprehensive summary of allegations and concerns will be kept at least
until the person reaches normal retirement age or for ten years if longer.
Allegations of historical abuse should be responded to in the same way ascontemporary concerns. In such cases, it is important to find out whether the person
against whom the allegation is made is still working with children and if so, to informthe person's current employer or voluntary organisation or refer their family forassessment.
14.01 Roles & Responsibilities following an allegation
The CBSO’s Designated Safeguarding Officer has overall responsibility for:• Ensuring that the organisation deals with allegations in accordance with thispolicy• Making decisions in complex cases about whether any allegation or suspicion
relating to a person in a position of trust requires referral to children’s social careor the police.
• Liaising with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) on the subject.
Local Authorities have assigned a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) to:• Receive reports about allegations and to be involved in the management andoversight of individual cases.
• Provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations.
• Liaise with the police and other agencies.
• Monitor the progress of cases to ensure that they are dealt with as quickly as
possible consistent with a thorough and fair process.
• Provide advice and guidance to employers in relation to making referrals to theDisclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and regulatory bodies such as Ofsted, theGMC etc. and• Chair strategy meetings where there is concern about a person in a position oftrust.
Contact details for the LADO in local authorities within the West Midlands aredetailed in Appendix F (page 32) of this document.
14.02 Persons to be notified
The CBSO must inform the LADO team within one working day when an allegation
is made and prior to any further investigation taking place.
The LADO team will advise the CBSO whether informing the parents of the child/ren
involved will impede the disciplinary or investigative processes. Acting on this advice,
if it is agreed that the information can be fully or partially shared, the CBSO will
inform the parent/s. In some circumstances, however, the parent/s may need to be
told straight away (e.g. if a child is injured and requires medical treatment).
The parent/s and the child, if sufficiently mature, should be helped to understand theprocesses involved and be kept informed about the progress of the case and of the
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outcome where there is no criminal prosecution. This will include the outcome of any
disciplinary process, but not the deliberations of, or the information used in, ahearing.
The CBSO will seek advice from the LADO team, the police and / or children's social
care about how much information should be disclosed to the suspected person.
Subject to restrictions on the information that can be shared, the CBSO should, assoon as possible, inform the suspected person about the nature of any allegation,
how enquiries will be conducted and the possible outcome (e.g. disciplinary action, or
referral to the DBS and/or a regulatory body).
The suspected member of staff will:• Be treated fairly and honestly and helped to understand the concerns expressedand processes involved.
• Be kept informed of the progress and outcome of any investigation and theimplications for any disciplinary or related process.
• If suspended, be kept up to date about events in the workplace.
If a serious incident occurs or any safeguarding concerns have resulted in or could
result in harm, it must be reported to the Charity Commission.
Every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality and guard against publicity while
an allegation is being investigated or considered. Apart from keeping the child,parents, and suspected person (where this would not place the child at further risk)
up to date with progress of the case, information will be restricted to those who havea need to know to protect children, facilitate enquiries, manage related disciplinary orsuitability processes.
14.03 Support
The CBSO, together with children's social care and / or police, where they are
involved, should consider the impact on the child concerned and provide support asappropriate. Liaison between the agencies should take place to ensure that thechild's needs are addressed.
As soon as possible after an allegation has been received, the suspected member ofstaff will be advised to contact their union or professional association. Human
resources will be consulted at the earliest opportunity in order that appropriate
support can be provided via the organisation's occupational health or employee
welfare arrangements.
14.04 Suspension
Suspension is a neutral act, and it should not be automatic. It should be consideredin any case where:••••

There is cause to suspect a child is at risk of significant harm; or
The allegation warrants investigation by the police; or
The allegation is so serious that it might be grounds for dismissal.
The possible risk of harm to children should be evaluated and managed in
respect of the child/ren involved and any other children in the accused’s home,
work, or community life.

If a strategy meeting / discussion is to be held or if children's social care or the police
are to make enquiries, the LADO team should canvass their views on suspension
and inform the CBSO. Only the CBSO, however, has the power to suspend an
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accused employee and they cannot be required to do so by a local authority or
police.
If the suspension is lifted and the person is to return to work, the CBSO will consider
what help and support might be appropriate (e.g. a phased return to work and/or
provision of a mentor), and also how best to manage the member of staff's contact
with the child concerned, if still in the workplace.
14.05 Timescales
It is in everyone's interest for cases to be dealt with expeditiously, fairly andthoroughly and for unnecessary delays to be avoided. However, some cases will takelonger because of their specific nature or complexity.
14.06 Initial action by person receiving or identifying an allegation or concern
The person to whom an allegation or concern is first reported should treat the matter
seriously and keep an open mind.
They should not:• Investigate or ask leading questions if seeking clarification.
• Make assumptions or offer alternative explanations.
• Promise confidentiality but give assurance that the information will only be sharedon a 'need to know' basis.
They should:• Make a written record of the information (where possible in the child / adult's own
words), including the time, date and place of incident/s, persons present andwhat was said.
• Sign and date the written record.
• Immediately discuss the issue with the designated senior manager, or where thedesignated senior manager is absent or is the subject of the allegation, with the
deputy or other appropriate senior manager.
14.07 Initial action by the designated safeguarding officer
Discussion with the CBSO Designated Safeguarding Officer should lead to one ormore of the following outcomes:
•

•

•
•

Outcome: Referral to children’s social care - person in position of trust
referral. There are grounds to suspect that the person in a position of trust may
have abused that position putting one or more children at risk of significant harm.
In all such cases an immediate referral must be made to the LADO Team.
Outcome: Referral to children’s social care of a child who may be at risk ofsignificant harm. There are grounds to suspect that the child has been abused
but there is no reason to suspect that this is because of the actions of a person ina position of trust. In all such cases an immediate referral must be made tochildren’s social care. Children’s social care will carry out an assessment anddecide whether to initiate s47 enquiries.
Outcome: Inform the regulatory body relevant to the role of the person in aposition of trust. For example, Ofsted or the Care Quality Commission.
Outcome: Review of internal policy & procedures. The person in a position oftrust has acted inappropriately but it is not a child protection issue: the action
taken lay within the bounds of agency policy and procedures and there is
therefore a need to review these policies and procedures. The decision that thisoutcome is, or is not, appropriate may depend on the level of knowledge andexperience of the person in a position of trust.

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•
•

•
•
•

Outcome: No further action. The person in a position of trust acted
appropriately and therefore no further action is to be taken under theseprocedures.
Outcome: Disciplinary/training. The person in a position of trust has acted
inappropriately but it is not a child protection issue; the action taken was inbreach of accepted agency policies and procedures and disciplinary action and/or
training may be needed.
Outcome: False allegation. The person in a position of trust is the subject of an
unfounded allegation.
Outcome: Requires LADO advice. If the designated safeguarding officer has
any doubt about whether the matter should be referred on, they should discuss
the issues with the LADO team.
Outcome: Inform but not refer. In some cases, the designated safeguarding
officer may decide that a referral to children’s social care is not required, but that
it is likely that another person will report the matter to one of the statutory
agencies. In this situation it is best practice for the designated safeguarding
officer to contact children’s social care and the police and inform them of thecircumstances.

The CBSO Designated Safeguarding Officer will record discussions about the childand/or member of staff, any decisions made, and the reasons for those decisions.
If the CBSO Designated Safeguarding Officer concludes that a professional may
have put a child at risk of significant harm, s/he must report the allegation to therelevant LADO team (See Appendix E for contact details) and discuss the decision in
relation to the agreed threshold criteria in within one working day.
Referrals should not be delayed in order to gather information and a failure to reportan allegation or concern in accordance with procedures is a potential disciplinary
matter.
If an allegation requires immediate attention, but is received outside normal officehours, the CBSO Designated Safeguarding Officer should consult the relevant
children's social care emergency duty team (See Appendix E for contact details) or
local police and inform the LADO team as soon as possible.
14.08 Initial consideration by the designated safeguarding officer and the
LADO team
There are up to three strands in the consideration of an allegation:• A police investigation of a possible criminal offence.
• Children’s social care enquiries and/or assessment about whether a child is inneed of protection or services.
• Consideration by an employer of disciplinary action.
A principal officer in the LADO team and the designated safeguarding officer should
consider first whether further details are needed and whether there is evidence orinformation that establishes that the allegation is false or unfounded. Care should betaken to ensure that the child is not confused as to dates, times, locations or identityof the member of staff.
If the allegation is not demonstrably false and there is cause to suspect that a child issuffering or is likely to suffer significant harm, the LADO team should refer tochildren's social care and ask them to convene an immediate strategy meeting /discussion.
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If a child is not believed to have suffered, or to be likely to suffer Significant Harm but
a police investigation will continue, the principal officer should conduct this
discussion with the police, the designated safeguarding officer and any otheragencies involved to evaluate the allegation and decide how it should be dealt with.
This Evaluation discussion should take place within one working day and must
consider how to take matters forward in a criminal process parallel with a disciplinary
process or whether any disciplinary action will need to await the completion of thepolice enquiries and/or prosecution. The progress should be reviewed by the police
no later than four weeks after the initial evaluation meeting and thereafter atfortnightly or monthly intervals.
The strategy meeting / discussion should take in to account the following definitions
when determining the outcome of allegation investigations:• Substantiated: there is sufficient identifiable evidence to prove the allegation.
• False: there is sufficient evidence to disprove the allegation.
• Malicious: there is sufficient evidence to disprove the allegation and there has
been a deliberate act to deceive.
• Unsubstantiated: this is not the same as a false allegation. It means that there isinsufficient evidence to either prove or disprove the allegation; the term therefore
does not imply guilt or innocence.
14.09 Allegations against staff in their personal lives
If an allegation or concern arises about a member of staff, outside of their work withchildren, and this may present a risk of harm to child/ren for whom the member ofstaff works with or is responsible, the general principles outlined in these procedures
will still apply.
The strategy meeting/discussion should decide whether the concern justifies:• Approaching the member of staff's employer for further information, in order toassess the level of risk of harm; and/or• Inviting the employer to a further strategy meeting/discussion about dealing withthe possible risk of harm.
If the member of staff lives in a different authority area to that which covers theirworkplace, liaison should take place between the relevant agencies in both areas
and a joint strategy meeting/discussion convened.
In some cases, an allegation of abuse against someone closely associated with amember of staff (e.g. partner, member of the family or other household member) may
present a risk of harm to child/ren for whom the member of staff is responsible. In
these circumstances, a strategy meeting/discussion should be convened to consider:• The ability and/or willingness of the member of staff to adequately protect thechildren.
• Whether measures need to be put in place to ensure their protection.
• Whether the role of the member of staff is compromised.
14.10 Disciplinary Process
The LADO and the designated safeguarding officer should discuss whether
disciplinary action is appropriate in all cases where:• It is clear at the outset or decided by a strategy meeting / discussion that a police
investigation or LA children's social care enquiry is not necessary; or

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•
•

The employer or LADO is informed by the police or the Crown Prosecution
Service that a criminal investigation and any subsequent trial is complete, or thatan investigation is to be closed without charge, or a prosecution discontinued.
If disciplinary action is taken it will follow the disciplinary procedure of theperson’s employer.

14.11 Sharing information for disciplinary purposes
Wherever possible, police and children's social care should, during the course of
their investigations and enquiries, obtain the consent of the person who is the subjectof the investigation to provide the employer and/or regulatory body with statements
and evidence for disciplinary purposes. If consent is not given the employer should
be notified quickly so that preparations can be made to obtain this information at theend of the criminal process.
If the police or CPS decide not to charge, or decide to administer a caution, or the
person is acquitted, the police should pass all relevant information to the employer
without delay.
If the person is convicted, the police should inform the employer and the LADO
straight away so that appropriate action can be taken.
14.12 Unsubstantiated and false accusations
Where it is concluded that there is insufficient evidence to substantiate an allegation,
the Chair of the strategy meeting / discussion or initial evaluation should prepare aseparate report of the enquiry and forward this to the designated safeguarding officerof the CBSO to enable them to consider what further action, if any, should be taken.
False allegations are rare and may be a strong indicator of abuse elsewhere which
requires further exploration. If an allegation is demonstrably false, the CBSO, in
consultation with the LADO, should refer the matter to Children's social care to
determine whether the child is in need of services, or might have been abused bysomeone else.
If it is established that an allegation has been deliberately invented, the police should
be asked to consider what action may be appropriate.
14.13 Substantiated allegations and referral to the DBS
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) was established under the Protection of
Freedoms Act 2012 and merges the functions previously carried out by the Criminal
Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). The relevant
legislation is set out in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.
If an allegation is substantiated and the person is dismissed or the employer ceases
to use the person's service or the person resigns or otherwise ceases to provide
his/her services, the LADO should discuss with the employer whether a referral
should be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
If a referral is to be made; it should be submitted within one month of the allegation
being substantiated. This referral would be made by the LADO.
14.14 Learning Lessons
The CBSO and the LADO should review the circumstances of the case to determine
whether there are any improvements to be made to the organisation's procedures orpractice.

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15. CHILDREN AS PERFORMERSThe CBSO provides a range of opportunities for young performers through YouthEnsembles and schools programmes. The majority of these activities take place inBirmingham, however, we do also give concerts at other venues throughout the UK,
and occasionally undertake international engagements.
As the young people we work with are taking part in public performances, the CBSO
has a legal obligation to apply for a child performance or activities licence. Thissystem is designed to provide a check that suitable and sufficient arrangements havebeen made to safeguard the child and children involved in activity.
15.1 When Licences are requiredChild performance legislation, as stated in The Children and Young Persons Act
1933 and 1963 and the Children (Performance) (England) Regulations 2014 sets out
when a licence is required. This is supplemented by advice produced by the
Department for Education.
The 1963 Act states that a licence must be obtained before a child can take part incertain types of performance and activities in Great Britain, This includes:• Any performance for which a charge is made, whether for admission orotherwise;• Performances on premises licensed to sell alcohol, for example in a hotel ortheatre;• Any live broadcast performance, for example a television or radio broadcast, orinternet streaming;• Any performance recorded with a view to its use in a broadcast or such service orin a film intended for public exhibition.
Licensing requirements apply only to children under the upper limit of compulsory
school age (as defined by section 8(3) of the Education Act 1996) (i.e as a generalrule up to the last Friday in June in the school year in which they have their 16thbirthday).
15.2 Performances by children and young people outside school hours
The majority of the CBSO’s young performers participate in evening or weekend
concerts, therefore are not required to be absent from school to take part asperformers and do not need individual licences to enable them to perform. However,
all the CBSO’s performers who are under the upper limit of compulsory school age
are included on a Body of Person’s Agreement, issued by the local authority inwhose area the performance takes place.
The Body of Person’s Agreement (BOPA) is issued to the CBSO for a specific periodof time as set out in the approval, to enable us to put on performances involving
children. The granting of a BOPA to the CBSO replaces the need to apply for
individual licences from each child’s home local authority during the period of
approval unless activity requires children to be absent from school in which caseindividual licences will be sought.
The CBSO has a duty of care to all our young performers, and in addition to meetingthe legal requirements of our BOPA, we also undertake the following procedures toensure the wellbeing and security of these individuals:•

Local authority approved chaperones, in addition to CBSO responsible adults,
are present at every performance, for rehearsals on the day of each

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•

•

•
•

•
•
•

performance, and at any additional rehearsals for which they are required as set
out in The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014.
Chaperones will be responsible for a maximum of 12 children or young people atany one time, unless the young people are staying away overnight or working
abroad in which case chaperones will be responsible for a maximum of 8 young
people at any one time.
The appropriate personal and medical information for each individual performer isheld securely according to data protection requirements and is available tochaperones and key staff for every rehearsal and performance should it berequired;Working hours for young performers are adhered to, including traveling, rehearsal
and performing hours as set out in The Children (Performances and Activities)(England) Regulations 2014
Adequate changing facilities will be provided for performers at all venues,
including separate changing rooms for girls and boys, and where required
additional separate changing rooms for under and over 16 year old girls andboys. All efforts will be made to ensure that performers are able to change in aspace that aligns with their gender identity and, where possible, CBSO will seek
to provide suitable changing spaces for those that identify beyond the genderbinary;Designated toilet facilities will be provided for exclusive use by members of ouryouth ensembles at all venues;
Children and young people will only be released to parents/guardians at the endof every rehearsal and concert, unless the CBSO has a formal written letter fromthe parents/guardians to advise the CBSO of alternative arrangements;
All music staff and CBSO staff involved with each ensemble will be DBS
checked, and will adhere to the CBSO Code of Conduct when working withchildren and young people

15.3 Performances by children and young people during school hours
In the rare event that the CBSO requires children and young people to take part in a
performance which requires them to be absent from school the CBSO will apply tothe local authority where the child lives for an individual performance licence.
The CBSO ensures that the legal obligation associated with each licence is met infull, in addition to maintaining the additional procedures to ensure the wellbeing andsecurity of these individuals as set out above.
15.4 Education sharing events during school hours
The CBSO’s Learning & Engagement programme will occasionally deliver projects
which culminate in a final performance, during school hours. These events willusually take place at the CBSO Centre, as a closed event - attended only by otherparticipating schools, and funders of activities.
As these events form part of an educational programme of work, and schools aremaking all the necessary arrangements for the activity and their pupils’ participation,then the CBSO does not require performance licences for these events.

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16. IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND REVIEW OF THIS POLICYThe Director of Learning & Engagement has overall responsibility for implementing
and monitoring this policy, which will be reviewed on an annual basis following its
implementation and may be changed from time to time to ensure compliance withlegislation and good practice.
Termly Safeguarding Audit meetings are held with the Learning & Engagement
Department staff, led by the Designated Safeguarding Officers and the Director of
Learning & Engagement. These meetings ensure that best practice is being applied
across all areas of activity, that legal requirements are being met, and that theprocedures and approaches set out in the Safeguarding Policy are being met in full.
Minutes from the Safeguarding Audit meetings are available to the Board or Senior
Management Team as required and will be attended once a year by the Board
Safeguarding Champion.
The CBSO Board will receive an annual safeguarding report, which will incorporate
any changes or updates made to this policy. In addition, Safeguarding is a standing
agenda item, with the Designated Safeguarding Officers and the Board’s
Safeguarding Champion being able to update the Board at regular meetings about
any incidents, issues, or concerns within the organisation.
Any queries or comments about this policy should be addressed to the Director of
Learning & Engagement in the first instance.

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APPENDIX A
Safeguarding Responsibilities and Roles within the CBSO
The Board will ensure that:
•

•
•
•
•
•
•

A Board Safeguarding Champion is appointed and will receive appropriate
training as required. The Safeguarding Champion will liaise with the DesignatedSafeguarding Officers and will provide the Board with appropriate information
relating to Safeguarding, including any instances which could present a cause forconcern.
Safeguarding reporting is a standing agenda item, with an annual detailed reportfrom the Designated Safeguarding Officers.
Staff are appropriately trained and supported to undertake the role of DesignatedSafeguarding Officers for the CBSO.
The Safeguarding Policy is reviewed annually and updated in accordance withany changes in legislation or good practice and that it is compatible with national
guidance and law.
The CBSO is undertaking safe recruitment practices, including the appropriate
use of references and checks on new staff and volunteers.
Robust procedures are in place for dealing with allegations of abuse against staff
or volunteers, and that these are in line with NSPCC guidance.
All staff and volunteers engaging with activities involving children undertake theappropriate level of training on a regular basis, as outlined in the CBSO
Safeguarding Training Matrix.

The Chief Executive will ensure that:
•
•
•
•
•
•

The policies and procedures adopted by the Board are fully implemented andfollowed by all staff and volunteers.
Safer recruitment of staff and volunteers is practiced, in accordance with the
CBSO’s policy for the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.
The appropriate ongoing training, support and supervision is provided for staff
undertaking the role of Designated Safeguarding Officer.
All staff and volunteers, including temporary staff, have an awareness andunderstanding of the CBSO’s safeguarding policies, and have undertaken
appropriate training in line with the CBSO Training Matrix
All staff and volunteers feel safe about raising concerns about poor or unsafe
practice in relation to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk, and suchconcerns will be addressed appropriately.
Parents/carers and others responsible for children or adults at risk are aware ofand understand the CBSO’s responsibilities through the inclusion of clear
information within membership handbooks, parents’ meetings and through thedissemination of Partnership Guidelines issued to schools and other educationalsettings for Learning & Engagement projects.

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The Designated Safeguarding Lead and Officer(s) will:• Act as the first point of contact in regard to all safeguarding matters.
• Attend NSPCC Designated Safeguarding Officer refresher training every two
years.
• Provide information, advice, support and training on safeguarding within the
CBSO for staff, musicians and volunteers, and advise the SMT and Board ofadditional safeguarding training needs as they arise.
• Ensure that the CBSO’s child protection policy and procedures are implemented
and followed and particularly to inform social services/health board of relevant
concerns about individual children.
• Be aware of the Local Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC/LSCB) and be
familiar with procedures.
• Ensure that appropriate information is available at the time of the referral and thatthe referral is confirmed in writing, under confidential cover as quickly as possible(e.g. within a working day).
• Liaise with children’s service authorities and other agencies, as appropriate• Keep relevant people within the CBSO, particularly the Executive Director andthe Board Safeguarding Champion informed about any action taken and any
further action required against a CBSO musician, member of staff, Trustee orvolunteer.
• Ensure that an individual case record is maintained of the action taken by the
CBSO, the liaison with other agencies and the outcome.
• Have specific responsibilities to report any suspicions relating to Female Genital
Mutilation (FGM) and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) to the appropriate
authorities.
The Board’s Safeguarding Champion will:• Take the lead on behalf of the CBSO Board in overseeing the organisation’s
approach relating to safeguarding• Support the Designated Safeguarding Officers in ensuring safeguarding is at theheart of decision-making in all activities involving children and adults at risk
• Assist other trustees to consider issues of safeguarding across all aspects of the
CBSO’s work
• Meet with the CBSO’s Designated Safeguarding Officers twice a year to discussand review specific safeguarding arrangements, and to ensure that any risk areas
are being effectively dealt with.
• Present, in consultation with the Designated Safeguarding Officers, an annual
safeguarding report to the Board.
• Act as the “point of last resort” Board contact for staff raising safeguarding
concerns.

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APPENDIX B
Safeguarding Training Matrix
Role within CBSO
Director of Learning &Engagement
Head of Learning &Engagement

Training Requirements
Designated Safeguarding
Officer Training by NSPCC,
renewed every 2 years

Chorus Manager

Additional ongoing training
to ensure changes in law
are fully complied withAll other Learning &Engagement Department
staff

1 day Safeguarding training
course delivered by NSPCC
as part of induction
On going online training as
required

Why level of training required
These roles are the DesignatedSafeguarding Officers and as such
advise the organisation on all
aspects of safeguarding, in addition
to maintaining and implementing
good practice in all areas ofsafeguarding provision.
These roles all have direct contact
on a regular basis with children,
young people and vulnerable adults
therefore need to be fully aware oflegislation, the CBSO policy andprocedure and good practice in all
aspects of safeguarding.

Attendance at annualinternal safeguarding
training
Musicians involved inregulated activity1 includingChildren’s and Youth
Chorus Conductors andregular accompanist

Attendance at annualinternal safeguarding
training

These musicians need to have ahigher level of awareness andunderstanding as they are working
with the same young people on aregular basis in a position of trust, so
need to able to identify and respondto any concerns that may arise

Board Safeguarding
Champion

Attendance at annualinternal safeguarding
training

To monitor the training being offered,and ensure that the CBSO is
meeting all requirements in relation
to safeguarding

HR Manager

Attendance at annualinternal safeguarding
training

In the event of an allegation orconcern against a member of staff
the HR manager should be fully
aware of current practice withinsafeguarding and the CBSO’s
procedures.

1 As defined by DBS, these will be musicians involved in the teaching or training of children (e.g. chorus

conductors), and the employee will be carrying out the work frequently with the same cohort of children(frequently is defined as once a week or more often, or on 4 or more days in a 30 day period), for example
school residency programmes where musicians are working with the same children over an extended periodof time.

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CBSO Senior Management
Team

Attendance at internalsafeguarding training every
three years

To have an awareness andunderstanding of current practicewithin safeguarding and the CBSO’s
own procedures to ensure that thework of their department is being
carried out safely.

Musicians involved in L&P
activities, but not in
regulated activities

Attendance at internalsafeguarding training every
three years

To ensure a basic understanding ofsafeguarding - particularly in relation
to their own practice, and how to
respond should they have a concern
or a disclosure is made to them.

Other CBSO Staff,
musicians and volunteers
who have little or no contact
with children or adults at
risk

Optional attendance atinternal safeguarding
training every three years

Staff who have little or no
engagement with children or adults
at risk therefore do not need in depth
training, however an overview of the
CBSOs policy and position on
safeguarding should be included
within the induction process for all
staff, musicians and volunteers toensure awareness.

This training framework will be renewed annually, and provides only the basic requirements formusicians, staff and volunteers. Should the need arise for specific or additional safeguarding training
this will be addressed on an ongoing basis.

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APPENDIX C
Expected Behaviours when working with children and adults at risk
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all those involved in CBSO activities, theCBSO expects standards of behaviour and professionalism from its staff, musicians,
volunteers and Trustees. All CBSO staff, musicians and volunteers are in a positionof responsibility and trust, and it is important to always consider how actions areperceived or interpreted by others, no matter how well they are intended.
Increasingly children and adults at risk are disclosing to people with whom they do
not have an ongoing relationship. All staff should be aware of this and prepared if thissituation does arise.
The following Code of Conduct and Good Practice guidance is intended to reduce
the likelihood of misunderstandings or misinterpretations.
All CBSO staff, musicians, volunteers, and Trustees must:• Treat all children, young people, and adults at risk with respect and dignity• Ensure that there is at least one adult who is not affiliated with the CBSO present
during activities with children, young people or adults at risk in external venues
e.g. schools, community settings, care homes and day centres• Respect an individual’s right to personal privacy, and be responsive to theirrequirements e.g. religious/cultural/ethnic considerations or special needs.
• Ensure that their dress, behaviour, and language is appropriate for participants,
taking into account age, gender, cultural background etc.
• Be aware that any physical contact with a child, young person or adults at risk
may be misinterpreted• Challenge unacceptable behaviour and report all allegations, suspicions, ordisclosures of abuse
All CBSO musicians, members of staff and volunteers must not:• Have inappropriate physical or verbal contact with children or young people• Allow yourself to be drawn into inappropriate attention-seeking behaviour• Make suggestive or derogatory remarks or gestures in front of children or young
people• Either exaggerate or trivialise child abuse issues• Show favouritism to any individual• Believe ‘it could never happen to me’• Take a risk when common sense, policy or practice suggests a more prudent
approach• Meet with children, young people or adults at risk who are participating in CBSO
activities outside these organised activities• Let concerns raised by a child or adult at risk go without being addressed andrecorded• Deter children from raising concerns through fear of not being believed• Use social media to engage with or befriend young people under the age of 18
who are participants in CBSO activities, or members of CBSO Youth Ensembles.
• Share personal contact details (e.g. phone number, email address) with young
people under the age of 18 who are participants in CBSO activities, or membersof CBSO Youth Ensembles• Be under the influence of alcohol or any illegal substance when working withchildren, young people or adults at risk.
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APPENDIX DCBSO SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP GUIDANCEThe CBSO’s schools programme provides opportunities for hundreds of children towork with our professional musicians each year. From creative workshops toensemble visits, residency programmes to performances at the CBSO Centre or
Birmingham’s Symphony Hall.
To ensure that all our activities are enjoyed by pupils, and that our musicians areable to work in a supported environment the following guidelines have beendeveloped to enable schools to receive the very best outcomes from our projects andperformances.
•

•

•

•

•

•
•

•

•

School staff and CBSO musicians deliver these activities together; school staff
are responsible for discipline and the organisation of the class, group or
participants and the musicians are responsible only for the musical and creative
elements of activities.
Musicians should NEVER be left alone with a group of children, and in the rarecase where one-to-one activities may be required (e.g. within a special school
setting, or if a CBSO musician is providing coaching to an individual pupil) thisshould be agreed with the CBSO’s Learning & Engagement department inadvance to ensure that arrangements are in place so that this activity fullycomplies with the CBSO’s Safeguarding Policy.
To comply with the CBSO’s Safeguarding Policy, schools must provide the
CBSO’s Learning & Engagement department with the name and contact details
for the school’s Safeguarding Lead for the dates when activities are taking place.
This should be issued to the CBSO when contracts are returned, and at least one
week prior to activity taking place.
For one off projects or performances the CBSO’s Learning & Engagement
department should be made aware of any specialist needs, behavioural issues,or potential discipline issues of pupils within the groups the CBSO musicians will
be working with to ensure that our activities can be planned accordingly, with the
CBSO providing additional support for our musicians if required
For residency projects musicians should be informed of any specialist needs,
behavioural issues, or potential discipline issues within the cohort of children
engaged with these projects. This will be discussed at the initial planning meetingfor each project by relevant staff, the musicians delivering the project and the
CBSO Learning & Engagement representative at each meeting.
Recording of performances or workshops must be agreed in advance with the
CBSO’s Learning & Engagement department.
Schools should provide an appropriate and safe environment for CBSO activities,
based upon the numbers of pupils involved and the type of activities being
provided. In the majority of cases we would expect our activities to take place inthe school hall, or large classroom (with furniture cleared) to enable group
activities to take place.
Schools should make any additional equipment such as a piano, tuned or untuned percussion, access to smartboards etc. accessible for workshops andperformances as specified by the CBSO to ensure that activities are able to bedelivered successfully and in full.
Schools must ensure that their group size for each activity is no larger than thenumber set out in their contract. For most creative workshops this will be a
maximum of 30 children.

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For activities involving performance opportunities at the CBSO Centre or SymphonyHall:• Schools must provide the CBSO with the relevant documentation to enable us toapply for a Child Performance Licence for any activities taking place outsideschool hours as advised by the CBSO. This is a legal requirement and the
CBSO’s Learning & Engagement department will advise each school as towhether this is required for their project or final performance, and the timeline forcompletion and return of this documentation.
• Schools are responsible for the transportation of their pupils from the school to
the CBSO Centre or Symphony Hall.
• School staff are responsible for the welfare and discipline of pupils at all times
when they are at the CBSO Centre or Symphony Hall.
• The CBSO will provide appropriate and adequate spaces for breaks andallocated toilet facilities for pupils participating in these events, in line with goodpractice and legislation for children as performers.

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APPENDIX E
CBSO SAFEGUARDING REPORT FORM
Child, Young Person or Vulnerable Adult details
Name
Address
Contact Telephone
Numbers
Ethnicity
Details of any disability
School name & address(where applicable)
Person with parental or
caring responsibility

Details of person reporting concerns
Name
Job Title andOrganisation
Contact Phone Number(Work, Mobile, Other)
Email address

Are you reporting your own concerns or passing on those of someone else (please
give details)?

Details of the incident or concerns:
Include other relevant information, such as description of any injuries and whether
you are recording this incident as fact, opinion or hearsay. Remember to include
any dates, time and specific factors.

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Adults at risk or child/young person’s account Please detail the individual’s
account of what happened. How did they describe the situation, what was their
explanation for any injury?

Adult at risk or child/young person’s wishes and feelings Please detail thewishes and feelings of the person making a disclosure in terms of what they would
like you to do with this information. Remember – never promise to keep a secret

Witness details and accountPlease provide the name, address and any contact numbers for any witnesses to theallegation, and specify the relationship to the adults at risk, child or young person
Name
Address
Contact phone numbers(work, mobile, other)
Relationship to theadults at risk, child or
young person
Please give details of the witness’ account of what happened

Your signatureYour name (print)
Date

Any suspected or reported abuse must be reported immediately to either of the
Designated Safeguarding Officers, Katie Lucas 0121 616 6531 or Poppy Howarth
0121 616 6508

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APPENDIX F
Useful Contacts
CBSO Designated Safeguarding Lead
Tom Spurgin, Director of Learning & Engagement
tspurgin@cbso.co.uk
07904 803 656 (all hours)
CBSO Designated Safeguarding Officers
Katie Lucas, Head of Learning & Engagementklucas@cbso.co.uk
0121 616 6531 (office hours)
Poppy Howarth, Chorus Manager
phowarth@cbso.co.uk
0121 616 6508 (office hours)
Birmingham City Council – Social Services (For concerns about children)
Monday to Thursday Office Hours: 0121 3031888
Out of Office Hours: 0121 675 4806
Birmingham Adult Safeguarding Board
The Adults & Communities Access Point (ACAP) on 0121 303 1234, press option 1 toreport a concern about abuse of a vulnerable adult.
West Midlands Police

999

If there is a clear and immediate threat to a child

NSPCC Helpline

0808 800 5000

For adults concerned about a childChildLine

0800 1111

For children and young people

Contact details for the LADO in the areas where the CBSO currently, or could be
asked to, provide services involving children and young people.
Birmingham:
Coventry:
Derby:
Derbyshire:
Dudley:Gloucestershire:
Herefordshire:
Northamptonshire:
Sandwell:Shropshire:
Solihull:
Staffordshire:
Stoke on Trent:
Telford & Wrekin:
Walsall:
Warwickshire:
Wolverhampton:
Worcestershire:

0121 675 1669
024 7697 5483
01332 642376
01629 533190
01384 813110
01452 426994
01432 261739
01604 364031
0121 569 4770
03456 789021
0121 7884310
0800 1313 126
01782 235100
01952 385385
01922 654040
01902 550661
01905 846221

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Ladoteam@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk
lado@coventry.gov.uk
cypsafeguarding@derby.gov.uk
professional.allegations@derbyshire.gov.uk
allegations@dudley.gov.uk
nigel.hatten@gloucestershire.gov.uk
LADO@herefordshire.gov.uk
LADOReferral@northamptonshire.gov.uk
sandwell_lado@sandwellchildrenstrust.org
cpru@solhill.gcsx.gov.uk

lado@warwickshire.gcsx.gov.uk
LADO@secure.wolverhampton.gov.uk
LADO@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk

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APPENDIX G
Online rehearsal guidance
During the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021 we were unable to meet for inperson rehearsal with our regular youth ensembles. Activity was instead delivered via
zoom, and the following guidance was developed to ensure the safety and wellbeingof our staff and participants taking part in online rehearsals. Should the CBSO be
required to return to online zoom rehearsals or utilise an online platform forengagement with children and young people for other activities, the following
guidance will be adhered to.
The following guidance is mandatory for parents, guardians, choral staff, musicians
and choir members•

All video rehearsals or other activity will be arranged by the Chorus or L&P
Management, with the zoom link and password issued to parents or guardians sothat they have the full knowledge of these sessions and grant consent for theirchild (under the age of 18) to participate.

•

All parents and guardians of musicians under 18 will be issued with a consent
form, giving permission for their child to participate in the online rehearsals or
activities, and confirming that both parents and children will adhere to our code of
conduct for these rehearsals.

•

All rehearsals and activities will be set up, attended and observed by a memberof the CBSO’s Learning & Engagement Department, in addition to the musiciansleading the rehearsal or sectional.

•

The member of the Learning & Engagement department with specificresponsibility for that ensemble or group will take a participant register for the
purposes of quality assurance, attendance record and safeguarding. If any
participant enters the Meeting and is not identifiable as staff, choir member, or
registered participant, the member of staff from the Learning & Engagement
department will bring this to the immediate attention of the Host and theparticipant will be ejected from the Meeting.

•

At a specified time (usually 5 minutes after the start of the rehearsal or activity)
the zoom session will be locked. This prevents any further participants joining thesession, including unwanted or unexpected guests, who’s intentions may bemalicious or inappropriate. This process also means that anyone who leaves thesession cannot re-enter.

•

All chat functions will be disabled for the duration of each rehearsal or activity to
avoid distraction or any inappropriate conversation. Should a participant have aquestion they can use the raised hand function an await a response from themusician leading the session or a member of staff.

•

All participants and all members of their household who may be incidentally
captured on screen during the rehearsal will be expected to demonstrate
appropriate behaviours and wear suitable clothing at all times whilst the rehearsal
is taking place.

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•Language must always be professional and appropriate during video-rehearsals
or activities, including that of all other members of either household who may be
incidentally captured on screen during the rehearsal.

•

Rehearsals or activities must be accessed in an appropriate room in the home
and wherever possible, not in the participants bedroom. If the participant is only
able to use their bedroom as their rehearsal space, they should turn off theircamera.

•Singers should re-name themselves with their full name (forename and surname)on entry to the rehearsal or activity. This is of vital importance if a participant has
joined with no video and is only identifiable by name.

•For children under the age of 11, their participation within rehearsals or activities
must be supervised by an adult with parental responsibility for the participant/s,
and to be present in the room to log participants onto activity. The responsible
adult is expected to be within the vicinity for the duration of the rehearsal or
activity and must check that the singer has logged off correctly at the end of therehearsal or activity. If the parent/guardian would like to observe the rehearsal or
activity digitally by joining the Zoom conference on another device, this must be
agreed in advance with the Chorus or Learning & Engagement Management
team.

•

The Meeting host will mute all participants during the rehearsal or activity andonly un-mute when requiring an answer from an individual singer or if they are
responding to a query. Participants can be unmuted at the very start as they join
to say hello, and at the very end to say goodbye to friends etc. The rehearsal or
activity will be ended by the host at which point all participants are logged out of
the session.

•

Music staff must ensure that the teaching environment, both physical and digital(including desktop backgrounds and open tabs, software, documentation) areprofessional and neutral.

•

Extra-care must be taken by all parties to ensure that private or sensitive
information and data is not accidentally shared during a video-rehearsal or
activity. Documents (both physical and digital) should not be on display. All
members of both households should be aware that the video- rehearsal or activity
is taking place and be mindful of this.

•Recording rehearsals or activities is prohibited. Zoom can make video recordingsof meetings/ rehearsals and whilst there are benefits of doing this (quality,
observation, safeguarding), it is not permitted for either party to record
rehearsals. This is because the CBSO cannot ensure the security of the storageof these files by zoom or guarantee how they may be used in future.

•

The only exception to recording rehearsals or activities may be if the session
takes the form of a webinar, where no participants other than the panellists arevisible to provided anonymity and security for participants. Consent will be sought
prior to recording from all musicians and participants, and only shared for alimited period of time with other ensemble members.

•

If at any time during the video-rehearsal the terms and practical measures set out
in the Code of Conduct are not followed by either party, or if the Meeting is
disrupted by outside interference (eg gate-crashing by an unknown party) the

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rehearsal should be terminated immediately and the reason for thiscommunicated to families afterwards.

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