​The Delph Band

The purpose of this policy: 

1. To protect children, young people and adults with care and support needs who are members of the band or connected to the band in some other way. 

2. To provide members and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection. Delph Band believes that a child, young person or adult with care and support needs should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk and to keep them safe. We are committed to practise in a way that protects them.

 

Legal framework 

This policy has been drawn up based using guidance and templates provided by Brass Bands England as part of their BandSafe Safeguarding Tool which was devised in partnership with the NSPCC.  This is based on law and guidance that seeks to protect children and adults at risk, which includes: 

• Children Act (1989) 

• Data Protection Act (1998) 

• Sexual Offences Act (2003) 

• Children Act (2004) 

• Protection of Freedoms Act (2012) 

• Working Together to Safeguard Children: A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; HM Government (2022) 

• The Care Act (2014)

• The Mental Capacity Act (2005)

• Domestic Abuse Act 2021

 

We recognise that: 

 

• the welfare of the child is paramount, as enshrined in the Children Act (1989); 

• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse; 

• some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues; and 

• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare. 

 

In addition, Delph band is aware that they also have safeguarding responsibilities towards adult members, some of whom may be vulnerable at different times in their lives. The principles outlined above in relation to children, also apply to our work with adults. In terms of a legal framework, the arrangements for those over 18 are governed by the Care Act 2014. This Act stipulates that statutory safeguarding duties apply to an adult who: 

• has care and support needs, and 

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

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

 

We will seek to keep children, young people and adults safe by:

 

• valuing them, listening to and respecting them, ensuring that, in the case of adults, we work with their consent unless ‘vital interests’ [as defined in the Data Protection Act (1998)] are at stake, or the person has been assessed as lacking mental capacity [as defined in the Mental Capacity Act (2005)]; • adopting child protection and adult safeguarding practices through procedures and a code of conduct for and members and volunteers; 

• ensuring that our governance arrangements reflect our commitment to safeguarding 

• working to ensure that there is a safe culture within our band

• providing effective support and training for volunteers with responsibility; 

• recruiting members and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made; 

• sharing information about child protection and adult safeguarding with children, parents, volunteers and members; 

• sharing concerns with agencies who need to know and involving parents and children appropriately.

 

Useful contact details: 

 

Band Safeguarding Officer: Christine Longhurst (07766 404282)

 

Local police: 0161 872 5050, non-emergency 101

 

Local authority social care department (children and vulnerable adults): Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) 0161 770 7777.  Urgent calls out of hours: 0161 770 6936

 

Oldham’s Local Authority Designated officer (LADO): Collette Morris 07583 101 863/0161 770 8870 or colette.morris@oldham.gov.uk

 

NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk 

 

ChildLine: 0800 1111 (textphone 0800 400 222) or www.childline.org.uk

 

The Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/

 

National Domestic Abuse Helpline: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/

 

Brass Bands England Safeguarding Officer: 01226 771015