CYMOnline

Download (pdf - 166Kb)

CASTLEFORD YOUNG MUSICIANS (CYM)

Child & Vulnerable Adults Protection Policy

SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT

CYM has adopted this statement of policy in its work with children, the vulnerable and those with disability.

The needs and rights of the child, the vulnerable and persons with disability take priority.

It is the duty of every member to safeguard to the best of his or her ability, the welfare of and prevent the assault, physical, sexual or emotional abuse and neglect of all children, persons with disability or otherwise vulnerable persons with whom they come into contact during their CYM duties.

Castleford Young Musicians will endeavour to ensure safeguarding by:

• Actively encouraging a climate through which protection issues are regarded as an essential part of CYM activities and events.
• Appointing a CYM Executive Committee member with responsibility for protection issues in CYM: the CYM Protection Officer.
• Adopting protection guidelines through a Code of Conduct for all members, staff, helpers and volunteers associated with CYM.
• Planning all events and activities so that protection issues are properly addressed.
• Sharing information on protection and good practice with children, parents and carers, CYM members, staff, helpers and volunteers associated with CYM.
• Ensuring that the disclosure or discovery of abuse is reported to the designated CYM Protection Officer who will be responsible for the sharing of information about concerns with agencies that need to know.
  
• Ensuring that all those in a position of responsibility and coming into contact with members are properly vetted and have fulfilled the appropriate disclosure processes and procedures.
  
• Monitoring and reviewing this policy and the associated procedures on a regular basis, at least annually.

October 2013
Reviewed:
Oct 2014
Oct 2015
Nov 2016
Oct 2017
Nov 2018

Download (pdf - 184Kb)

CASTLEFORD YOUNG MUSICIANS (CYM)

Child & Vulnerable Adults Protection Policy

CODE OF CONDUCT

Castleford Young Musicians can reduce the likelihood of abuse and of accusations by
making sure that all adult volunteers and members are aware of some practical matters
when working with children:

Positive outlook and actions

• Always treat children with respect.
• Avoid showing favouritism towards an individual.
• Provide a model of good and appropriate behaviour.
• Respect a child’s right to privacy.
• Be aware that behaviour can be misinterpreted even when well-intentioned.
• Challenge unacceptable behaviour.
• Operate within the agreed guidelines.

Situations to avoid

• Being one-to-one with a child (always ensure another adult is present in this situation)
• Meeting children outside organised activities.

Unacceptable behaviour

• Engaging in rough physical games or horseplay.
• Engaging in or encouraging sexually provocative games or activities.
• Allowing or engaging in inappropriate touching of any kind.
• Allowing children to use inappropriate language unchallenged.
• Making any sexually suggestive comments even ‘in fun’.
• Letting any allegations a child makes go unrecorded.
• Relying on your ‘good name’ as protection.
• Doing things of a personal nature for children that they can do themselves.

Signs of bullying

Bullying of one child by another should always be checked.  This would include:

• Physical pushing, hitting or pinching etc.
• Name-calling, sarcasm, teasing, ridiculing or ignoring.
• Racial taunts, gestures, graffiti.
• Sexual comment.
• Any unwanted physical contact.

Occasions needing special care

• Discussion of sensitive issues with members or individuals.
• Relationships developing between volunteer staff and young people.

Genuine relationships do develop between people, but no intimate relationship should begin whilst one person is in a position of trust over another.  It would be ‘an abuse of trust’ and in some circumstances could be a criminal offence under the Sexual Offences (amendment) Act 2000, which applies throughout the UK.

October 2013
Reviewed:
Oct 2014
Oct 2015
Nov 2016
Oct 2017
Nov 2018

Download (pdf - 170Kb)

CASTLEFORD YOUNG MUSICIANS (CYM)

HEALTH & SAFETY STATEMENT

CYM acknowledges:

• That it has a responsibility to ensure that all volunteers and members are made aware of the essential need to plan and organise all CYM activities and events in a safe manner.

CYM is committed to:

• Ensuring that all reasonable steps are taken to safeguard CYM members and volunteers from risk of injury or ill health resulting directly or indirectly from any activity or event CYM is involved with. 
• Promoting and encouraging development of safe practice as the normal acceptable standard for all CYM events and activities.
• Developing and encouraging communication at all levels in order to develop the exchange of ideas and to promote best practice at all levels within CYM.

The overall responsibility for safety at any CYM activity or event lies with the CYM Executive Committee or the organising group of any event or activity CYM has been invited to take part in.

The responsibility for implementation of this statement lies with the CYM Executive Committee.

In support of this policy the Health and Safety Officer, appointed from within the Executive Committee, will report to the committee on any health and safety matters at each meeting.

Health and Safety will be a standard item on the Agenda of each CYM Executive Committee Meeting.

A generic Risk Assessment has been prepared, which will apply to the majority of events and activities involving CYM members and volunteers.  Should this not be adequate or applicable to any event or activity a specific Risk Assessment will be undertaken.

Emergency contact details are kept for all members in case of medical emergencies and permission for members to be photographed for CYM promotional purposes is also recorded and signed by parents for those under the age of 18years.  Those over the age of 18years sign for themselves.

This statement will be reviewed by CYM Executive Committee in September of each year and will be updated and amended as necessary, if so required. This statement should be re-validated annually as appropriate.

October 2013
Reviewed:
Oct 2014
Oct 2015
Nov 2016
Oct 2017
Nov 2018