Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults
The Charity Commission now requires all charities that may be involved with children or vulnerable adults to have a written policy to ensure that good practice is maintained.
Finzi Friends identifies that it would be involved insofar as the Society:
- May sometimes invite children under 16, or young people between the ages of 16 and 18 to participate in masterclass events. In such cases it is always a requirement for a responsible adult to accompany the child and take responsibility for their health and safety, and welfare beyond measures reasonably expected of any group promoting a public performance.
- May invite students aged 18 and over to participate in masterclass events. In such instances Trustees do not act in a position of trust, other than in maintaining a watching brief to safeguard the health and safety, and welfare of all participants. Their role is to facilitate participation in a public event.
In both cases Trustees will not provide personal or contact details for either participants or those giving the Masterclass to others involved.In giving Masterclasses professionals are expected to observe reasonable care in making physical contact with a young performer and ensure that the performer is comfortable with any that may be deemed necessary to illustrate a technical point.
The Society recognizes that a number of its members may be categorised as vulnerable adults because of infirmity or physical needs.
It is expected that members will be accompanied by another adult to assist in ensuring their health and safety, and welfare beyond measures reasonably expected of any group promoting a public performance. Where this is not possible the Trustees will take all necessary steps deemed reason able to safeguard their health and safety, and welfare which may exceed those measures reasonably expected of any group promoting a public performance. Trustees will take reasonable care in making physical contact with any vulnerable adult who requires assistance and ensure that they are comfortable with any that may be deemed necessary.
There is no need for a child or vulnerable adult to be alone with another adult at any time. However, we have to ensure that there are documented procedures so that we can show that this is controlled and not left to chance.
There are five principal requirements that the policy has to document. These are listed below, together with proposals for how we satisfy them.
a) We have to have a named person and deputy who has responsibility for child protection matters.
The Chairman is the named person and the Secretary is the deputy, unless there is a minuted Committee resolution specifying a change. In the event that a person other than the Chairman or Secretary is nominated as named person or deputy, and that person leaves the Society, the responsibility automatically reverts to the Chairman (as named person) or Secretary (as deputy).
b) How to record incidents should they occur, and how to ensure we retain the records securely
The Secretary will hold a record of incidents, and the Chairman will hold a duplicate of the record of incidents. The record and duplicate record must not be held in the same building as each other.
c) A code of behaviour related to safeguarding for Trustees
The Trustees will promote, publicize and exemplify our policy towards children and vulnerable adults, in particular as outlined above, and review progress annually at the Committee meeting prior to the AGM.
d) Procedures for checking eligibility of Trustees
Trustees will be required to sign the form approved by the Charity Commission confirming eligibility. There is no requirement to obtain Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, nor can we request it, given the nature of Trustees’ roles.
e) A complaints procedure regarding safeguarding children and vulnerable adults which is open and well publicised
If any member of the Society has any complaint relating to the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults they should advise the named person or deputy in confidence.