SAFEGUARDING & CHILD PROTECTION POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Our Safeguarding Policy

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, students or anyone working on behalf of Planet Music Academy.

The purpose of this policy is:

  • Protect vulnerable adults, children and young people who receive Planet Music Academy’s services.

  • Provide staff with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding.

Planet Music Academy believes that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them.

Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect the children, namely:

  • Children Act 1989

  • United Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991

  • Data Protection Act 1998

  • Sexual Offences Act 2003

  • Children Act 2004

  • Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

  • Relevant government guidance on safeguarding children

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

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

We are responsible for:

  • Assigning a Designated Safeguarding Person

  • Ensuring all necessary DBS checks are completed to ensure the safety and legality of all PMA staff.

  • Ensuring all staff complete a Safeguarding training course when they join the company, which must be renewed every two years

  • Keeping records of all certificates of completion of the aforementioned course

  • Delivering our own in-house training for Safeguarding in the specific context of working for PMA.

  • Ongoing support for all staff on all Safeguarding matters

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

  • Valuing them, listening to and respecting them

  • Adopting child protection practices through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers

  • 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 information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers

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

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

This policy was last reviewed on 1st August 2020

Next date of review is prior to 1st August 2021

Signed: Chris King, Director