Safeguarding Policy for Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults

Northampton Bach Choir ("the Choir") is an amateur mixed choir of approximately 125 members. While primarily an adult organisation, the Choir recognises its responsibilities towards:

• Children and young people under 18 who may join as members or participate in Choir activities
• Vulnerable adults who may take part in rehearsals, concerts, or events

The Choir is committed to creating and maintaining a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all.

Child / Young Person: Anyone under 18 years of age.

Vulnerable Adult: An adult who, due to age, disability, illness, or circumstance, may be unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation.

The Choir will appoint a Safeguarding Officer who must:

• Hold an Enhanced DBS check (with Update Service subscription) or provide an annually renewed Enhanced DBS certificate
• Undertake safeguarding training at least every two years, either through their workplace or an approved external provider
• Act as the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns
• Ensure that safeguarding arrangements are understood and followed by Choir members

If the Safeguarding Officer is unable to attend a rehearsal or event, they will nominate a suitably trained Choir member with an Enhanced DBS check to act as safeguarding officer.

The Choir welcomes musically able young singers, subject to the following conditions:

• Minimum age: 10 years
• The child must pass the standard Choir audition
• The child and their parent/guardian must be introduced to the Safeguarding Officer
• If a parent/guardian is not present at a rehearsal, the Safeguarding Officer will nominate a suitable adult from the child's section to supervise them
• Supervising adults must hold a Basic DBS check dated within the last two years
• All communications from the Choir or Voice Part Secretaries will be directed to the parent/guardian, who is responsible for passing information to the young person
• A Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) will be obtained for public performances involving more than one child
• If only one child is performing, they must be accompanied by their parent/guardian or a Licensed Child Chaperone
• Parents must sign a photo-consent waiver in order for the Choir to use images of the child for publicity and website use (Appendix 1)

Parents of younger members are encouraged to monitor their child's participation to ensure that Choir commitments do not adversely affect their education.

The Choir will:

• Identify all children, young people, and vulnerable adults attending rehearsals or events
• Conduct risk assessments for all events involving children, in consultation with the Safeguarding Officer
• Ensure that supervising adults understand their responsibilities
• Ensure that children and their parents know who the safeguarding lead is at each event

For open events such as “Come and Sing” days, relevant safeguarding information will be gathered through the application process.

When children or youth choirs are invited to perform in Choir concerts:

• Their school, organisation, or Director of Music retains primary responsibility for their welfare
• The school/organisation must provide the Choir's Safeguarding Officer with a risk assessment
• The Safeguarding Officer must be informed of the names of accompanying adults
• The Safeguarding Officer will liaise with accompanying staff regarding health, safety, welfare, and safeguarding arrangements

Under child performance legislation:

• All performing children must be covered by either an individual licence or a Body of Persons Approval
• A BOPA applies when more than one child is performing and is usually issued by the Local Authority
• When only one child is performing, they must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or a Licensed Child Chaperone
• The Choir must demonstrate that it has robust safeguarding policies and procedures in place to meet BOPA requirements
• The Local Authority has discretion over whether to issue approval

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if legislation or best practice guidance changes.

S. Moakes, 10.10.23
Reviewed by S.Wise 14.3.26 Agreed 15.4.26