GSA Safeguarding Policy
This policy applies to all staff, trustees, paid staff, volunteers, students or anyone working on behalf of Gurmat Sangeet Academy.
The purpose of this policy is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children and adults engaging with Gurmat Sangeet Academy, delivering and receiving its services. Gurmat Sangeet Academy is committed to its responsibility in promoting the safety and welfare of all children and young people. The purpose of this policy is to:
- protect children and young people receiving Gurmat Sangeet Academy’s services.
- provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding.
Legal Basis
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
Responsibilities
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.
Our responsibilities include:
- Assigning a Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP) and Deputy
- Ensuring all necessary safeguarding and criminal records checks are completed to ensure the safety and legality of all Gurmat Sangeet Academy 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 student attendance of Gurmat Sangeet Academy course.
- Delivering our own in-house training for Safeguarding in the specific context of working for Gurmat Sangeet Academy
- 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.