SAFEGUARDING POLICY

Statement of purpose

1. London Overseas Musician League Ltd (the Organisation, we, our or us) is committed to preventing and responding to risks of harm to and promoting the welfare of all children that we work with (i.e. as London Overseas Musician League Ltd’s clients), These individuals are referred to as the Beneficiaries’ of this Safeguarding Policy.

2. We recognise the importance of this commitment to safety and welfare and, further, are committed to safeguarding all Beneficiaries without discrimination due to an individual’s age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity leave status, marriage or civil partnership status, or sexual orientation

3. This Safeguarding Policy is based on the safeguarding laws of England, Wales, and Scotland, including related guidance issued by the UK Government and relevant governmental departments, agencies, and public bodies. If this Policy is at any time inconsistent with this body of law, London Overseas Musician League ltd will act to meet the requirements of up-to-date safeguarding laws in priority to the requirements set out in this Policy.

4. London Overseas Musician League Ltd has implemented this Safeguarding Policy in order to meet its obligations as an organisation working with children.

5. Any questions in relation to this Policy should be referred to Safeguarding Officer in the first instance, by emailing: safeguarding@loml.org.uk

Scope of this Safeguarding Policy

1. This Policy explains key aspects of how London Overseas Musician League ltd prevents harm in relation to its Beneficiaries via its practices and its Staff Members’ conduct

2. This Safeguarding Policy covers the organisation and operation of all of London Overseas Musician League Ltd’s activities involving children (i.e. our Relevant Activities). These primarily include

a. Providing video feedback to young musical instrument learner.

b. Providing Masterclasses to young musicians

1. This Policy's guidelines and obligations apply to all individuals working for or acting on behalf of London Overseas Musician League Ltd in the UK at all levels, including senior managers, officers, employees, consultants, trainees, home workers, part-time and fixed-term workers, casual workers, agency workers, volunteers, and interns (collectively "Staff Members).

2. This Policy does not form part of any contract of employment or similar and London Overseas Musician League Ltd may amend it at anytime at our absolute discretion

Defining safeguarding

1. ‘Safeguarding' is an umbrella term that refers to work refers to work (e.g. practices and procedures) aimed at preventing or responding to harm or risks of harm posed to vulnerable individuals, and at promoting these individuals wider welfare. Safeguarding is particularly important for children and adults at risk. Most safeguarding legal obligations relate to the care of these groups. This Safeguarding Policy specifically deals with safeguarding children. For safeguarding purposes, children are individuals younger than 18 years old.

2. The commitments and practices contained in this Safeguarding Policy apply to the safeguarding of London Overseas Musician League Ltd’s Beneficiaries from harm caused by either.

• The activities and practices of London Overseas Musician League td and any conduct of its Staff Members. Or

• People and situations outside of London Overseas Musician League Ltd 's and its Staff Members' control, where London Overseas Musician League Ltd 's Staff Members are aware of, ought to be aware of, or reasonably suspect the risks posed by a situation

1. For the purposes of this Policy, a 'Safeguarding Concern is any conduct or situation that is known or reasonably suspected by a Staff Member or another party that risks violating the safeguarding commitments set out above.

Key measures that London Overseas Musician League Ltd is committed to implementing and maintaining to safeguard its Beneficiaries.

1. Following applicable local safeguarding arrangements when safeguarding children. These arrangements include leadership and guidance is used by the safeguarding partners for a local area (i.e. the local authority, chief officers of police. and a clinical commissioning group

2. Ensuring that Staff Members are trained to, and encouraged to report any Safeguarding Concerns that they identify. Staff Members will be encouraged to follow London Overseas Musician League Ltd s safeguarding reporting procedures as closely as possible when reporting concerns (set out below under the heading ‘Procedures: Reporting’)

3. Ensuring that all Staff Members listen to all safeguarding-related queries and concerns raised by other Staff Members, beneficiaries or relevant other parties, with respect and professionalism. Staff members should be trained how to, and encouraged to then assist with reporting any such concerns via London Overseas Musician League Ltd 's regular reporting procedures

4. Ensuring that all reported Safeguarding Concerns are dealt with by appropriate individuals and teams and in accordance with London Overseas Musician League Ltd’s relevant procedures (set out below under the heading "Procedures: Investigation and Response”)

5. Implementing and maintaining comprehensive, accessible, fair, and efficient procedures for Staff Members to use when reporting and dealing with Safeguarding Concerns. These procedures will be made known and easily accessible to all Staff Members

a. Procedures will be designed to ensure all safeguarding issues are dealt with fairly and objectively even when allegations are made against one of London Overseas Musician League Ltd’s Staff Members. Any such allegations will be treated in a manner that takes into account the gravity of the accusations, but which does not vilify or presume the guilt of an accused individual without a fair investigation.

b. Any reports that qualify as protected disclosures under whistleblowing law will be treated securely and in a protected manner in line with whistleblowing law.

1. Appointing Safeguarding Officer to hold responsibility for managing safeguarding policies and procedures within London Overseas Musician League Ltd.

2. Following appropriate recruitment processes when recruiting new Staff Members, including volunteers. This includes:

a. Conducting all appropriate pre-employment checks (e.g. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record checks

b. Ensuring new Staff Members take part in, and understand the content of, all necessary safeguarding training before having any contact with London Overseas Musician League Ltd’s Beneficiaries.

c. Following London Overseas Musician League Ltd’s policies and procedures on hiring and recruitment.

1. Providing appropriate safeguarding training for all relevant Staff Members. Every Staff Member should be provided with, and required to undertake, training that is appropriate to their role, responsibilities, and degree and type of contact with Beneficiaries. This should, where appropriate include training on.

a. How to define and identify potential signs of different types of abuse, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and exploitation neglect and others.

b. How to listen to and respond to concerns or disclosures about safeguarding issues during an initial conversation (e.g. how to explain when information can and cannot be kept confidential).

c. How to use London Overseas Musician League Ltd’s safeguarding reporting procedures and when doing so is appropriate.

d. Which additional resources (e.g. policies, other supporting documents, or external educational resources) are available to ensure Staff Members remain informed about safeguarding.

1. Ensuring that all information related to Safeguarding Concerns including the content of reported concerns as well as the personal data of anybody involved is handled safely and securely. This involves.

a. Following the requirements set out by the UK's data protection laws, including The UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

b. Following London Overseas Musician League Ltd’s data protection policies and procedures.

c. Providing Staff Members with training on data protection and privacy, where appropriate.

d. Ensuring Staff Members always have an identifiable point of contact for questions or concerns about data protection and privacy. This is currently the Data Protection Officer, who can be contacted by emailing: privacy@loml.org.uk

e. Only sharing information about a Safeguarding Concern internally as far as is necessary to manage the concern for the relevant Beneficiary's benefit

1. Ensuring transparency and awareness regarding safeguarding information and procedures. For example, by:

a. Providing information to Beneficiaries about our safeguarding procedures so that they are aware of how to raise any concerns

b. Ensuring all Staff Members are aware of safeguarding laws, London Overseas Musician League Ltd’s safeguarding commitments and procedures, and Staff Members' responsibilities in relation to these.

1. Regularly reviewing all safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that they are up-t-date with safeguarding law and that they remain suitable for London Overseas Musician League ltd 's Relevant Activities and workforce, and meeting any review and evaluation requirements specific to London Overseas Musician League Ltd 's industry and organisation type.

 

Staff Members’ responsibilities

1. All Staff Members have a responsibility to promote the safety and wellbeing of all of London Overseas Musician League Ltd’s Beneficiaries. This means that all of London Overseas Musician League Ltd’s policies and procedures relevant to safeguarding and all UK laws relevant to safeguarding must be followed at all times. Specifically:

2. All Staff Members must contribute to upholding the key measures that London Overseas Musician League Ltd has committed to taking to safeguard its beneficiaries set out above) to an extent that is appropriate for their role responsibilities, and degree and type of contact with Beneficiaries. Specific ways that Staff Members should do this will be clarified during training. If Staff Member is uncertain as to their responsibility to raise this with Safeguarding Officer.

3. Staff Members must actively participate in all safeguarding training they are assigned and, if they do not understand any aspects of their training, must raise this with Safeguarding Officer

4. Staff Members must never do anything to actively risk the safety or wellbeing of any of London Overseas Musician League Ltd’s Beneficiaries. This includes but is not limited to.

a. Subjecting them to or facilitating abuse of any sort

b. Engaging in any sexual activity with children (i.e. anybody under the age of 18).

c. Participating in or facilitating any activities that may commercially exploit beneficiaries. For example, failing to report suspected child labour or trafficking.

1. Staff Members must report all Safeguarding Concerns that they have regarding Beneficiaries, regardless of whether the concerns relate to potential wrongdoing of other Staff Members, other Beneficiaries, or external parties (e.g. parents, teachers, other organisations, or members of the public).

 

Procedures: Reporting

1. Staff Members will receive safeguarding training that should enable them to identify Safeguarding Concerns (e.g. suspected abuse, neglect or threats to wellbeing) relevant to London Overseas Musician League Ltd’s Beneficiaries.

2. If a Staff Member identifies a Safeguarding Concern, to report it they should:

1. Recognize the Concern:
Identify signs of abuse, neglect, or any behaviour that may indicate a safeguarding issue. This could be based on observation, disclosure, or third-party information.

2. Ensure Immediate Safety:
If there's an immediate threat to the individual, ensure their safety if possible, and contact emergency services as needed.

3. Document the Concern:

• Write down all details immediately while they are fresh in your mind.

• Use the individual's own words if they've disclosed information to you.

• Include date, time, location, persons involved, and any actions taken.

• Always ensure that your documentation is factual without personal bias or opinion.

4. Confidentiality:

• Do not promise to keep any disclosure a secret. Inform the individual that you will need to share the information with those who can help, but it will be kept confidential.

• Only discuss your concern with the relevant personnel involved in the safeguarding process.

5. Internal Reporting:

• Immediately report the concern to your Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or the person in charge of safeguarding within your organization.

• If the concern involves the DSL, report to their immediate superior or another designated individual.

• Provide the DSL with your documented record of the concern.

6. Seek Support:

• Reporting and dealing with safeguarding concerns can be emotionally challenging.

• Access any available support, whether it's through the HR department, peer support, or external counselling.

7. Stay Updated:

• Follow up as needed and stay informed about the actions the organization is taking in response to your report.

• Ensure that the vulnerable individual(s) involved are receiving the appropriate support and protection.

 

1. If a Staff Member feels unable to follow the above steps, they should report their Safeguarding Concern in a reasonable alternative manner. This may the case if for example:

a. Following the above procedure would require disclosing the concern to somebody who is implicated in the Safeguarding Concern or who the Staff Member is otherwise uncomfortable contacting about this concern, or

b. The matter is time sensitive and involves a risk of serious harm to somebody, in which case contacting an external agency (e.g. the police, the ambulance service, or a mental health crisis line) or a more senior member of London Overseas Musician League Ltd’s staff first may be more appropriate.

Procedures: Investigation and response

1. Reported Safeguarding Concerns will be dealt with promptly by appropriate individuals within London Overseas Musician League Ltd, in accordance with our safeguarding response procedures and safeguarding laws. Details of these procedures are available on request from Safeguarding Officer

2. Staff Members who report a Safeguarding Concern will be kept informed about the progression of the matter they reported to an appropriate degree. Note that, depending on the nature of the concern and consequent investigations, some information about matters may be kept confidential and not shared with the reporter.

3. If a Staff Member is found to be in breach of this Safeguarding Policy or safeguarding lay in general, they will be treated fairly and will only be dismissed if appropriate in the circumstances and in accordance with employment law.

4. Referrals or notifications to external organisations (e.g. police services, local authorities, or regulatory bodies) will be made when, and only when, this is appropriate. and will always be made in accordance with the law (e.g. data protection law)