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 info@riponconcerts.co.uk  |   01765 635244

Cathedral Concert Society trading as Ripon Concerts

Ripon Concerts trustees are aware that the protection of children and vulnerable adults is a shared responsibility. The Charity recognises that it is a guiding principle of the law and child protection procedures that the protection and welfare of the child must always be the priority. There is a lead Trustee for safeguarding that should have a current DBS check.

At concerts presented by Ripon Concerts, children and vulnerable adults are protected by the Safeguarding Policy at each host venue. Children attending concerts with a responsible adult do so under the supervision and control of that adult. The Charity does not admit unaccompanied children to its concerts.

At such events, students from invited school(s) may support the Charity by assisting with the sale of programmes and other duties. They are protected by the Safeguarding Policy of their school(s), and are always accompanied by responsible staff from their school(s). The Charity does not engage the voluntary services of schoolchildren at its events without the presence of a responsible member of the relevant school staff.

Children from local schools attending, at the Charity’s invitation to their open rehearsals or workshops organised by the Charity, do so as part of an educational visit organised by their schools and are accompanied by staff from their schools, who are responsible for them under the Safeguarding Policies and Procedures of the relevant schools.

Reporting

Any concert attendee or Trustee of the Charity who has a safeguarding concern at one of the events organised by the Charity, must pass on this concern to the Safeguarding Trustee or one of the Charity’s trustees at the event. They will record facts and observations not assumptions, date, time, where in the venue this happened, using actual words of the complainant. Then

 

  • If a child contact the relevant member of the accompanying teaching staff.
  • If an adult contact social services if the episode is sufficiently important.

See appendix for further detail.

This Safeguarding Policy is reviewed annually.

NB The legal definition of a child is under 18 years of age.

Safeguarding trustee

Dr Judith Hooper
Appletree Cottage
Mickley HG4 3JE

jmhooper54@outlook.com

01765 635492

Appendix

WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE MAKES A DISCLOSURE

The 5R's are a useful way to remember the steps of the process when handling a disclosure.

Receive

  • Listen to what is being said without displaying shock or disbelief.
  • Accept what is being said without judgement.
  • Take it seriously.
  • Let the person tell their story and don’t push for information.
  • Do not ask leading questions

Reassure

  • Do reassure them that they are right to tell.
  • Explain that you will have to pass their information to the Safeguarding Trustee, who will make sure the matter is dealt with appropriately.

Recognise

  • Be alert to signs and symptoms of abuse.
  • Do not investigate, interrogate or decide if they are telling the truth.

Respond

  • Reassure the individual they have taken the right step in sharing this information and they are not to blame.
  • Be honest; never make promises to keep what you are being told confidential. If abuse is involved, you will need to tell someone.
  • Use open questions (e.g. use phrases like ‘tell me’, or ‘explain to me’)
  • Avoid closed questions.
  • Do not investigate, interrogate or decide if they are telling the truth.
  • Tell them what you will do with the information they have shared and that they will be kept informed.

Record

It is important to record, immediately after the disclosure:

  • Who, when and where
  • Exact words / phrases used
  • The context of the disclosure
  • Record facts not opinions
  • Record your emotional response but do not reveal to the person disclosing.

Refer

  • Pass the information to the Safeguarding Trustee within 24 hours *
  • In case of an emergency call the Police or dial 999.
  • Notify what has happened to the safeguarding adviser at Holy Trinity Church parishsafe@holytrinityripon.org.uk

I’m glad you shared this with me. I will need to tell someone who can do something about it.

What has happened is not your fault. You deserve to be kept safe. Here is what we are going to do.

Thank you for telling me. I’ll now have to pass this on to the safeguarding officer to make sure you are supported.

It is NOT your role to investigate allegations.

Do NOT ask leading questions, probe for details, prompt someone or try and establish who is to blame.
Do NOT rush the person; give them the time they need.
Do NOT make judgements about whether or not you believe the person.
Do NOT promise complete confidentiality even if asked.
NEVER assume that someone else will recognise and report what you have seen or heard