Our Safeguarding Policy on Children and Young People Under 18 Years of Age and Vulnerable adults
Northampton Bach Choir (the Choir) is a mixed (generally adult) choir with ~125 members. The Choir recognises
its responsibilities towards schoolchildren and young people under 18 who may become members or occasionally
become involved with its activities.
Up-to-date information was obtained from the Home Office leaflet Changes to disclosure and barring: November
2020/July 2023 and from Making Music information on Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
In addition to any possible formal vetting procedures, both documents emphasise the role of organisations
(the Choir) in protecting children and vulnerable adults including ensuring the suitability and on-going
management of its personnel.
The anticipated definition of ‘regulated activity’ has been clarified; it is now clear that the Choir does
not undertake ‘regulated activities’.
Policy regarding admission of young children (under 18) to choir membership |
The choir is mindful that young children with particular musicality may wish to join the choir and isopen to
their enrolment subject to the following:
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The minimum age of Child members will be 10 years. |
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The child is required to pass the same audition as any new member. |
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The child’s parent is an active member of the choir. |
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The child’s parent will be present and takes full responsibility for the child during the
rehearsal period. |
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When sectional rehearsals are involved requiring the parent and child to be in separate
rooms a suitable adult will be asked to take responsibility for the child. |
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Such alternative supervision will be undertaken by members of the choir with a valid
basic DBS check. |
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The parent is aware that photographs of the choir are taken from time to time for the
purposes of advertising and use on the website. A suitable waiver will be signed by the
parent which will allow images of the child to be used in this way. (Appendix 1). |
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An appropriate Body of Persons Approval licence from the Local Authority. |
It is strongly advised that parents of younger members should maintain a monitoring role to ensure that
continued membership does not impact on the child’s education.
Risk assessment of activities involving Children and Young People under 18 years of age |
The Choir will take positive measures to ensure its awareness of the presence of any children or young
people under 18 years of age or any vulnerable adults attending choir rehearsals or any of its events.
An example is ‘Come and Sings’ when this will be by means of application form questionnaire and if
necessary further enquiry. Appropriate risk assessments will be undertaken as necessary and a
Safeguarding Officer will be nominated. (At the time of writing this person is Sheila Moakes)
| Health, safety and welfare of schoolchildren participating in concerts and Choir events |
Advice from NCC is that ‘When schoolchildren participate in a concert their school is responsible
for their care and the risk assessment and should provide the Choir with a copy. The Choir will
ascertain from the School the names of the teachers accompanying the children and will liaise
with them on Health, Safety and Welfare and Safeguarding matters.
| Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) |
Legislation around child performance licensing requires almost all performing children to be covered
with either a licence or an exemption called a ‘Body of Persons Approval’ (BOPA). This legislation
also applies to children who are performing as part of leisure-time music groups. A BOPA usually
covers groups that include more than one child, and can be issued by the secretary of state for
education, but in most cases, is issued by the local authority. The choir will be required to
meet certain criteria and to demonstrate that they have clear, robust and well embedded safeguarding
policies and arrangements in place to protect children. This will inform the local authority
decision and it is at its discretion whether to issue an approval
S. Moakes 10/10/2023
Attachment: Appendix 1
Review October 2024
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