September 2025
1. Introduction and purpose
This policy sets out how Eye Bach Choir operates to keep adults at risk of harm and children safe from harm and provides volunteers and all who work with the Choir with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding. We have a Duty of Care to our volunteers and those who engage with any aspect of Eye Bach Choir. We are committed to the protection and safety of adults at risk and children whether they are volunteers and/or participants in our activities. We will protect and support the volunteers who work with us as well as those who engage with us. All citizens of the United Kingdom have their rights enshrined within the Human Rights Act 1998. Children’s legislation includes the Childrens Act 1989 and 2004. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. For our safeguarding policy to be effective every volunteer, and all those who support us whatever their role, will play their part in keeping people safe. We will fulfil our duty to report Serious Incidents, including safeguarding, as part of our governance and reporting responsibilities to the Charity Commission.
2. Definitions
Children are defined as those persons aged under 18 years old.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined in Working Together 2023 as:
- providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge
- protecting children from maltreatment, whether that is within or outside the home, including online
- preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development
- ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
- promoting the upbringing of children with their birth parents, or otherwise their family network through a kinship care arrangement, whenever possible and where this is in the best interests of the children
- taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes in line with the outcomes set out in the Children’s Social Care National Framework
Adult at risk of abuse or neglect is defined by the Care Act 2014 as someone over 18 years old who:
- has care and support needs
- is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
- as a result of their care and support needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it. If someone has care and support needs but is not currently receiving care or support from a health or care service, they may still be an adult at risk
3. Persons affected by this policy
- All volunteers
- All who engage with any aspect of Eye Bach Choir
4. Our Policy
Eye Bach Choir has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse.
- There are no excuses for not taking all reasonable action to protect adults at risk and children from abuse, exploitation, radicalisation and mistreatment.
- Eye Bach Choir recognises that under the Care Act 2014 it has a duty for the care and protection of adults who are at risk of abuse. It is committed to promoting wellbeing, harm prevention and to responding effectively if concerns are raised.
- The welfare of the child and/ or adult at risk is paramount and all adults have the right to protection from abuse.
- We are committed to working with appropriate agencies including Suffolk Social Care, Suffolk Safeguarding Teams and the police etc. to ensure the reporting of abuse is appropriate and in line with local, national and Charity Commission requirements and Information Sharing guidance.
- We will create an environment where volunteers feel able to raise safeguarding concerns and feel supported with their safeguarding responsibilities.
- All volunteers are required to report any suspected abuse and be aware of the appropriate reporting and support procedure for safeguarding including the reporting of people at risk of radicalisation and extremism.
- All Volunteers and staff must be clear on appropriate behaviour and responses.
- Felicity Golding is the Designated Lead for safeguarding at Eye Bach Choir. Nicola Wheeler is the Deputy Designated Lead for safeguarding at Eye Bach Choir.
- The Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Safeguarding Lead for Eye Bach Choir will fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities in a way that ensures that adults and children are safeguarded from harm. The Safeguarding Lead is responsible for following up and reporting any suspected reports of abuse.
- Appropriate recruitment of volunteers is in place.
- This policy will be reviewed annually by the Committee.
Date Changes made: 23/09/2025
Review date: 22/09/2025
REFERRAL FOR ACTUAL OR SUSPECTED ABUSE (2022)
See it. Recognise it. Report it
If the matter is urgent because a child or adult at risk of harm is in immediate danger phone 999 for the Police.
See it
Are they safe? If you are concerned about a child or Adult at Risk of Harm you could help stop abuse if you follow the safeguarding policy and procedure (use this flowchart)
It is not your responsibility to decide if abuse has happened. It IS your responsibility to report it to the Safeguarding Lead and/ or appropriate authority
Recognise it
Share your concerns/information with the Safeguarding Lead
For concerns about an Adult at Risk of Harm: Use the Safeguarding Adults Framework to guide your discussions on thresholds for safeguarding referrals
For concerns about a child (under 18 years of age): Use the Suffolk Thresholds of Needs Matrix to guide your discussions on thresholds for safeguarding referrals
If you need to discuss whether or not a referral is required, call the MASH Professional Consultation Line on 0345 6061499 to speak with a MASH social worker – or use their webchat
If there is immediate danger to the child or Adult at Risk call 999 for the Police
Report it.
If you have a concern about a child or an Adult at Risk and need to make a safeguarding referral use the relevant online Suffolk Portal (child or adult)
Contact information
Safeguarding referral: Via portal .
Customer First 0808 800 4005
MASH Professionals Consultation line 03456 061 499
Police: 999 if it is an emergency
Safeguarding Lead and Trustee: Felicity Golding tel 07748 727477 email: [email protected]
Deputy Safeguarding Lead: Nicola Wheeler tel 07906 250906 email: [email protected]
Notes: reporting for CYP
Parents/carers should be advised that you are making a referral unless this might put the child at risk or cause any delay in referring Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
Referrals
If you have concerns about an adult working with a child under the age of 18 that you would like to report, access the LADO page
for more information
Notes: reporting for Adults at Risk
It is essential that wherever possible it is the adult at risk who will decide on the chosen course of action, taking into account the impact of the adult at risk’s mental capacity where relevant. However, the people and organisations caring for, or assisting them, must do everything they can to identify and prevent abuse happening wherever possible and evidence their efforts. Remember ALL notes will be disclosable should a formal or criminal investigation occur. Ensure that your notes are signed, dated, professional, separate opinion from fact, are recorded verbatim using the same words as were used during the disclosure.
