Safeguarding Policy

Oughtibridge Brass Band Safeguarding Policy

Oughtibridge Brass Band is a Registered Charity (Registered Charity Number 1136486). It comprises two bands – Oughtibridge Brass Band (Main Band) and Oughtibridge Community Band. The band is run by a committee of volunteers.

The Main Band includes approximately 28 musicians, both adults and children, and a Musical Director. Most of the musicians are permanent band members, who are officially signed to the band and attend rehearsals twice a week in The Band Room in Oughtibridge. They play at a number of concerts and contests throughout the year. They will be joined on occasion by “Deps” – temporary players who fill in for missing players in rehearsals and at events.

Oughtibridge Community Band comprises approximately 35 members, children and adults, a Musical Director and a Music Teacher. They practise once a week and play some concerts. Some players take advantage of the one-on-one music tuition available during rehearsals. Some of the more experienced Community Band players sit in with Main Band at concerts and rehearsals and eventually join permanently. Some Main Band members attend the Community Band rehearsals and concerts.

Throughout this document, the Main Band and Oughtibridge Community Band are jointly referred to as “The Band”. “Band Members” includes all musicians, Musical Directors, the teacher and committee members. “The Band Room” refers to our purpose-built building at 10 Station Lane, Oughtibridge, S35 0HS.

Our Safeguarding Policy

This policy applies to all Band Members. It also applies to any Deps helping the band out temporarily. It applies to all band events including rehearsals, concerts, contests, socials and fundraising events.

The Purpose of this Policy is

  • To protect children and young people and vulnerable adults who are part of The Band. This includes the children of adults who are part of The Band.
  • To encourage an earnest consideration of an environment that is safe and welcoming for all.

The Band believes that a child or young person or vulnerable adult should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and vulnerable adults and to keep them safe. We are committed to practise in a way that protects them.

We Recognise that

  • The welfare of the child is paramount.
  • 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. We will seek to keep children and young people and vulnerable adults safe by:

  • Valuing them, listening to and respecting them
  • Adopting child protection practices through procedures and a Code of Conduct and Conduct Declaration Form for Band Members and Deps
  • Sharing information about child protection and good practice with Band Members and parents
  • Sharing concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately
  • Developing and implementing an effective policy regarding photography

New Members

  • All new adult members of The Band and Deps must sign the Conduct Declaration Form and must have their ID checked by a member of the Committee.

Supervising Adults and DBS Checks

  • “Supervising Adults” are adult Band Members who hold the Brass Bands England Bandsafe Training Certificate. They will follow the guidance laid out in the Bandsafe training.
  • The Band will always have a minimum of two trained Supervising Adults.
  • These Supervising Adults will wear their Bandsafe identification lanyard at contests.
  • Photographs of these Supervising Adults will be clearly displayed in The Band Room and labeled as Safeguarding Team.
  • All band members, including Children and Vulnerable Adults will be made aware that these Supervising Adults should be approached with any safeguarding concerns. This will be laid out in the Band Welcome Pack.
  • Musical Directors, Teachers, Supervising Adults, and the Band Chair will hold an up-to-date Enhanced DBS check (renewed every 3 years).
  • The Band will ensure there is always a minimum of one Supervising Adult or an adult with an enhanced DBS check at every rehearsal or event, including children. The exception to this rule is if the child’s parent or guardian is present and has taken responsibility for their direct supervision at all times.
  • If a Band Member has any concerns about safeguarding, they should report them to one of the Supervising Adults.

Social Media Policy

  • The Band must have written permission from a parent or carer before posting pictures of under 18s on our website, Facebook site or in any publicity. There is a section asking for permission in the Band Welcome Pack
  • No under 18s are allowed to join any of The Band WhatsApp groups. They should have an adult representative on the WhatsApp group instead.
  • Children must be made aware that no messaging is allowed between adult and child Band Members, and they should contact one of the Supervising Adults if such messaging does occur. This will be included in the Band Welcome Pack.

First Aid

  • A First Aid Kit and Accident Book are available in The Band Room and will be taken to all Band events held outside of The Band Room
  • A First Aider is a Band Member who holds a First Aid at Work certificate or has comparable experience. A list of First Aiders will be displayed in The Band Room.
  • There must be a First Aider present at all rehearsals and events. At events outside of The Band Room there should be a named First Aider.

Contact Details

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Bethany Wilson

Email: [email protected]

NCPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000

Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect 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
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018

Relevant government guidance on safeguarding children

It has been based on an example policy prepared by the NSPCC on their website page, “Writing a Safeguarding Policy” and with help from Brass Band England following the guidance in the Brass Bands England BandSafe training. We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

This policy was last reviewed in October 2025