Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Introduction

The policy reflects Calderdale local safeguarding partnership arrangements and in line with:

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined 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 are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care and;
Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

(Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2023)
(Keeping Children Safe in Education, 2025)

The term “Child” or “Children” refers to as anyone under the age of 18 years

We believe that:

Schools play a key role in the prevention of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
All children have the right to be protected from harm.

Children need support which matches their individual needs, including those who may have experienced abuse, neglect or exploitation.

Section 1 – Calderdale Music Commitment, including Equality and Human Rights

Equality legislation

The guidance sets out the significance of the Equality Act 2010 to school safeguarding, including that schools and colleges:

must not unlawfully discriminate against pupils because of their protected characteristics
must consider how they are supporting pupils with protected characteristics
must take positive action, where proportionate, to deal with the disadvantages these pupils face. For example, by making reasonable adjustments for disabled children and supporting girls if there is evidence they are being disproportionately subjected to sexual violence or harassment.

Human Rights Act

The Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) sets out the fundamental rights and freedoms that everyone in the UK is entitled to and contains the Articles and protocols of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) (the Convention) that are deemed to apply in the UK. It compels public organisations to respect and protect an individual’s human rights when they make individual decisions about them.

Under the HRA, it is unlawful for schools and colleges to act in a way that is incompatible with the Convention. The specific Convention rights applying to schools and colleges are:

Article 3: the right to freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment (an absolute right)
Article 8: the right to respect for private and family life (a qualified right) includes a duty to protect individuals’ physical and psychological integrity.
Article 14: requires that all of the rights and freedoms set out in the Act must be protected and applied without discrimination, and Protocol 1, Article 2: protects the right to education.

Being subjected to harassment, violence and or abuse, including that of a sexual nature, may breach any or all of these rights, depending on the nature of the conduct and the circumstances. Further information (including on absolute and qualified rights) can be found at Human Rights – Equality and Human Rights Commission

This policy applies to all adults, including volunteers, working in or on behalf of Calderdale Music.

Calderdale Music considers it essential that everybody working in our organisation understands their safeguarding responsibilities.

The purpose of this policy is:

To inform staff, parents, volunteers, and Trustees about the organisation’s responsibility for safeguarding children and to develop awareness and identification of abuse, neglect and exploitation
To establish and maintain an environment where children feel safe, can learn, and are encouraged to talk and are listened to.

Everyone working in or for our organisation shares an objective to help keep children and young people safe by:

Reading and understanding Part 1 of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 (or Annex A as directed by the leadership team)
Providing a safe environment for children and young people to learn and develop in all of the settings that we work in, and:
Identifying children and young people who are suffering or likely to suffer significant harm at the earliest opportunity and taking appropriate action with the aim of making sure they are kept safe both at home and in our settings.

Our leaders and Trustees promote an organisation wide approach to safeguarding pupils, ensuring safeguarding and child protection are at the forefront and underpin all relevant aspects of process and policy development with the best interests of the child at their heart. There is a focus around ensuring the child’s wishes and feelings are taken into account when determining what action should be taken following the raising of any safeguarding concern.

Calderdale Music ensures this policy and procedures document will be reviewed on an annual basis to reflect changes in national and local guidance.

Calderdale Music is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all of its pupils. Each pupil’s welfare is of paramount importance. We recognise that some children may be especially vulnerable to abuse or exploitation, especially those with identified special educational needs and/or a disability (SEND). We recognise that children who are abused, neglected or exploited may find it difficult to develop a sense of self-worth and to view the world in a positive way. Whilst at school or Calderdale Music’s premises, their behaviour may be challenging. We recognise that some children who have experienced abuse may harm others. We will always take a considered and sensitive approach in order that we can support all of our pupils. The diagram below indicates what we consider under the umbrella of safeguarding and indicates some of the other policies that relate to safeguarding. Calderdale Music ensures that all policies are cross-referenced and reviewed annually. All policies are available to staff, and a register is kept and signed by staff as evidence that they have read, understood and thus agreed to adhere to any policies.

*Annex A: is a condensed version of KCSIE Part 1. It can be provided (instead of Part one) to those staff who do not directly work with children, if the Board of Trustees think it will provide a better basis for those staff to promote the welfare and safeguard children.

Section 2 – Providing a Safe and Supportive Environment

2.1 Safer Recruitment and Selection

Calderdale Music pays full regard to DfE guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (KCSIE) 2025.

We ensure that all appropriate measures are applied in relation to everyone who works in organisation, who is likely to be perceived by the children as a safe and trustworthy adult including e.g. volunteers and staff employed by contractors.

Safer recruitment practice as laid out in KCSIE 2025 Part 3, is adhered to in terms of scrutinising applicants and DBS Checks, appropriate to the level required for the role.

Calderdale Music is committed to keeping an up-to-date Single Central Record (SCR) which covers the following people:

all staff (including supply staff)
all members of the Board of Trustees
all others who work in regular contact with children, including volunteers

The Single Central Record (SCR) records the safer recruitment checks and states whether the checks have been carried out or certificates obtained, the date on which the checks were completed and by whom.

If we have staff from an agency or third-party organisation, we will obtain written notification from that agency or organisation that they have carried out the checks, and we will ensure that we check the identification of the person presenting themselves for work and that this is the same person on whom the checks have been made.

…………David Heywood……… (Director)

………. Peter Reynoldson……(Chair of the Board of Trustees)

The above people have undertaken Safer Recruitment Training within the last 3 years, and at least one of the above will be involved in all staff and volunteer appointments and arrangements (including, where appropriate, contracted services).

Home-stays (Exchange Visits)

Where children from overseas are staying with UK parents as part of an exchange organised by the Calderdale Music, those parents will be deemed to be in ‘Regulated Activity’ for the duration of the stay and as such will require to submit to an enhanced DBS check including barring check. As a volunteer, all checks will be processed free of charge by the DBS. Where additional people in the host family are aged over 16 (i.e. elder siblings) Calderdale Music will consider on a case-by-case risk assessment basis whether such checks are necessary.

2.2 Safe Working Practice

All staff who work in and for Calderdale Music are responsible for their own actions and behaviour and should avoid any conduct which would lead any reasonable person to question their motivation and intentions.

In accordance with the Safer Recruitment Consortium’s ‘Guidance for Safer Working Practice for those with Children and Young People in Education Settings’ (February 2022) and linked to our Behaviour Policy (Code of Conduct) and Whistleblowing Policy in our Staff Handbook; safe working practices in Calderdale Music ensure that pupils are safe and that all staff:

understand their responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils
are responsible for their own actions and behaviour and should avoid any conduct which would lead any reasonable person to question their motivation and intentions
should work, and be seen to work in an open and transparent way including self-reporting if their conduct or behaviour falls short of these guiding principles
should acknowledge that deliberately invented/malicious allegations are rare and that all concerns should be reported and recorded
should apply the same professional standards regardless or culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and sexual orientation
should not consume or be under the influence of alcohol or any other substance, including prescribed medication, which may affect their ability to care for children
should be aware that breaches of the law and other professional guidelines could result in disciplinary action being taken against them, criminal action and/or other proceedings including barring by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) from working in regulated activity, or for acts of serious misconduct, prohibition from teaching by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA)
should continually monitor and review practice to ensure this guidance is followed
should be aware of and understand Calderdale Music’s safeguarding policy and child protection procedures including arrangements for managing allegations against staff, staff behaviour policy, whistleblowing procedures and the procedures of the local safeguarding children partnership

Whistleblowing is the mechanism by which staff can voice their concerns, made in good faith, without fear of repercussion.

No disciplinary action will be taken against any member of staff who acts in good faith in reporting concerns about a colleague. If the staff member or volunteer feels unable to raise a concern within a school or Calderdale Music, or feels that their genuine concerns are not being addressed or taken seriously they can contact the NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline (0800 028 0285: 8.00am – 8.00pm Mon to Fri; email address: help@nspcc.org.uk).

2.3 Risk Assessments

All pupils at Calderdale Music are aware of a number of staff whom they can talk to. Calderdale Music is committed to ensuring that pupils are aware of behaviour towards them that is not acceptable and how they can keep themselves safe. We aim for all pupils to know that we have aDesignated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) who are senior members of staff with responsibility for child protection. We inform pupils of whom they might talk to, their right to be listened to and heard and what steps can be taken to protect them from harm.

Safeguarding is a priority which is reflected in our curriculum, which is used to promote safeguarding and is tailored to local concerns.

2.4 Safeguarding Information for pupils

All pupils at Calderdale Music are aware of a number of staff whom they can talk to. Calderdale Music is committed to ensuring that pupils are aware of behaviour towards them that is not acceptable and how they can keep themselves safe. We aim for all pupils to know that we have a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) who are senior members of staff with responsibility for child protection. We inform pupils of whom they might talk to, their right to be listened to and heard and what steps can be taken to protect them from harm.

Safeguarding is a priority which is reflected in our curriculum, which is used to promote safeguarding and is tailored to local concerns.

2.5 Partnership with Parents

Calderdale Music shares a purpose with parents to educate and keep children safe from harm.

We are committed to working with parents positively, openly and honestly. We ensure that all parents are treated with respect, dignity and courtesy. We respect parents’ rights to privacy and confidentiality and will not share sensitive information unless we have permission to do so, or it is necessary to do so, in order to protect a child.

Calderdale Music will share with parents or those persons with parental responsibility, any concerns we may have about their child unless to do so may place a child at increased risk of harm.

Calderdale Music’s DSLs may consult with Calderdale Children’s Social Care, Multi-Agency Screening Team (MAST) where safeguarding concerns arise that require the advice or guidance from other safeguarding professionals.

We encourage parents to discuss any concerns they may have with our DSL or DDSLs and we encourage parental feedback to Calderdale Music on safeguarding concerns. We make parents aware of our policy through communication via email, posters around the Old Courthouse and parents know that this policy and others are accessible at all times via the website. Additional posters and displays also ensure that Safeguarding has a high profile within the whole community.

2.6 Partnerships with others

Information sharing is vital in identifying and tackling all forms of abuse and neglect, and in promoting children’s welfare, including their educational outcomes. The Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR do not prevent the sharing of information for the purposes of keeping children safe. Fears about sharing information must not be allowed to stand in the way of the need to safeguard and promote the welfare and protect the safety of children.

Calderdale Music has both a duty and clear powers to share, hold and use information for these purposes. Further detail can be found in the following HM Govt guidance: Information sharing – advice for practitioners

Calderdale Music recognises that it is essential to establish positive and effective working relationships with other agencies. There is a joint responsibility on all these agencies to share information to ensure the safeguarding of all children which is coordinated by the Calderdale Safeguarding Children Partnership https://safeguarding.calderdale.gov.uk/

At Calderdale Music, we will cooperate with Social Care where they are conducting child protection enquiries. We will also provide written reports as required for meetings when requested.

Where partner agencies such as the police and/or social care attend Calderdale Music to conduct enquiries under section 47 of The Children Act 1989, staff will inform the Director as to the nature of the enquiries. Consideration will always be given to the requirement for children to have an Appropriate Adult present. Further information can be found in the DfE guidance: Searching, Screening and Confiscation – Advice to schools July 2022

2.7 Training and Staff Induction

Following successful completion of Initial Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training, Calderdale Music’s DSL and any person undertaking the role of Deputy DSL undertakes refresher training at 2 yearly intervals, provided by Calderdale Council’s Schools Safeguarding Service. The DSLs may also attend other opportunities such as to ensure that they are up to date with current practices and procedures and in order to further their continuous professional development.

The Director and all other staff, including non-teaching staff and volunteers, undertake appropriate induction training to equip them to carry out their responsibilities for child protection effectively, which is kept up to date by refresher training in Basic/Foundation Safeguarding Awareness on an annual basis. Calderdale Music ensures that this takes place by the DSL providing annual updates through face-to-face delivery and/or or by coordinating online training.

All staff (including temporary staff and volunteers) are provided with a copy of the Calderdale Music’s safeguarding policy and child protection procedures and are informed our child protection arrangements on induction. All staff sign a register to say that they have received, read and understood the policy.

In line with KCSIE 2025, all staff upon induction will also receive:

Copy of the staff code of conduct/staff handbook
Copy of KCSIE 2025 Part One (or Annex A as directed by the senior leadership team)

2.8 Support, Guidance and Supervision for Staff

Staff will be supported by The DSL and Deputy DSL at Calderdale Music, the Local Authority and professional associations.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead and any Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead will be supported by Trustees and the Schools Safeguarding Advisor from the Local Authority.

Safeguarding is also an agenda item in staff meetings and therefore there is an opportunity for discussion and to raise concerns on a termly basis. There are opportunities to share concerns at other times with DSL via email, telephone call or face to face meeting.

It is recognised that staff should receive regular Safeguarding Supervision and support if they are working directly and regularly with children whose safety and welfare are at risk, and therefore the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead receive DSL training at least every other year in addition to ½ termly meetings.

2.9 Alternative Provision including Work Placements

Alternative provision refers to education arranged by schools or local authorities for pupils who, due to exclusion, illness, or other reasons, cannot attend the school they are registered at. It may include placements in pupil referral units (PRUs), vocational training centres, FE colleges, or other approved providers.

Alternative Provision – Statutory Guidance Updated Feb 2025

Section 3 – Ensuring that Children are Safe

3.1 Child Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation

Teachers and other adults in school and at Calderdale Music are well placed to observe any physical, emotional or behavioural signs which indicate that a child may be suffering significant harm. The relationships between staff, pupils, parents and the public which foster respect, confidence and trust can lead to disclosures of abuse, and/or staff being alerted to concerns.

Definitions:

(‘Working Together’ 2023 and ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ 2025)

A child: any person under the age of 18 years.

Harm means ill-treatment or impairment of health and development, including, for example, impairment suffered from seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another.

Development means physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development;

Health includes physical and mental health; maltreatment includes sexual abuse and other forms of ill-treatment which are not physical.

Abuse: a form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm. Harm can include ill treatment that is not physical as well as the impact of witnessing ill treatment of others. This can be particularly relevant, for example, in relation to the impact on children of all forms of domestic abuse, including where they see, hear or experience its effects. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others. Abuse can take place wholly online, or technology may be used to facilitate offline abuse. Children may be abused by an adult or adults or by another child or children.

Physical abuse: a form of abuse which may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of or deliberately induces, illness in a child.

Emotional abuse: the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond a child’s developmental capability as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child from participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying (including cyberbullying), causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, although it may occur alone.

Sexual abuse: involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse can take place online, and technology can be used to facilitate offline abuse. Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children. The sexual abuse of children by other children is a specific safeguarding issue in education.

Neglect: the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to: provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment); protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger; ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers); or ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.

Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE): occur where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance in power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child into taking part in criminal or sexual activity. It may involve an exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator and/or through violence or the threat of violence. CCE and CSE can affect children, both male and female and can include children who have been moved (commonly referred to as trafficking) for the purpose of exploitation.

All staff follow the Calderdale Music’s Child Protection Procedures which are consistent with ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023’ and the Calderdale Safeguarding Children Partnership guidance.

It is not the responsibility of the school staff to investigate welfare concerns or determine the truth of any disclosure or allegation. All members of staff however, have a duty to recognise concerns and maintain an open mind. Accordingly all concerns regarding the welfare of students will be recorded and discussed with the Designated Safeguarding Lead with responsibility for child protection (or the deputy DSL in the absence of the designated person) prior to any discussion with parents or those with parental responsibility.

Where a member of staff is recognising signs or indicators that a child may have unmet needs or welfare concerns these will always be passed on to the Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure that any appropriate interventions and/or referrals can be actioned. The DSL will use the Calderdale Continuum of Need to determine the threshold of concern and then will determine whether this can be dealt with within school or whether this may require an Early Help Pathway Assessment, Single Assessment, Referral into the Early Intervention Panels or a referral into the Multi Agency Screening Team (MAST) if the child may be at the threshold of Child In Need or there is concern that the child is at risk of significant harm and thus Child Protection Enquires (S47) may be needed. These signs or indicators may be of one of the main four types of abuse or neglect or may relate to other specific safeguarding issues.

3.2 Supporting the child and partnership with parents

Calderdale Music recognises that the child’s welfare is paramount, however good child protection practice and outcomes rely on a positive, open and honest working partnership with parents.

Whilst we may, on occasion, need to make referrals without consultation with parents, we will make every effort to maintain a positive working relationship with them whilst fulfilling our duties to protect any child.

We will provide a secure, caring, supportive and protective relationship for the child.

Children will be given a proper explanation (appropriate to age and understanding) of what action is being taken on their behalf and why.

We will endeavour always to preserve the privacy, dignity and right to confidentiality of the child and parents. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will determine which members of staff “need to know” personal information and what they “need to know” for the purpose of supporting and protecting the child.

3.3 The Prevent Duty

Children may be susceptible to extremist ideology and radicalisation. Just like any other form of abuse, protecting them is a vital part of the school’s approach to safeguarding.

Extremism is the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance, that aims to:

negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others; or
undermine, overturn, or replace the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights; or
intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve the results in (1) or (2)

Radicalisation is the process of a person legitimising support for, or use of, terrorist violence.

Under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, Calderdale Music is aware that we must have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism, and that this is known as the Prevent Duty.

In order to fulfil the Prevent Duty, staff have received training to help them to identify children who may be susceptible to radicalisation, and the school is committed to accessing further training to ensure that all staff are up to date and aware of this duty. If staff do identify children for whom this may be a concern, they will apply the usual referral process and Child Protection procedures and pass this information to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) with immediate effect.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead will contact the Prevent Coordinator should there be concerns about a child or family linked to potential radicalisation or extremism. The Prevent Coordinator will then assist the DSL regarding whether a referral is appropriate and whether this child or family will need to be referred to the Channel, a voluntary confidential support programme focussing on providing support at an early stage to people who are identified as being susceptible to being drawn into terrorism. Referrals are assessed and may be passed onto a multi-agency Channel panel who meet to discuss the individual concerned and determine any appropriate support that may be required. When considering what support may be necessary in respect of a referred child, the Channel Panel will require the consent of the parent/carer of the referred child before any support can be delivered through this programme.

The designated safeguarding lead (or a deputy) should consider if it would be appropriate to share any information with the new school or college in advance of a child leaving. For example, information that would allow the new school or college to continue supporting victims of abuse or those who are currently receiving support through the ‘Channel’ programme and have that support in place for when the child arrives.

The Prevent Team can be contacted as follows: prevent@calderdale.gov.uk

Radicalisation will also be considered within current Online Safety policies, procedures and curriculum in terms of having suitable filtering and monitoring in place and also raising awareness with staff, parents and children about the increased risk of online radicalisation, through the use of the internet, social media and gaming. (See additional information on roles, responsibilities, and requirements in respect of filtering and monitoring in Section 6.1 of this document)

3.4 Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)

County Lines

Calderdale Music recognise that specific forms of CCE can include children being forced or manipulated into transporting drugs or money through county lines, working in cannabis factories, shoplifting or pickpocketing. They can also be forced or manipulated into committing vehicle crime or threatening/committing serious violence to others.

Children can become trapped by this type of exploitation as perpetrators may threaten victims (and their families) with violence or entrap and coerce them into debt. They may be coerced into carrying weapons for a sense of protection and may often commit crimes themselves. Such vulnerability is not always recognised and victims may be criminally exploited even if the activity appears to be something they have agreed to or consented to.

Criminal exploitation of girls can be different from boys with girls often being at a higher risk of sexual exploitation.

Key indicators to identifying potential involvement in child criminal exploitation involve:

children who appear with unexplained gifts or new possessions;
children who associate with other young people involved in exploitation;
children who suffer from changes in emotional well-being;
children who misuse drugs and alcohol;
children who go missing for periods of time or regularly come home late; and
children who regularly miss school or education or do not take part in education.

When identifying missing episodes, the victim may have been trafficked for the purpose of transporting drugs. Schools will therefore consider whether a referral to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) should be undertaken in order to safeguard that child and/or other children.

National Referral Mechanism – Guidance 2023

Child Sexual Exploitation

Calderdale Music is aware that; Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.

CSE – A Guide for Practitioners

CSE can occur over time or be a one-off occurrence and may happen without the child’s immediate knowledge. CSE can affect any child who has been coerced into engaging in sexual activities including 16 and 17 year olds who can legally consent to have sex. Some children may not realise they are being exploited.

Staff have been made aware of some of the key indicators of CSE by training provided by the DSL.

If staff do identify children for whom CSE may be a concern they will follow normal safeguarding process and child protection procedures. Staff must pass this information to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately. The DSL will then assess the level of concern and consider referring cases where relevant to MAST and the Child Exploitation (CE) Hub.

Calderdale Music also appreciates that we have a role to play in sharing intelligence relevant to perpetrators of CSE, and therefore if such information should come to light, the DSL will share this appropriately with the police.

Modern Slavery and the National Referral Mechanism

Modern slavery encompasses human trafficking and slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour. Exploitation can take many forms, including: sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery, servitude, forced criminality and the removal of organs.

Tackling modern slavery is a complex process involving partner agencies. Schools and educational estalbishments have a part to play in identifying signs and indicators of this form of exploitation, ensuring appropriate referrals are made through the DSL to the Police, Calderdale MAST and the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) Further details can be found at: National Referral Mechanism – Guidance 2023

3.5 Female Genital Mutilation

Calderdale Music understands that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, and know that FGM is illegal in the UK, is a form of child abuse and has long-lasting harmful consequences. Calderdale Music is aware that Section 5B of the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 (as inserted by section 74 of the Serious Crime Act 2015) places a statutory duty upon staff to report to the police where they discover that FGM appears to have been carried out on a girl under 18 years of age. This mandatory duty commenced in October 2015.

Staff are trained in the awareness of the indicators of FGM. If they were to directly observe (if involved in intimate care) or indirectly become aware of other potential indicators, they must follow the normal safeguarding process and Child Protection procedures, passing this information to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately. The DSL will then assess this information and make appropriate referrals to MAST and the Police as per their mandatory reporting duty. Staff will not undertake any examination of a student.

Multi-Agency Guidance on FGM – DfE 2020

3.6 Domestic Abuse (DA) and Relationship Conflict

Healthy relationships between parents and carers are critical to the holistic wellbeing of children. Where conflict is frequent and unresolved it can be harmful to both adults and children. Staff working with children may be the first to identify signs of anxiety in children that may be linked to parental conflict. Staff will work to support families and signpost for early help.

Further information can be secured from: relationshipmatters.org.uk a programme supported by all West Yorkshire local authorities.

Calderdale Music understands that the cross-government definition of domestic violence and abuse is:

any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.

The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to: psychological, physical, sexual, financial, or emotional harm.

Children can be victims of domestic abuse. They may see, hear, or experience the effects of abuse at home and/or suffer domestic abuse in their own intimate relationships (teenage relationship abuse). All of which can have a detrimental and long-term impact on their health, well-being, development, and ability to learn.

Controlling behaviour is a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.

Coercive behaviour is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.

If staff do identify children for whom domestic abuse (DA) may be a concern, they must follow the normal safeguarding process and Child Protection procedures, passing this information to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately. The DSL will then refer cases where relevant to Early Intervention Panels or MAST and share information where necessary with the Domestic Abuse Hub within the context of the daily MARAC meetings. Where DA Notifications are received from the Domestic Abuse Hub, this information will be added to a child’s chronology and child protection record to ensure that appropriate support can be provided where necessary.

Operation Encompass.

Operation Encompass is an initiative that directly connects the police with schools to ensure better outcomes for children who are subject or witness to police-attended incidents of domestic abuse.

One of the principles of Operation Encompass is that all incidents of domestic abuse are shared with schools, not just those where an offence can be identified.

It is a system that provides rapid support within the school environment meaning children are better safeguarded against the short, medium and long term effects of domestic abuse.

Operation Encompass provides an efficient, confidential channel of communication between the police, via the Domestic Abuse Hub to the Designated Safeguarding Leads. This enables the immediate and discrete recognition of the child’s situation by key school staff, ensuring a secure and sympathetic environment is provided and the broader effects of abuse are addressed.

This information is shared by the Police with schools regardless of whether parental permission to share the information has been provided at the time of Police attendance at the domestic incident. All records are managed at Child Protection level and are recorded securely and directly onto the individual child safeguarding record in school in full accordance with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR 2018) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

3.7 Forced Marriage

Forcing a person into a marriage is a crime in England and Wales. A forced marriage is one entered into without the full and free consent of one or both parties and where violence, threats or any other form of coercion is used to cause a person to enter into a marriage. Threats can be physical or emotional and psychological. A lack of full and free consent can be where a person does not consent or where they cannot consent (if they have learning disabilities, for example). Nevertheless, some perpetrators use perceived cultural practices to coerce a person into marriage. Schools and colleges can play an important role in safeguarding children from forced marriage.

Since February 2023 it has also been a crime to carry out any conduct whose purpose is to cause a child to marry before their eighteenth birthday, even if violence, threats or another form or coercion are not used. As with the existing forced marriage law, this applies to non-binding, unofficial ‘marriages’ as well as legal marriages.

Calderdale Music staff receive training to understand that forced marriage is a safeguarding concern and they will follow the normal safeguarding process and child protection procedures passing this information to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately. The DSL will then assess this information and where necessary make appropriate referrals to MAST.

In dealing with such a concern the safeguarding team will work with other safeguarding agencies following national guidance updated in April 2023:

The Right to Choose – HM Govt. guidance on Forced Marriage

3.8 Child on Child Abuse

Children can and sometimes do, abuse other children (sometimes referred to as child-on-child abuse). This can happen both inside and outside of school and online (known as cyber bullying).

Child-on-child abuse is most likely to include, but may not be limited to:

bullying (including cyberbullying, prejudice-based and discriminatory bullying);
abuse in intimate personal relationships between peers;
physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, shaking, biting, hair pulling, or otherwise causing physical harm (this may include an online element which facilitates, threatens and/or encourages physical abuse);
sexual violence, such as rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault; (this may include an online element which facilitates, threatens and/or encourages sexual violence);
sexual harassment, such as sexual comments, remarks, jokes and online sexual harassment, which may be standalone or part of a broader pattern of abuse;
causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent, such as forcing someone to strip, touch themselves sexually, or to engage in sexual activity with a third party;
consensual and non-consensual sharing of nudes and semi-nude images and or videos (also known as sexting or youth produced sexual imagery);
upskirting, which typically involves taking a picture under a person’s clothing without their permission, with the intention of viewing their genitals or buttocks to obtain sexual gratification, or cause the victim humiliation, distress or alarm; and
initiation/hazing type violence and rituals (this could include activities involving harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group and may also include an online element).

Calderdale Music staff have received training in recognising the indicators and signs of child-on-child abuse and know how to identify it and respond to reports.

Staff understand, that even if there are no reports of such abuse in school it does not mean it is not happening, it may be the case that it is just not being reported. Staff are aware that it is important that if staff have any concerns regarding child-on-child abuse, they speak to the designated safeguarding lead.

All staff are trained to understand the importance of challenging inappropriate behaviours between peers, that are abusive in nature. Downplaying certain behaviours, for example dismissing sexual harassment as “just banter”, “just having a laugh”, “part of growing up” or “boys being boys” can lead to a culture of unacceptable behaviours, an unsafe environment for children and in worst case scenarios a culture that normalises abuse leading to children accepting it as normal and not coming forward to report it.

Staff are clear that whilst these may be responded to through behaviour management processes, there is also a need for this information to be shared with the DSL in order to address any underlying safeguarding concerns.

Calderdale Music staff are particularly vigilant of students with identified Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities who may be particularly vulnerable to child-on-child abuse.

Such behaviour should never be considered as ‘banter’ or part of growing up. Child-on-child abuse often meets the threshold for the recording and investigation of criminal offences by the Police.

Staff becoming aware of any incident of child-on-child abuse must follow the safeguarding process and Child Protection procedures, passing this information to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately. The DSL will then assess this information and where necessary make appropriate referrals to MAST and potentially the Police, should criminal offences be identified.

Child-on-child allegations that do not meet the threshold for police investigation will be subject of an internal investigation by the Designated Safeguarding Lead and/or Senior Leadership Team. This will involve speaking to the victim and any witnesses to secure accounts of the allegation. All findings including any additional information secured, will be considered when making decisions around resolution of the allegation.

Calderdale Music recognises that victims of child-on-child abuse need to be supported and with parental consent, may secure external agency support where this is deemed appropriate.

All staff will reassure victims that they are being taken seriously and that they will be supported and kept safe. A victim should never be given the impression that they are creating a problem by reporting child on child abuse, nor should a victim ever be made to feel ashamed for making a report.

Calderdale Music recognises that perpetrators of child-on-child abuse may have identified un-met needs of their own and with parental consultation, may secure external agency support where this is deemed appropriate.

3.9 Youth Produced Sexual Imagery

Where there is a disclosure from a child or young person and/or Calderdale Music becomes aware that a child may have been involved in sending ‘youth produced sexual imagery’ which is sometimes referred to as ‘sexting’ or sending ‘nudes or semi nudes’, it will refer to the guidance in the UKCIS document ‘Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: advice for education settings working with children and young people (Dec 2020).

Sharing Nudes and Semi-Nudes – Guidance to education settings

Staff understand that when an incident involving youth produced sexual imagery comes to their attention:

The incident must be referred to the DSL immediately
The DSL should hold an initial review meeting with appropriate staff
There will be subsequent interviews with the young people involved (as appropriate)
Parents will be informed at an early stage and involved in the process unless there is good reason to believe that involving parents would put the young person at risk of harm
The DSL will assess the information available and with the use of appropriate risk assessment tools, decide the appropriate response to such an incident Calderdale Sexual Harmful Behaviour Toolkit
If at any point in the process it has been established a young person has been harmed or is at risk of harm, or such behaviour involves a young person communicating with an adult, then a referral will be made to children’s social care and/or the police immediately

3.10 Attendance and Children Absent from Education

Children being absent from education for prolonged periods, and/or on repeat occasions can act as a vital safeguarding warning sign. Staff receive training to understand the impact of persistent absence of children and the effect that absence places on their safeguarding and well-being.

Calderdale Music has a duty to investigate unexpected and unauthorised absences to establish if safeguarding concerns are evident.

Once identified as a concern, Calderdale Music will work with the Local Authority Education Welfare Service and other partner agencies as necessary to support children and their families to achieve high school attendance following the below DfE guidance:

DfE Guidance: Working Together to Improve School Attendance – August 2024

Calderdale Music appreciates that the Local Authority has a statutory duty to ensure that all children and young people of compulsory school age receive suitable and appropriate education.

The school will therefore support the Authority in ensuring that this duty is carried out effectively.

There are specific duties in respect of Children Missing Education (CME) and there are strict guidelines in respect of both the definition of CME and the legalities of deleting a student from a school roll.

The Local Authority will be informed when a student has been added or removed from the admissions register at non-standard transition times, within five days of them joining.

Where a student leaves a School, the Local Authority will be notified as soon as grounds for the deletion are met but no later than when the name is deleted from the register. The grounds for deletion are where a student:

has been taken out of school by their parents and is being educated outside the school system e.g. is in home education
has ceased to attend school and no longer lives within reasonable distance of the school at which they are registered
has been certified by the school medical officer as unlikely to be in a fit state of health to attend school before ceasing to be of compulsory school age, and neither he/she nor his/her parent has indicated the intention to continue to attend the school after ceasing to be of compulsory school age
is in custody for a period of more than four months due to a final court order and the School does not reasonably believe they will be returning at the end of that period
has been permanently excluded

Calderdale Music understands that it is essential that contact is made with the Education Welfare Service as soon as a child or young person is believed to have left the school without suitable education provision being provided. In addition, schools will contact the Local Authority to inform them where any student has been absent for 10 consecutive days without a reason being provided for the absence.

DfE Guidance: Children Missing Education – August 2024

3.11 Serious Violence

Staff are aware of the indicators, which may signal children are at risk from, or are involved with serious violent crime. These may include increased absence from school or lessons at Calderdale Music’s tuition and ensemble provision, a change in friendships or relationships with older individuals or groups, a significant decline in performance, signs of self-harm or a significant change in wellbeing, or signs of assault or unexplained injuries. Unexplained gifts or new possessions could also indicate that children have been approached by, or are involved with, individuals associated with criminal networks or gangs and may be at risk of criminal exploitation.

Factors which heighten risk and increase the likelihood of involvement in serious violence, include being male, having been frequently absent or permanently excluded from school, having experienced child maltreatment and having been involved in offending, such as theft or robbery.

Calderdale Music’s and/or school response to such concerns will involve a partnership approach, which may involve local authority services via a MAST referral, the Police and other partnership services.

Further detail can be obtained from the Home Office guidance document:

Serious Violence – Home Office Dec. 2022

3.12 Contextual Safeguarding

Calderdale Music recognises that safeguarding incidents and/or behaviours can be associated with factors outside schools and/or can occur between children outside school. This extra-familial harm can take a variety of different forms which can include sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation and serious youth violence. All staff, but especially the designated safeguarding lead will consider the context within which such incidents and/or behaviours occur. This is known as contextual safeguarding, which simply means assessments of children should consider whether wider environmental factors are present in a child’s life that are a threat to their safety and/or welfare. Calderdale Music will provide as much information as possible to children’s social care (and if appropriate, the police) as part of any referral undertaken.

3.13 Children with Family Members in Prison

Calderdale Music understands that children who have members of their family in prison are more likely to underachieve and fail to reach their potential than their peers and may require specific services and support. Families and children of people in prison will be seen as families first and school will work to ensure their needs are appropriately met. This will include providing support to ensure the voice of the child is considered when seeking contact with a family member in prison.

3.14 Child on Child Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment

Sexual violence and sexual harassment involving children at the school is a form of child-on-child abuse. It can occur between children of any age and sex. It can happen inside or outside of school and online. It can also occur through a group of children sexually assaulting or sexually harassing a single child or group of children.

Children who are victims of sexual violence and sexual harassment will likely find the experience stressful and distressing. This will, in all likelihood, adversely affect their educational attainment.

Sexual violence and sexual harassment exist on a continuum and may overlap, they can occur online and offline (both physical and verbal).

Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are three times more likely to be abused than their peers.

Additional barriers can sometimes exist when recognising abuse in SEND children. These can include:

assumptions that indicators of possible abuse such as behaviour, mood and injury relate to the child’s disability without further exploration;
the potential for children with SEND being disproportionately impacted by behaviours such as bullying and harassment, without outwardly showing any signs; and
communication barriers and difficulties overcoming these barriers.

Any reports of abuse involving children with SEND will therefore require close liaison with the DSL and the SENCO.

Calderdale Music staff are made aware through safeguarding training of the specific stance the school takes on this subject including:

making clear that sexual violence and sexual harassment is not acceptable, will never be tolerated and is not an inevitable part of growing up;
not tolerating or dismissing sexual violence or sexual harassment as “banter”, “part of growing up”, “just having a laugh” or “boys being boys”; and
challenging behaviours (potentially criminal in nature), such as grabbing bottoms, breasts, and genitalia, flicking bras, and lifting up skirts.

Staff awareness training also includes:

not recognising, acknowledging, or understanding the scale of harassment and abuse and/or downplaying some behaviours related to abuse can lead to a culture of unacceptable behaviour, an unsafe environment and in worst case scenarios a culture that normalises abuse leading to children accepting it as normal and not coming forward to report it
understanding that all of the above can be driven by wider societal factors beyond the school and college, such as everyday sexist stereotypes and everyday sexist language

Calderdale Music understand that a whole school approach is taken to such safeguarding concerns and includes preventative education through the school PSHE/RSHE curriculum.

All staff will reassure victims that they are being taken seriously and that they will be supported and kept safe. A victim will never be given the impression that they are creating a problem by reporting abuse, sexual violence, or sexual harassment. Nor should a victim ever be made to feel ashamed for making a report.

Sexual violence involves the criminal sexual offences defined in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 which include: Rape, Assault by Penetration, Sexual Assault and Causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent.

In relation to the issue of consent the following legal definitions apply:

a child under the age of 13 can never consent to any sexual activity
the age of true consent is 16
sexual intercourse without consent is rape

Sexual Harassment is defined as unwanted conduct of a sexual nature and can include online behaviour.

Calderdale Music takes all such reports seriously and they will receive the same high standard of care that any other safeguarding concern receives.

A multi-agency approach will be undertaken when responding to all such complaints; however, the school will always take immediate action to protect children despite the actions of any other agency. These actions may include an immediate risk assessment in respect of the needs of the child victim and will address any risks identified to any child in respect of an alleged perpetrator of sexual violence or sexual harassment to ensure children are protected from harm.

Any risk assessment will be fluid and may change to reflect any developments during the management of the case.

All such reports will be managed by the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

There are a number of options Calderdale Music and schools may consider in respect of the management of a report of sexual violence or sexual harassment between children and each case will receive an appropriate bespoke response once all the facts are known.

Irrespective of any potential criminal outcome, Calderdale Music and schools have a duty to safeguard all children and may deal with any such report on a balance of probability basis when considering the outcomes for the children involved.

3.15 Homelessness

Calderdale Music are aware that being homeless or being at risk of becoming homeless presents a real risk to the welfare of a child. Indicators that a family may be at risk of becoming homeless include household debt, rent arrears, Domestic Abuse and Anti-Social Behaviour. Calderdale Music recognise that referrals to Calderdale Housing Options Service may be necessary. Concerns around homelessness may also require an accompanying referral to Children’s Social Care where welfare concerns are identified, or a child has been harmed or is at risk of harm. In some cases, children over the age of 16 could be living independently of their parents or carers for example through exclusion from the family home. Where this situation is identified, Children’s Social Care will be the lead agency and the Designated Safeguarding Lead at school will ensure that an appropriate referral has been made to the Calderdale Multi-Agency Screening Team in the first instance.

The Homeless Reduction Act 2017 places a legal duty on councils to provide advice and support.

3.16 Private Fostering

A ‘privately fostered’ child is a child under the age of 16 (18 if disabled) who is cared for and accommodated by someone other than a parent or close relative for more than 28 consecutive days.

Any child separated from their parent is potentially vulnerable and thus there is a responsibility to ensure that the alternative care meets their welfare and safety needs.

The parents or those with parental responsibility and the private foster carer have a duty to notify the local authority of this arrangement.

In accordance with Part 9 of The Children Act 1989, where a private fostering arrangement is identified in respect of any child, Calderdale Music will inform the relevant local authority of such an arrangement in order to ensure the child will be satisfactorily safeguarded and their welfare promoted.

3.17 Child Mental Health

Our staff recognise that mental health problems can, in some cases, be an indicator that a child has suffered or is at risk of suffering abuse, neglect or exploitation.

Only trained professionals should attempt to make a diagnosis however, Calderdale Music staff are well placed to observe children and identify behaviour that might suggest a child is experiencing a mental health problem or be at risk of developing one.

Where children have suffered potentially harmful adverse childhood experiences, this can have a lasting effect throughout childhood and into their adult life.

Calderdale have a number of support services with access to trained professionals that are available for support. The support available is coordinated through the Open Minds programme and can be accessed through the following link: www.openmindscalderdale.org.uk

All concerns identified about child mental health problems identified by a member of staff will be referred to the DSL so the most appropriate follow up action can be taken.

Section 4 – Allegations made against/Concerns raised in relation to teachers, including supply teachers, other staff, volunteers, and contractors.

Where an allegation is made against any person working in or on behalf of the school, the procedures detailed in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 (Part 4) and the Calderdale Managing Allegations procedures will be followed.

4.1 Managing allegations that may meet the harm threshold

Whilst we acknowledge such allegations may be false, malicious, or misplaced, we also acknowledge that they may be founded and shall therefore be treated with respectful uncertainty, investigated properly and in line with agreed procedures of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for Calderdale.

Allegations made against a member of staff will be dealt with by the Head Teacher/Principal.

Where an allegation is made against the Director, the matter will be dealt with by the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

The needs of the child or children will remain at the centre of all action taken. With this in mind, any referral to the Local Authority Designated Officer should also be accompanied by consultation with Calderdale MAST. This is to establish from the outset whether the concerns identified meet the threshold for a Section 47 child protection investigation and/or the police in respect of any criminal investigation.

4.2 Managing concerns that do not meet the harm threshold

Where lower-level concerns and allegations that do not meet the harms test are reported or identified, Calderdale Music will ensure that they are shared responsibly and with the right person and that they are appropriately dealt with and recorded.

Calderdale Music will encourage an open and transparent culture; to identify concerning, problematic or inappropriate behaviour early; minimising the risk of abuse; and ensuring that adults working in or on behalf of the organisation are clear about professional boundaries and act within these boundaries, and in accordance with the ethos and values of the organisation.

Concerns identified at the lower level indicate that an adult may have acted in a way that:

is inconsistent with the staff code of conduct, including inappropriate conduct outside of work, and
does not meet the allegations threshold or is otherwise not considered serious enough to consider a referral to the LADO.

Where considered relevant, Calderdale Music will ensure parents/carers are informed.

4.3 External groups or individuals using Calderdale Music’s premises

In relation to allegations: Schools, colleges and Calderdale Music may receive an allegation relating to an incident that happened when an individual or organisation was using their premises for the purposes of running activities for children (for example community groups, sports associations or service providers that run extra-curricular activities). As with any safeguarding allegation, Calderdale Music will follow its safeguarding policy and procedures, including informing the LADO.

Child Protection Procedures

The aims of these procedures are:

To clarify roles and responsibilities of everyone at Calderdale Music in relation to safeguarding
To have clear procedures that are followed when a child is identified as needing more than universal services can provide.

The term “child “or “children” refers to anyone under the age of 18 years.

Section 5 – Pupil Information

5.1 Pupil Information

In order to keep children safe and provide appropriate care for them, Calderdale Music requires accurate and up to date information regarding:

names, contact details and relationship to the child of any persons with whom the child normally lives.
names and contact details of all persons with parental responsibility (if different from above).
emergency contact details (if different from above), ensuring that if the person(s) with parental responsibility is unable to collect this person, who could collect the child and keep them safe until either the person(s) with parental responsibility is available or a more suitable arrangement is made. Calderdale Music encourages all parents and carers to provide more than one emergency contact, providing the organisation with additional options to make contact with a responsible adult when a child missing education is identified as a welfare and/or safeguarding concern.
details of any persons authorised to collect the child from the Old Courthouse(if different from above)
any relevant court orders in place including those which affect any person’s access to the child (e.g. Residence Order, Contact Order, Care Order, Injunctions etc.).
if the child is or has been subject to a Child Protection Plan.
if the child is or has been subject to the Early Help Pathway or Child In Need (CIN) processes.
If the child is a Child Looked After (CLA).
name and contact detail of G.P.
any other factors which may impact on the safety and welfare of the child.

Calderdale Music will collate, store and agree access to this information, ensuring all information held electronically is stored securely with due regard to meeting the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and safeguarding requirements.

5.2 Transfer of files (not applicable to Calderdale Music, for information only)

It is the responsibility of a school to maintain the original child protection file whilst the child is a pupil here.When a child leaves a school their original child protection file is transferred to their new school as soon as possible and within 5 days for an in-year transfer or within the first 5 days of the start of a new term. This original file will be transferred separately from the main pupil file. This is usually undertaken between Designated Safeguarding Leads at both schools and may be undertaken electronically. If the child moves out of area the child protection file is transferred by recorded delivery and signed for and is clearly marked confidential. A receipt is obtained which states when the file was transferred and who delivered and received the file.

When a vulnerable young person is moving to a further education (FE) establishment, consideration will be given to the student’s wishes and feelings about their child protection information being passed on, so that the FE establishment can provide appropriate support. Consent will always be sought from the student. If the student cannot consent, information can be shared with professionals only if it is necessary and in their best interests.

A transferring school does not need to keep copies of child protection files, however, may have good reason to do so, such as a copy of the child’s chronology and any documents that the school created e.g. risk assessments and documents in relation to involvement with ongoing proceedings, in an archive file. Any such files must be kept in accordance with the school data retention policy and rules.

The receipt of the transferred file is kept alongside this archive. Any archived files are stored securely in the same way as an active file.

Section 6 – Roles and Responsibilities

6.1 The Board of Trustees

Our Board of Trustees will ensure that:

all trustees receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection (including online) training at induction. This training will equip them with the knowledge to provide strategic challenge to test and assure themselves that Calderdale Music’s safeguarding policies and procedures are effective and ssupport the delivery of a robust organisation wide approach to safeguarding. The training will be regularly updated.
there is a named Safeguarding Trustee that takes the lead on safeguarding arrangements ensuring that safeguarding and child protection are at the forefront and underpin all relevant aspects of process and policy development with a focus on the best interests of the child
Calderdale Music has an effective Safeguarding policy and Child Protection procedures in place that are in accordance with local authority guidance and locally agreed inter-agency procedures, and the policy is available publicly via the Calderdale Music website or on request. The policy will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis;
Calderdale Music has a behaviour policy, which includes measures to prevent bullying (including cyberbullying, prejudice-based and discriminatory bullying);
Calderdale Music has a staff code of conduct and that this is provided to all staff and volunteers on induction. The policy includes acceptable use of technology, staff/pupil relationships and communications including the use of social media;
Calderdale Music has appropriate safeguarding arrangements in place to respond to children who go missing from education, particularly on repeat occasions;
Calderdale Music operates safer recruitment procedures and makes sure that all appropriate checks are carried out on staff and volunteers who work with children; and that any panel involved in the recruitment of staff has at least one member who has undertaken safer recruitment training;
Calderdale Music has procedures for dealing with allegations against staff and volunteers that comply with guidance from the local authority and locally agreed inter-agency procedures;
online safety policy and procedures are in place and training and support is provided for staff and students to ensure that there is a good understanding of child protection issues related to electronic media;
a senior member of Calderdale Music leadership team is appointed to the role of DSL who will take lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection;
Calderdale Music has one or more deputy DSL’s who is trained to the same standard as the lead DSL;
that children are taught about safeguarding, including online safety as part of providing a broad and balanced curriculum;
they remedy, without delay, any deficiencies, or weaknesses regarding child protection arrangements;
a Trustee is nominated to be responsible for liaising with the LA and /or partner agencies in the event of allegations being made against the head teacher;
where services or activities are provided on Calderdale Music’s premises by another body, the body concerned has appropriate policies and procedures in place with regard to safeguarding children and liaises with Calderdale Music on these matters where appropriate;
they review their safeguarding related policies and procedures annually;

Filtering and Monitoring systems, and Generative Artificial Intelligence

Calderdale Music has implemented appropriate electronic filtering and monitoring systems to safeguard children from potentially harmful and inappropriate online material, while ensuring that “over blocking” does not unreasonably restrict educational content. If Calderdale Music chooses to incorporate Generative AI products into its processes, it will maintain robust filtering mechanisms to reliably prevent access to harmful content, with updates made in response to any emerging threats; additionally, Calderdale Music will enforce comprehensive activity logging procedures around AI usage, including recording input prompts and responses, analysing performance metrics, and alerting the Designated Safeguarding Lead when harmful or inappropriate content is accessed or attempted;
Calderdale Music will obtain parental consent for using any pupil data in AI tools;
staff including the Director, undertake appropriate safeguarding and child protection training (including online safety which, amongst other things, includes an understanding of the expectations, applicable roles and responsibilities in relation to filtering and monitoring. This will be updated annually;
an annual review of the filtering and monitoring provision is undertaken to ensure that Calderdale Music is meeting standards provided by the DFE;
a member of the senior leadership team and a Trustee are responsible for ensuring the above standards are being met.

Further guidance on the use of Generative AI in schools can be found at: Generative artificial intelligence (AI) in education- June 2025

In creating compliance with all DfE requirements on the use of IT, Calderdale Music will adhere to the: Meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges – updated March 2025

6.2 The Director

The Director will ensure that:

the policies and procedures adopted by Board of Trustees are fully implemented, and followed by all staff; sufficient resources and time are allocated to enable the designated safeguarding lead and other staff to discharge their responsibilities including taking part in strategy discussions and other inter-agency meetings and contributing to the assessments of children;
EYFS Safeguarding and Well-Being requirements are met in line with section 3 of the Early Years Statutory Framework;
there are arrangements in place for safeguarding supervision for the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead(s);
all staff and volunteers feel able to raise concerns about poor or unsafe practice in regard to children, and such concerns are addressed sensitively and effectively in a timely manner in accordance with agreed whistle blowing policies;
allegations regarding staff or any other adults in Calderdale Music are referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), as set out in the Managing Allegations procedure;
individuals are referred to the Disclosure and Barring Service in cases where a person is dismissed or removed due to risk/harm to a child. This is a legal duty placed upon Calderdale Music.

Details about how to make a referral to the Teaching Regulation Agency can be found on https://www.gov.uk/guidance/teacher-misconduct-referring-a-case

6.3 The Designated Safeguarding Lead

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) as stated in Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025) will ensure that they:

Manage referrals

The designated safeguarding lead is expected to refer cases:

of suspected abuse and neglect to the local authority children’s social care as required and support staff who make referrals to local authority children’s social care;
to the Channel programme where there is a radicalisation concern as required and support staff who make referrals to the Channel programme;
where a person is dismissed or left due to risk/harm to a child to the Disclosure and Barring Service as required; and
where a crime may have been committed to the Police as required. NSPCC When to call the police

Work with others

act as a source of support, advice and expertise for all staff;
act as a point of contact with the safeguarding partners;
liaise with the Director to inform him or her of issues- especially ongoing enquiries under section 47 of the Children Act 1989 and police investigations;
as required, liaise with the “case manager” (as per Part four) and the local authority designated officer(s) (LADO) for child protection concerns in cases which concern a staff member;
liaise with staff (especially teachers, pastoral support staff, school nurses, IT Technicians, senior mental health leads and special educational needs coordinators (SENCOs), or the named person with oversight for SEN in a college and Senior Mental Health Leads) on matters of safety and safeguarding and welfare (including online and digital safety) and when deciding whether to make a referral by liaising with relevant agencies so that children’s needs are considered holistically;
liaise with the senior mental health lead and, where available, the Mental Health Support Team, where safeguarding concerns are linked to mental health;
promote supportive engagement with parents and/or carers in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including where families may be facing challenging circumstances;
work with headteachers in schools and relevant strategic leads, taking lead responsibility for promoting educational outcomes by knowing the welfare, safeguarding and child protection issues that children in need are experiencing, or have experienced, and identifying the impact that these issues might be having on children’s attendance, engagement and achievement at Calderdale Music. This includes:
ensure that Calderdale Music knows who its cohort of children who have or have had a social worker are, understanding their academic progress and attainment, and maintaining a culture of high aspirations for this cohort; and,
support teaching staff to provide additional academic support or reasonable adjustments to help children who have or have had a social worker reach their potential, recognising that even when statutory social care intervention has ended, there is still a lasting impact on children’s educational outcomes.ege.

Training, knowledge and skills

The DSL (and any deputies) will undergo training to provide them with the knowledge and skills required to carry out the role. This training will be updated at least every two years. They will also undertake Prevent awareness training.

In addition to the formal training, their knowledge and skills will be refreshed at regular intervals, as required, but at least annually, to allow them to understand and keep up with any developments relevant to their role so they:

take lead responsibility for safeguarding and online safety, which includes overseeing and acting on: filtering and monitoring reports, safeguarding concerns and checks to filtering and monitoring systems;
understand the assessment process for providing early help and statutory intervention, including local criteria for action and local authority children’s social care referral arrangements;
have a working knowledge of how local authorities conduct a child protection case conference and a child protection review conference and be able to attend and contribute to these effectively when required to do so;
understand the importance of the role the designated safeguarding lead has in providing information and support to children social care in order to safeguard and promote the welfare of children;
understand the lasting impact that adversity and trauma can have, including on children’s behaviour, mental health and wellbeing, and what is needed in responding to this in promoting educational outcomes;
are alert to the specific needs of children in need, those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), those with relevant health conditions and young carers;
understand the importance of information sharing, both within Calderdale Music, and with the safeguarding partners, other agencies, organisations and practitioners;
understand and support the school or college with regards to the requirements of the Prevent duty and are able to provide advice and support to staff on protecting children from the risk of radicalisation;
are able to understand the unique risks associated with online safety and be confident that they have the relevant knowledge and up to date capability required to keep children safe whilst they are online at Calderdale Music;
can recognise the additional risks that children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) face online, for example, from online bullying, grooming and radicalisation and are confident they have the capability to support children with SEND to stay safe online;
obtain access to resources and attend any relevant or refresher training courses; and,
encourage a culture of listening to children and taking account of their wishes and feelings, among all staff, in any measures the school or college may put in place to protect them.

Providing support to staff

Calderdale Music will support the designated safeguarding lead in developing expertise, so they can support and advise staff and help them feel confident on welfare, safeguarding and child protection matters. This includes specifically to:

ensure that staff are supported during the referrals processes; and
support staff to consider how safeguarding, welfare and educational outcomes are linked, including to inform the provision of academic and pastoral support.

Understanding the views of children

It is important that children feel heard and understood. Therefore the designated safeguarding leads will be supported in developing knowledge and skills to:

encourage a culture of listening to children and taking account of their wishes and feelings, among all staff, and in any measures Calderdale Music, schools or colleges may put in place to protect them; and,
understand the difficulties that children may have in approaching staff about their circumstances and consider how to build trusted relationships which facilitate communication.

Availability

during term time the designated safeguarding lead (or a deputy) will be available for staff at Calderdale Music to discuss any safeguarding concerns. (The term ‘available’ includes by means of electronic communication using a mobile device);
there will also be a DSL or deputy available to be contacted out of hours/out of term for urgent enquiries such as an Initial Child Protection Case Conference.

6.4 Staff and Volunteers

All staff and volunteers will:

read and sign to say that they understand and will fully comply with the Calderdale Music’s safeguarding policy and child protection procedures;
read and sign to say that they understand Part 1 of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ 2025 (or Annex A as directed by Calderdale Music’s senior leadership team) and know how to apply the guidance;
will receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection training (including online safety) which, amongst other things, includes an understanding of the expectations, applicable roles and responsibilities in relation to filtering and monitoring systems and procedures in place at Calderdale Music
identify concerns as early as possible and provide help, to prevent concerns from escalating and identify children who may be in need of extra help or who are suffering or are likely to suffer significant harm;• provide a safe environment in which children can learn;
be aware that they may be asked to support a Social Worker to take decisions about individual children;
inform the designated safeguarding lead of any concerns about a child immediately;
inform the Director of any concerns regarding an adult within Calderdale Music at the earliest opportunity;
inform the Chair of the Board of Trustees about any concerns regarding the Director at the earliest opportunity.

Section 7 – Responding to concerns and follow up actions

7.1 Concerns that staff must immediately report

It is notthe responsibility of the Calderdale Music staff to investigate welfare concerns or determine the truth of any disclosure or allegation. All members of staff, however, have a duty to recognise concerns and maintain an open mind. Accordingly, all concerns regarding the welfare of pupils will be recorded and discussed with the designated safeguarding lead (or the deputy DSL in the absence of the DSL) prior to any discussion with parents.

Concerns that staff must immediately report:

any suspicion that a child is injured, marked, or bruised in a way which is not readily attributable to the normal knocks or scrapes received in play;
any explanation given which appears inconsistent or suspicious;
any behaviours which give rise to suspicions that a child may have suffered harm (e.g. worrying drawings or play);
any concerns that a child may be suffering from inadequate care, ill treatment, or emotional maltreatment;
any concerns that a child is presenting signs or symptoms of abuse or neglect;
any significant changes in a child’s presentation, including non-attendance;
any hint or disclosure of abuse from any person;
any concerns regarding person(s) who may pose a risk to children (e.g. living in a household with children present);
any potential indicators of Child Exploitation (CE);
any potential indicators of FGM;
any potential indicators of Radicalisation;
any potential indicators of living in a household with Domestic Abuse.

If your concern arises in a school that you are teaching in, you must report this immediately to the DSL in that school. Please also inform the DSLs at Calderdale Music.

If your concern arises at The Old Courthouse or an activity directly organised by Calderdale Music (eg Voices Together at The Victoria Theatre), you must report this immediately to the DSL at Calderdale Music.

7.2 Responding to Disclosure

Disclosures or information may be received from pupils, parents or other members of the public. The school recognises that those who disclose such information may do so with difficulty, having chosen carefully to whom they will speak. Accordingly all staff will handle disclosures with sensitivity. Such information cannot remain confidential and staff will immediately communicate what they have been told to the designated safeguarding lead and make a contemporaneous record.

Principles:

Staff will not investigate but will, wherever possible, elicit enough information to pass on to the designated safeguarding lead in order that s/he can make an informed decision of what to do next.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead will ensure that the child’s wishes and feelings are taken into account when determining what action to take and what services to provide. Child protection processes will operate with the best interests of the child at their core.

Staff will:

listen to and take seriously any disclosure or information that a child may be at risk of harm;
try to ensure that the person disclosing does not have to speak to another member of school staff;
clarify the information;
try to keep questions to a minimum and of an ‘open’ nature e.g. using TED technique – ‘Tell me, Explain to me, Describe to me….’;
try not to show signs of shock, horror or surprise;
not express feelings or judgements regarding any person alleged to have harmed the child;
explain sensitively to the person that they have a responsibility to refer the information to the designated safeguarding lead, children need to know that staff may not be able to uphold confidentiality where they are concerns about their safety or someone else’s;
reassure and support the child as far as possible;
explain that only those who ‘need to know’ will be told;
explain what will happen next and who will be involved as appropriate;
record details including what the child has said, in the child’s words on a ‘Record of Concern’/’Cause for Concern’ form (Example available in Appendix 1) or on electronic system eg. CPOMS and record any visible signs, injuries or bruises on a Body Map (Example available in Appendix 2).
record the context and content of their involvement, and will distinguish between fact, opinion and hearsay.

7.3 Action by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (or deputy DSL in their absence)

Following any information raising a concern, the designated safeguarding lead will consider:

any urgent medical needs of the child;
whether the child is subject to a child protection plan;
discussing the matter with other agencies involved with the family;
consulting with appropriate professionals known to the child e.g. Early Help Service Manager, Multi-Agency Screening Team (MAST), medical professional working with the child and/or Safeguarding Advisor for Education;
the child‘s wishes.

Then decide:

to talk to parents, unless to do so may place a child at risk of significant harm, impede any police investigation and/or place the member of staff or others at risk;
whether to make a child protection referral to the Multi-Agency Screening Team (MAST) because a child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm and if this needs to be undertaken immediately;

not to make a referral at this stage;
if further monitoring is necessary;
if it would be appropriate to undertake an assessment (e.g. Early Help assessment) and/or make a referral to the Early Intervention Panel and/or to other services.

All information and actions taken, including the reasons for any decisions made, will be fully documented and the process depicted in the flowchart in Appendix 3 will be followed. All referrals to Multi-Agency Screening Team (MAST) will be followed up in writing using the Calderdale Request for Service/Referral Form and these referrals will always be kept on file irrespective of the outcome.

If the DSL is of the view that concerns are not being responded to appropriately then these concerns will be escalated until the DSL feels that some resolution has been achieved. Initial escalation would be to the appropriate Practice or Team Manager, however, may also involve escalation to the appropriate Service Manager if it is felt necessary to do so.

7.4 Action following a child protection referral

The designated safeguarding lead or other appropriate member of staff will:

make regular contact with the social worker involved to stay informed;
wherever possible, contribute to the strategy discussion;
provide a report for, attend and contribute to any subsequent child protection conference;
if the child or children are made the subject of a child protection plan, contribute to the child protection plan and attend core group meetings and review conferences;
where possible, share all reports with parents prior to meetings;
where in disagreement with a decision made by Multi-Agency Screening Team (MAST) e.g. not to apply child protection procedures or not to convene a child protection conference, follow the guidance in the West Yorkshire Consortium Safeguarding Children Procedures – 2.8 Resolving Multi Agency Professional Disagreements and Escalation; https://westyorkscb.proceduresonline.com/p_res_profdisag.html
where a child subject to a child protection plan moves from the school or goes missing, school will immediately inform the Multi-Agency Screening Team (MAST).

7.5 Recording and monitoring

Accurate records of concerns, discussions and decisions will be made as soon as practicable and will clearly distinguish between observation, fact, opinion, and hypothesis. All records will state who is providing the information, the date and time, information will be recorded in the child’s words where possible and a note made of the location and description of any injuries seen, if this is a paper record than this should be signed.

An example of how this is done can be found in Appendix 1.

The DSL ensures that the method for other members of staff of volunteers passing on concerns or information is always adhered to as consistency is paramount in ensuring that nothing gets missed.

Safeguarding records will include:

a clear and comprehensive summary of the concern;
details of how the concern was followed up and resolved;
a note of any action taken, decisions reached and the outcome.

All documents will be retained in a ‘Child Protection file’, separate from the child’s school file. This will be locked away and only accessible to the head teacher and the DSL if a paper file. If an electronic file eg. using CPOMS (Child Protection Online Management System), it will be stored securely with appropriate levels of access. The creation, retention and maintenance of all child protection files will meet the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 (which includes the General Data Protection Regulations 2018)

It is the responsibility of the final school the child attends to maintain the original child protection file until the child reaches the age of: date of birth plus 25 years.

If the child goes missing from education or is removed from roll to be educated at home, any child protection file will be transferred and sent to the Education Welfare Service.  

Appendices

Appendix 1

Download the Child Protection Cause For Concern Form

Appendix 2

Body Map Guidance for Schools

Body Maps should be used to document and illustrate visible signs of harm and physical injuries.

Always use a black pen (never a pencil) and do not use correction fluid or any other eraser.

Do not remove clothing for the purpose of the examination unless the injury site is freely available because of treatment.

*At no time should an individual teacher/member of staff or school take photographic evidence of any injuries or marks to a child’s person, the body map below should be used. Any concerns should be reported and recorded without delay to the appropriate safeguarding services, e.g. MAST or the child’s social worker if already an open case to social care.

When you notice an injury to a child, try to record the following information in respect of each mark identified e.g. red areas, swelling, bruising, cuts, lacerations and wounds, scalds and burns:

Exact site of injury on the body, e.g. upper outer arm/left cheek.
Size of injury – in appropriate centimetres or inches.
Approximate shape of injury, e.g. round/square or straight line.
Colour of injury – if more than one colour, say so.
Is the skin broken?
Is there any swelling at the site of the injury, or elsewhere?
Is there a scab/any blistering/any bleeding?
Is the injury clean or is there grit/fluff etc.?
Is mobility restricted as a result of the injury?
Does the site of the injury feel hot?
Does the child feel hot?
Does the child feel pain?
Has the child’s body shape changed/are they holding themselves differently?

Importantly the date and time of the recording must be stated as well as the name and designation of the person making the record. Add any further comments as required.

Ensure First Aid is provided where required and then recorded appropriately.

A copy of the body map should be kept on the child’s concern/confidential file.

Download the Bodymap form

Appendix 3

Appendix 4

Useful Contacts within the local authority

Children’s Social Care

Multi-Agency Screening Team – MAST@calderdale.gov.uk – 01422 393336

Disabled Children’s Team – DisabledChildrensTeam@calderdale.gov.uk – 01422 394091

Emergency Duty Team – EDT@calderdale.gov.uk – 01422 288000 (Outside office hours support)

Schools Service

Schools Safeguarding Advisers

Steve Barnes – schoolsafeguarding@calderdale.gov.uk – 07540 672735

Frances Turner – 07354 165887

Education Quality and Strategy

Service Manager

Karen Hackett – karen.hackett@calderdale.gov.uk – 07540 672167

Senior Education Welfare Officer

Duncan Thorpe – duncan.thorpe@calderdale.go.uk – 01422 266125 / 07833 049343

Virtual School – Head teacher

Parveen Akhtar – parveen.akhtar@calderdale.gov.uk – 01422 394123

Prevent Team

Prevent team email – prevent@calderdale.gov.uk

Managing Allegations

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

Sam Saxby-Brown – LADOadmin@calderdale.gov.uk – 01422 394055

Whistleblowing – NSPCC helpline

0800 028 0285 from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday or email help@nspcc.org.uk

Report Sexual Abuse in Education – NSPCC helpline – 0800 136 663

Police

West Yorkshire Police – www.westyorkshire.police.uk/report-it

Child Emotional Health and Wellbeing Support – www.openmindscalderdale.org.uk

Calderdale Housing – www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/residents/housing/homeless-or-risk-page