Safeguarding Policy

Open Voices Safeguarding Policy

Our commitment

At Open Voices, we are committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where everyone can enjoy making music together. Safeguarding is a shared responsibility, and we take seriously our duty to protect children, young people, and adults at risk, and all attendees at events, from harm.

Who this policy applies to

This policy applies to:

• All choir members

• Volunteers and visitors

• Parents, carers, and support workers who attend with members

• Attendees at public performances or events organised by Open Voices

Our principles

• Everyone has the right to feel safe and included.

• We will listen to concerns and take them seriously.

• We will make reasonable adjustments so people with additional needs can take part where possible.

• Personal care and one-to-one support remain the responsibility of carers, parents or support providers.

Code of conduct

All members and volunteers are expected to:

• • Treat others with kindness, dignity, and respect.

  • Avoid behaviour that could be seen as bullying, harassment, or discrimination.

  • Respect boundaries - including not being alone in private with children or vulnerable adults.

  • Use appropriate language and behaviour at all times.

Support and supervision

• • All members under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or carer.

  • If a member requires additional support (e.g. personal care, medical needs, one-to-one supervision, specialist support), they must be accompanied by a parent, carer, or support worker. The choir leader and committee are not able to provide this level of care.

Public performances and events

As the organiser of Open Voices performances, we take the safety and wellbeing of all attendees seriously. When we are the lead organiser of performances or events we undertake to: 

• • Ensure that children, young people, and adults at risk are admitted to an event only when accompanied by a parent, carer or support worker. 

  • Provide clear guidance on how to report any safeguarding concerns during events.

  • Maintain a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, bullying, or unsafe behaviour.

  • Respond promptly to concerns.

Raising concerns

• • If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of someone in the choir, or someone attending a performance organised by Open Voices, please speak to the Choir Leader (Victoria Stead) or the committee member (Helen Castley, Sarah Cowell, Lisa Holland) as soon as possible.

  • If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

  • Concerns about safeguarding can also be reported directly to your local authority safeguarding team:

Milton Keynes

• Adults at risk:  

Milton Keynes City Council  01908 252835

safeguardingadults@milton-keynes.gov.uk

• Children: 

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)  01908 253169 or 01908 253170 

children@milton-keynes.gov.uk 

Leighton Buzzard

• Adults at risk:  

Central Bedfordshire Council 0300 300 8122

adult.protection@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

• Children: 

Central Bedfordshire Council Children’s Team 0300 300 8585

Confidentiality

Any safeguarding concerns raised will be handled sensitively and shared only with those who need to know in order to protect the individual.

Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if required.

Date: September 2025

Signed: Victoria Stead, Open Voices Chair