Risk Management

Bournemouth Youth Marching Band

Risk Management Policy

1. As part of their overall duties, the management team of the Bournemouth Youth Marching Band must ensure that risks to which the Band is, or could be, exposed to are reviewed at appropriate times and that systems are established to manage and mitigate those risks.

2. The Band defines risk as the possibility that an action or event will adversely (or beneficially) affect the Band’s ability to achieve a planned objective. Effective risk management is therefore regarded as a critically important part of the overall management of BYMB as it greatly reduces the chances of surprises adversely affecting the Band and at the same time it should increase confidence on the part of members and volunteers.

3. The Management Team recognise that risks can arise not only from BYMB’s activities but also from a failure to act on or exploit opportunities.

4. The Management Team do not consider that all risks should be avoided, or that it is actually possible to work to achieve the objectives of the Band without taking some risks. The Management Team are therefore not adverse to taking reasonable risks as part of their strategy to work towards achieving the objectives of BYMB but they wish to be made aware of the risks the Band faces so they can plan how best to manage those risks and mitigate their effects.

5. The Management Team expect all volunteers and tutors when engaging in any Band activity to consider the risks it poses and to act in accordance with any instructions they have been given for risk management.

6. The Management Team expect that risk will always be considered in relation to any significant changes in the levels of activities already undertaken by the Band, or significant changes in the way those activities are pursued.

7. The Management Team expect that risk will always be considered as a part of any proposed new service development or other new activities which are undertaken.

Independent Review:

"BYMB's risk management approach reflects modern youth-work principles. Rather than attempting to eliminate all risk, the Band appears to recognise that participation in performances, travel, camps and free time helps young people develop confidence, resilience, teamwork and independence.

That philosophy is very much in line with current best practice across the UK youth sector.

This follows current youth-sector guidance, which recommends proportionate controls rather than unnecessary bureaucracy."