HARMONY INSPIRES CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Harmony InSpires believes that it is always unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind and recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people. All suspicions of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. Club members have a responsibility to report concerns to the Club chairman or other committee member.

PURPOSE and FUNCTION of ORGANISATION

Harmony InSpires is a ladies choir singing a cappella music, mainly in the barbershop style. They participate in weekly rehearsals as well as performances and competitions at a variety of venues.

TO WHOM DOES THE POLICY APPLY

Members of Harmony InSpires are mainly adults, but younger people are welcome to become members of the chorus. This policy applies to all children under the age of 18 who are members of the Harmony InSpires chorus, or who participate in Harmony InSpires activities including rehearsals, singouts and competitions.

The safety of children is at all times, the responsibility of their parents. This Policy is passed to all parents to inform them that when they are not attending with their children, it is their responsibility to ensure that their children are accompanied and adequately supervised by a responsible adult acting on their behalf.

PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEOTAPES

Photographs and videos are taken from time to time and may be shared with club members, displayed on the internet or reported in the press, usually to promote the activities of the club. Where a parent does not wish a photograph or video of their child to be taken, it is their responsibility to ensure that the child is not included in the photograph or video.

THE LEGISLATION AND GUIDANCE THAT SUPPORTS THIS POLICY

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; The Children Act 1989; The Police Act 1997; The Data Protection Act 1998; The Human Rights Act 1998; The Protection of Children Act 1999; The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000; The Children Act 2004

*Where the word “parent” is used, it means parent/guardian or carer.