BMT Safeguarding Statement

Bristol Music Trust believes that the welfare of the child is paramount. All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity have the right to be safeguarded. All welfare concerns should be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately, and all staff have a responsibility to take appropriate action if they have any concerns.

As an organisation we will take every reasonable step to ensure that children are protected where our own staff are directly involved in the delivery of a music project, or when we recruit or broker relationships between musicians or arts facilitators and a third party, or when we fund an organisation for a programme of work. If an allegation occurs against a member of staff as a result of the Trust’s direct or indirect involvement, we will treat the situation with the utmost urgency.

Aims

Bristol Music Trust aims to:

• Establish and maintain an environment where all children are safeguarded whilst receiving a high quality music education and where all children feel secure and safe to learn and to fully achieve their potential.
• Provide a safe, constructive and nurturing environment, where adults are trusted and there is a shared sense of educational purpose.
• Promote a positive ethos of collaborative work between the professional arts sector and children.
• Ensure transparency and consistency within our safeguarding practice.
• Always be mindful that ‘it could happen here’.
• Fully acknowledge that music establishments may exert specific pressures on children and young people and aim to be proactive in addressing the inherent risks that this presents.
• Listen to the ‘voice of the child’ and to always act in their best interests.
• Ensure that everyone who works or volunteers for us has the skills and confidence to recognise the need for early intervention and the signs and symptoms of abuse, to deal effectively with direct disclosures, and to report and refer appropriately.
• Support our designated safeguarding staff members and Trustees to have the skills and confidence to manage appropriate safeguarding pathways.
• Work in partnership with parents, social care, the police and other services to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.