Safeguarding policy
Implemented from 1st January 2014 Updated January 2019 and January 2023.
The Safety of Children and members of vulnerable groups is paramount and all, without exception, have the right to protection from abuse. All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. All the Festival’s trustees, staff and volunteers have a responsibility to report concerns.
Norfolk County Music Festival is held in March each year and takes place in various venues. Other Festival events, such as Music Workshops and Concerts may take place at other times of the year. Where the words ‘child’ or ‘children’ are used throughout this document it also includes vulnerable adults. Where ‘parent’ is used it includes guardians, teachers and carers.
1. Purpose and Function of the Norfolk County Music Festival
The Festival’s mission is to provide a platform for the performing Arts by amateurs of all ages
and abilities in a non-competitive and friendly atmosphere. One of our key objectives is to
provide an educational element and to encourage and maintain high standards through the
expertise and integrity of the professional adjudicators we employ.
2. The Festival Environment
It is the Festival’s policy to ensure that, in co-operation with parents and teachers, the annual
Festival, together with any other official NCMF organised events including concerts and
workshops, take place in safe and secure environments as far as is reasonable and
practicable. However, we expect parents to be responsible for the entrants in their charge.
All Festival classes take place in public buildings, churches and schools. Members of the
public are welcome to attend festival performances. In the case of public buildings other
members of the public may be present.
3. To whom does this policy apply?
This policy relates to children under the age of 18 years and members of vulnerable groups
of any age who are identified to the Festival organisers prior to arrival at the Festival. This
should be done by notifying either the Administrator or Chairman through the contact
details at the end of this document. The Festival actively seeks, wherever possible, to meet
all special needs, but must be aware of such needs beforehand in order to make any
necessary and practicable arrangements.
4. Festival Personnel
With the exception of the administrator, adjudicators and accompanists, all personnel
involved in the Festival including the Trustees and Stewards are volunteers. All Stewards are
selected in accordance with their suitability for the duties of the required areas of
supervision and all are fully aware of the Festival safeguarding policies and procedure.
Festival Stewards are identified by lanyards and the name of the Senior Steward will be made
known to those attending at the commencement of each session. In the case of problems
any Steward may be approached and will be able to refer to an appropriate person. All
problems will be dealt with confidentially and in private and will be fully documented. The
two Safeguarding Officers’ contact details can be found at the end of this document.
5. Preparation for Attendance at the Festival
Those submitting entries for the Festival will be notified of the Safeguarding Policy. In
addition the policy will be printed in the Festival Programme and also available for
downloading from the Festival website. All parents and guardians should be aware that
should they not be personally attending with their children, it is their responsibility to ensure
that their children are accompanied and adequately supervised at the Festival by responsible
adults acting on their behalf. Neither the Festival nor Stewards are responsible for any
children who attend the Festival.
6. Performance and Changing Areas
It should be pointed out that Festival personnel do not supervise changing or warm up areas
nor toilets. It is the responsibility of teachers/ parents to supervise children at all times. In
public buildings the toilets may also be used by the general public.
7. Photographs, Videotapes and Press Photography
An official Festival photographer will be capturing images / video / audio which may be used
on our website, on social media and in promotional material. Should parents or teachers not
wish their participants included in any photographs, Press or video recording they should
notify us in advance.
8. Legislation and Guidance that Supports this Policy
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; The Children Act 1989; The Children’s Act 2004;
The Police Act 1997; The Data Protection Act 1998; The Human Rights Act 1998; The
Protection of Children Act 1999; The Criminal Justice Act and Court Service Act 2000; The
Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
9. Policy Review
The Festival Trustees will constantly review their policy, revising and enhancing it as
necessary.
10. Contact Details of Safeguarding Officials
Festival Manager: Michelle Bagnall. Tel: 07772 959689 info@norfolkmusic.org.uk
Chair of Trustees: Alex Girdlestone. Tel: 07852 334395 alex.girdlestone@virginmedia.com