THE MUSIC ROOM COVENTRY

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Safeguarding Children, Young People and Adults at Risk Policy

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Policy owner: The Music Room Coventry

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Adam Kibble
Position: School Director
Main site: 7 Frankpledge Road, Coventry, CV3 5GT
Email: themusicroomcoventry@gmail.com
Effective from: 1 September 2026

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1. Policy Statement

The Music Room Coventry is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults who attend lessons, activities or events provided by the school.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

Every person working for or on behalf of The Music Room Coventry, whether employed, self-employed, freelance, voluntary or otherwise engaged by the school, has a responsibility to contribute to a safe environment and to act promptly where there are concerns about the welfare or safety of a child, young person or adult at risk.

The Music Room Coventry will:

• promote a culture in which safeguarding is understood as everyone's responsibility;

• provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment;

• take concerns seriously and respond promptly;

• listen to children, young people and adults at risk and take their views seriously;

• maintain appropriate professional boundaries;

• use safer recruitment and appropriate DBS checks;

• provide safeguarding training and information to staff and teachers;

• maintain appropriate safeguarding records;

• share safeguarding information lawfully and appropriately;

• work cooperatively with parents, carers, Coventry City Council, the police, social care and other relevant agencies;

• take appropriate action where concerns relate to a member of staff, volunteer, contractor or other adult working with children;

• review this policy regularly and whenever legislation, statutory guidance or local safeguarding arrangements change.

The policy applies to all lessons and activities delivered by The Music Room Coventry, whether face-to-face, online or at another venue.

 

2. Our Safeguarding Framework

This policy is informed by relevant legislation and statutory guidance, including:

• Children Act 1989;

• Children Act 2004;

• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006;

• Equality Act 2010;

• Human Rights Act 1998;

• Care Act 2014;

• Data Protection Act 2018;

• UK GDPR;

• Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, where relevant;

• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026;

• current Disclosure and Barring Service guidance;

• current Coventry safeguarding procedures;

• relevant local safeguarding arrangements and procedures.

The Music Room Coventry will have regard to relevant Department for Education guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education, where applicable and as a benchmark for good safeguarding practice.

This policy should always be read alongside current Coventry safeguarding procedures.

 

3. Definitions

3.1 Child

A child is any person under the age of 18.

3.2 Young person

For the purposes of this policy, a young person means a person aged 14–17.

A person remains a child for safeguarding purposes until their 18th birthday.

3.3 Adult at risk

The Music Room Coventry uses the term "adult at risk" rather than the older term "vulnerable adult".

Under the Care Act framework, adult safeguarding duties apply where an adult:

• has needs for care and support, whether or not the local authority is meeting those needs;

• is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect; and

• as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from the risk or experience of abuse or neglect.

The Music Room Coventry will nevertheless respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns about any adult, regardless of whether the statutory Care Act threshold is met.

 

4. Safeguarding School Director

The Music Room Coventry believes that:

• safeguarding is everyone's responsibility;

• the welfare and safety of the individual is paramount;

• children and adults should be listened to and treated with dignity and respect;

• concerns should always be taken seriously;

• staff should act proportionately and without unnecessary delay;

• safeguarding concerns should never be ignored;

• staff must never promise to keep a safeguarding disclosure secret;

• safeguarding concerns should be shared on a need-to-know basis and in accordance with the law;

• children and adults should be protected from discrimination, abuse, exploitation and neglect;

• safeguarding includes prevention as well as responding to incidents;

• a child or adult who causes harm may also have safeguarding needs;

• safeguarding arrangements should take account of disability, communication needs, culture, language, religion, identity and other individual circumstances.

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5. Designated Safeguarding Leads

The Music Room Coventry's Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) are:

Adam Kibble – School Director

DSLs have responsibility for leading safeguarding arrangements within The Music Room Coventry.

Their responsibilities include:

• providing safeguarding advice to teachers and staff;

• receiving and assessing safeguarding concerns;

• ensuring concerns are recorded appropriately;

• making or facilitating referrals to external agencies where necessary;

• maintaining appropriate safeguarding records;

• ensuring staff receive safeguarding induction and training;

• monitoring DBS and safer-recruitment arrangements;

• liaising with Coventry City Council and other safeguarding partners;

• liaising with Christ Church Coventry regarding safeguarding matters arising on shared premises;

• ensuring this policy is reviewed and updated;

• promoting a strong safeguarding culture.

The DSLs must ensure that staff understand that they do not have to wait for a DSL before contacting emergency services or statutory safeguarding services where immediate action is required.

 

6. Safeguarding Concerns – Immediate Action

6.1 Immediate danger

If a child, young person or adult is in immediate danger, staff must call 999.

Staff must not delay contacting the emergency services while attempting to contact a school director.

6.2 Child safeguarding concerns

If there is no immediate danger but there is a safeguarding concern about a child or young person, staff should report the concern immediately to a DSL.

Where appropriate, concerns can also be referred directly to Coventry Children's Services.

• Coventry Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH): 024 7678 8555

• Outside normal office hours: 024 7683 2222

• Police non-emergency: 101

• Coventry advises that 999 should be used where there is an emergency or immediate risk of harm.

Staff should seek advice if they are uncertain whether a concern meets the threshold for referral. A lack of certainty should not prevent a safeguarding concern being raised.

 

7. Safeguarding Adults

Where there is a concern that an adult may be experiencing or be at risk of abuse or neglect, the concern should be reported to a DSL and, where appropriate, directly to Coventry Adult Social Care.

Coventry Adult Social Care: 024 7683 3003
Email: ascdirect@coventry.gov.uk

Outside normal office hours: 024 7683 2222

Emergency: 999

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Coventry's current adult safeguarding arrangements recognise abuse including physical, sexual, psychological/emotional, financial/material abuse, domestic abuse, neglect and acts of omission, and other forms of harm.

The Music Room Coventry will follow the principles of empowerment, prevention, proportionality, protection, partnership and accountability when responding to adult safeguarding concerns.

The wishes, feelings and desired outcomes of the adult should be considered wherever possible, while recognising that information may need to be shared without consent where there is a serious risk of harm, a criminal offence, risk to others, lack of capacity or another lawful safeguarding basis.

 

8. Recognising Abuse and Safeguarding Concerns

Abuse can take many forms and may occur individually or in combination.

Staff should remain alert to concerns involving:

Physical abuse

Including hitting, kicking, shaking, burning, inappropriate restraint, poisoning, misuse of medication or other physical harm.

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Sexual abuse

Including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, inappropriate sexualised behaviour, grooming, involvement in sexual activity without consent, and non-contact sexual abuse including exposure to sexual material.

Emotional or psychological abuse

Including humiliation, intimidation, threats, controlling behaviour, coercion, isolation, harassment, persistent criticism, rejection or making someone feel worthless or unsafe.

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Neglect

Including persistent failure to meet physical, emotional, medical, developmental or supervision needs.

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Domestic abuse

Including physical, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse and exposure of children to domestic abuse.

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Child sexual exploitation

Children may be exploited for sexual purposes by individuals or groups.

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Criminal exploitation

Children may be manipulated, coerced or exploited into criminal activity, including through gangs, county lines or online activity.

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Child-on-child abuse

This may include bullying, physical violence, sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexualised behaviour, coercion, intimidation, discriminatory abuse and online abuse.

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Online abuse

Including grooming, exploitation, harassment, sexual abuse, cyberbullying, sharing of inappropriate images, manipulation and exposure to harmful content.

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Financial or material abuse

Particularly relevant to adults at risk and may include theft, fraud, coercion or misuse of money or possessions.

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Discriminatory abuse

Including abuse based on disability, race, religion, belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or other protected characteristics.

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Organisational abuse

Including poor or abusive practice arising from systems, policies, routines or cultures within an organisation.

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Modern slavery and exploitation

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Self-neglect

Particularly relevant to adult safeguarding and including severe neglect of personal hygiene, health, living conditions or other aspects of wellbeing.

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Radicalisation and extremism

Staff should report concerns that a person may be being drawn towards terrorism, extremist activity or other harmful ideologies.

Staff are not expected to investigate or determine whether abuse has occurred. Their responsibility is to recognise concerns, record them and report them appropriately.

 

9. Responding to a Disclosure

If a child, young person or adult discloses a safeguarding concern to a member of staff, the member of staff should:

• remain calm;

• listen carefully;

• take the person seriously;

• allow them to explain what has happened in their own words;

• avoid leading questions;

• avoid investigating the allegation;

• avoid expressing disbelief or making promises about the outcome;

• never promise to keep the disclosure secret;

• explain that information may need to be shared with people whose role is to keep them safe;

• report the concern immediately to a DSL;

• record the concern as soon as possible.

The staff member should record the person's own words wherever reasonably possible and should distinguish between facts, observations and opinions.

 

10. Recording Safeguarding Concerns

All safeguarding concerns must be recorded appropriately.

Records should include, where known:

• date and time;

• name and age of the person concerned;

• what was seen, heard or disclosed;

• the person's own words where relevant;

• names of people involved;

• location;

• witnesses;

• immediate action taken;

• who was informed;

• any referral made;

• subsequent actions and decisions.

Records must be factual, objective and professional.

Staff should not include speculation, assumptions or personal judgements.

Safeguarding records must be stored securely and only accessed by people who have a legitimate need to do so.

Safeguarding information should be retained, transferred and destroyed in accordance with applicable data protection and safeguarding requirements.

 

11. Information Sharing and Confidentiality

Safeguarding information is confidential, but confidentiality must never be used as a reason to prevent appropriate safeguarding action.

Staff must:

• not promise absolute confidentiality;

• share information only where there is a legitimate safeguarding or other lawful reason;

• share information proportionately;

• share information with the appropriate safeguarding professional or agency;

• record significant safeguarding information-sharing decisions.

Information may need to be shared without consent where necessary to protect a child or adult, prevent serious harm, respond to a criminal offence or where another lawful basis applies.

The Music Room Coventry will follow current information-sharing guidance and applicable data-protection legislation.

 

12. Allegations or Concerns About Staff, Volunteers or Other Adults

The Music Room Coventry recognises that safeguarding concerns may involve a teacher, worker, volunteer, contractor, visitor or other adult working with children.

Examples include allegations that an adult:

• harmed a child;

• behaved in a sexually inappropriate manner;

• behaved inappropriately towards a child;

• breached professional boundaries;

• communicated privately with a child inappropriately;

• used inappropriate physical contact;

• groomed or attempted to groom a child;

• failed to protect a child from harm

Such concerns must be reported immediately to a DSL.

The person receiving the concern must not conduct their own investigation.

The DSL must consider whether the matter should be referred to:

• Coventry Children's Services;

• the police;

• the Coventry Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO);

• another relevant safeguarding agency.

Coventry's LADO process covers allegations and concerns about staff, carers and volunteers working with children. Coventry states that formal LADO referrals are made through its online referral process.

Where there is an immediate risk of harm, the police and/or Children's Services must be contacted without delay.

 

13. Allegations About a School Director or DSL

Where a safeguarding concern relates to Adam Kibble, the concern must be reported to either John Griffiths (Manager), Emily Townsend (Administrator), or Arthur Woo (Renter) and, where appropriate, directly to the relevant external safeguarding authority.

Staff will not be disadvantaged for raising a genuine safeguarding concern in good faith.

 

14. Whistleblowing

All staff have the right and responsibility to raise safeguarding concerns.

A staff member should raise a concern if they believe:

• a child or adult is at risk;

• safeguarding procedures are not being followed;

• a safeguarding concern is being ignored;

• a colleague's conduct may place someone at risk;

• The school director or senior person is involved in a safeguarding concern;

• records are being altered, concealed or improperly handled;

• they are being discouraged from raising a legitimate concern.

Where internal reporting is inappropriate or has not resulted in an appropriate response, staff may contact the relevant external safeguarding authority, police or other appropriate body.

No staff member should be penalised for raising a genuine safeguarding concern in good faith.

 

15. Safer Recruitment and DBS Checks

The Music Room Coventry is committed to safer recruitment.

Recruitment procedures should include, as appropriate:

• application and employment history;

• identity checks;

• references;

• qualification checks where relevant;

• assessment of suitability for working with children;

• appropriate DBS checks;

• consideration of safeguarding concerns arising during recruitment.

The required DBS level must be determined according to the role and the relevant legal definition of regulated activity.

From 1 September 2026, the supervision exemption for regulated activity with children is removed. Teaching, training, instructing, caring for or supervising children may constitute regulated activity where the relevant frequency or overnight conditions are met, even where the person is supervised.

The Music Room Coventry will therefore review its current teachers, volunteers and other relevant workers to determine whether their DBS checks remain appropriate under the new rules.

A DBS check is one element of safer recruitment and does not by itself establish that a person is suitable to work with children.

 

16. Staff Safeguarding Training

All staff and teachers must receive safeguarding information appropriate to their role.

Training should include:

• recognising safeguarding concerns;

• responding to disclosures;

• professional boundaries;

• online safety;

• child-on-child abuse;

• abuse and exploitation;

• information sharing;

• recording concerns;

• allegations against staff;

• adult safeguarding;

• emergency procedures;

• Prevent and radicalisation awareness where relevant.

New staff must receive safeguarding information as part of induction.

DSLs must undertake appropriate additional safeguarding training and maintain their knowledge of current legislation, statutory guidance and local safeguarding procedures.

Training and attendance should be recorded.

 

17. Professional Conduct and Boundaries

Teachers must maintain professional relationships with all students.

Teachers must:

• treat students with dignity and respect;

• act professionally at all times;

• maintain appropriate boundaries;

• avoid favouritism;

• avoid inappropriate personal conversations;

• avoid inappropriate physical contact;

• never engage in sexualised communication or behaviour with a student;

• never pursue or maintain an inappropriate personal relationship with a student;

• never use their position of authority to exploit or manipulate a student;

• maintain professional communication channels.

The Music Room Coventry considers an inappropriate personal or sexual relationship between a teacher and a student to be unacceptable regardless of the student's age.

The existence of a legal age of consent must never be used as justification for an inappropriate teacher/student relationship.

 

18. Communication With Students

Teachers should use professional communication systems provided or approved by The Music Room Coventry.

Teachers must not:

• use personal social media accounts to communicate privately with students;

• add students to personal social media accounts;

• use personal messaging applications for private communication with children;

• use personal email accounts to communicate privately with children;

• exchange personal contact information with children for purposes unrelated to school provision.

Where communication with a student is necessary, it should be through an approved professional route and, where appropriate, through the student's parent/carer.

Any attempted inappropriate contact from a student should be reported to a school director.

 

19. Physical Contact

The Music Room Coventry promotes a "minimum physical contact" approach.

Teachers should avoid physical contact wherever possible.

Physical contact should only occur where there is a legitimate educational, safeguarding, first-aid or safety reason.

Where appropriate, teachers should:

• explain what they intend to do;

• seek the student's agreement;

• use the minimum contact necessary;

• ensure the circumstances are observable by others wherever reasonably possible.

Teachers must never use physical contact as punishment.

Where a student does not consent to non-essential physical contact, their decision must be respected.

 

20. Music Teaching and Physical Demonstration

Particular care must be taken where music teaching involves posture, breathing, technique or physical demonstration.

Teachers should explain verbally wherever possible.

Teachers should not touch a student's:

• chest;

• diaphragm;

• ribs;

• legs;

for breathing or technical instruction unless there is a compelling and appropriate educational reason and the circumstances have been considered carefully.

Where physical demonstration is genuinely necessary:

• the teacher should explain the reason;

• the student should be asked for agreement;

• another adult or student should be present where appropriate;

• the contact should be limited to what is necessary.

A teacher must never pressure a student to consent to physical contact.

 

21. Physical Intervention and Restraint

Physical intervention should only be used where reasonably necessary and proportionate to prevent immediate injury or serious harm.

It must never be used as punishment, humiliation or a method of enforcing compliance.

Where physical intervention is necessary, staff should use the minimum force reasonably required.

Any physical intervention must be reported to a school director as soon as possible and recorded.

Parents/carers should be informed where appropriate, subject to safeguarding considerations.

 

22. Online Music Lessons

The Music Room Coventry uses Zoom as its approved platform for online lessons.

Teachers must use the school's approved professional communication arrangements.

Online lessons involving children should:

• be arranged through the school;

• use professional teacher contact details;

• use appropriate meeting-security settings;

• take place in an appropriate room;

• avoid bedrooms wherever possible;

• have an appropriate parent/carer or responsible adult on the premises for under-18 students;

• use professional and appropriate backgrounds and surroundings;

• maintain appropriate dress and behaviour;

• avoid private communication outside the approved teaching arrangements.

Teachers must not move lessons to another platform without approval from The Music Room Coventry.

No online platform can completely eliminate safeguarding or cybersecurity risks. Teachers and students must therefore follow the school's online safeguarding requirements.

 

23. Online Recording and Screenshots

Lessons must not be recorded, photographed, screenshotted or otherwise captured without prior permission from The Music Room Coventry and the appropriate consent from those involved.

Where recording is authorised, the school must consider:

• the purpose of recording;

• who can access it;

• where it is stored;

• how long it will be retained;

• when it will be deleted;

• copyright and intellectual property;

• safeguarding and privacy implications.

Teachers must not make private recordings of students.

 

24. Online Safeguarding Concerns

Concerns arising online must be treated as safeguarding concerns in the same way as concerns arising face-to-face.

Examples include:

• sexualised communication;

• grooming;

• inappropriate images;

• cyberbullying;

• threats;

• harassment;

• extremist content;

• inappropriate teacher/student contact;

• hacking or compromised accounts;

• sharing of private information.

Any safeguarding concern must be reported to a DSL.

Where an account or device has been compromised, the teacher must notify The Music Room Coventry immediately.

 

25. Child-on-Child Abuse

The Music Room Coventry recognises that children may harm other children.

This may include:

• bullying;

• physical violence;

• sexual harassment;

• sexual violence;

• sexualised behaviour;

• coercion;

• intimidation;

• discriminatory abuse;

• online abuse;

• sharing sexual images;

• exploitation.

Such behaviour must never be dismissed as "just children being children".

Concerns must be reported to a DSL.

The needs of both the child harmed and the child alleged to have caused harm must be considered.

 

26. Safeguarding and Equality

The Music Room Coventry is committed to an inclusive safeguarding culture.

Safeguarding concerns may be affected by:

• disability;

• race;

• religion or belief;

• sex;

• sexual orientation;

• gender identity;

• communication needs;

• language;

• culture;

• social or economic circumstances.

Staff must challenge discriminatory language and behaviour.

Reasonable adjustments should be made where necessary so that children and adults can communicate concerns and participate in safeguarding processes.

 

27. Prevent and Radicalisation

Staff should remain alert to signs that a child, young person or adult may be vulnerable to radicalisation or extremist influence.

Staff must not attempt to investigate such concerns themselves.

Any concern should be reported to a DSL.

The DSL will consider whether advice or referral to the appropriate local or national safeguarding arrangements is required.

Where there is an immediate threat to life or safety, staff must call 999.

 

28. Students Arriving, Leaving and Collection

The Music Room Coventry will take reasonable measures to ensure that students can arrive at and leave lessons safely.

For children and young people:

• parents/carers should provide appropriate collection arrangements where required;

• staff should not release a child to an unknown person;

• concerns about a collection arrangement should be reported to a school director;

• staff should not transport students privately unless there is an approved safeguarding arrangement;

• unexpected absence or failure to collect a child should be dealt with according to the school's current procedures.

 

Late Collection procedure:

 

If a parent/guardian is running late picking up their child, the teacher will ensure..

• child remains in a safe, supervised area;

• teacher contacts the parent/carer if possible;

• if parent cannot be contacted, contact emergency contact;

• don't send the child home alone unless there is an agreed arrangement;

• if the situation raises a safeguarding concern, contact the DSL;

• if there is a serious or immediate safeguarding concern, contact Children's Services/police as appropriate.

 

Specific arrangements may be set out in the school's terms and conditions or parent information.

 

29. First Aid, Accidents and Medical Concerns

Teachers must respond appropriately to accidents, injuries and medical emergencies.

Where a medical emergency occurs, staff should call 999 where necessary.

Any significant accident, injury or safeguarding-related medical concern must be reported to a school director and recorded.

Teachers must not administer medication unless this is expressly authorised under an appropriate school procedure.

Where an injury or medical presentation raises a safeguarding concern, the matter must also be treated as a safeguarding concern.

The Music Room Coventry maintains an appropriately stocked first-aid kit at the main site. Staff should seek emergency medical assistance where required and report significant accidents or injuries to the DSL.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

The Music Room Coventry recognises that mental health problems can, in some circumstances, be associated with safeguarding concerns. Staff should report concerns where they believe a child's mental health is placing them at risk of harm, or where there are concerns about abuse, neglect, exploitation or other safeguarding factors.

Staff are not expected to diagnose mental health conditions or provide specialist counselling. Their responsibility is to listen, respond appropriately and report safeguarding concerns.

 

30. Drugs and Alcohol

The Music Room Coventry does not permit illegal drugs or inappropriate alcohol use on its premises.

Staff must not physically remove or restrain a person simply because they are intoxicated or suspected of possessing drugs.

If a person is threatening, violent or presents an immediate risk, staff should move to safety and contact the police. Teachers are also trained to respond appropriately for these circumstances.

Any incident involving suspected drugs, alcohol-related risk or serious intoxication must be reported to a school director.

Where a child is affected by an adult's substance misuse, this may also constitute a safeguarding concern and should be considered accordingly.

 

31. Working With Parents and Carers

The Music Room Coventry recognises parents and carers as important partners in safeguarding.

We will:

• communicate safeguarding expectations clearly;

• listen to concerns;

• provide appropriate information;

• work cooperatively with parents and carers where this is safe and appropriate;

• respect parental responsibilities;

• share safeguarding information where legally and professionally appropriate.

However, parents/carers should not automatically be informed of a safeguarding referral where doing so could:

• place the child at greater risk;

• compromise a police or social-care investigation;

• place another person at risk;

• otherwise conflict with safeguarding requirements.

 

32. Complaints and Safeguarding Concerns

A parent, student, staff member or other person may raise a safeguarding concern directly with a school director or DSL.

A safeguarding concern does not need to follow the school's normal complaints procedure.

A person may contact the relevant external safeguarding agency directly where they believe this is necessary.

If the concern relates to a teacher, it should not simply be referred back to that teacher.

If the concern relates to a school director, the alternative reporting arrangements in Section 13 apply.

 

33. Working With Christ Church Coventry

The Music Room Coventry leases its main premises at 7 Frankpledge Road, CV3 5GT, from Christ Church Coventry.

The Music Room Coventry will maintain appropriate communication and cooperation with Christ Church Coventry regarding safeguarding matters arising from use of shared premises.

This does not remove or replace The Music Room Coventry's own safeguarding responsibilities.

Where a safeguarding concern involves Christ Church staff, volunteers, visitors or activities, the matter should be reported to the appropriate safeguarding lead and, where necessary, to the relevant external authority.

The Music Room Coventry will cooperate with Christ Church Coventry's safeguarding arrangements where relevant to the use of the premises.

 

34. Staff Conduct Towards Colleagues

Teachers and staff are expected to:

• treat colleagues respectfully;

• maintain professional boundaries;

• avoid inappropriate gossip;

• maintain confidentiality;

• raise safeguarding concerns appropriately;

• avoid discussing confidential student matters with parents or other students;

• provide accurate and truthful references;

• challenge inappropriate behaviour appropriately.

Safeguarding concerns must never be concealed to protect a colleague or preserve the reputation of the school.

 

35. Safeguarding Training and Policy Awareness

All teachers and staff must be made aware of this policy.

The Music Room Coventry will maintain records showing:

• who has received safeguarding training;

• when training was completed;

• when refresher training is due;

• who has read or acknowledged this policy;

• relevant DBS and safer-recruitment checks.

Teachers who have not completed required safeguarding induction or training should not be permitted to undertake relevant teaching duties until the school has considered the risk and taken appropriate action.

 

36. Monitoring and Review

This policy will be reviewed at least annually.

It will also be reviewed following:

• significant safeguarding incidents;

• changes to legislation;

• changes to statutory guidance;

• changes to Coventry safeguarding procedures;

• changes to DBS requirements;

• changes to the school's teaching arrangements;

• changes to online teaching arrangements.

The DSLs will monitor safeguarding practice and identify improvements where necessary.

 

37. Safeguarding Quick Reference

IF SOMEONE IS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER

Call 999

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Do not wait for a school director. IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT A CHILD Contact a DSL immediately.

Coventry MASH:
024 7678 8555

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Out of hours:
024 7683 2222

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Police non-emergency:
101

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IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT AN ADULT AT RISK

Coventry Adult Social Care:
024 7683 3003

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Email: ascdirect@coventry.gov.uk

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Out of hours:
024 7683 2222

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Emergency:
999

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IF THE CONCERN IS ABOUT A TEACHER OR OTHER ADULT WORKING WITH CHILDREN

Contact a DSL immediately.

Consider referral to the Coventry Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and/or Children's Services or police as appropriate.

IF THE CONCERN IS ABOUT A SCHOOL DIRECTOR

Use the alternative reporting route set out in Section 13 and/or contact the appropriate external safeguarding authority directly.

IF A CHILD TELLS YOU SOMETHING

LISTEN – REASSURE – DON'T INVESTIGATE – DON'T PROMISE SECRECY – RECORD – REPORT

 

38. Key External Guidance

The Music Room Coventry will maintain links to current versions of relevant guidance rather than relying on outdated copies.

Key references include:

• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026;

• Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, where applicable;

• Care and Support Statutory Guidance;

• current DBS guidance;

• Coventry safeguarding children procedures;

• Coventry safeguarding adults procedures;

• Coventry LADO procedures;

• current information-sharing guidance.

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Staff Code of Safeguarding Conduct

All teachers and staff must:

• Put student welfare first.

• Maintain professional boundaries.

• Use professional communication channels.

• Avoid unnecessary physical contact.

• Never engage in sexualised communication or relationships with students.

• Never promise confidentiality about a safeguarding disclosure.

• Report concerns immediately.

• Record concerns accurately.

• Never investigate safeguarding allegations themselves.

• Never conceal concerns about colleagues.

• Never use safeguarding procedures to retaliate against or unfairly target another person.

• Treat all students and adults with dignity and respect.

• Challenge discriminatory or abusive behaviour.

• Follow this policy and relevant local safeguarding procedures.​