Arbroath Pipe Band is fully committed to promoting children's rights, notably their right to be protected from harm, abuse and exploitation. Arbroath Pipe Band has a duty of care to implement effective policies and procedures for safeguarding the welfare off all it members including children and young people.  In order to achieve this we will ensure our volunteers are carefully selected, screened, trained and supervised.  Furthermore we will endeavour to keep up to date with national developments relating to the care and protection of children and young people.

1) The purpose and scope of this policy statement

Arbroath Pipe Band works with children and families as part of its activities. These include: bagpipe and drumming tuition, competing and public performances. 

The purpose of this policy statement is: 

• To protect children and young people who receive and take part in activities and services that Arbroath Pipe Band operate. This includes the children of adults associated with the band. 
•  To provide parents, members, volunteers and supporters with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection. 

This policy statement applies to anyone operating on behalf of Arbroath Pipe Band, including bands committee members and members, tutors, volunteers, and supporters.

2) Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up on this basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in Scotland. 

3) We believe that:

• Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind. 
•  We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them. 

4) We recognise that:

• Children and young adults are ages 0-18 years of age.
• The welfare of the child is paramount.
• All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.
• Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.
•  In partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

5) We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

• Valuing, listening to and respecting them.
• Appointing a nominated child protection/safeguarding lead, a deputy child protection/safeguarding lead and a lead board member for safeguarding.
• Developing child protection and safeguarding policies and procedures which reflect best practice.
•  Using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately.
• Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise.
•  Sharing information about child protection and safeguarding best practice with children, their families, members, volunteers via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions.
• Recruiting volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made.
• Providing effective management for volunteers, members and supporters through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures. 
•  Implementing a code of conduct for volunteers, members and supporters.
•  Using our procedures to manage any allegations against volunteers, members and supporters appropriately.
•  Ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place. 
• Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, volunteers, and supporters by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance. 
•  recording and storing information professionally and securely. 

6) Related policies and procedures

Arbroath Pipe Band have the following policies and procedures in place to ensure the safeguarding of all our members including children and young adults. These policies are available to all band members, volunteers, parents, supporters and visitors to the band. 

• Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy. 
• A Practical Guide to Child Protection and Safeguarding. 
• Code of Conduct.
• Safer Recruitment Policy and Procedures.
• Anti-bullying Policy and Procedures.
• Photography and Image Sharing Guidance.
• Child Protection Records Retention and Storage Policy.
• Complaints and Whistleblowing Policy. 

7) Contact details

The bands child protection officers and be contacted directly using the contact form below: