AberMusic Safeguarding Policy

Effective Date: 20 January 2026

Last Reviewed: 20 January 2026

1. Introduction and Commitment

AberMusic is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults who engage with our music instruction services. We recognise that everyone has the right to learn in a safe, secure, and supportive environment, free from abuse, neglect, and harm.

This policy applies to all staff, tutors, contractors, and volunteers working on behalf of AberMusic, whether delivering lessons in-person at our studio in Ceredigion or online.

2. Scope

This Safeguarding Policy applies to:

  • All children and young people under the age of 18
  • Vulnerable adults
  • All AberMusic tutors, staff, and representatives
  • All lesson formats, including in-person studio lessons and online lessons delivered worldwide

3. Definitions

Child: Any person under the age of 18.

Vulnerable Adult: A person aged 18 or over who may be unable to protect themselves from harm, abuse, or exploitation due to mental or physical disability, illness, age, or other circumstances.

Safeguarding: The actions taken to promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and protect them from harm.

Abuse: Includes physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

4. Our Safeguarding Principles

AberMusic is guided by the following principles:

  1. The welfare of the child or vulnerable adult is paramount.
  2. All children and vulnerable adults have the right to protection from abuse, regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or background.
  3. All concerns, suspicions, and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to appropriately.
  4. We will work in partnership with parents, carers, and relevant authorities to safeguard those in our care.
  5. Confidentiality will be maintained appropriately, but the safety of the individual will always take precedence.

5. Designated Safeguarding Lead

AberMusic has appointed a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) responsible for overseeing the implementation of this policy and handling any safeguarding concerns.

The person responsible for safeguarding at AberMusic is:
Steven Swindells (Director)
Contact: [email protected]

Director contact info: Steven Swindells ([email protected]).

6. Safer Recruitment

All teachers at AberMusic must:

  • Hold a current Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
  • Provide professional references.
  • Be interviewed and vetted before teaching students.

Note: AberMusic vets teachers through DBS and reference checks but does not provide formal safeguarding training. AberMusic operates as an agent for self-employed teachers and does not provide safeguarding training to teachers; teachers are responsible for their own training and certifications, as well as maintaining their own professional development and up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding practices.

7. Code of Conduct for Teachers

Teachers must:

  • Maintain professional boundaries at all times.
  • Avoid any unnecessary physical contact with students.
  • Conduct lessons in a transparent environment (e.g., doors with windows or left slightly ajar if in-person).
  • Communicate with students under 18 only through parents/guardians.
  • All communication must be conducted through the PracticeSpace app or the teacher’s professional email address as registered with AberMusic. Personal messaging apps (like WhatsApp) and private social media contact are strictly prohibited for safeguarding. AberMusic does not provide company email accounts to independent teachers.

Parents/guardians of students under 18 must:

  • Create and manage the student’s PracticeSpace account using the parent/guardian’s email address.
  • Monitor all account communications.

Teachers must:

  • Verify that any account used by a student under 18 is registered under a parent/guardian’s email address (and not the child’s personal email).
  • Provide the necessary studio/teacher link code to the parent/guardian to facilitate this connection.

8. Monitoring Digital Social Interactions

  1. Teachers and management must regularly monitor comments and interactions within Studio Challenges and platform-based social features.
  2. Any inappropriate interaction between students, or between a student and a teacher, must be reported immediately according to the safeguarding procedures.
  3. Teachers should encourage a ‘culture of kindness’ and supportive feedback.
  4. If a student under 18 is interacting with other students on the platform, teachers must ensure this remains within the sanctioned ‘Challenge’ or ‘Group’ features and does not move to private channels.

9. Adult Student Community Groups

AberMusic may facilitate group chat or community features for students aged 18 and over.

  • Students under 18 are strictly prohibited from participating in these adult-only groups.
  • While these groups are for adults, AberMusic maintains a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, bullying, or inappropriate content.
  • Monitoring: These groups may be moderated or monitored by AberMusic to help ensure a safe environment for all participants.
  • Verification: Teachers/Staff must ensure no student under 18 is invited or added to adult-only chat groups.

8. Online Lesson Safety

For lessons conducted online:

  • Lessons must take place in a neutral room (not a bedroom).
  • Students under 18 must have a parent or guardian present in the home during the lesson.
  • Teachers must use professional accounts and never share personal contact details with students under 18.
  • Recording of lessons is only permitted with written parental consent for educational purposes.

9. External Contacts

Local Safeguarding Contacts (Ceredigion):

  • During Office Hours (9am-5pm): 01545 574000
  • Out of Hours (Emergency Duty Team): 0300 456 3554
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Police: 101 (Non-emergency) or 999 (Emergency)

10. Recognising Signs of Abuse

All AberMusic tutors are trained to recognise potential indicators of abuse, which may include but are not limited to:

  • Unexplained injuries or changes in behaviour
  • Fear of certain individuals or places
  • Withdrawal, anxiety, or mood changes
  • Inappropriate sexual behaviour or language
  • Signs of neglect, such as poor hygiene or inadequate clothing
  • Disclosure of abuse by the child or vulnerable adult

10. Reporting Concerns

If a teacher or parent has a concern about a student’s welfare:

  1. Record: Write down exactly what was seen or said immediately.
  2. Report: Inform the DSL (Steven Swindells) within 24 hours.
  3. Refer: If there is a risk of immediate harm, the DSL or teacher will contact the local Children’s Services or the Police.

If a safeguarding concern involves the Director of AberMusic, the matter should be reported directly to the Ceredigion Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) via the main safeguarding contact number (01545 574000).

11. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

AberMusic will treat all safeguarding concerns with the utmost confidentiality. However, information may be shared with relevant authorities where:

  • There is a risk of significant harm to a child or vulnerable adult
  • Disclosure is required by law
  • It is necessary to protect the welfare of the individual

We will always aim to keep the individual and their family informed of any actions taken, unless doing so would place the individual at further risk.

12. Photography and Media Consent

AberMusic will not photograph, film, or record students without obtaining prior written consent from a parent or guardian. Any images or recordings used for promotional purposes will be stored securely and used only in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

13. Student Portal and Practice App

AberMusic provides complimentary access to a student portal and practice app as part of our lesson packages. These platforms are designed with student safety in mind:

  • Access is password-protected and restricted to enrolled students.
  • Content is moderated and appropriate for all ages.
  • No direct messaging functionality between students is available.

14. Training and Awareness

All AberMusic tutors will receive safeguarding training upon engagement and will participate in regular refresher training. Training will cover:

  • Recognising signs of abuse and neglect
  • Reporting procedures
  • Safe conduct during in-person and online lessons
  • Maintaining professional boundaries

15. Review of This Policy

This policy is reviewed annually.
Last Updated: 20th January 2026

16. Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about this Safeguarding Policy or wish to report a safeguarding concern, please contact:

Steven Swindells
Founder & Director, AberMusic
Website: abermusic.wales
Email: [email protected]

17. External Resources

  • NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
  • Childline: 0800 1111
  • Ceredigion Social Services: [Insert local authority contact]
  • Police (non-emergency): 101
  • Police (emergency): 999

AberMusic is committed to creating a safe and inspiring environment where every student can thrive.