General

The principal aim of the CRANBROOK TOWN BAND (CTB) is to be an association of members with an interest in performing in public, in contesting, and in furthering the
musical education of those members. The interests of members will include but is not limited to:

• Occasional meetings for social and education purposes, including the AGM
• Participation in brass band contests on a local or regional basis
• Recognition of other similar bands
• Provision of information, data or articles for the CTB website and Social Media.
• General receipt and communication of information related to brass banding, and maintenance of a register of instruments and equipment owned by CTB.
• The communication of individuals with other members, on a personal basis for:
  • Help, advice and expertise in matters related to instrument maintenance, renovation or general improvement of performance.
  • Communication of information, including photographs, related to CTB activities and functions
  •  Social purposes

When you join the Cranbrook Town Band the details you give will be held electronically by the Committee of CTB for the legitimate use of running the Band. Your details will
not be passed onto, or made available to, third parties outside the Band.
As a condition of membership, however, in order for the members collectively to actively participate in and enjoy the full benefits of membership listed above, members personal
data will be held with their agreement and made available to other members in furtherance of the principles of the Band. This will include information and photographs
representing articles for the website and reports of concerts and contests.
The Band may hold these details after paid membership has lapsed indefinitely or until the individual requests this information is deleted from its records. The Band will hold
data re photographic media of members as taken on Band events or as sent in by members for articles or reports indefinitely or until the individual requests this
information is deleted from its records.

Data Policy

The committee and delegated officers of the Band, following the requirements of the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), undertake to inform members and potential
members of what personal data is requested of them, how it is held, how it is used, how it is made available to others and how it is maintained safely.
The Band and its elected officers will:

• Only request personal information that is necessary to facilitate the organisation and running of the Band for the fellowship, involvement and enjoyment of its members
• Ensure that personal information is held with reasonable levels of security by designated officers
• Restrict the holding and access of any ‘special category’ of personal information e.g. bank account details, to the Treasurer.
• Comply with the requirements of the GDPR
• Will not divulge membership details to a third party

Additionally, the committee and its officers will ensure that membership and personal data is reviewed as required and will be corrected or updated, with due dispatch, when
requested by a member.
Members are advised that the only data held is that which has been given by individual members themselves on applying to be a CTB member.

Safeguarding Policy – all Cranbrook Town Band members will actively promote Good Safeguarding Practices

• DBS certificates will be held by some committee
• Siân Lanceley and Liz Hatcher have attended the ‘Safeguarding in Brass Bands’ course developed in association with the NSPCC and delivered by Brass Bands England (BBE).
• Code of conduct – all adult members of Cranbrook Town Band have a duty of care towards young players and vulnerable adults.
• Cranbrook Town Band actively implements BBE’s BandSafe
• BBE BandSafe self-assessment is completed annually to confirm compliance with the Child Performance and Activities Licencing

Child Protection/Young People/Vulnerable Adults

Cranbrook Town Band has a commitment to safeguard all vulnerable people from harm, including children/young people age 18 and under and vulnerable adults at all organised events. We will share information about child protection and adult safeguarding with children, parents, volunteers and members. We will provide support and training for all volunteers with responsibility.

1. the welfare of the child/young person/vulnerable adult is paramount
2. ensuring opportunities for all children/young people/vulnerable adults, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity, to be able to participate in brass banding in an enjoyable and safe environment.
3. taking all reasonable steps to protect children/young people, vulnerable adults from harm, discrimination and degrading treatment and to respect their rights, wishes and feelings.
4. acting swiftly and appropriately to all suspicions and allegations of poor practice or abuse – sharing concerns with agencies who need to know and involving parents and children appropriately.
5. Bullying of any kind is not acceptable and we are committed to protect everyone involved with the (see Code of Conduct for Cranbrook Town Band).

Safeguarding at Organised Events

1. venues are risk assessed for suitability, hazards, first aid, toilet facilities, other users.
2. if children aged 16 or under are to be present at the event, a Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) certificate will be obtained from BBE and a copy will be held by the band’s chairman at the performance venue, in case of inspection.
3. we will endeavour to have at least one BandSafe trained member present at the event.
4. children will be accompanied by a supervising Supervising adults must have had a DBS check or DBS status check carried out within the last three years. A supervising adult must always supervise and maintain sight and sound of any children in their care.
5. in the case of a parent supervising their own child a DBS check is not needed but they can only supervise their own child in this case.
6. there will be ratio of 1:12 for supervising
7. no payment will be made to anyone, apart from defrayment of
8. a representative of the BOPA issuing authority will be allowed entry to the event to carry out unannounced inspections if required.
9. events will not involve a child being absent from
10. the event will have a risk assessment in
11. a first aider will be
12. the event will take place in England or
13. the band will have obtained parental/carer permission for any child performing and also medical information and contact details.
14. children will be transported to performance venues by
15. accidents will be recorded in an accident book and a copy sent home for parental knowledge.

Safeguarding on Social Media

• images or videos released on social media are to be agreed beforehand with parental consent.
• videos or images on the Cranbrook Town Band website / Facebook / WhatApp group and X (formerly Twitter) are not to be shared unless by the family of the child itself.

Youth Events

To ensure continued progress of musical standards, individuals will be encouraged and supported in public performances where they will have the opportunity to demonstrate their performing skills.

1. children will not be judged or admonished for poor
2. wherever possible, performances are a positive
3. recognition of achievement is given publicly to enhance the experience, especially with solo performance, individual development, or achievement of music exams.
4. success is published wherever
5. only first names are used in the Where parents have asked to not have their children named or photographed, measures are taken to ensure their wishes are met.

Communication

1. Social media – Facebook and WhatsApp membership is permitted via parent
2. Mobile phones – only adult mobile phones are used for
3. Email contact – only adult e mail addresses are used for
4. Photos – any images of performances, videos, grade achievements are released to the band’s website etc, with parental permission.
5. Data – information held on children is kept secure and never passed to a 3rd party where it would be inappropriate to do so.

Reporting

Safeguarding and Welfare Officers: Siân Lanceley & Liz Hatcher

Any concerns are to be reported to the above in the first instance.

All adult members of Cranbrook Town Band have a duty of care towards young players and vulnerable adults and should report any concerns.

Any concerns will be dealt with swiftly and preferably at the time of the report. Discussions will be factually documented, in the words of the child/vulnerable adult.

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

Reporting Bodies

NSPCC advice helpline: 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk

Childline: 0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk

Brass Bands England Welfare Officer: 01226 771 015 or info@bbe.org.uk

The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) is the main piece of legislation governing health and safety at work. It places a duty on employers to ensure the general health and safety of their employees, as well as volunteers and members of the public using services provided by the employer.Hawkhurst C.E. Primary School is the venue used for rehearsals. The band rents the space and the responsibility for some of the aspects of Health and Safety fall to the school. (fire extinguishers, fire exit signage etc).

Electricity in the Band Room

• • Band members are asked to complete a quick check each time they use the urn and report any problems to the Health and Safety Officer/Committee Member.

• An annual Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) check is carried out on the urn and the portable

First Aid Arrangements

• Adequate “in date” first aid equipment suitable for the number of members in the band is
• There are appointed people within the organisation with First Aid
• An accident book is kept when accidents Information to be kept is stored securely in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
• Contact information is held for each member of the band and mobile phones will be used to obtain help and contacting relevant individuals, if the need arises.

Accompanying Children to Hospital

• Ideally if the situation is not an emergency, then the parent/carer will be contacted in order to take the child to hospital.
• In an emergency, 999 will be called and an ambulance In this situation, every effort will be made to accompany a child to hospital in the ambulance.
• Where possible, the main leader should try to remain with the group and allow another responsible adult, preferably a member who has a DBS check, to accompany a child to hospital.
• It would not be good practice for a band member to use their own vehicle to take a child to hospital unless advised to do so by medical This could happen in exceptional circumstances if, for example, emergency vehicles are delayed. In the unlikely event of this occurring, it would be best practice for two adults to travel with the child.

Fire Safety/Emergency Procedures

• Access to mobile phones is available at all times, in case of an
• Exits are kept clear of any blocks or
• Fire safety is included within all risk
• An evacuation procedure is communicated, taking account of emergency exits, assembly points, fire wardens and provision for vulnerable members.
• Registers taken at the start of each band function are to be used as a checklist in the event of an

Completing Risk Assessments

A Risk Assessment form has been completed, taking into account; the physical environment, the activities that take place, any disabilities or mobility issues in respect of band members and others who may be present, the equipment used and the different types of possible accidents.

Risk assessments are carried out, both for the normal, regular rehearsal space for the band (and reviewed annually) and for concert venues and other places and events outside the band’s usual ‘home’. If the band’s normal rehearsal venue is used for a new type of event, again, a risk assessment will be carried out so that any new risks are taken account of and managed.

The physical environment includes:

• Car park
• Uneven surfaces
• Lighting
• Slippery floors
• Storage of equipment/ personal belongings
• Seasonal changes; g. snow and ice, leaves
• Access to exits
• Transporting people to rehearsals/concerts/contests
• Moving and handling equipment
• Playing concerts outside
• Rehearsals, sectionals and one-to-one tuition
• Fundraising activities
• Making refreshments
• Social activities
• Concerts for which the band is responsible for the audience

The equipment includes:

• Instruments
• Music
• Stands
• Chairs

Possible types of accidents to consider are:

• Slips, trips and falls
• Traffic accidents
• Electric shocks
• Burns and scalds
• Choking, suffocation or strangulation
• Cuts from broken glass or other sharp objects
• Sunburn or bites
• Manual handling injuries

A risk assessment form will be completed, considering the relevant aspects above by the band Health and Safety Officer/Concert Manager.

If a risk assessment is for an outing or trip, it needs to include transport arrangements. Risk assessments for trips to venues/events operated by a third party should include contacting the organiser or manager of the venue/event to check that they have their own risk assessment and that appropriate safety measures are in place.

Manual Handling

Band members should be made aware of the dangers of lifting heavy objects and the associated injuries. Manual handling should be included in risk assessments, and measures taken to reduce the risk of injury. These measures may include:

• Ensuring equipment is stored in a suitable bag, box or container that is fit for These should not be overfilled;
• Consider the minimum number of people required to move particularly heavy objects (e.g. timpani);
• Using trolleys, barrows or carrying straps where

Typical potential hazards that have been identified are:

• Carrying instruments
• Carrying chairs and tables
• Carrying PA equipment
• Loading vehicles for concerts and events

Insurance

All bands must be covered by Public Liability Insurance. A copy of the certificate is available.

Safe and Healthy Working Environment

Copies of Risk Assessments are available in the Risk Assessment section of the Bandsafe File. file.

Safe and Healthy Workplace

To ensure a safe and healthy environment there are sections relating to this in the Safeguarding guidance and a section in the Code of Conduct on breaching the Code of Conduct.

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.