Child Protection Statement

The Music Institute is fully committed to providing a safe environment for children and young people, and to safeguarding the well being of our young students, both within the School and in the context of our new online music lessons. Please see below our Child Protection Statement.

The aim of the The Music Institute’s Child Protection Policy is to promote best practice in protection and set out a procedural framework to ensure that members of staff are equipped to make informed responses to specific issues and minimise risk with regard to protection and welfare issues. At the heart of our child protection statement is the understanding that the welfare of the child is paramount. In implementing its policy, we follow the recommendations of Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children and Our Duty to Care – The Principles of Good Practice for the Protection of Children and Young People.

(A child is defined in law as a person up to the age of 18 years. Therefore the term ‘child’ used throughout this policy includes young people. )

Section 1.0: Code of Behaviour for staff

Children are to be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect.
School staff must be sensitive to the risks involved in interacting with children in a one-to-one setting.
While physical contact may be necessary to instruct a child how to hold/play an instrument, it should be appropriate to the lesson or class, and only take place when it is acceptable to all concerned.
While physical contact is a valid way of comforting, reassuring and showing concern for children, it should only take place when it is acceptable to all concerned.
School staff should never physically punish or be in any way verbally abusive to a child.
School staff should be sensitive to the possibility of developing favouritism, or becoming over involved or spending a great deal of time with any one child.
Children and/or parents should be encouraged to report any problems to either the School’s Child Protection Officer (Michael MacLennan) or a staff member of their choice. Complaints will be brought to the attention of the School Director (Michael MacLennan).
All complaints and allegations will be met with a response.
Everyone involved with the School should respect the personal space, safety and privacy of individuals.

Section 1.1: Code of Behaviour for staff – Additional considerations for online lessons:

As lessons are carried out remotely, all teachers are required to ensure that their surroundings are appropriate for the purposes of delivering lessons to children and adhere in all aspects to the code of behaviour and standards expected of members of The Music Institute team.
Surroundings should be quiet and professional. There should be nothing in your environment that would cause any concern, distress or discomfort to a child.
All teachers are required to present themselves appropriately when conducting online lessons. Presentation should be no different to your presentation when you carry out face to face tuition from The Music Institute.
Parents are at all times welcome and are encouraged to sit in on online lessons. If there is a concern that the presence of a parent in the room is causing undue disruption to a lesson or the ability of the child to focus please raise this concern as soon as possible with Michael MacLennan, Director.
Teachers are set up with a ‘The Music Institute’ zoom account. These accounts are only permitted for school activities. The Zoom account and contact via online with any child student is only at the designated meeting times as defined by the school director (Michael MacLennan)

Section 2.0: Recruitment process:

When a vacancy becomes available, a clear description of the job is to be provided. The minimum level of personal qualities required to fill the post are to be made clear.
Applicants are interviewed by Michael MacLennan, school director . The information supplied by the applicant and any other information supplied on their behalf will only be seen by persons directly involved in the recruitment procedure.

All successful applicants with undergo garda vetting prior to commencing a position at The Music Institute.
All teachers are required to have, at a minimum, a relevant music degree from a recognised third level institution.
Applicants are to supply the names of two referees who will testify as to their character, their suitability to the job and any other issues, which may affect their ability to perform the required tasks. At least one referee should have first-hand knowledge of the applicant’s previous work or contact with children.
The applicant will be required to confirm his/her identity against some documentation, which gives his or her full name and address together with a signature or photograph.

Section 3.0: Raising concerns regarding child safety

Any person who suspects that a child is being abused or is at risk of abuse has a responsibility to report their concerns to the health board (via the School’s Child Protection Officer).
The Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act (1998) provides immunity from civil liability to persons who report child abuse ‘reasonably and in good faith’ to designated officers of health boards or any member of An Garda Síochána.
Within the School, the report should be made to the Child Protection Officer and Director (Michael MacLennan). If there are any grounds for concern, the health board or An Garda Síochána will be contacted. The person who first reported the matter will normally be required to talk to the duty social worker. When reporting, as much information as possible should be provided, i.e. names, addresses, full account of the concern for the child, dates of incidents, circumstances, and the child’s own statement, if relevant.
In cases of emergency, where a child appears to be at immediate and serious risk, An Garda Síochána will be contacted.
A suspicion, which is not supported by any objective signs of abuse, would not constitute a reasonable suspicion, or reasonable grounds for concern.
Any information provided to the health board and An Garda Síochána will remain confidential.

Section 4.0: Allegations of misconduct

The following actions will be taken if an allegation is made against a member of staff:

1. The applicable employment contract and the laws of natural justice are to be followed.

2. The School Director (Michael MacLennan) will be informed as soon as possible.

3. The first priority is that no child is exposed to unnecessary risk, and the School Director (Michael MacLennan) will take the relevant protective measures.

4. These measures will be proportionate to the level of risk.

5. Any action following the allegation of abuse against a staff member will be taken in consultation with the health board and An Garda Síochána. An immediate meeting with these two agencies will be arranged.

6. After these consultations, the accused person will be informed by the Director of his/her future in the School.

7. The School will ensure that all is done to assist the health board and An Garda Síochána in their investigation of the matter.