Keeping our People Safe
Code of Conduct for Adults: Staff, Singers and Instrumentalists
Ex Cathedra runs a range of participation, performance, learning activities and projects for people of all ages in a variety of settings including in concert halls and various performance spaces – alongside Ex Cathedra Choir and Orchestra. The projects are run with varying group sizes, including for individuals, of all ages and capabilities and needs. This activity is Regulated Activity.[1]
Ex Cathedra is committed to the safeguarding and the care of children (up to 18 years) for which it has responsibility and with which it comes in to contact as part of its work. Ex Cathedra also recognises that all children, young people involved in its work have a right to be protected from harm. To ensure the execution of these responsibilities, Ex Cathedra has a robust, board approved, safeguarding policy that is regularly reviewed.
This behaviour code, which forms part of Ex Cathedra’s Safeguarding Policy, outlines the code of conduct expected of our staff, adult singers and instrumentalists and has been informed by the children in our organisation. Following this code will help to keep children safe and protect children from abuse and inappropriate behaviour from adults. It will also help staff, singers and instrumentalists to maintain the standard of behaviour expected of them and will reduce the possibility of unfounded accusations of abuse being made against them.
Staff, singers and instrumentalists are expected to report any breaches of this code to Rebecca Ledgard Designated Safeguarding Lead) Gemma King (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead), Peter Trethewey (General Manager) or to the Trustee named below. Our children (members of our Academy of Vocal Music) know who to talk to if they do not feel safe. This includes designated chaperones, Education and Participation Manager and vocal tutors on site. These people where a Green Lanyard around their neck showing their ID card. For children present with their school this will be their teachers.
Staff, singers and instrumentalists who breach this code of conduct may be subject to disciplinary procedures or be asked to leave. Serious breaches may result in a referral to a statutory agency such as the local authority children’s social services.
When working alongside children it is important that all adults adhere to the following statements. The list below has been developed by the children in our Academies.
Adults will:
- Keep us safe, and if there is something that is dangerous or a problem, they will stop it or try to solve it;
- Demonstrate that they understand us and our needs;
- Set a good example, are nice, kind, to be trusted and respect us;
- Challenge and inspire us, and have high and reasonable expectations of us
- Listen to us and our opinions;
- Support us in our singing;
- Be appropriately behaved; and
- Help us.
Ex Cathedra informs you that you must not:
- Be alone with a child; and when teaching one-to-one the door must be open and a chaperone must be in the corridor outside
And you must not
- Use inappropriate language;
- Behave inappropriately;
- Develop inappropriate relationships with children that are outside the scope of the organisation’s duties;
- Conduct a sexual relationship with a child or have any form of sexual contact with a child;
- Enter children’s dressing rooms (concerts) unless required to do so as part of your duties;
- Exchange contact details, including addresses, telephone and mobile phone numbers, emails or link up on social media. E.g. take photographs or videos during rehearsals or concerts in which children or vulnerable adults are visible without the explicit consent of the Director of Education or Education Manager. This is required to ensure compliance with Ex Cathedra’s consent process.
You must:
- Follow our safeguarding policy
- Wear Ex Cathedra ID if you are a freelance team member or member of staff
- Wear appropriate clothing and adhere to any given dress code
Ex Cathedra also advises:
It is important as a musician working in arts education and participation to consider your personal online reputation and whether your past, current or future digital presence could be deemed to ‘bring the profession into disrepute’, which could lead to disciplinary proceedings. Some things are not acceptable for someone in this role to share online; some are acceptable if private, but private images can become public online, so it is important to audit your online presence and privacy settings.
If you search for yourself online (using a search engine in a private browser tab which is not logged-in), what can anybody see? Are there any posts or images that could cause offence or embarrassment to you or Ex Cathedra?
Food and drink: Please take care with regard to hot drinks when children are present. On specific occasions we may ask you to not bring products (e.g. nuts) into a space to keep those with a nut allergy safe.
The children and young people in our Academy of Vocal Music see themselves, in their words, as a linked team – a big family of singers who like to sing together, with a good bond. They want to have fun and they always aim to enjoy themselves together. They want to do their best.
They agree to the following statements, given in their own words which we all must adhere to.
We are
- Mature, professional and well behaved;
- Kind and helpful to each other;
- Trustworthy;
- Loyal;
- Friendly to others, positive and nice;
- Courageous, we persevere, and we try to do better;
- Considerate and supportive of each other, and we listen to one another;
- Creative;
- Inclusive and accepting of everyone, with no one ever left out; and
- Respectful of each other.
Latest review: March 2024
Designated Safeguarding Lead, Rebecca Ledgard, 07377 437 502 rebecca@excathedra.co.uk
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Gemma King, 07985 646 921 gemma@excathedra.co.uk
General Manager, Peter Trethewey, 07870 213 204 peter@excathedra.co.uk
Trustee with designated responsibility for
Safeguarding, John Clemson clemsonjf@gmail.com
[1] regulated-activity-with-children.pdf (disclosureservices.com) and regulated-activity-with-adults.pdf (disclosureservices.com)