Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

1. Introduction

Limitless Music Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk who participate in our music lessons and activities.

We believe that everyone should be able to learn music in a safe, supportive and respectful environment.

Safeguarding is a responsibility shared by everyone working on behalf of Limitless Music Academy. We take concerns about abuse, neglect, inappropriate behaviour and student welfare seriously and recognise the importance of responding promptly and appropriately.

This policy explains our safeguarding commitments, the standards expected of our teachers and staff, and the arrangements for reporting concerns.

2. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to all individuals working on behalf of Limitless Music Academy, including tutors, group session leaders, administrative staff, contractors and volunteers where applicable.

It covers:

• Online one-to-one piano, guitar, drum and singing lessons.
• Online trial lessons.
• In-person Rock Squad music sessions.
• Communication between tutors, students and parents.
• Online practice activities, educational recordings and shared learning resources.
• Other activities delivered or organised by Limitless Music Academy.

A child is defined as anyone under 18 years of age.

We also recognise our responsibilities towards adults at risk of abuse or neglect, including adults with care and support needs who may be unable to protect themselves.

3. Our Safeguarding Commitments

Limitless Music Academy is committed to:

• Providing a safe and respectful learning environment.
• Treating students fairly and without discrimination.
• Listening to children and taking their concerns seriously.
• Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries between tutors and students.
• Recruiting suitable teachers and carrying out appropriate background checks.
• Providing safeguarding training relevant to staff responsibilities.
• Promoting safe and appropriate use of online teaching platforms.
• Taking prompt action when safeguarding concerns arise.
• Cooperating with schools, safeguarding professionals and statutory authorities where appropriate.
• Handling safeguarding information securely and confidentially.
• Reviewing our safeguarding arrangements regularly.

We recognise that children with disabilities, special educational needs, communication difficulties or other vulnerabilities may require additional support and safeguards.

The welfare and safety of students will remain central to our decisions.

4. Safeguarding Leadership and Contact Information

Limitless Music Academy has an appointed Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead, Olivia Graham, has completed Safeguarding Leads training with Thirtyone:eight and is responsible for overseeing safeguarding concerns, supporting staff and coordinating appropriate referrals.

The DSL's responsibilities include:

• Receiving and assessing safeguarding concerns.
• Advising teachers and staff on appropriate action.
• Maintaining appropriate safeguarding records.
• Seeking specialist advice where necessary.
• Referring concerns to Children's Social Care, Adult Social Care, the police or other safeguarding agencies where appropriate.
• Overseeing safeguarding procedures and policy reviews.

The safeguarding email account is accessible to the DSL and authorised LMA management.

Where the DSL is unavailable, urgent safeguarding action must not be delayed. Staff may seek specialist advice and contact statutory safeguarding services directly where necessary.

If a concern involves someone with access to the safeguarding mailbox, the concern should be reported directly to an appropriate external authority rather than through that shared account.

In an emergency, where someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

5. Safer Recruitment and Staff Training

All Limitless Music Academy teachers hold Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificates.

We recognise that DBS checks form only part of an effective safer recruitment process. The suitability of teachers must also be considered through appropriate recruitment, identity verification, interviews and other checks relevant to their role.

Where appropriate and legally eligible, relevant barred-list checks must also be completed.

All teachers complete the TES Keeping Children Safe in Education (Music) safeguarding course.

Tutors are expected to understand:

• The importance of safeguarding children and adults at risk.
• How to recognise possible signs of abuse or neglect.
• Appropriate professional boundaries.
• How to respond to disclosures and concerns.
• How to report concerns to the DSL or relevant authorities.
• Safe working practices when teaching children online or in person.

Safeguarding training and staff guidance will be reviewed and updated as necessary.

6. Professional Conduct and Boundaries

All teachers and staff are expected to maintain appropriate professional relationships with students.

Tutors must:

• Treat students with dignity and respect.
• Communicate appropriately for the student's age and circumstances.
• Maintain clear boundaries between teaching and personal relationships.
• Avoid favouritism, inappropriate physical contact, intimidating behaviour or discriminatory language.
• Use approved communication channels when contacting students.
• Respect student confidentiality while recognising safeguarding reporting responsibilities.
• Report inappropriate behaviour or safeguarding concerns promptly.

Teachers must not establish inappropriate personal relationships with students or encourage children to communicate through unauthorised private messaging or personal social media accounts.

Concerns about professional conduct will be taken seriously and may be referred to external safeguarding authorities where appropriate.

7. Safeguarding During Online Lessons

Limitless Music Academy provides online one-to-one music lessons through Zoom.

We recognise that online teaching requires appropriate safeguards to protect students and maintain professional teaching relationships.

Teachers are expected to conduct lessons from suitable environments, dress appropriately, use professional communication and remain attentive to any signs of concern.

Parental Availability

For students under 18, we expect a parent or responsible adult to be reasonably accessible during online lessons.

Parents are not required to remain beside their child throughout the session. However, we recommend that an adult is present in the home and close enough to offer assistance where necessary.

This is particularly important during a child's first few lessons or when they need help with technology, instruments or settling into the session.

Tutors may request parental assistance during a lesson.

If a tutor has concerns about a child's safety, supervision or wellbeing, they must respond appropriately and follow LMA's safeguarding reporting procedures.

Online Communication

Communication between tutors and children must remain professional and relevant to music tuition.

Teachers must not encourage private or secret conversations with children or move communications to unauthorised personal channels.

Parents should be informed about the communication arrangements used during their child's tuition.

8. Online Practice App and Student Communication

Limitless Music Academy uses an online practice app to support learning between lessons.

The app allows tutors to share educational resources, practice videos and feedback. Students can also submit recordings of their practice and send messages to their teachers.

Parental Access

For students under 18, we encourage parents or guardians to register and manage the account so they can oversee their child's use of the app and the resources being shared.

Tutor Responsibilities

All communication through the app must be appropriate, professional and directly related to music education. Teachers must not use the platform for inappropriate personal conversations or relationships with students.

Communication Hours

As part of maintaining appropriate professional boundaries, tutors should not normally send messages directly to students under 18 through the practice app after 8:00pm.

Students may continue to access practice materials, upload recordings and submit questions outside these hours. Tutors can respond during their normal working hours.

This guidance does not prevent appropriate communication with parents or necessary action in response to an urgent safeguarding concern.

Safeguarding concerns must be escalated promptly through the appropriate reporting procedures, regardless of the time of day.

Management Oversight

Authorised LMA management has access to tutor and student communications within the practice app.

Messages and shared content may be reviewed where appropriate, including in response to safeguarding concerns.

This oversight provides an additional safeguarding measure but does not mean every communication is continuously monitored.

Concerns identified through the app must be reported to the DSL.

9. Lesson Recordings and Practice Videos

Tutors may create short instructional videos or lesson summaries to help students practise independently.

Our normal approach is for tutors to record demonstrations featuring themselves rather than the student.

Tutors are expected to check their recording settings and review recordings before sharing them, ensuring that students or personal information have not been captured unintentionally.

Where recording a child is necessary for educational purposes, appropriate permissions and safeguards must be in place.

Practice recordings should be shared through approved LMA platforms and must not be published or used for unrelated purposes without appropriate permission.

Student-submitted videos and recordings must also be treated confidentially and used only for appropriate educational purposes.

10. Safeguarding at Rock Squad

Rock Squad provides in-person group music sessions at participating schools.

We aim to provide a safe and inclusive environment where children can develop their musical skills and work together.

Our teachers and group leaders are expected to:

• Provide appropriate supervision during sessions.
• Maintain accurate attendance information.
• Follow the relevant school's safeguarding and site procedures.
• Use instruments and equipment safely.
• Maintain professional boundaries with children.
• Follow agreed arrangements for arrivals and collection.
• Report accidents, incidents and safeguarding concerns appropriately.

Where a safeguarding concern arises during a school-based session, relevant concerns must be communicated to the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead in accordance with the agreed arrangements.

LMA's DSL should also be informed where appropriate.

Where urgent action is required, staff must contact the relevant emergency or statutory services without delay.

Bullying and Behaviour

Bullying, discrimination, harassment or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated.

Concerns will be taken seriously and addressed in a manner appropriate to the circumstances.

Where behaviour raises a safeguarding concern, the matter must be referred through the appropriate safeguarding procedures.

We recognise that children may need support in understanding appropriate behaviour, respecting others and participating positively in group activities.

11. Recognising and Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns can arise in many ways, including:

• A disclosure made by a child or adult.
• Changes in behaviour or emotional wellbeing.
• Signs of physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
• Neglect or exploitation.
• Bullying or harmful behaviour between children.
• Inappropriate communication or online activity.
• Concerns about a teacher, member of staff or another adult.
• Information received through our online practice app.

Teachers and staff are not expected to investigate suspected abuse themselves.

If a safeguarding concern arises, staff should:

1. Listen carefully and remain calm.
2. Take the concern seriously.
3. Reassure the person that they have done the right thing by speaking up.
4. Avoid asking leading questions or attempting to investigate.
5. Avoid promising absolute confidentiality.
6. Record the concern accurately, including the person's own words wherever possible.
7. Report the matter promptly to the DSL or the appropriate safeguarding authority.

If someone is in immediate danger, emergency services must be contacted without delay.

Information should only be shared with individuals or organisations that need it for safeguarding purposes.

12. Reporting Concerns and External Safeguarding Support

Safeguarding concerns should normally be reported to: safeguarding@limitlessmusicacademy.com

Where a matter is urgent, staff must not rely solely on sending an email.

LMA has access to specialist safeguarding advice through its membership of Thirtyone:eight.

Thirtyone:eight provides professional guidance on safeguarding concerns, reporting procedures and appropriate referrals.

However, specialist advice does not replace the responsibilities of statutory safeguarding authorities.

Depending on the nature of a concern, a referral may be made to:

• The relevant local authority Children's Social Care team.
• The relevant local authority Adult Social Care team.
• The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), where the concern involves a person working with children and meets the relevant criteria.
• The police.

Anyone who believes that a safeguarding concern has not been addressed appropriately may contact the relevant statutory safeguarding service directly.

13. Allegations Against Staff and Whistleblowing

Any allegation or concern involving the conduct of an LMA tutor, staff member, contractor or volunteer will be taken seriously.

This includes concerns about abuse, inappropriate relationships, professional boundaries or behaviour that may place children at risk.

Appropriate safeguarding advice will be sought, and matters will be referred to the relevant authorities where required.

LMA will cooperate with statutory safeguarding investigations.

Staff are encouraged to raise concerns about poor safeguarding practice, unsafe conduct or failures to follow appropriate procedures.

Concerns raised in good faith will be taken seriously, and those reporting them must not be subjected to retaliation.

Where concerns involve safeguarding leadership or business management, individuals may report directly to external safeguarding authorities.

14. Safeguarding Records and Confidentiality

Safeguarding concerns and any actions taken must be recorded accurately and handled securely.

Records should include relevant dates, factual observations, information disclosed, reporting actions, advice received and any subsequent decisions.

Information must be shared only where necessary and in accordance with applicable safeguarding and data protection requirements.

Confidentiality must not prevent appropriate information sharing where necessary to protect someone from harm.

Safeguarding records must be retained and managed in accordance with LMA's safeguarding and data protection procedures.

15. Photography, Videos and Student Images

LMA may use student photographs, performance recordings and testimonials to demonstrate students' achievements and promote its services.

We recognise the importance of protecting children's privacy and ensuring that images are used appropriately.

We will:

• Obtain appropriate parental permission before using identifiable images or recordings of children for promotional purposes.
• Explain the intended purpose of photography or recording.
• Avoid publishing unnecessary personal information about children.
• Respect applicable restrictions and withdrawals of consent.
• Store and share images and recordings appropriately.
• Ensure that images are suitable and respectful.

Permission to participate in tuition does not automatically constitute permission for promotional use of a student's image or recording.

Educational recordings shared privately for tuition purposes are treated separately from promotional material.

16. Supporting Students and Families

We recognise that safeguarding concerns can be difficult or distressing for those involved.

LMA is committed to responding sensitively, listening carefully and taking appropriate action.

Where necessary, we will help students and families access relevant support services or safeguarding professionals.

We will work with appropriate statutory agencies and take account of the needs and wishes of the person concerned.

LMA is a music education provider and does not undertake safeguarding investigations or provide specialist counselling or social care services.

17. Policy Review

LMA is committed to keeping its safeguarding arrangements under review.

This policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner where necessary following changes in legislation, safeguarding guidance, teaching practices or identified concerns.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead and LMA management are responsible for reviewing the policy and ensuring that appropriate safeguarding procedures support its implementation.

18. Legislation and Guidance

This policy has been informed by relevant legislation and safeguarding guidance in England, including:

• Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004.
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
• Care Act 2014.
• Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, where relevant to school-based activities.
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026.
• Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR.
• Relevant guidance from the Department for Education, NSPCC and Thirtyone:eight.

LMA also takes account of the safeguarding procedures of participating schools and relevant local safeguarding partnerships.