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Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

Version: 1.0

Effective Date: 1 July 2026

Review Date: 1 July 2027

1. Policy Statement

Little Music Stars is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where babies, toddlers and young children can enjoy music and movement classes with their parent or caregiver.

Although Little Music Stars is not a childcare provider, we recognise our responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children who attend our sessions and to respond appropriately should any safeguarding concerns arise.

The safety and wellbeing of every child will always be our highest priority.

Relevant Legislation and Statutory Guidance

This policy has been developed in accordance with the following legislation and guidance:

• Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE)

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (where applicable)

• Information Sharing Advice for Practitioners

• Children Act 1989

• Children Act 2004

• Equality Act 2010

• Data Protection Act 2018

• UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)

2. Purpose

This policy aims to:

• Promote the safety and welfare of all children attending Little Music Stars sessions.

• Provide clear safeguarding guidance for Franchise Partners, Class Leaders, employees and volunteers.

• Ensure safeguarding concerns are recognised, recorded and responded to appropriately.

• Promote safe and professional practice throughout the Little Music Stars network.

3. Scope

This policy applies to all Franchise Partners, Employees, Class Leaders, Volunteers and anyone representing Little Music Stars.

4. Parent Participation Classes

Little Music Stars Responsibilities

Little Music Stars will:

• Ensure all equipment, instruments and resources are inspected before each session to ensure they are safe, clean and free from damage.

• Thoroughly clean and maintain equipment in accordance with our hygiene procedures.

• Carry out appropriate risk assessments and remove hazards wherever possible.

• Where a hazard cannot be removed, appropriate control measures will be implemented and communicated to parents and caregivers before the session begins.

• Deliver sessions in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.

• Follow safeguarding procedures should any concerns arise.

Parent/Caregiver Responsibilities

Every child must be accompanied by a responsible adult throughout the session. Parents and caregivers remain responsible for supervising and caring for their own child at all times.

Little Music Stars Class Leaders do not provide childcare and should never be left solely responsible for children. If a parent or caregiver leaves the room for any reason, they must take their child with them.

Parents and caregivers are responsible for ensuring that instruments, props and equipment are used safely and appropriately.

Parents and caregivers are also responsible for their child's behaviour throughout the session. Children should be encouraged to:

• Respect other children and adults.

• Share equipment appropriately.

• Avoid taking instruments or props from others.

• Never throw instruments, props or equipment.

• Follow the instructions of the Class Leader.

Parents and caregivers must never discipline another person's child. If a child becomes upset or a behavioural concern arises, the matter should be brought to the attention of the Class Leader.

5. Nursery, Preschool & School Sessions

When delivering sessions within nurseries, preschools, schools or children's centres, responsibility for the children's care and supervision remains with the setting at all times.

Little Music Stars will liaise with the setting's Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) before delivering sessions and will follow the setting's safeguarding procedures where appropriate.

Staff Ratios

At least one, and preferably two or more, members of the setting's staff must remain present throughout the session. Little Music Stars staff should never be left alone supervising children.

Toileting

Little Music Stars staff do not accompany children to the toilet or provide intimate care. These responsibilities remain with the setting's staff.

Session Environment

Where possible, sessions should not be delivered in areas where nappy changing or sleeping children are present.

CCTV

Where CCTV is in operation, Little Music Stars will comply with the venue's policies and procedures.

Permissions

The setting remains responsible for obtaining any parental permissions required.

6. Safer Recruitment

Little Music Stars is committed to safer recruitment practices.

Where applicable, Franchise Partners, Class Leaders and employees will undergo Enhanced DBS checks, identity verification, suitable references, safeguarding training and ongoing safeguarding updates appropriate to their role.

Franchise Partners are responsible for ensuring that anyone working on behalf of their business meets Little Music Stars' safer recruitment requirements.

7. Professional Conduct

All representatives of Little Music Stars will treat every child with dignity and respect, maintain appropriate professional boundaries, use positive, encouraging and age-appropriate language, never use physical punishment, humiliation, intimidation or degrading behaviour, act professionally at all times and report safeguarding concerns promptly.

8. Recognising Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns may include unexplained injuries, signs of neglect, sudden changes in behaviour, concerning behaviour displayed by an adult towards a child, allegations or suspicions of abuse, or any situation where a child appears to be at risk of harm.

9. Responding to a Disclosure

Remain calm and listen carefully. Never promise confidentiality. Reassure the child, record accurately using the child's own words wherever possible, report immediately and contact emergency services if a child is at immediate risk.

10. Recording Concerns

Include the date, time, location, names involved, factual observations, the child's exact words where possible and actions taken.

Record exactly what was said, separate fact from opinion, include all relevant information and sign and date all records.

11. Confidentiality

Safeguarding information will only be shared with those who have a legitimate need to know and will be handled in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR.

12. Photography & Video

Photographs and videos will only be taken or used where appropriate consent has been obtained. Families are asked to respect the privacy of others.

13. Mobile Phones

Personal mobile phone use should be kept to a minimum during sessions and only used where necessary for class delivery, emergencies or safeguarding purposes.

14. Equality & Inclusion

Little Music Stars is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

We welcome every family regardless of disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, gender identity or family background. Reasonable adjustments will be made wherever possible to enable every child to participate fully in our sessions.

Every child deserves to Shine As You Are™.

15. Responsibilities

Franchise Partners, Class Leaders and employees are responsible for following this policy, maintaining professional conduct, completing safeguarding training, reporting concerns and maintaining accurate records. Parents remain responsible for supervising their own children.

16. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if legislation, statutory guidance or best practice changes.

Document Control

Document Title: Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

Version: 1.0

Owner: Little Music Stars Ltd

Approved By: Andrea Lynette-Young – Franchisor & Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Review Date: 1 January 2027

Local Safeguarding Contacts

Each Franchise Partner is responsible for maintaining up-to-date contact details for their Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), MASH, Police and the NSPCC.

If an Allegation is Made Against an Adult

• Ensure the immediate safety and welfare of the child.

• Report the allegation immediately to the Little Music Stars DSL.

• Do not investigate the allegation yourself.

• Record the facts accurately and objectively.

• Contact the LADO where appropriate.

• Follow advice provided by the relevant safeguarding authorities.

• Maintain confidentiality and only share information with those who need to know.

You can also view the document as a PDF here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dTw5YY1WpSVMgsF8ijbrfqjm2oirrxZS/view?usp=sharing