Legal

Constitution | CRB

CONSTITUTION

1. Title

The group shall be called ELECTRO ACOUSTIC ENSEMBLE, hereafter shall be referred to as ‘the Group’.

2. Aims and Objectives

The primary aim of the Group is to foster, promote and offer seminal contemporary music of the last 50 years to as wide as possible audience – to this end concerts, open rehearsals, seminars and workshops are free to all.

The Group will be non-profit making and will seek funds to enable its promotions and events to be free to the public.

3. Membership

Membership of the Group is open to any person regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation.

Membership can be applied for, in writing, to any of the Executive Officers, stating compliance with the Groups Aims and Objectives, and describing what such person could offer the group.

In the event of a request for membership, the Executive Officers will set up a meeting to discuss and decide on such an application and write to the applicant within a reasonable time as to their decision.

There shall be 4 classes of membership:

Full Member

Associate Member

Honorary Member

Co-opted Member

4. Officers

4.1 The Officers of the Group shall be as follows:

Chairperson

Secretary

Treasurer

5. Election of Officers

All officers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Group, from and by, the Members of the Group.

All Officers are elected for a period of one year, but may be re-elected to the same office or another office the following year.

6 Management Committee

6.1 The affairs of the Organisation shall be controlled by a Management Committee comprising the Executive Officers of the Organisation and other Members elected from, and by, the Full Members of the Organisation. The Management Committee shall meet at agreed intervals and not less than twice per year. These meetings can be via internet conferencing if agreed by the Management Committee.

6.2 The duties of the Management Committee shall be:

6.2.1 To control the affairs of the Group on behalf of the Members.

6.2.2 To keep accurate accounts of the finances of the Group through the Treasurer. These should be available for reasonable inspection by Members. The Group shall maintain a bank current account and the following Officers shall be authorised to sign Group cheques: Chairperson and Treasurer.

6.2.3 To co-opt additional members of the Committee as the Committee feels this is necessary. Co-opted members shall not be entitled to a vote on the Committee.

To make decisions on the basis of a simple majority vote. In the case of equal votes, the Chairperson shall be entitled to an additional casting vote.

General meetings

7.1 The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than the end of February each year. 21 clear days’ written notice shall be given to Members of the Annual General Meeting by circulating a copy of the notice to every member at their home address. Members must advise the Secretary in writing of any business to be moved at the Annual General Meeting at least 14 days before a meeting. The Secretary shall circulate or give notice of the agenda for the meeting to Members not less than 7 days before the meeting.

7.2 The business of the Annual General Meeting shall be to:

7.2.1 Confirm the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting and any General Meetings held since the last Annual General Meeting.

7.2.2 Receive the audited accounts for the year from the Treasurer, which are then, if agreed, signed by the Treasurer and Chairperson.

7.2.3 Receive the annual report of the Committee from the Secretary.

7.2.4 Elect the Officers of the Group ie. Chairperson; Secretary; Treasurer and other Management Committee Members including Artistic Director.

7.2.5 Transact such other business received in writing by the Secretary from Members 14 days prior to the meeting and included on the agenda.

NOTE: The agenda could provide for "Any Other Business", but Members should be encouraged to refer other items to the Management Committee and give the required notice for important Annual General Meeting business.

7.3 Special General Meetings may be convened by the Management Committee or on receipt by the Secretary of a request in writing from any Full Member of the Group. At least 14 days’ notice of the meeting shall be given.

Nomination of candidates for election of Officers shall be made in writing to the Secretary at least 14 days in advance of the Annual General Meeting date. Nominations can only be made by Full Members and must be seconded by another Full Member.

7.5 At all General Meetings, the chair will be taken by the Chairperson or, in their absence, by a deputy appointed by the Group or by Full Members attending the meeting.

7.6 Decisions made at a General Meeting shall be by a simple majority of votes from those Full Members attending the meeting. In the event of equal votes, the Chairperson shall be entitled to an additional casting vote.

7.7 A quorum for a General Meeting shall be 1 Full Member and 3 Officers of the Group including Chairperson; Secretary and Treasurer.

7.8 Each Full Member of the Group shall be entitled to one vote at General Meetings.

Alterations to the Constitutions

8.1 Any proposed alterations to the Group Constitution may only be considered at an Annual or Special General Meeting convened with the required written notice of the proposal. Any alteration or amendment must be proposed by a Full Member of the Group and seconded by another Full Member. Such alterations shall be passed if supported by not less than two-thirds of those Full Members present at the meeting, assuming that a quorum has been achieved.

Dissolution

9.1 If, at any General Meeting of the Group, a resolution be passed calling for the dissolution of the Group, the Secretary shall immediately convene a Special General Meeting of the Group to be held not less than one month thereafter to discuss and vote on the resolution.

9.2 If, at that Special General Meeting, the resolution is carried by at least two-thirds of the Full Members present at the meeting, the General Committee shall thereupon, or at such date as shall have been specified in the resolution, proceed to realise the assets of the Group and discharge all debts and liabilities of the Group.

9.3 After discharging all debts and liabilities of the Group, the remaining assets shall not be paid or distributed amongst the Full Members of the Group, but shall be given or transferred to some other voluntary organisation having objects similar to those of the Group.

On behalf of the Group

John Stead

(Chairperson)

16th. February 2011

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Electro-Acoustic Ensemble

INTRODUCTION

This policy aims to address two aspects of child protection:

Ensuring, as far as is possible, that all members, hired staff and volunteers representing Electro-Acoustic Ensemble are fit to be in contact with children.

Ensuring that all staff know how to respond when a child protection issue arises.

1. CONTENTS

1. Contents

2. The Designated Officer for Child Protection

3. Selection and Deployment of Members

4. Member and Hired Staff Behaviour

5. Staff Development

6. Admission Procedures

7. Child Protection Procedures

8. Responding to a Child Protection Issue

9. Model Code of Conduct

2. THE DESIGNATED OFFICER FOR CHILD PROTECTION

2.1 The designated officer for Electro-Acoustic Ensemble for child protection is Nigel Bartram.

3. SELECTION AND DEPLOYMENT OF MEMBERS

Roles

3.1 Electro-Acoustic Ensemble will give all members, hired staff and volunteers clear roles. The abuse of children is most easily concealed where there is confusion amongst adults over roles, responsibilities and accountability. All hired staff will receive a job description and volunteers will also receive a written outline of what is expected of them. All job descriptions will spell out clearly the staff member’s responsibilities for the protection of children.

3.2 Job descriptions will contain a written description of the work the member is expected to do and policy guidelines they must follow, to include:

The person to whom they will be accountable for their work, line manager or supervisor;

The person(s) whose work they will supervise, if any;

A description of the work they will undertake with children, with reference to any relevant guidelines produced by Electro-Acoustic Ensemble for safeguarding the welfare of those children, and

A statement of the member’s / volunteer’s duty to prevent the abuse of children in contact with Electro-Acoustic Ensemble and reference to the action to be taken if abuse is discovered or disclosed.

3.3 The job descriptions of hired staff must observe employment law, but the outline of volunteer’s work will not be complicated. A short list of tasks and responsibilities in addition to the information in paragraph 3.4 above will be enough.

3.4 Job descriptions will be reviewed on a regular basis and whenever the tasks change significantly. The member, the person to whom they are accountable, and Electro-Acoustic Ensemble will each have a copy.

Recruitment and selection

3.5 In its recruitment and selection procedures for all paid or voluntary staff, Electro-Acoustic Ensemble will recognise that some applicants may already have shown themselves to be unfit to care for children. Such people may be very plausible in the way they present themselves.

3.6 The Recruitment and Selection Procedure will be followed for all hired and voluntary staff. This will involve obtaining criminal record checks for all hired and volunteer staff who have unsupervised access to children and young people In the process of recruiting and selecting staff.

In the process of recruiting and selecting members Electro-Acoustic Ensemble will:

4. MEMBER AND HIRED STAFF BEHAVIOR

4.1 This code of conduct sets out the standards expected of Electro-Acoustic Ensemble members:

Members must treat children with respect

Members must not make racist or sexist remarks

Members must take care not to show favouritism

It is the responsibility of members to prevent the abuse of younger or weaker children by older or stronger children through bullying, cruel or humiliating initiation rituals, etc.

5. STAFF DEVELOPMENT

5.1 All hired and volunteer staff who have unsupervised access to children and young people will be provided with training on child protection.

6. ADMISSION PROCEDURES

6.1 Where children are expected to attend sessions regularly it is necessary for Electro-Acoustic Ensemble to:

keep a register of names, addresses, next of kin and contact addresses and telephone numbers for emergencies;

Give parents, and where appropriate older children, a copy of a written statement which specifies the action which Electro-Acoustic Ensemble will take in the event of a child becoming ill or being injured and which indicates that any information which Electro-Acoustic Ensemble receives which suggests that a child has been abused will be passed on to the Social Services Department and/or the Police, and

Electro-Acoustic Ensemble will seek a signed agreement from the parents of each child to your obtaining any necessary medical treatment in an emergency.

7. CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURES

7.1 Child protection is not just about responding to specific allegations or incidents, it is also about the suitability of members to work with children. Electro-Acoustic Ensemble will respond to any concern that a member may not be a suitable person.

8. RESPONDING TO A CHILD PROTECTION ISSUE

8.1 A child protection issue may come to the notice of a member in several ways:

A child may make a direct allegation

A child may make a comment which seems to suggest abuse, or

A child may have bruises or marks, or

Something about a child’s behaviour may suggest the possibility of abuse, or

Something about the behaviour of a staff member may suggest that he/she is not a suitable person to care for children.

8.2 All child protection concerns will be reported to the Social Services Department without delay. There is a designated officer to advise staff on these issues (see above) who will contact the Social Services Department.

In all cases

8.3 The member should tell the person in charge about her/his concerns. This part of the procedure should always make allowance for the possibility that an allegation may be made about a member, including the person in charge.

8.4 All child protection concerns must be passed on to the Social Services Department without delay.

8.5 If the person in charge does not feel that there is any cause for concern but the member disagrees, the concerns must be passed on to the Social Services Department. Child protection is the individual responsibility of each person working with children.

Where any person is concerned about a child protection issue, the concern must be passed on unless there are clear reasons not to do so.

8.6 The member should write down what the child said or the details of any significant marks or behaviour which were observed, noting any names, dates and times. A note should also be made of any witnesses; did anyone else hear what the child said, see the marks or notice the behaviour? This should be done while the details are still fresh in the member’s mind. The procedure should stress that members must write down exactly what the child said, not what they think he/she meant. Of course they may want to pass this on to Social Services as well, but they must start with what the child said.

8.7 The procedure will stress the need to keep the focus of any action on the welfare of the child as a possible victim of abuse.

If a child makes a direct allegation

8.8 The member must not promise to keep the allegation a secret. When an abusive or exploitative relationship exists, the agency cannot agree to keep this secret.

8.9 The member should let the child speak but should not question him/her. The basic rule is to ask only questions which are necessary to clarify whether the child is alleging that abuse has taken place. If at any time it becomes clear that the staff member has misunderstood the situation and that the child is not alleging that abuse has taken place, the situation should be re-assessed as it may not be appropriate to follow this procedure.

8.10 If the child is clearly alleging abuse, the Social Services Department and/or the Police will interview him/her and any further questions must be left for them. This does not mean that the member should tell the child to say nothing more until the authorities arrive. Allow the child to speak for as long as he/she wants to.

8.11 If a child makes a serious allegation about an adult or about an older child, there is a reason and further enquiries should be made. Members should always take the child seriously, but this does not mean accepting everything the child says as a fact.

8.12 If the child makes a clear allegation about a specific person, staff must not try to question that person themselves.

If a child’s comments seem to suggest abuse

8.13 If the child seems to be suggesting abuse, but it is not clear, staff should try to find a suitable time and place to talk to him/her, which will allow him/her to talk freely.

8.14 The member should listen carefully, remembering that a young child may not have the vocabulary to explain clearly what it is that distresses him/her.

8.15 The member should let the child speak and should ask questions only if they are necessary to clarify whether this is something which should be referred to Social Services. As soon as it becomes clear that the child is alleging abuse, all further questions must be left to the interview by the Social Services Department and the Police.

8.16 Members should not promise to keep anything a secret until they know what it is. When an abusive or exploitative relationship exists, the agency cannot agree to keep this secret.

8.17 This part of the procedure should make allowances for the possibility that the child may make an allegation about a member.

8.18 If a child makes a serious allegation about an adult or about an older child, there is a reason and further enquiries should be made. Members should always take the child seriously, but this does not necessarily mean accepting everything that the child says as a fact.

8.19 If, as a result of what the child has said, members are suspicious about a particular person, they should not try to question him/her themselves.

If a bruise or mark, or the child’s behaviour, causes suspicion

8.20 There are a number of things, which may raise questions in the mind of a member; she/he may see that a child has bruises or other marks, or may notice something unusual in the child’s behaviour. Often these observations could have several different explanations and members may be unsure whether they should be concerned or not. Members are not expected to be experts in identifying child abuse.

8.21 It a member is concerned, she/he should try to be clear in her/his own mind exactly what it is that is disturbing him/her.

8.22 It may be appropriate to ask the child or the parent about a mark or about unusual behaviour. Suspicion may be aroused more by an evasive or unconvincing answer than by the mark or behaviour itself.

8.23 If a member becomes suspicious, she/he should note the names of anyone else who saw the mark, behaviour, etc which caused the concern.

8.24 If members are suspicious about a particular person, they must not try to question him/her themselves.

Unsuitable members

8.25 Questions about the suitability of a member to work with children should not be limited to situations in which there is positive evidence of abuse. Other pointers include failure to respond appropriately to the needs of children, neglecting some children in favour of others and failure to respect the wishes of parents. The agency should be clear about the standards of care which it expects from its staff and about the result of failure to meet these standards.

8.26 If a member is felt to be unsuitable to care for children, the agency should consider whether it is appropriate to discuss their concerns with the Social Services Department.

8.27 If the agency decides that the behaviour of a member has harmed a child or placed a child at risk of harm, and as a result that person should no longer carry out childcare duties on behalf of the agency. It should consider whether to refer the person’s name to the Secretary of State for possible inclusion on the Protection of Children Act list.

Co-operating with child protection enquiries

8.28 Child protection enquiries are carried out by the Social Services Department and the Police, usually acting together. Members are expected to co-operate with enquiries as far as possible within the role of the Electro- Acoustic Ensemble and of the member. The Social Services Department and the Police may not always be clear about Electro-Acoustic Ensemble’s role and purpose: members can and should question any request which seems inappropriate.

If suspicion falls on a member of Electro-Acoustic Ensemble

8.29 If an allegation is made about a member, this will be referred to the Social Services Department who will make enquiries. This will be linked to the disciplinary procedure.

8.30 If an allegation is made about a member or for any other reason suspicion falls on a member, Electro-Acoustic Ensemble will follow the advice of the Social Services Department until the enquiries are complete. It will often be necessary to suspend the member from involvement in any contact with children on behalf of Electro-Acoustic Ensemble This action is intended to safeguard the welfare of children and does not assume the guilt of the member. The member will need support and help will be provided to signpost him/her to suitable sources of support.

8.31 When suspicion falls on a member, there are three possible outcomes:

It may be proved to Electro-Acoustic Ensemble satisfaction that the member has abused one or more children,

It may be proved to Electro-Acoustic Ensemble satisfaction that the member is not guilty of abuse, or

The enquiries may be inconclusive, leaving suspicion, but no proof about the member’s behaviour.

The last of these possibilities always raises sensitive issues and it is important that the Electro-Acoustic Ensemble has a policy about how to deal with it.

9 CODE OF PRACTICE

1. It is the policy of Electro-Acoustic Ensemble to provide a safe and secure environment in which children can thrive and develop and where all aspects of their welfare are protected.

2. Electro-Acoustic Ensemble will minimise the situations in which abuse of children might occur.

3. Any child using the services of Electro-Acoustic Ensemble and anyone acting on behalf of such a child may complain to the management about any aspect of the service they receive. There will be a simple and well-publicised process for this and complainants will have a right of appeal to an independent person/agency if they are dissatisfied with the way a complaint is handled.

4. Any child using the services of Electro-Acoustic Ensemble may disclose to a member any abuse they may be suffering elsewhere in their lives and members will be vigilant for the signs of abuse.

5. Any indication that a child may be suffering from abuse will immediately trigger child protection procedures. The procedures are consistent with the good practice guidelines of the Area Child Protection Committee.

6. In hiring staff, either paid or voluntary, full-time or part-time, Electro-Acoustic Ensemble will follow a systematic selection process designed to assess the applicant’s suitability for the post and to work with children.

7. Checks will be made to ensure that all the information provided by any potential member of Electro-Acoustic Ensemble is accurate and, within the limits of procedures available, members will be checked for any offences they may have committed against children.

8. No member will be appointed to any position in Electro-Acoustic Ensemble without two suitable references being provided. All referees must be persons who can comment on relevant and recent aspects of the applicant’s work with children.

9. All new memberships to Electro-Acoustic Ensemble will be subject to a probationary period during which they will receive close supervisory attention.

10. All paid and voluntary staff of Electro-Acoustic Ensemble will have clear roles detailed for them.

11. The supervision of members will be used as a means of ensuring that the children using the services of Electro-Acoustic Ensemble receive adequate and appropriate protection.

12. Where members occupy high risk posts or are working in high risk settings or situations Electro-Acoustic Ensemble will be extra vigilant in its supervisory role.

13. Members at all levels of Electro-Acoustic Ensemble will be offered and encouraged to undertake training in matters of child protection and in appropriate circumstances this training will be compulsory.

14. Electro-Acoustic Ensemble will ensure that issues of child protection receive continuous attention and will regularly review the way that Electro-Acoustic Ensemble operates to support this principle.

Definitions of Abuse

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. It may be the result of a deliberate act, but could also be caused through the omission or failure to act to protect.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill-treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve making a child feel or believe that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of ill-treatment of a child, though it may occur alone.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of, or consents to, what is happening. It may involve physical contact, including rape or oral sex, or non-penetrative acts such as fondling. Boys and girls can be sexually abused by males and/or females, and by other young people. It also includes non-contact activities such as involving children in watching or taking part in the making of pornographic material, or encouraging children to behave in inappropriate ways.

Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may involve failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, or failing to ensure that a child gets appropriate medical care or treatment.

Child Abuse - Signs and Symptoms

Although these signs do not necessarily indicate that a child has been abused, they may help adults recognise that something is wrong. The possibility of abuse should be investigated if a child shows a number of these symptoms, or any of them to a marked degree:

Sexual Abuse

Being overly affectionate or knowledgeable in a sexual way inappropriate to the child's age

Medical problems such as chronic itching, pain in the genitals, venereal diseases

Other extreme reactions, such as depression, self-mutilation, suicide attempts, running away, overdoses, anorexia

Personality changes such as becoming insecure or clinging

Regressing to younger behaviour patterns such as thumb sucking or bringing out discarded cuddly toys

Sudden loss of appetite or compulsive eating

Being isolated or withdrawn

Inability to concentrate

Lack of trust or fear of someone they know well, such as not wanting to be alone with a babysitter or child minder

Starting to wet again, day or night/nightmares

Become worried about clothing being removed

Suddenly drawing sexually explicit pictures

Trying to be 'ultra-good' or perfect; overreacting to criticism

Physical Abuse

Unexplained recurrent injuries or burns

Improbable excuses or refusal to explain injuries

Wearing clothes to cover injuries, even in hot weather

Refusal to undress for gym

Bald patches

Chronic running away

Fear of medical help or examination

Self-destructive tendencies

Aggression towards others

Fear of physical contact - shrinking back if touched

Admitting that they are punished, but the punishment is excessive (such as a child being beaten every night to 'make him study')

Fear of suspected abuser being contacted

Emotional Abuse

Physical, mental and emotional development lags

Sudden speech disorders

Continual self-depreciation ('I'm stupid, ugly, worthless, etc')

Overreaction to mistakes

Extreme fear of any new situation

Inappropriate response to pain ('I deserve this')

Neurotic behaviour (rocking, hair twisting, self-mutilation)

Extremes of passivity or aggression

Neglect

Constant hunger

Poor personal hygiene

Constant tiredness

Poor state of clothing

Emaciation

Untreated medical problems

No social relationships

Compulsive scavenging

Destructive tendencies

Note: A child may be subjected to a combination of different kinds of abuse.

It is also possible that a child may show no outward signs and hide what is happening from everyone

E.A.E. 2011