SAFEGUARDING & CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA

Policy owner: Valentyna Maslovska-Birgiel
Date adopted: 19/09/26
Last reviewed: 19/09/26
Next review: 19/09/27

1. Purpose of this Policy

FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA, operated by Valentyna Maslovska-Birgiel, is committed to providing a safe, respectful and professional environment for all clients.

This policy explains the arrangements in place to safeguard children and young people under the age of 18 who receive voice coaching, vocal lessons or related services from FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA.

This policy applies to:

  • online lessons; and

  • in-person lessons held at a location agreed in advance.

For in-person lessons, the location will be discussed and agreed with the client and, where the student is under 18, their parent or legal guardian before the lesson takes place.

This policy is intended to reflect relevant safeguarding guidance applicable to private tuition and music and creative lessons in England.

2. Our Commitment to Safeguarding

Safeguarding means taking reasonable steps to protect children from abuse, neglect, exploitation and other forms of harm, and taking appropriate action where a concern arises.

FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA does not tolerate physical, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse of a child.

The welfare and best interests of the child will be treated as a priority.

FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA aims to:

  • provide a safe and professional learning environment;

  • maintain appropriate boundaries between coach and student;

  • listen to children and take concerns seriously;

  • respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns;

  • involve parents or legal guardians appropriately;

  • maintain appropriate confidentiality;

  • protect personal information;

  • provide safe arrangements for online and in-person sessions; and

  • review safeguarding arrangements regularly.

3. Designated Safeguarding Lead

As a sole voice coach, Valentyna Maslovska-Birgiel is responsible for safeguarding and acts as the Designated Safeguarding Lead for FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA.

Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Valentyna Maslovska-Birgiel

Business:
FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA

Email:
vale.cooperation@gmail.com

Any safeguarding concern should be raised with the Designated Safeguarding Lead as soon as reasonably possible.

If a concern involves the Designated Safeguarding Lead personally, or a person believes it would not be appropriate to raise the concern with her, the concern should be reported directly to Croydon Council's safeguarding service or the police, depending on the circumstances.

4. Parent / Legal Guardian Consent

Written consent from a parent or legal guardian is required before lessons begin for students under 18.

The parent or legal guardian will be provided with the appropriate parental consent form before the first session.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to remain involved in their child's lessons and may raise questions or concerns with FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA at any time.

For one-to-one online lessons, parents or guardians are encouraged to be aware of when lessons are taking place and, where appropriate, remain available during the session.

5. Professional Boundaries

Professional boundaries will be maintained at all times.

FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA will:

  • communicate with students appropriately and professionally;

  • avoid inappropriate personal relationships with students;

  • avoid inappropriate physical contact;

  • avoid inappropriate conversations or communications;

  • avoid inappropriate private social-media communication with children;

  • keep communications relevant to lessons, scheduling, welfare and appropriate professional matters;

  • maintain appropriate records where a safeguarding concern arises; and

  • encourage appropriate parental or guardian involvement.

Students will not be encouraged to keep communications or interactions with the coach secret from their parent or guardian.

6. Online Lessons

Online lessons require particular attention to privacy and safety.

Where lessons take place online:

  • an appropriate video or audio platform will be used;

  • the student should participate from a suitable environment;

  • parents or guardians should be aware of when lessons are taking place;

  • inappropriate behaviour, communications or content will not be tolerated;

  • the coach may pause or end a session where there is a serious safety or safeguarding concern;

  • recordings will only be made where appropriate consent has been provided; and

  • recordings will be handled in accordance with the FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA Privacy Notice.

Students should not be asked to move conversations from an agreed professional communication channel to inappropriate or secret communication channels.

7. In-Person Lessons

Where an in-person lesson is agreed, the location will be discussed and agreed in advance with the student and, where the student is under 18, their parent or legal guardian.

Reasonable steps will be taken to ensure that the environment is suitable and safe for the lesson.

FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA will maintain appropriate professional boundaries and will not engage in inappropriate physical contact.

Parents or guardians should know the agreed location, date and approximate duration of their child's lesson.

Any relevant access, health or safety requirements should be communicated before the lesson.

8. Photography, Video & Audio Recording

Photography, video and audio recording are not a condition of receiving lessons.

Where recording is useful for teaching or progress purposes, appropriate consent will be obtained.

For students under 18, parental or legal guardian consent will be obtained before recording where required.

Promotional use of a child's photograph, video or audio will require separate, specific consent from the parent or legal guardian.

Recordings will be handled in accordance with the FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA Privacy Notice and applicable data protection requirements.

Parents or guardians may contact FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA regarding withdrawal of consent for future promotional use.

9. Recognising a Safeguarding Concern

A safeguarding concern may arise where there is information or behaviour suggesting that a child:

  • may be experiencing abuse or neglect;

  • may be at risk of physical, emotional or sexual harm;

  • may be experiencing inappropriate behaviour from an adult or another child;

  • may be subject to bullying, exploitation or other harmful behaviour;

  • has disclosed something that causes concern about their safety or wellbeing; or

  • may otherwise be at risk of significant harm.

A concern does not need to be proven before it is taken seriously.

10. If a Child Discloses a Concern

If a child tells the coach about something that may indicate abuse or another safeguarding concern, the coach will:

  1. listen calmly;

  2. take the child seriously;

  3. avoid making promises of complete confidentiality;

  4. avoid leading questions or attempting to investigate the matter personally;

  5. record relevant information as accurately as reasonably possible;

  6. consider what immediate action is necessary to protect the child; and

  7. seek appropriate safeguarding advice or make a referral where necessary.

FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA will not attempt to conduct a professional investigation into an allegation.

11. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

Where there is a safeguarding concern, FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA will consider the circumstances and take appropriate action.

This may include:

  • discussing the concern with the parent or legal guardian where it is safe and appropriate to do so;

  • seeking advice from Croydon Council's safeguarding service;

  • making a referral to children's social care;

  • contacting the police where there is an immediate danger or suspected criminal offence; or

  • contacting emergency services where there is an immediate risk of serious harm.

Consent is not necessarily required before sharing information where information needs to be shared appropriately to protect a child from harm.

Relevant information will be shared on a need-to-know basis and handled in accordance with applicable data protection requirements.

12. Emergency & Safeguarding Contacts

Immediate Danger

999

If a child is in immediate danger or there is an immediate risk of serious harm, call 999.

Croydon Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

For concerns about a child or young person in Croydon:

Telephone: 020 8255 2888
Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm

Website:
Croydon Council – Concerned about a child?

Croydon Council states that members of the public can make a referral anonymously where appropriate. Online referrals can also be made through the Council's children and families portal.

Out-of-Hours Urgent Safeguarding Concerns

Croydon Emergency Duty Team: 020 8726 6400

Select Children's Services and follow the instructions provided.

Police Non-Emergency

101

Croydon Safeguarding Children Partnership

FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA will refer to the Croydon Safeguarding Children Partnership and relevant Croydon Council safeguarding procedures where appropriate.

Website:
Croydon Safeguarding Children Partnership

13. Allegations or Concerns About the Coach

Any concern or allegation involving Valentyna Maslovska-Birgiel will be taken seriously.

If an allegation or concern is made about an adult working with children, including the coach, the matter should not be investigated personally by the person who is the subject of the allegation.

Appropriate advice should be sought from the Croydon Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), the police or another appropriate safeguarding authority, depending on the circumstances.

Croydon LADO

Email: LADO@croydon.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 8726 6000

Website:
Croydon Council – Reporting a concern about an adult who works with children

14. Complaints and Concerns

Parents, guardians and students are encouraged to raise concerns as soon as possible.

FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA

Email:
vale.cooperation@gmail.com

Safeguarding concerns should be clearly identified as safeguarding concerns so they can be dealt with appropriately.

15. Confidentiality

Information shared during lessons will generally be treated respectfully and confidentially.

However, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where information needs to be shared to protect a child or another person from serious harm, or where disclosure is otherwise required or permitted by law.

Safeguarding information will be handled carefully and shared only where appropriate.

16. Data Protection

Personal information relating to students and parents or guardians will be handled in accordance with the FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA Privacy Notice and applicable UK data protection law.

Privacy Notice:
https://freevoicevalentinamaslovska.co.uk/privacy-policy

Safeguarding records will be kept securely and retained only for as long as reasonably necessary, taking account of applicable legal, safeguarding, insurance and record-keeping requirements.

17. Safer Working Practices

As a sole provider, FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA will take reasonable steps to maintain safe working practices, including:

  • obtaining parental or legal guardian consent before teaching under-18s;

  • maintaining appropriate professional boundaries;

  • using appropriate communication channels;

  • keeping relevant parent, guardian and emergency contact information;

  • maintaining appropriate records of safeguarding concerns;

  • having procedures for online and in-person sessions;

  • maintaining appropriate insurance;

  • considering relevant DBS requirements where applicable; and

  • keeping safeguarding arrangements under regular review.

18. DBS Checks

Where DBS eligibility applies to the services being provided, Valentyna Maslovska-Birgiel will consider and obtain the appropriate level of DBS check in accordance with current government guidance.

A DBS check is one part of safer working arrangements and does not replace appropriate safeguarding policies, professional boundaries or safeguarding procedures.

19. Review of this Policy

This policy will be reviewed at least annually and updated where necessary to reflect changes in legislation, government guidance, the services provided or the way lessons are delivered.

The policy will also be reviewed sooner if there is a significant change to the business, safeguarding arrangements or relevant guidance.

Policy owner:
Valentyna Maslovska-Birgiel

Business:
FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA

Date adopted:
19/09/26

Last reviewed:
19/09/26

Next review:
19/09/27

Important Contacts

Emergency: 999

Police non-emergency: 101

Croydon MASH: 020 8255 2888

Croydon Emergency Duty Team: 020 8726 6400

Croydon LADO: LADO@croydon.gov.uk / 020 8726 6000

NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000

Childline: 0800 1111

Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Valentyna Maslovska-Birgiel

Business:
FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA

Email:
vale.cooperation@gmail.com

This policy is intended as a practical safeguarding document for FREEVOICEVALENTINAMASLOVSKA. It should be reviewed against the circumstances of the business and current UK/England guidance. It does not constitute legal advice.