Handside Music – Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

Last updated: 22 Nov 2025

Handside Music is committed to providing a safe, respectful and supportive learning environment for every student. As private music teachers working regularly with children and young people, Michael Veazey and Jennifer Carter take safeguarding seriously and follow reasonable, practical measures to promote the welfare of all under-18 students.

This policy explains how we approach safeguarding in a domestic teaching environment and what parents/guardians can expect when their child attends lessons with us.

1. Who This Policy Covers

This policy applies to lessons delivered directly by:

Michael Veazey (Basic DBS check)

Jennifer Carter (Enhanced DBS check)

It covers all teaching delivered under the Handside Music name by the above individuals.

2. Our Commitment to Safeguarding

We are committed to:

- Promoting the welfare, safety and wellbeing of every student

- Providing a safe, calm and respectful teaching space

- Maintaining professional boundaries at all times

- Acting appropriately if concerns arise

- Being transparent with parents about lesson arrangements

- Ensuring privacy and safeguarding are balanced sensibly with the realities of home teaching

3. DBS Checks

Jennifer Carter holds an Enhanced DBS check, suitable for working with children.

Michael Veazey holds a Basic DBS check, suitable for private tuition in a domestic setting.

DBS certification can be shown to parents upon request.

4. Teaching Environment & Supervision

4.1 Lessons taught in our home

Because we teach in a domestic setting with a young family present, our safeguarding approach balances:

Student safety

Practicality

Privacy

Noise considerations

Accordingly:

A parent/guardian is welcome to remain present during the lesson at any time.

A parent/guardian is not required to stay in the room, provided they:

Are contactable by phone, and

Are within very close proximity (e.g., on the premises or in the immediate local area), and

Are able to return promptly if required.

The main teaching room uses a closed door due to noise and family considerations; however:

Lessons are audible from the adjacent living space, and

Parents are welcome to sit nearby if they wish to hear the lesson.

The secondary teaching room includes a glass panel; parents may request the blind be raised, though this is not routinely necessary due to privacy, distraction, and temperature considerations.

Teachers do not supervise students outside the designated teaching time or teaching room

5. Professional Boundaries

We maintain clear professional boundaries at all times.

Teachers will:

Use appropriate, respectful language

Avoid unnecessary physical contact

Communicate with students under 18 via a parent/guardian, not directly

Use only professional contact channels (email, WhatsApp Business, MTP, phone)

Keep interactions appropriate for a teaching environment

Avoid being alone with a child outside scheduled lessons

Teachers will not:

Use personal social media to communicate with students

Transport students

Take responsibility for supervision outside lesson time

Engage in behaviour that could be misinterpreted or considered unprofessional

6. Photos, Videos & Recordings

We never take photos or videos of students without explicit parental permission.

Permission must be given in writing (email, WhatsApp Business, or signed consent).

No media is used publicly without specific parental approval.

Parents may withdraw permission at any time.

7. Handling Safeguarding Concerns

If we have concerns about a student’s wellbeing, we may:

Speak directly with the parent/guardian

Recommend contacting relevant support services if appropriate

In serious cases, follow recognised safeguarding steps, which may include contacting:

Hertfordshire Children’s Services

NSPCC

Police (in urgent circumstances)

All concerns are approached sensitively and with the student’s best interests in mind.

8. Parent / Guardian Responsibilities

Parents/guardians agree to:

Remain contactable during lessons

Be within close proximity and able to return promptly if needed

Provide relevant medical, behavioural or learning information

Support a respectful teaching environment

Ensure safe drop-off and collection

Supervise siblings in other rooms

9. Reporting a Concern

If you have any safeguarding concern regarding lessons or conduct, please contact:

Michael Veazey, Studio Managing Director

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 07946 495639

All concerns are taken seriously and handled with discretion.

10. Policy Updates

We periodically review this policy to ensure it remains accurate, reasonable and aligned with the practical realities of our teaching environment. Updates will be made if our teaching arrangements or legal guidance change.