Safeguarding Policy

The Edinburgh Society of Organists is a registered charity (registration SC013728) operated and managed entirely by volunteers. It aims to advance the education of the public in the art of music with special reference to liturgical and organ music. Membership is open to any interested person upon payment of an annual subscription. There is no minimum age requirement, but for members under the age of 16, the participation of their parents or guardians is required to ensure adherence to this Safeguarding Policy.

The Safeguarding Policy

The Edinburgh Society of Organists welcomes all to its events. It recognises that some of those members and guests will be young people and vulnerable adults, and it is committed to ensuring a safe environment for them.

We aim to achieve this by:

• Recognising that all young people and vulnerable adults have the right to freedom from abuse and harm;
• Promoting joint working with parents/carers in the interest of the welfare of young people  and vulnerable adults;
• Ensuring that our members, volunteers and others are aware of and accept responsibility for helping to prevent the abuse of young people and vulnerable adults;
• Designating a Safeguarding Officer who takes specific responsibility for the protection, safety and well-being of young people and vulnerable adults;
• Supporting our members in bringing concerns to the designated Safeguarding Officer;
• Responding quickly and appropriately to all suspicions or allegations of abuse;
• Providing parents/carers, young people and vulnerable adults with the opportunity to voice any concerns they may have;
• Regularly reviewing the effectiveness of our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.

Responsibilities regarding parents/carers

• Young people under the age of 16 are welcome to attend all of our events either accompanied by a parent/carer or another responsible adult designated by the parent/carer;
• Parental consent will be sought in writing should the ESO wish to publish any photographs taken at meetings. There could also be other instances where the ESO may ask for parental consent, should it be felt appropriate;
• Member’s contact details are shared with the membership annually by way of a printed Syllabus and List of Members. For members under the age of 16, their name may be included if requested on the membership application form, but their contact details will not be published. Parents/carers are instead encouraged to provide their own phone number/email address as the means of contact;
• Members will not provide transport to/from an ESO event to a young person, except on a rare occasion for which written consent from the parent/carer has been provided in advance. In this case, at least one adult in addition to the driver will require be present in the car.

The Safeguarding Officer

The nominated interim ESO Safeguarding Officer is Peter Burman, ESO President. Any concerns should be directed in confidence to him in the first instance. He can be contacted by emailing: president@edinburghorganists.org

These concerns will be immediately referred to the ESO Council and, where appropriate, to the Police.

This Policy was approved by the Council of the Edinburgh Society of Organists on 23^rd July 2026