G Major Music Makers Privacy Policy
Safeguarding Contact: Gerry Hughes
Telephone: 07394 451 420
Email: info@gmajormusicmakers.com
Last updated: October 2026
1. OUR COMMITMENT
At G Major Music Makers, the safety, wellbeing and protection of every student is a priority.
We provide music tuition to children, young people and adults, and are committed to creating a safe, welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment where students can learn, develop confidence and enjoy making music.
We recognise that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Our approach is informed by the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland.
2. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFEGUARDING?
G Major Music Makers is owned and operated by Gerry Hughes.
Gerry is responsible for safeguarding within the business and for ensuring that any safeguarding concern is taken seriously and dealt with appropriately.
Safeguarding Contact:
Gerry Hughes
Telephone: 07394 451 420
Email: info@gmajormusicmakers.com
3. OUR SAFEGUARDING PRINCIPLES
We are committed to ensuring that every student:
- Is treated with dignity and respect
- Feels safe, listened to and valued
- Can learn in an environment free from abuse, bullying and discrimination
- Is treated fairly regardless of age, ability, background or circumstances
- Knows how to raise a concern or ask for help
- Has their personal information handled appropriately
We recognise that safeguarding concerns may include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, bullying, exploitation or other circumstances that may place a child or young person at risk of harm.
4. SAFER WORKING PRACTICES
G Major Music Makers will maintain appropriate professional boundaries when working with students.
This includes:
- Maintaining professional and appropriate relationships with students
- Treating students fairly and respectfully
- Avoiding inappropriate physical contact
- Avoiding behaviour that could reasonably be viewed as intimidating, humiliating or inappropriate
- Keeping communication with students professional
- Communicating with parents or guardians where appropriate
- Recording and responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns
- Following relevant Scottish child protection procedures and guidance
Where a role carried out by G Major Music Makers meets the legal criteria for a regulated role, the appropriate Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) arrangements will be maintained.
5. WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
G Major Music Makers provides tuition to children and young people as well as adults.
Where lessons are provided to children, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate safeguarding arrangements are in place.
We will maintain clear professional boundaries and aim to ensure that communication, lesson arrangements and interactions are appropriate for the student's age and circumstances.
Where appropriate, parents or guardians will be kept informed about lesson arrangements and matters relating to the student's welfare.
6. PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
We recognise parents and guardians as important partners in supporting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
We aim to communicate openly and appropriately with parents or guardians regarding lessons, arrangements and any concerns affecting a student's welfare.
However, there may be circumstances where it would not be appropriate to inform a parent or guardian before safeguarding advice is sought or information is shared. This may be the case where doing so could increase the risk of harm to the child or young person.
7. RECOGNISING A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN
A safeguarding concern may arise if:
- A student tells us that something has happened to them
- A student tells us they are worried about another person
- We observe something that causes concern
- There is a noticeable change in a student's behaviour or presentation
- A parent, guardian or another person raises a concern
- We receive information indicating that a child or young person may be at risk of harm
All safeguarding concerns will be taken seriously.
8. IF A STUDENT TELLS US SOMETHING
If a student discloses something that causes concern, we will:
- Listen calmly and take them seriously
- Give them an opportunity to explain what has happened in their own words
- Avoid asking unnecessary or leading questions
- Avoid making promises that information will remain completely confidential
- Explain that information may need to be shared with people who can help keep them safe
- Make an appropriate record of the concern
- Seek appropriate safeguarding advice
- Report the concern to the relevant authority where necessary
We will not attempt to investigate allegations ourselves. Our role is to listen, record and take appropriate action.
9. REPORTING CONCERNS
Where we believe that a child or young person may be at risk of harm, we will take appropriate action.
Depending on the circumstances, this may include contacting the relevant:
- Local authority social work or child protection service
- Police Scotland
- Emergency or other safeguarding services
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
For non-emergency police matters, contact Police Scotland on 101.
10. CONCERNS INVOLVING GERRY OR ANOTHER PERSON WORKING FOR THE BUSINESS
Any safeguarding concern or allegation involving Gerry Hughes or another person acting on behalf of G Major Music Makers will be treated seriously.
Where a concern involves the person responsible for safeguarding, the matter will be referred to an appropriate external safeguarding authority rather than being dealt with solely within the business.
We will not interfere with or attempt to replace any investigation carried out by an appropriate authority.
11. CONFIDENTIALITY AND INFORMATION SHARING
Safeguarding information will be treated sensitively and shared only where there is a legitimate reason to do so.
Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where information needs to be shared to protect a child or young person from harm or where there is a legal requirement to disclose information.
We will handle personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable data protection law.
12. ONLINE COMMUNICATION
Where communication takes place electronically, it should remain professional and appropriate.
Where lessons are provided to children or young people, communication should normally take place through appropriate business channels and, where appropriate, with a parent or guardian involved.
Concerns involving inappropriate messages, images, online contact or behaviour will be taken seriously.
13. PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO AND SOCIAL MEDIA
We recognise that photographs and videos can form an important part of promoting a music tuition business.
We will not use identifiable photographs or videos of children or young people for promotional purposes without appropriate permission.
Where permission is required, it will be obtained from the appropriate parent or guardian.
We will consider the student's privacy and best interests before using any child-related image or content publicly.
14. EQUALITY AND INCLUSION
G Major Music Makers is committed to providing an inclusive learning environment.
We do not tolerate bullying, discrimination, harassment, intimidation or abusive behaviour.
Every student should be treated with respect and given the opportunity to participate in music tuition in a safe and supportive environment.
15. REVIEWING THIS POLICY
This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated where necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, our services or the way we operate.
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Last updated: October 2026