Safeguarding & Child Protection 

The Brunei Youth Symphony (BYS) is committed to providing a safe, respectful, inclusive and supportive environment in which young musicians can learn, perform and develop.

As an organization working with children and young people, we recognize that their safety and well-being must remain a fundamental priority in everything we do.

Our safeguarding approach applies to BYS rehearsals, performances, workshops, events, trips, auditions and other activities organized or supported by BYS.

Our Commitment

BYS is committed to:

• Putting the safety and well-being of children and young people at the center of our activities.

• Treating all students with dignity, respect and fairness.

• Maintaining an environment free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination and inappropriate behaviour.

• Taking concerns about the welfare or safety of a young person seriously and responding appropriately.

• Ensuring that adults working with BYS students understand their responsibilities when interacting with young people.

• Assessing and managing risks associated with rehearsals, performances, travel, events and other BYS activities.

• Maintaining appropriate boundaries between students and adults, including in-person and digital communication.

• Working appropriately with parents, guardians, venues and relevant authorities where concerns arise.

• Reviewing our safeguarding practices as BYS continues to grow.

Professional Boundaries

Everyone involved in BYS is expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries when working with students.

This includes:

• Communicating with students in an appropriate and professional manner.

• Avoiding unnecessary private or secretive interactions with students.

• Using appropriate channels when communicating with students outside rehearsals or lessons.

• Maintaining appropriate physical and personal boundaries.

• Never engaging in conduct that could reasonably place a student at risk of harm or cause them to feel unsafe.

• Reporting concerns rather than attempting to investigate or resolve serious safeguarding matters independently.

BYS also recognizes that safeguarding extends to the digital environment, including messaging platforms, social media, online rehearsals and other forms of electronic communication.

Raising a Concern

A safeguarding concern does not need to involve certainty or proof of abuse.

If a student, parent, guardian, committee member, teacher, volunteer or any other person involved with BYS has a concern about the safety or well-being of a young person, the concern should be raised with the BYS Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Concerns will be treated seriously and handled as sensitively and confidentially as possible. Information will only be shared with those who need it in order to protect the young person or respond appropriately to the concern.

Where a concern indicates that a young person may be at risk of significant harm, BYS may refer the matter to the appropriate Brunei authorities or professional services in accordance with applicable law and safeguarding procedures.

If a Young Person Speaks to You

If a young person tells you about something that has made them feel unsafe or has caused them harm:

• Listen calmly and allow them to speak.

• Take what they say seriously.

• Do not promise to keep the information secret.

• Avoid leading questions or attempting to investigate the matter yourself.

• Record the relevant information accurately where appropriate.

• Report the concern promptly to one of our BYS committee member.

The priority is always the safety and well-being of the young person.

Photography, Filming & Social Media

BYS regularly documents rehearsals, performances and activities for communication, archival and promotional purposes.

Photography and filming involving students will be managed with appropriate consent and consideration for student privacy and safety.

Students' personal information, contact details and other sensitive information will not be publicly disclosed without appropriate authorization.

Further information on how BYS handles personal data can be found in our Privacy Policy.

Responsibility

Safeguarding is a shared responsibility.

All BYS committee members, teachers, volunteers, contractors and other adults working with or around BYS students are expected to contribute to maintaining a safe environment and to raise concerns when necessary.

BYS will continue to develop its safeguarding practices as the organization grows and will review its procedures periodically to ensure they remain appropriate to its activities and responsibilities.

For concerns requiring immediate assistance, please contact the appropriate emergency or child-protection authorities in Brunei Darussalam.

Last updated: August 2026

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