Safeguarding Safeguarding is an area that every music teacher needs to know about. Following good safeguarding practices in music lessons, online or face-to-face, creates a safe and secure environment for children, young adults and vulnerable adults to learn in. Last updated: 29 April 2025 The Musicians’ Union is committed to upholding the highest standards of safeguarding, child protection and protection of vulnerable adults. Our Safeguarding Policy seeks to clarify where safeguarding overlaps with the MU’s work, setting out our roles and limitations in this area. Our Safeguarding Code of Conduct describes expected behaviours for MU members working in music education, whether in instrumental or vocal teaching, outreach, workshop leading, ensemble coaching or any other related activity. It also applies to members working with children and vulnerable adults in other capacities, e.g. working on a theatre production that involves child actors. Our Safeguarding Statement is provided for self-employed members. It links to our Code of Conduct and is a simple way to provide a written commitment to safeguarding for schools, parents and other engagers. Our DBS guidance explains the requirements for DBS checks and equivalent checks in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It also explains how MU members can obtain an enhanced DBS check through the MU. Child Protection in Education (Music) is a bespoke online course developed by Educare in partnership with the MU. The course costs £29.49, excluding VAT. It covers: Child development Forms of child abuse Recognising child abuse Reporting abuse and the child protection system Good practice You can watch a series of advice videos created as part of this online course on YouTube. The MU provides in-person or online safeguarding training on request and subject to availability. This is delivered by MU officials who are not safeguarding professionals but who seek to place safeguarding principles within a music education context. We have delivered safeguarding training to Music Hubs, schools, student groups and performing organisations. Contact education@themu.org for more information. The MU also provides advice on safeguarding when teaching instrumental and vocal lessons online, and advice on what to do if you are subject to a safeguarding allegation. Members can contact the MU to discuss any aspect of safeguarding. Please note that the MU is not a crisis service for safeguarding emergencies. If in doubt, contact the NSPCC or the police. The MU can advise members on less urgent safeguarding issues, which may involve referral to an appropriate organisation. Supplementary information Advice, help and support on safeguarding children The NSPCC has a free 24-hour helpline if you are worried about a child: 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk. It also has a comprehensive information hub on child abuse, including: Types of abuse Spotting abuse Effects of abuse Children’s stories Reporting child abuse and neglect Support for parents The NSPCC also has a wide-ranging general advice hub that includes information on children’s mental health and keeping safe online. NSPCC Learning provides information on grooming which includes: Signs of grooming How it happens Speaking out Children at risk Prevention References and resources NSPCC Learning also provides summaries of the child protection frameworks and legislation in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as information on the history of child protection in the UK. Advice on safeguarding vulnerable adults Mencap, the learning disability charity, provides advice on safeguarding vulnerable adults and a list of agencies and services that can be of assistance in a crisis situation. The NHS provides information on the abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults, including who to contact if you have concerns. Hourglass is the UK’s only charity focusing on the abuse and neglect of older people. It has a free 24-hour helpline: call 0808 800 8141 or free text 07860 052 906. Member services Enhanced DBS Checks at a Reduced Cost MU members in England and Wales can apply for an Enhanced DBS Check, simplifying and speeding up the process Read more about Enhanced DBS Checks at a Reduced Cost £1m Professional Indemnity Insurance Protect yourself against unexpected claims such as negligence allegation while working as a music teacher Read more about £1m Professional Indemnity Insurance Receive £10m in Public Liability Insurance Reduce your public liability covering injury and damage - an essential for musicians who perform in public spaces Read more about Receive £10m in Public Liability Insurance Career Advice for Teaching Musicians Get industry expert guidance specifically for musicians who teach privately or in schools Read more about Career Advice for Teaching Musicians Become an MU Education Rep If you work as a music teacher, you can help us by becoming an Education Rep Read more about Become an MU Education Rep Reduced Rates with NEU, EIS or UCU Members of the NEU, EIS and UCU can access all MU benefits at more affordable rates Read more about Reduced Rates with NEU, EIS or UCU Latest education news MU Partners with Clermont Hotels to Offer Members Discounted Rooms in London Our new partnership with Clermont Hotels means MU members can book discounted hotel rooms at various locations in London, as an exclusive membership benefit. Published: 01 May 2025 Read more about MU Partners with Clermont Hotels to Offer Members Discounted Rooms in London Changes to the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 (Disclosure Act) Changes have been introduced to the disclosure system in Scotland from 1 April 2025, aiming to remove unnecessary barriers for those seeking work and enhance the PVG Scheme. Published: 08 April 2025 Read more about Changes to the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 (Disclosure Act) MU Launches Another Member Benefit of Discounted Hotels Across UK Our new partnership with Point A Hotels means that members can now benefit from discounted hotel rooms in Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London. Published: 01 April 2025 Read more about MU Launches Another Member Benefit of Discounted Hotels Across UK Curriculum Review: Sign the Campaign Letter to Help Make Space for the Arts in Schools Following the publication of an interim report from the government’s Curriculum Review, our open letter to ministers highlights the desperate need to make space for the arts in schools. Published: 31 March 2025 Read more about Curriculum Review: Sign the Campaign Letter to Help Make Space for the Arts in Schools Government Announces New Centre for Arts and Music Education The MU welcomes the news, which we hope will be central to the Labour Government’s delivery on its pledges to boost music and arts education in England. Published: 19 March 2025 Read more about Government Announces New Centre for Arts and Music Education Read more Contact the Musicians' Union today The MU has a network of experienced teams available to help musicians in all areas of the industry. If you have any questions about our services, membership or how the MU could help you, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Contact the MU
Enhanced DBS Checks at a Reduced Cost MU members in England and Wales can apply for an Enhanced DBS Check, simplifying and speeding up the process Read more about Enhanced DBS Checks at a Reduced Cost
£1m Professional Indemnity Insurance Protect yourself against unexpected claims such as negligence allegation while working as a music teacher Read more about £1m Professional Indemnity Insurance
Receive £10m in Public Liability Insurance Reduce your public liability covering injury and damage - an essential for musicians who perform in public spaces Read more about Receive £10m in Public Liability Insurance
Career Advice for Teaching Musicians Get industry expert guidance specifically for musicians who teach privately or in schools Read more about Career Advice for Teaching Musicians
Become an MU Education Rep If you work as a music teacher, you can help us by becoming an Education Rep Read more about Become an MU Education Rep
Reduced Rates with NEU, EIS or UCU Members of the NEU, EIS and UCU can access all MU benefits at more affordable rates Read more about Reduced Rates with NEU, EIS or UCU
MU Partners with Clermont Hotels to Offer Members Discounted Rooms in London Our new partnership with Clermont Hotels means MU members can book discounted hotel rooms at various locations in London, as an exclusive membership benefit. Published: 01 May 2025 Read more about MU Partners with Clermont Hotels to Offer Members Discounted Rooms in London
Changes to the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 (Disclosure Act) Changes have been introduced to the disclosure system in Scotland from 1 April 2025, aiming to remove unnecessary barriers for those seeking work and enhance the PVG Scheme. Published: 08 April 2025 Read more about Changes to the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 (Disclosure Act)
MU Launches Another Member Benefit of Discounted Hotels Across UK Our new partnership with Point A Hotels means that members can now benefit from discounted hotel rooms in Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London. Published: 01 April 2025 Read more about MU Launches Another Member Benefit of Discounted Hotels Across UK
Curriculum Review: Sign the Campaign Letter to Help Make Space for the Arts in Schools Following the publication of an interim report from the government’s Curriculum Review, our open letter to ministers highlights the desperate need to make space for the arts in schools. Published: 31 March 2025 Read more about Curriculum Review: Sign the Campaign Letter to Help Make Space for the Arts in Schools
Government Announces New Centre for Arts and Music Education The MU welcomes the news, which we hope will be central to the Labour Government’s delivery on its pledges to boost music and arts education in England. Published: 19 March 2025 Read more about Government Announces New Centre for Arts and Music Education