Safeguarding · PVG · Disclosure Scotland
Safeguarding, PVG & Disclosure Scotland
How GSofM approaches safer teaching, appropriate tutor checks, professional boundaries and reporting concerns.
The Glasgow School of Music works with children, teenagers and adults. Safeguarding is part of how lessons are arranged, how tutors are recruited, how communication is handled and how concerns are escalated.
Do not wait to speak to the school if a child, young person or adult is at immediate risk of harm, needs urgent help, or a serious incident is happening.
Our safeguarding commitment
Safeguarding is part of how the school operates.
This page is a public-facing safeguarding information page for parents, carers, students, tutors and visitors. It does not replace GSofM’s internal safeguarding procedures, staff guidance or statutory advice.
Public information noteThis page summarises public safeguarding routes and expectations. Internal safeguarding procedures are maintained separately, and official guidance should be checked directly where a statutory process, regulated role or external reporting route is involved.
Lessons should feel structured and professional.
Lesson arrangements should be clear, appointment-based and appropriate to the student’s age, needs and learning context.
Checks are one part of the safeguarding system.
PVG / Disclosure Scotland checks, references, role expectations and professional boundaries all contribute to safer recruitment.
Concerns should not stay informal.
Safeguarding, welfare, tutor conduct and serious communication concerns should be raised through the school route, not left only with an individual tutor.
PVG & Disclosure Scotland
Appropriate checks are part of safer recruitment.
The PVG scheme is managed by Disclosure Scotland and helps organisations make safer decisions for regulated roles involving children or protected adults. GSofM treats checks as one part of safeguarding, not as a complete safeguarding system.
Disclosure Scotland carries out checks.
When someone applies to the PVG scheme, Disclosure Scotland carries out criminal record checks and issues a disclosure showing the result of those checks.
Some roles legally require PVG membership.
Whether PVG membership is required depends on whether the role meets regulated-role criteria. GSofM checks tutor roles against official guidance where relevant.
Tutor checks are required where relevant.
For tutor roles involving children or protected adults, GSofM requires appropriate PVG / Disclosure Scotland checks before ongoing teaching is confirmed where the role meets regulated-role criteria.
Official PVG and disclosure guidance can change. Employers, tutors and applicants should check Disclosure Scotland / mygov.scot guidance directly where a role or statutory process is involved.
Lesson safety and boundaries
Safeguarding also depends on day-to-day conduct.
A safe teaching environment depends on practical arrangements as well as formal checks: communication, supervision, professional boundaries and clear reporting.
Structured lessons
Lessons and visits are arranged through agreed school routes rather than informal drop-in teaching.
Professional boundaries
Tutors are expected to maintain professional, age-appropriate conduct with students and families.
School contact routes
Families should use agreed GSofM communication channels for scheduling, welfare or formal concerns.
Online boundaries
Online teaching should follow the same professional standards as in-person teaching, with appropriate setup and communication.
Reporting a concern
Use the route that matches the level of risk.
Concerns should be raised early. If there is immediate danger, emergency services come first. Concerns connected to GSofM lessons, tutor conduct, student welfare or school arrangements should also be reported to the school.
GSofM safeguarding contact
Concerns connected to the school should have a clear contact route.
Use this route for concerns connected to GSofM lessons, tutor conduct, student welfare, online lessons, communication or school arrangements.
GSofM Safeguarding Contact
Use the school email address and a clear subject line so the concern can be identified and handled appropriately.
For immediate danger, contact emergency services first. Do not delay urgent action in order to contact the school.
Give enough information for the concern to be understood.
Where it is safe and appropriate, include clear details so the school can understand the concern and decide the appropriate next step.
- Student name and lesson route, where relevant.
- Tutor name, date, time and location, where known.
- What happened and who was involved.
- Whether anyone is currently at risk.
- Whether any immediate action has already been taken.
If someone is at immediate risk, call 999 first.
External help and official guidance
Use official routes when a concern needs external support.
These links are included so families, students, tutors and staff can quickly reach external safeguarding, child protection and Disclosure Scotland information.
Emergency and non-emergency reporting
Call 999 for immediate danger. For non-emergency police reporting, Police Scotland lists contact routes including 101.
NSPCC Helpline and Childline
The NSPCC Helpline supports adults concerned about a child. Childline provides confidential support for children and young people.
Child protection and PVG information
Scottish Government and mygov.scot pages provide official child protection and PVG guidance for reporting concerns and checking regulated roles.
Safeguarding FAQs
Common questions.
Short answers for parents, carers, students and tutors. Official guidance should be checked directly where a role or statutory process is involved.
What is the PVG scheme?
The Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme is a membership scheme for people carrying out regulated roles with children or protected adults in Scotland. Disclosure Scotland manages the scheme and carries out criminal record checks.
Does every role need PVG membership?
No. Whether PVG membership is needed depends on whether the role meets regulated-role criteria. GSofM checks relevant tutor roles against official criteria and guidance.
Does PVG membership replace safeguarding?
No. PVG / Disclosure Scotland checks are an important part of safer recruitment, but safeguarding also depends on professional boundaries, supervision, communication, reporting and how concerns are handled.
What should I do if a child is in immediate danger?
Call 999 immediately. Do not wait to contact GSofM if someone is in danger, needs help now, or a serious incident is happening or about to happen.
How do I report a concern about GSofM lessons or tutor conduct?
Email info@theglasgowschoolofmusic.co.uk with the subject line “Safeguarding Concern”. If there is immediate danger or a crime may have occurred, contact emergency services or Police Scotland first.
Can children contact someone directly?
Children and young people can contact Childline on 0800 1111. If they are in immediate danger, they should call 999 or ask a trusted adult for immediate help.
Safeguarding contact
Raise concerns early. Use the right route for the level of risk.
For immediate danger, contact emergency services first. For concerns connected to lessons, tutor conduct, student welfare or school arrangements, contact the GSofM safeguarding route as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
