Quality Assurance

We aim to work to the highest clinical, ethical and professional standards across all of the work that we do. Following the new EU law on data protection, we are now fully GDPR compliant. Our systems and policies are regularly reviewed and we are always trying to find the best ways of improving the Music Therapy we provide. This is ensured in a number of ways:

State Registration and Professional Memberships

All of our therapists are state registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and are members of their professional body, the British Association for Music Therapists (BAMT).

Safeguarding

We believe that Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults is of utmost importance. We have a Designated Safeguarding Lead (Jenny Travasso) and regularly review our Safeguarding Policies. We also have 2 Deputy Designated safeguarding Leads (Anita Thomas - Senior Music Therapist and Laura Pressney - Senior Music Therapist). Suffolk Music Therapy Services is a member of Safecic, who give up to date advice and support. All therapists receive regular Safeguarding training in children/vulnerable adults work. Therapists working in dementia care receive specialist safeguarding training. Click here to view our Safeguarding for Children, Young People and Adults policy. If you would like to receive a copy of our Safeguarding Policy, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Jenny Travasso.

Data Protection and Privacy

We work to the highest ethical, clinical and professional standards. we are fully GDPR compliant and regularly review our data protection and privacy policy to ensure that we are providing the best care for the individuals and organisations that we work with. Click here to see our Data Protection and Privacy Notice.

ICO Registration

Suffolk Music Therapy Services is a member of the ICO (Information Commissioners Office). The role of the ICO is to uphold information rights in the public interest.

Evaluation

All of the work that we do is monitored and evaluated. Staff and parents are involved in this process. All music therapists in the team are trained in goal setting and receive support in assessing progress and change. Suffolk Music therapy Services uses the Outcome Star assessment suite of tools and resources to monitor the work. At the end of the year, a Music Therapy Report is produced for all of our work in organisations. For individuals receiving Music Therapy, a report is written that summarises the aims and goals of Music Therapy, progress and future work.

Review and Liaison

There is a close liaison between therapist, staff, parents and family of children receiving Music Therapy. Our Music Therapists will regularly contribute towards annual reviews and liaise with other health professionals or family members when necessary.

Professional and Public Liability Insurance

Suffolk Music Therapy Services is fully insured with professional and public liability insurances in place.

Complaints

Suffolk Music Therapy Services is committed to providing a professional service to all our clients and partners. An important part of this is listening to the views of children and adults and rectifying situations where the care of family support delivered was not as expected. Initially, we would encourage that anyone who has a concern about any issue relating to the care of their child, staff, student or family member to voice their concerns to the music therapist involved, in order to rectify the situation as soon as possible. If this is deemed inappropriate, we would encourage you to contact the music therapy manager, Ray Travasso who can follow up the complaint further. Please click here to view our complaints policy.

Supervision

All of our therapists receive regular 1:1 practice supervision by an experienced music therapist. Therapists also receive regular management supervision and the team also have access to peer supervision. Our most experienced Music therapists receive external 1:1 supervision. This is delivered by some of the most experienced Music therapists in the region and world leaders in the field of Music Therapy including Dr Gary Ansdell, Dawn Loombe and Julia Usher.

Enhanced DBS

All therapists have clear enhanced DBS certificates. We follow statutory guidance from the Department for Education on the employment of Music therapists when working with children. We only employ our therapists through face to face interviews and do not interview by video conferencing.

Federation of Small Businesses

Suffolk Music Therapy Services is a member of FSB (Federation of Small Businesses). FSB are experts in business and offer a range of vital services that enables us to get the best ethical and legal advice.