Safeguarding and child protection policy

1. Who this covers

This policy applies to the leader, who is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), to any second adult who helps on site, to volunteers, and to parents and carers who stay for Stay and Play sessions. It follows Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023), Keeping Children Safe in Education, and the procedures of the Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership.

2. Our commitments

• Children’s welfare comes first, before the session, the plan or the fire.
• Every adult working with children holds a current enhanced DBS check with barred-list check, and gives two references.
• Groups are never larger than 12 children with one leader. Above that, up to 15, a second checked adult is present for the whole session.
• The leader holds outdoor first aid and paediatric first aid, renewed every three years.
• Safeguarding training is refreshed every two years, including Prevent awareness and online safety.
• We listen to children, take what they say seriously, and never promise to keep a secret.

3. Recognising concerns

Abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect, and it can happen at home, online or between children. Signs we watch for include unexplained injuries, changes in behaviour, fear of going home, poor hygiene or hunger, sexualised language or behaviour, and a child telling us something directly. We also watch for children who seem withdrawn, anxious or unusually watchful.

4. What we do if we are worried

• If a child is in immediate danger, we call 999.
• If a child tells us something, we listen, stay calm, do not ask leading questions, and write down what was said in their words, with the date and time, as soon as possible.
• The DSL decides, on the same day, whether to make a referral to Staffordshire Children’s Advice and Support Service on 0300 111 8007, or the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 for advice.
• We do not investigate ourselves and we do not confront a parent if doing so could put the child at more risk.
• Records are kept securely, separately from booking records, and shared only with those who need them.

5. Concerns about an adult

If anyone is worried about the behaviour of the leader or any adult on site, they should contact the Staffordshire Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) on 01785 895030. Concerns about the leader can be raised directly with the LADO without telling the leader first.

6. Safer working practice

• Adults are never alone with a child out of sight of others where it can be avoided; the woods are open and the group stays together.
• Toileting is managed privately by the child where they are able; help is given only when needed and with the parent’s prior agreement.
• Physical contact is limited to what is needed for safety, comfort or first aid, and is never secret.
• Photographs are only taken with written consent and only on the setting’s device, never a personal phone.
• Adults do not contact children directly online or by phone. All communication goes through parents.

7. Risk, fire and tools

Fire, tools, climbing and the pond are managed with written risk-benefit assessments that are reviewed each term and after any incident. Children use tools only after earning a licence for that tool, within arm’s reach of an adult, in a marked tool area. The pond is fenced and entered only with an adult.

8. Collection

Children are handed over only to adults named on the booking. A password is agreed at booking for anyone else. Uncollected children are looked after on site and parents contacted; after an hour with no contact, we follow Staffordshire’s uncollected child procedure.

9. Contacts

• Designated Safeguarding Lead: the leader, through the contact form
• Staffordshire Children’s Advice and Support Service: 0300 111 8007
• Staffordshire LADO: 01785 895030
• NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000
• Police: 101, or 999 in an emergency

This policy is reviewed every year and after any incident. Parents can request a printed copy at any time.