Laser Summer Camp

Safeguarding Policy

As of September 2016

Working document

P.Tearle

Laser Summer Camp

Child Protection Policy

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY STATEMENT

Laser Summer Camp is committed to creating, providing and maintaining the safest possible environment for children and young people to enjoy and participate in various ‘summer camp’ activities.

We recognise that all children have the right to be protected.

We recognise that it is always unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind and we recognise our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of children and young people of all ages, by a commitment to practice which protects them.

We recognise that –

the welfare of children is paramount
all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm and abuse.
working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and their agencies is essential in promoting young peoples welfare, as communication is the absolute key.

We do this by:

Ensuring that all staff understand that all children have the right to freedom from abuse.
Valuing children, listening to them and respecting them. We will show unconditional positive regard for each situation.
Adopting child protection guidelines through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers.
Ensuring that all our staff and volunteers are carefully selected and accept responsibility for helping to prevent the abuse of children in their care.
By providing effective management support for all staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training.
Responding swiftly and appropriately to all suspicions or allegations of abuse, and providing parents with the opportunity to voice any concerns they may have.
Appointing a Child Protection Officer who will take specific responsibility for child safety and act as the main point of contact for parents, children and outside agencies.
Ensuring access to confidential information is restricted to the Child Protection Officer or the appropriate external authorities.
Reviewing the effectiveness of our Child Protection Policy annually.

Members of staff are encouraged and responsible for informing members of management if there is any suspicion of a child protection issue

Laser Summer Camps Designated Person to assist in child protection matters is -

VICKI TEARLE. If a child protection matter should arise, and parents need to be contacted, confidentiality will be maintained by Vicki Tearle and Paul Tearle, and the matter will be dealt with by these individuals.

All staff understand that whereby a child protection issue arises – they must maintain confidentiality within Laser, unless told otherwise.

Our Child Protection officer is – Vicki Tearle

Laser Summer Camp

Child Protection Policy – Guidelines for Safeguarding Children’s Welfare

What Constitutes Abuse?

Neglect

Persistent or severe neglect of a child which may harm a child's health or development. Neglect may include withholding the basic necessities of life: food, shelter, clothing, warmth, cleanliness, caring.

Physical Abuse

Physical injury to a child, where there is definite knowledge or reasonable suspicion that injury was deliberately inflicted or was not prevented.

Sexual Abuse

Actual or likely sexual exploitation of a child or adolescent.
Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is more difficult to detect or define. It may result from locking the child away, excessive shouting, teasing or humiliation, the denial of love, affection, interest or friendship. Overprotection so as to deny the child normal experiences of life may also have a harmful effect.

Indications or Signs of Possible Abuse

Persistent or multiple bruising.
Minor injuries in unlikely places.
Burns or bites.
Regressive behaviour eg. clothes wetting.
Depression or withdrawn behaviour.
Attention seeking.
Excessive preoccupation with sexual matters.
Promiscuous behaviour.
Sexually explicit literature.
Disturbing poetry/creative writing.

There is sometimes a link between bullying and child protection issues. There may be other circumstances, not amounting to abuse, which give cause for serious concern about the welfare of children at camp. Questions of the young person being in moral danger, being uncared for, engaging in anti-social or inappropriate behaviour and so on, may be referred to the Child Protection Officer and through them to the Social Services Department if appropriate.

Possible areas to be aware of – Child Protection Red Zones

Loss of child from Camp/ Public access to camp

Entrance gates to school – 3 major ones :- Manston Terrace entrance

Victoria Park road entrance

Cricket Pavillion entrance

Must be aware of other people not associated with camp. Ask and direct to office if needed.

Extra vigilance is needed when moving children around near these entrances, and if you are at an activity near these entrances – especially the aerial runway.

Physical Contact with children

Main areas one must consider is whilst children are changing for pool, and whilst consoling children. One must use common sense and their own discretion, and basically abide the rule that ‘no contact is safe contact’.

Obviously one must consider the age and capability of the child, and more contact would be expected with the younger children in helping them with normal activities. If unsure at any time, please speak to a senior member of staff

Bullying

Laser staff are fully aware that when children from different schools and backgrounds are placed in situations where they must conform, and are associated with peers of the same age, low level bullying can occur.

Bullying will usually manifest itself when either ‘groups’ are initially formed or ‘name calling’ begins. Staff must be able to recognize a ‘bullying situation’ immediately, and from this consult a senior member of management. Low level intervention is encouraged, and one should refer to the code of conduct for both children on camp and Staff.

Physical contact beyond that which is deemed part of normal activities between children is unacceptable at Laser summer camp. Any incident where this has occurred must be dealt with by a senior member of management.

What to do if Someone Tells

Listen

Do not promise confidentiality. However, make sure the child is relaxed, and feels comfortable to talk. You can tell the child that you will only speak to people who you feel will be able to help in any situation.

Stay calm and convey this through word and action. Reassure the young person that you are taking them seriously.

Allow the child to finish without directly questioning or stopping them. Let them tell you what they want to and no more.

Ensure that you have a full understanding of the facts as related by the child, perhaps by reporting them back for his/her confirmation.

When the child has finished make sure they feel secure and explain what you are going to do next.

Action must be taken immediately if the child is in danger.

Record

Record as much as you can remember as soon as possible (preferably immediately) afterwards, using the child’s own words as far as possible. Sign the notes and record the 'date' and 'time'.

Report

To Paul Tearleor directly to the Child Protection Officer – Vicki Tearle.

You have now fulfilled your duty and you should not take any further action or reveal this information to anyone else. The Child Protection Officer will be aware that you may need support following a disclosure.

Action to be taken by the Child Protection Officer

Laser Summer Camp

Child Protection Policy

Procedure if Child Abuse is Suspected

If a member of staff has any suspicion that a child who is under their care might have received any form of abuse – sexual, physical, neglect or emotional, they must inform Paul Tearle – designated person with responsibility for Child Protection.

It is important that as a member of staff you share with Paul Tearle or Graham Baily

any significant changes in children’s behaviour
any unexplained bruising or marks
any comments children make which give cause for concern
any deterioration in a child’s general well-being

If you feel that the child is not an immediate risk, then find an acceptable time to consult with P.Tearle or Graham Baily, but this should be as soon as possible after suspicion is raised.

If your concerns are urgent -

Get the rest of the group together in one place making sure that it is a safe environment, and that staff remain with the group.
Make contact with the main office – informing one of the management staff who will then access and assist in the procedure. Make sure that Paul Tearle or Graham Baily has been contacted and he will assess and continue to assist in the situation.
Paul Tearleor Graham Baily may then make contact withVicki Tearle- 07879 999082 who will continue to advise.
All information will be recorded by Paul Tearle or Graham Baily.

Information records –

Records on any child protection issues will be made in writing and kept on file by Paul Tearle or Graham Baily.

No duplicate copies will be made unless instructed to do so by the CP officer.

Information will only be shared as instructed by the CP officer, and will only be shared with key people in relation to the child’s welfare.

Laser Summer Camp

Child Protection Policy

MISSING PERSON PROCEDURE

If a member of staff finds that a child who is under their care goes missing, he/she should follow the guidelines below. It is understood that this is a numbered system, and progress only moves to the next stage if needed. Paul Tearle will always go to point 6 if any situation that can be classed as unusual is reached.

Get the rest of the group together in one place making sure that it is a safe environment, and that staff remain with the group.

Make contact with the main office – informing one of the management staff who will then access and assist in the procedure. Make sure that Paul Tearle has been informed who will assess and assist in the situation. (07855 012328)

Establish last sighting and disclose any relevant information on the situation – mood of the person, things that they might have said, contact with others. From this a search can begin.

If not present in the office – contact Julian Tagg 01392 430919 - 07771 562787.JT can assist in the situation.

Paul Tearle will contact Vicki Tearle - 07879 999082who will continue to advise. Paul Tearle will record all information.

Paul Tearle will make contact with parents and inform of situation.

Phone the police.

Confidentiality policy

At Laser summer camp we operate a strict Child protection policy that will not allow information about any child to be shared with a 3rd Party, unless instructed to do so by the CP officer.

Any Parent/guardian will need to prove thus before we will give information.

If we feel at any time that if the information were not shared it would have an effect on the Childs welfare, Paul Tearle or Graham Baily will consult a Child Protection officer.

Staff will be told to inform children that if they feel they need to speak to someone about an issue, that this person might have to tell someone else – but only if they feel it will help and be necessary in the situation.

All matters concerning medical history are kept confidential
All matters concerning parents financial dealing with Laser is kept confidential
All matters concerning records kept by Laser Summer camp is kept confidential

All cases will need to be sent through P.Tearle or G.Baily.

Procedure to be followed if an allegation of any kind is made against a member of staff by a parent or child.

If Child is making allegation -

Initially the consultation will be between P.Tearle or Graham Baily and the child in the first instance, after communication has been received from either staff member or parent/carer. This will take place in the office, in private, with another member of senior staff present. The child will be made to feel free to tell their account of any incident they see fit to report.
P.Tearle or Graham Baily will record in notes everything the child says, either during, or if this makes the child feel uncomfortable – afterwards. The notes will be read back to the child.
The member of staff involved will then be allowed to express their views on the incident, separately and privately from the child and other members of staff and/or parents. This will be done informally, but will be recorded on paper either during or after. P.Tearle or Graham Baily will conduct interview and will have another member of senior staff present.
From this P.Tearle,G.Baily and J.Tagg will liaise and take further action as appropriate.
If seen fit – the Child protection officer will be contacted and advice on the matter will be taken immediately. The matter will be dealt with on the same working day within office hours if possible.

If Parent is making allegation–

The parent will be invited in to speak directly with P.Tearle or G. Baily, either with their child present or individually. The discussion will be recorded on paper, either during or after.

See point 3 onwards above.

If at any time P.Tearle or G.Baily feels that the matter is beyond his judgement – the Child protection officer will be contacted.

Procedure to be followed if an allegation of any kind is made against a senior member of management or Paul Tearle or Graham Baily.

1. Another senior member of staff will be asked to interview the child/parent. The member of staff who the accusation is being made against will be asked for their views, and all notes will be taken by another member of staff.

2. CP officer will be contacted and asked for advice.

Campers Code of Conduct at Laser Summer Camp

At Laser we will –

Cooperate with each other
Be friendly
Listen to each other
Be helpful
Follow the rules
Have good manners
Join in
Respect each others differences
Treat the leaders, monitors and specialists with respect
Report any worries to your leader.

We will not –

Pick on or make fun of others
Yell and shout out at others
Be abusive
Use equipment abusively

Laser Traffic Light system

Laser recognises that it is not the primary carer for any of the campers, but will employ a traffic light system for dealing with behaviour issues.

/ With any breach of the code of conduct, the most appropriate action for a minor offense is to remind them about the Code of Conduct and ask them to comply with it.
This is classed as a Green Warning light
Children will be given the opportunity to reflect, and enable them to form a more positive response in relation to the code of conduct.
/ At least one Green light warning has been given.
If the child persists in inappropriate behaviour, and breaking of the code of conduct – This is classed as a yellow light warning.
Intervention will be necessary, the child will need to be brought to the main office, and there will need to be communication with a member of senior staff who will help in recording the incident in the discipline book.
It will need to be explained to the child that any continued behaviour will result in parents being contacted and them being sent home from Laser
/ Both Green and yellow light warnings have been given
If inappropriate behaviour persists, and green and yellow warnings have been given, parents will be contacted by a senior member of staff, and the situation will be discussed. Parents might be able to advise on certain techniques to help and improve the situation. Laser will assume the parent as the key person in this situation, unless directed otherwise by a support worker.
If behaviour persists after a red light warning, the child will be asked to leave from camp through contact with parents.

Code of Conduct for all adults working with children at Laser

Any breach of the following code may result in the member of staff being asked to leave Laser. Serious breaches of this code may also result in a referral to a statutory agency such as the Police or Children’s services department.

You must –

Always follow the Laser child protection policy and guidelines
Always promote the Code of Conduct for children at Laser
Listen to and respect children at all times
Show unconditional positive regard at all times, and understand that mistakes can be made, and that the situation must be dealt with appropriately and with compassion.
Treat children at Laser fairly and without prejudice
Be aware of any cultural, religious or physical differences.
Value and take children’s contributions seriously
Ensure that any contact with children is appropriate and in relation to the activity.
Always ensure language is appropriate and not offensive or discriminatory
Encourage children to feel relaxed enough to communicate with each other and with adults appropriately
Actively involve children in all activities
Challenge all inappropriate behaviour and breaches of the Code of Conduct, and report all allegations and suspicions of abuse.
You should ensure that, whenever possible, there is another adult at all activities, or at least another adult within sight or hearing.
Be a good role model

You must not –

Patronise or treat children on camp as if they were silly
Allow allegations to go unreported
Develop inappropriate relationships such as contact with children that is not part of normal activities. Sexual relationships between staff and children at Laser represent a serious breach of trust and are not permissible in any circumstances.
Let children on Laser have your personal contact details
Use sarcasm or insensitive comments to children
Act in a way that can be perceived as threatening or intrusive
Make inappropriate promises to children
Jump to conclusions about others
Exaggerate or trivialise child abuse issues
Take a chance when common sense or policy suggests a more prudent approach.

Laser Summer Camp