Anti-Bullying Policy
Behaviour Management Policy
Complaints Procedure
Equal Opportunities Policy
Medical Policy
Infection Control Policy
Registration of Children at Camp
Safeguarding Children Policy
Failure of a Parent or Carer to Collect a Child Procedure
Missing Child Procedure

ACH is committed to the health and safety of the children in its care. Other policies and procedures available on request are:

• Fire Procedures
• Health & Safety Policy Statement

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY
Statement of Intent
The company is committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our clients so they can play and learn in a relaxed and secure environment. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable. If bullying does occur, all children should be able to report it and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. Anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the staff in the manner outlined below.

What is Bullying?
Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. It is known to cause pain and distress to the victim.
Bullying can be:
Emotional: being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting
Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, punching, or any use of violence
Racist: taunts, graffiti, gestures
Sexual: unwanted physical contact or abusive comments
Homophobic: taunts, gestures
Verbal: name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing
Cyber: Misuse of internet, mobile phones, camera & video

OBJECTIVES OF THIS POLICY
All staff, clients and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is.
All staff should know the policy on bullying and follow it when bullying is reported.
All clients and parents should know of the policy and what they should do if bullying occurs.
As a childcare provider, the company takes bullying seriously.
Children and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.
Bullying will not be tolerated

If a member of staff suspects, observes or receives a report of any form of bullying, the following procedures should be followed:

Immediately inform the leader of the activity or a member of the management team.

The leader or manager should observe the behaviour of the group and challenge any form of bullying. It is important that bullying behaviour is investigated and quickly stopped. It is advisable to avoid the term “bullying”, and better to make clear the behaviour is “unacceptable”.

The leader of the activity must inform a member of the management team as soon as is practical.

The management team will decide on any further action. This may involve discussions with the people and parents concerned. In serious cases the police will be consulted

Incidents and actions should be recorded on the Confidential Incident Report form.

OUTCOMES
A person accused or suspected of bullying may be asked to apologise.
If possible, the company’s staff will attempt to encourage reconciliation between the children.
In serious cases, suspension or exclusion will be considered
After any incident/s have been dealt with, staff will monitor to ensure repeated bullying does not take place.

BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT POLICY
AIMS: To create a positive environment where staff consistently manage and encourage positive behaviour to promote the welfare and development of all children in the setting.

To encourage all children to respect themselves and others in a secure, stimulating, challenging and enjoyable environment.

To provide children in our care with clear boundaries and expectations.

The Company wants children to enjoy learning and to reach their full potential.

The Company’s staff are not authorised to use nor threaten physical punishment. Physical intervention will only be used as a last resort to prevent or curb personal injury to any person or damage to property.

STRATEGY
The Company aims to do this by:

• Using praise and positive reinforcement.
• Encouraging sharing and negotiation
• Staff being good role models and setting good examples
• Staff explaining what is expected of every person
• Staff giving clear instructions about each activity
• Involving the children in the everyday running of activities and taking responsibility for themselves & others (according to age & stage)
• Informing staff of this policy during Induction and through the Staff Code of Practice.
• Reassuring children that they are valued as individuals even if their behaviour is sometimes unacceptable.
• Helping children to understand the consequences of their behaviour.

The Company’s staff will NOT

• Humiliate children
• Use physical punishment
• Withhold food or drink

Intervention Techniques in managing behaviour
Staff will consider using these approaches when dealing with inappropriate behaviour:

• The environment: considering where they choose to speak to a child – in front of others/away from others; sitting down together (for a friendly chat) or standing (a more formal approach);
• Praising appropriate behaviour; ignoring inappropriate behaviour (as long as it is minor and not affecting others)
• Reminding children in a gentle way what is expected of them.
• Giving a clear instruction to stop unacceptable behaviour.
• As the responsible adult, getting involved in a situation that arouses concern in order to diffuse it.
• Walking towards any situation that worries them.
• Distracting children away from what they are doing and direct them towards something else.
• Allowing a child time to calm down before discussing what happened.
• Listening to what the child has to say. Acknowledging their feelings.
• Giving their interpretation of what happened and suggest other ways for the child to behave/respond.
• Giving reassurance to a child who seems anxious, fearful or uncertain. 
• Helping a child if they appear unsure or “stuck”
• Directing a child to move away to another area. Making sure they talk to the child about its behaviour.

USE OF PHYSICAL INTERVENTION: Only as a last resort, after trying “Intervention Techniques” listed above, and only to prevent personal injury or damage to property, staff may need physically to stop unacceptable behaviour.

PROCEDURE FOR RECORDING INCIDENTS OF PHYSICAL INTERVENTION

If physical intervention is used it must be reported to the Adventure & Computer Holidays Managing Director and recorded on a “Physical Intervention Report” form attached to the “Kids List” and in the Behaviour Management file.

A copy of this form should be given to parent or carer as soon as possible.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
In the event of a complaint from a parent/client, our procedure is as follows:-

Telephone Complaint or Face to Face Complaint

1. The staff member will listen to the initial complaint

It is important that the parent/client has a chance to air their views. 

2. If staff feel that they can answer the complaint:

• Go ahead and respond to any points raised. 
• If the parent/client is completely satisfied with your response the conversation can be concluded. 
• Even though the complaint is dealt with, the matter must still be reported to the Adventure & Computer Holidays’
  Managing Director, who will record it and decide whether any further action should be taken.

3. If staff are not able to answer the complaint:

• Explain to the parent/client that you are not in possession of all the facts and that you are going to report to Adventure & Computer Holidays’ Managing Director. If the conversation is on the telephone the call should be put through to or reported to the Managing Director or a delegated member of the management team.
  If the Managing Director or a delegated member of the management team is not available, explain this to the parent/client and then ask them to run through all the points they would like to discuss, so that you can write them down.
  Explain that you will be passing these notes on to the Managing Director. It is important that the parent/client feels that you are taking them seriously. 

Written complaint 

• All complaints will be investigated by Adventure & Computer Holidays’ Managing Director.
• A plan of action will be made.
• The Managing Director or a delegated member of the management team must telephone the parent/client with an explanation/solution/apology/offer of a refund/other suggestion as appropriate.
• If an agreement cannot be reached with the parent/client at this point, the matter must be discussed with the Company Directors and a letter written to notify the complainant of the outcome of their investigation within 28 days.
• Parents/clients should be advised that they can also make a complaint to Ofsted, at Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester, M1 2WD. Tel. 0300 123 1231
• In all cases, a written record of the complaint, actions taken and the outcome must be kept on file for a minimum of 3 years.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

Adventure & Computer Holidays will ensure that equal opportunities are incorporated into its policies and procedures, so that children are not discriminated against on the basis of gender, race, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexuality, age, class or disability.

It is the policy of Adventure & Computer Holidays to employ staff on the basis of their suitability for the job. There will be no discrimination on the basis of gender, race, marital status, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexuality, age, class or disability.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY

Adventure & Computer Holidays is committed to an anti-discriminatory approach within the setting. In order to promote this, the Company will ensure that:-

• All members of staff receive copies of the Equal Opportunities Policy Statement in the Surrey Staff Code of Practice, and this is discussed with them at interview and during any performance review.They are required to sign a document to show that they have read and will abide by the policy.
• As far as possible the premises the Company uses allows disabled access.
• ACH works with parents/carers to ensure the physical, social & emotional needs of the child are met. All requests for holiday placements will be considered, and every effort will be made to accommodate children with Special Educational Needs.
• Diversity is respected and individual needs are met.
• Staff & children are encouraged to respect and value one another. Staff are required to help children to understand that it is wrong to act in a discriminatory way.
• Discriminatory behaviour is challenged and will not be tolerated.
• We cater for cultural, religious and medical differences in activities and mealtimes throughout the day.
• The policy is regularly reviewed to ensure that it is being met.
• We also have & implement an anti-bullying policy in line with our anti-discriminatory approach to all children.

MEDICAL POLICY

ILLNESS
Children who are unwell should not attend camp. ACH reserves the right to refuse to accept a child they consider to be sick or unwell. If a child becomes unwell during the day, parents will be informed and, if possible, asked to collect their child. If this is not possible, the sick child will be taken to the office, to be supervised by a member of staff, to rest in the quiet area, away from other children.

INJURY
ACH Booking Form and Confirmation of Booking Letter, as part of the booking-in system, states that, in booking with us, parents/carers are agreeing to their child receiving emergency medical treatment. We also ask parents to sign the confirmation of booking, to acknowledge that they understand that ACH will seek emergency medical treatment for their child, should the need arise.

MEDICATION

• Parents/ Carers are asked to supply medical information on each child at the time of booking and to update this if circumstances change.
• Parents/Carers are asked to inform ACH if their child is on regular, prescribed medication on each booking form.
• ACH will only administer prescribed medicines and non-prescribed medicines provided by parents.
• If a child requires administration of medication during their time at camp, parents/carers must provide the medication; complete a consent form, indicating the medical condition, the name of the medication, the dosage and the frequency of administration; sign to indicate consent for administration.
• No medication will be administered without proper consent.
• No medication will be administered against the wishes of the child.
• ACH staff will complete an entry into the Medication Records each time they administer medicine to a child, indicating the time and dosage.
• All medicines and records will be kept in a secure box.

Infection Control Policy
click to view

REGISTRATION OF CHILDREN AT CAMP (Safeguarding Children)

1. All children are registered in the morning at the point of arrival (either on the transport or at the centre) and registered out at the point of collection by parents/carers. Children may only be handed over to parents/carers or specified individuals nominated and named by the parent/carer.

2. Children are registered into their activity groups at the beginning of the morning and afternoon activity, and group numbers recorded.

3. It is the responsibility of the activity leader to take the register at the beginning and check that all children are present during and at the end of the session.

4. When the activity is off-site, the register must be taken as normal and, additionally, children must be checked onto the transport before leaving camp and again before leaving the activity site.

5. Off-Site, the leaders must clearly specify a meeting point to all children in case of separation from the group (see missing child policy).

6. Off-site, for large groups, children must be separated into small groups under the leadership of a designated member of staff, who will be responsible for them at all times.

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN POLICY

Introduction
It is the responsibility of ACH to protect all children in its care. The children are our priority and therefore we must do everything possible to protect them from abuse whether it occurs within our organisation or outside - including within the child’s own family.

Allegations of abuse will be reported to the Surrey Safeguarding Children Board (SSCB) on 03456 009 009. Ofsted must be informed of any allegations of serious harm or abuse. Surrey County Council’s local authority child protection designated officer (LADO) will also be contacted.

Our Staff
ACH carry out CRB checks and take up references on all our staff members.

Training
Staff will be informed of ACH’S Child Protection procedures which are based on the “What to do if you are worried a child is being abused”. Child protection procedures will be outlined during Induction training. Staff will also be provided with a copy of the policy and the names of ACH’s Child Protection Liaison Officers, to be found in ACH Surrey Staff Manual.

The Child Protection Liaison Officers within Adventure & Computer Holidayss
Marian Hobart is the appointed CPLO within the organisation. Su Jones is the Deputy CPLO, to be consulted in the absence of MH. The role of the CPLO:

• To instruct all staff on the Child Protection Procedures at Induction and update if necessary.
• Access information and liaise with outside agencies to make sure information is up to date.
• Collate and record information when there are concerns regarding a child.
• To contact the SSCB at Surrey Contact Centre who provide relevant and up-to-date advice and make decisions regarding referrals.

Individual Staff Responsibilities
Child protection is the responsibility of all staff. 

• Staff must immediately inform the CPLO of any verbal report of abuse from or any signs of physical, emotional or sexual abuse of children who attend camp.
• Staff are required to report any concerns they have about the behaviour of other staff towards children to the CPLO.

The Responsibilities of Adventure & Computer Holidays’ Child Protection Liaison Officers once a concern has been raised:
The following approaches will be followed:

• Child protection issues will be reported to the Surrey Child Protection Contact Centre. If the parents have not been informed of the concerns, the advice of the duty officer may be sought as to how, when and in what circumstances the parents should be informed of the concerns raised.
• A written referral, confirming the telephone report, will be completed as soon as possible and sent to the Surrey Contact Centre.
• In the case of an allegation of child abuse against a member of staff, the CPLO will consult the LADO. The LADO will either agree that ACH may make its own enquiries or will contact the Police and Children's Social Care. During police investigation, the member of staff will be suspended and proven allegations will result in dismissal.
• It is the responsibility of the CPLO to record any matters of child protection that are reported in the Confidential Incident Book.

Contact Details:

Surrey Safeguarding Children Board (SSCB)
Surrey Contact Centre, Floor 3, Conquest House, Wood Street, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 1AB
Tel. 03456 009 009

Ofsted, Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester M1 2WD
Tel: 0300 123 1231

Surrey County Council’s Local Authority Child Protection Designated Officer (LADO)
Tel. 01372 833895 or 01372 833833

FAILURE OF A PARENT/CARER TO COLLECT A CHILD POLICY

1. After 15 minutes, a member of staff will be designated to stay with the child while the parent or carer is contacted by phone. The appointed member of staff will remain with the child.

2. In the event of no contact, no explanation and no show after 1 hour, a member of the Management Team will make the decision whether to contact the police and Social services.

MISSING CHILD PROCEDURE

1. If it is suspected that a child is missing, the Managing Director or senior member of staff present
must be alerted immediately.

The activity leader will establish the whereabouts of the child if possible, using available staff and the telephone. The other children in the group will be left in the care of a member of staff while an organised search is carried out. In the event of the child not being found in the expected area, with the possibility that the child has left the site, available staff will be detailed to conduct an immediate search of the surrounding areas.

2a. On-Site, if a child has not been discovered within 30 minutes, the parents and the Police will be
notified.
2b. Off-Site, if the child is not at the pre-arranged meeting point, the assistance of the activity site staff
must be sought. If the child has not been discovered within 15 minutes parents and police will be
notified.

3. Adventure & Computer Holidays staff will continue to search and will join forces with the Police if
necessary. All incidents of children going missing will be fully documented in the Incident File.

4. Adventure & Computer Holidays staff will, from time to time, cover issues relating to the dangers of this
behaviour in assembly time and in the activity sessions.