Safeguarding & Behaviour Policy

Safeguarding
PESSPA Education & Play Ltd, (PESSPA) has adopted this safeguarding policy and expects every adult working or helping at PESSPA to support and comply with it.  This policy shall apply to all Staff, Managers, Directors, Volunteers, Students, Apprentices or anyone working on behalf of the company.
The intended purpose of this policy is to protect children and young people who receive any service from us.
The Company believes that no child or young person should experience abuse or harm and are committed to the protection of children and young people.  There are situations where children need protection, including, but not limited to:
Therefore, safeguarding the welfare of children and young people is part of our core business and all staff are DBS checked, First Aid qualified and have undertaken children’s Safeguarding training.
PESSPA Education & Play Ltd recognises that:
It is the duty of all adults working for us to safeguard the welfare of children and young people by creating an environment that protects them from harm. The well-being of children and young people is paramount for all staff and accordingly, they must make themselves aware of this policy.
For the purposes of this policy, PESSPA Education & Play Ltd responsibilities cover:
All PESSPA Education & Play employees, and those who undertake work on PESSPA Education & Play behalf, must maintain a proper focus on safeguarding children and young people, this must be reflected both in sound individual practice and in our internal policies and guidance. All permanent and contracted staff working with children and young people (including young people who are vulnerable adults) must:
Prevention of Bullying
We will not tolerate the bullying of children, either by adults or by other children.  The team will review all incidents of bullying and assess the likely future risk to children.  If appropriate, the team will consider banning a child from future events, but only in accordance with our rules and procedures.
Photographing Children
No photos will be taken or published of any child unless prior written permission is sought from a person with parental responsibility.  If any person has any concerns regarding any person taking photos at an activity, that person should contact PESSPA immediately.
Responsibilities and collection of children
PESSPA Education & Play Ltd has procedures in place for children whose parents or carers do not collect them from an activity at a specified time. All parents and carers are made aware that their children should be met no later than 15 minutes after an activity has finished. Should the child not be collected within 15 minutes, coaching staff have emergency contact numbers. Only the (primary) adult delivering the child to the session is entitled to collect the child, unless alternatives have been discussed with the primary adult. Under no circumstances will a child be released to anyone without this prior approval.
 
 
 
 
Ratio of Adults to Children
PESSPA Education & Play Ltd adopts best practice in relation to the supervision of Adults to Children. Procedures are in place to fully risk assess the types of activity and participant ability to ensure appropriate ratio of staff/coaches to participants.
 
Managing Behaviour, Discipline and Acceptable Restraint
Adults supervising children will never use any form of corporal punishment.  If physical restraint is necessary to prevent injury to any person or to prevent serious damage to property, then the minimum necessary restraint may be used – but for that purpose only.
The company may apply further disciplinary sanction; namely the banning of the child from one or more future activities over the following 12 months.  Any such sanction would be determined and applied to by Danny Thomas, Managing Director, PESSPA Education & Play.
A parent who is aggrieved by this ban may appeal to the company who will hear the views of all relevant persons.  The decision of the company is then final.  Any such appeals should be made to and will be determined by Danny Thomas.

Off-Site Trips Policy:

At our holiday club settings, we understand the importance of providing enriching experiences for children, and occasionally, we may organise off-site trips to various attractions. These trips are designed to offer children the opportunity to explore, learn, and enjoy a range of activities beyond the club’s premises. The following policy outlines our approach to off-site trips:

1. Safety and Visibility: During off-site trips, the safety of the children is our top priority. All participating children will be required to wear a fluorescent jacket, making them easily identifiable and ensuring their visibility to our staff at all times.

2. Risk Assessment: Prior to any off-site trip, our location leads will conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify and address potential hazards. We take proactive measures to ensure the safety of the children and staff during these excursions.

3. Child:Teacher Ratio: We strictly adhere to our child:teacher ratio protocols during off-site trips. This ensures that each child receives appropriate supervision and attention, contributing to a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

4. Parental Consent: We understand that parents may have concerns about off-site trips. Parents who wish for their children not to participate in off-site activities are encouraged to discuss their concerns with our team. We value open communication and may consider making alternative arrangements for the child’s care on those specific days.

5. Advance Notice: Whenever off-site trips are planned, we will inform parents in advance, allowing them to make informed decisions about their child’s participation. In some cases, we may encourage parents not to book on certain days when off-site visits are scheduled.

Our off-site trips are carefully planned to offer diverse experiences that align with our commitment to child development and enjoyment. With the safety and well-being of the children as our utmost priority, we aim to create memorable and educational experiences for all participants.

Legal Framework
This policy has been drawn up in accordance with the following legislations and guidance.
Children’s Act 2004
General Data Protection Regulation
Data Protection Act 2018
Human Rights Act 1998
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Children and Families Act 2014
Children and Social Work Act 2017
Behaviour Policy
PESSPA Education & Play Ltd believe that children flourish in a well-structured environment, where all children know what is expected of them.  All children should be free to attend and enjoy all our sport sessions without fear of being hurt or bullied. Therefore, our objective is to create an environment which encourages self-discipline and self-esteem in an atmosphere of mutual respect and where all children can appreciate the needs of others.
 
Basic Principles of PESSPA Code of Behaviour
Dos and Don’ts
 
You should:
 
You Shouldn’t:
To achieve this all PESSPA Education & Play staff will be:
All PESSPA Education & Play staff will be a positive role model for children regarding the adherence to the behaviour values.  They will resolve conflict calmly and with a courteous demeanour. Positive behaviour will be praised wherever possible, and the situation where a child only receives attention for unacceptable behaviour should be avoided.
When unacceptable Behaviour occurs:
 
This Policy is approved and robustly endorsed by PESSPA Education & Play Ltd and is due for review every 12 months.
March 2023. Next Review March 2024