Policy statement

POLICY STATEMENT

PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THIS DOCUMENT. IT IS REVIEWED REGULARLY AND YOUR COMMENTS WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN ANY REVISIONS ARE MADE.

The AfterSchool Club (TASC) and The Holiday Club (THC) have been set up to provide quality childcare before and after school and during the school holidays in the Rickmansworth, Chorleywood and Croxley Green areas.

The club is run on a day-to-day basis by a salaried staff. Management is by Debby Tindall.

SPECIAL NEEDS STATEMENT

TASC and THC will support children and adults with special needs and give our commitment to work with parents and other agencies. Staff members have attended special needs training and are willing to help in any way possible. Any child attending one of the schools which TASC collect from may attend our Club and appropriate support will be put in place for any child with special needs. All children will be included in all our activities and encouraged to achieve their personal best. Information kept on any child is available to the parents/carers. A sheet will be sent to each main carer each term to ensure information is up to date. Debby is available to speak to parents/carers at the club, by phone or by appointment.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES - full policy in policy folder in entrance hall

Staff, parents and children should fully understand the principle and operation of our equal opportunities policy and we should all take responsibility for its overall effectiveness.

We aim to challenge discrimination in all areas of The AfterSchool Club and The Holiday Club. We will always record any racial issues.

We recognise that certain groups and individuals in our society are discriminated against because of their race, colour, ethnic or national origin, gender, physical, sensory or mental disability. Accordingly we are strongly committed to positive action to remove and/or counter discrimination in all aspects of our work with children, families and others.

Equal opportunities are considered in all aspects of the service the clubs provide. Language or behaviour designed to be offensive to any of the groups outlined in our statement is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our clubs.

BEHAVIOUR / DISCIPLINE - full policy in policy folder in entrance hall

We encourage the children to behave responsibly, be courteous to each other and to staff. We operate a “no smacking policy”. Discipline will be in the form of encouragement and understanding. Should more serious action be required the child will be sat on a chair away from the rest of the children until he/she has calmed down.

We will not tolerate any of the following:

	Aggressive behaviour towards other children or staff.
	Children must not leave site unless supervised.
	No physical or verbal bullying.
	Discrimination in any of its forms will not be tolerated.

To ensure the safely of all the children and staff:

	Incidents of bad behaviour will be recorded and parents/guardians advised. Three such incidents will normally result in termination of membership.
	Serious incidents involving danger to others will result in termination of membership.

ATTENDANCE:

Parents must inform the Administrator (Debby Tindall) on the number supplied if:

	a child is ill
	a child cannot attend for any other reason

AfterSchool Club

	At least 7 days notice must be given to alter the day of care. If this notice is not given full payment will be due.
	4 weeks notice in writing must be given to terminate care.
	Snow / closure days - if the school is shut then we are also shut. If the school shuts early we will collect your child/ren early. If the school is open we are open. When schools are shut for ANY REASON a half charge will be made.

Holiday Club:

ONCE BOOKINGS ARE MADE THEY CAN ONLY BE CANCELLED IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE FULL AMOUNT WILL BE PAYABLE. However, you can change the day of care to an alternative day during the same holiday at no extra charge subject to availability. Payment is due on the first day of care. We reserve the right to charge in full for any days which are cancelled for any reason other than illness. A half charge will be made for sickness.

COLLECTION - full policy in policy folder in entrance hall

	All children must be collected by 6.30 pm by an authorised adult.
	Debby Tindall must be informed in writing if a different adult is collecting a child other than those on the original enrolment form. Identification will be required.
	If the person collecting the child/children is UNAVOIDABLY DELAYED they must inform the Supervisor/Deputy Supervisor on the telephone number supplied.
	If a parent, carer or designated adult is more than 15 minutes late (i.e 6.45pm) in collecting their child, Debby will be informed.
	Debby will contact the parent, carer or designated adult, and use any other emergency contact details available in order to try to ascertain the cause for the delay, and how long its likely duration. Messages will be left on any answer phone requesting a prompt reply.
	While waiting to be collected, the child will be supervised and offered activities and as much support and reassurance as is necessary.
	If, after repeated attempts, no contact is made Debby will call Children Schools and Families (CSF) for advice after 30 minutes of the club closing.
	The club will act on the advice of CSF.
	The child will be taken to Debby’s house 160 Highfield Way Rickmansworth WD3 7PJ (tel 01923 773938). The child will remain in Debby’s care until collected by the parent, carer or designated adult, or alternatively placed in the care of CSF,
	In the event of CSF being called and responsibility for the child being passed to a safeguarding agency, Debby will attempt to leave a further telephone message on the answer phone of the parent/carer or designated adult. Furthermore, a note will be left on the door of the club’s premises informing the parent, carer or designated adult of what has happened. The note will reassure them of their child’s safety and instruct them to contact CSF. If possible a note will be left at the family home.
	Incidents of late collection will be recorded by Debby and discussed with parents/carers at the earliest opportunity. Late collection will result in the imposition of a fine and possibly the loss of their child’s place at the club.
	If children are not collected by 6.30 pm (ASC) OR 6.00 PM (HC) they will be taken to 160 Highfield Way, Rickmansworth (Tel 01923 773938). A charge of £15.00 per 15 minutes per child will be made and we reserve the right to cancel any further bookings without notice.

MISSING CHILD – full policy in policy folder in entrance hall

If a child cannot be located – a thorough search of the premises will be carried out. The register will be checked to ensure parent has not collected child and person on register duty and other members of staff questioned, particularly the member of staff who collected the child. It will be checked that that member of staff has not forgotten to mark the child as absent. If when all the checks have been completed (not more than 10 minutes) and child still not located parents will be contacted and the police informed.

PAYMENT

AfterSchool Club - Payment method to be agreed at time of booking. i.e. either weekly or half-termly. Weekly payments must be made in full at beginning of each week. Half-termly invoices must be settled in full during the first two weeks of term.

Holiday Club - Payment in full must be given at the BEGINNING of care or by prior agreement i.e. weekly.

SECURITY

When a child is collected the adult will sign the attendance register to say they have collected the child and at what time. The adult must be one of the adults on the enrolment form unless previously informed in writing by the parent/guardian of the child. If this is the case the security code needs to be quoted when collecting the child.

PARENTS' COMPLAINTS

Should be made in writing to Debby Tindall. If necessary a meeting will then be arranged to discuss/resolve the matter. All written complaints investigated and complainant notified of outcome within 28 days of receipt

HEALTH AND SAFETY

It is our policy to encourage ways of working that will create a safe and healthy environment for children, employees and all other persons who enter the premises during the hours of 7.45 am to 8.45 am, 3.15 pm and 7.00 pm, Monday to Friday when the AfterSchool Club / Breakfast Club is in operation and 8.15 am to 7.00 pm during the holiday period.

Debby Tindall is responsible for making sure that matters of concern brought to their notice are dealt with by the owners of the relevant premises.

All persons coming on to the premises have a responsibility to conduct themselves in such a matter that they will ensure the health and safely of themselves and others they come into contact with.

All staff are responsible for working in such a way as to ensure their own safety, the safety of the children and others that they come into contact with.

If a child becomes sick during their time with us we may, if appropriate, call NHS Direct for advice.

RECORDS KEPT ON YOUR CHILDREN

Children’s developmental records are freely accessible to parents. However, a written request must be made for personal files on the children as we must take into account data protection rules when disclosing records that refer to third parties.

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

The AfterSchool Club believes that children have the right to be completely secure from both the fear and reality of abuse, and we are committed to safeguarding all the children in our care from harm.

Debby Tindall and Angela Grout have been appointed Child Protection Officers. These officers have undertaken appropriate training, and have relevant experience and expertise. The designated child protection officers will be responsible for liaising with Social Care, the Local Children’s Safeguarding Board and Ofsted regarding any child protection matter.

The AfterSchool Club’s child protection procedures comply with all relevant legislation and other guidance or advice from the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB)*.

The Club is committed to reviewing its Safeguarding policy and procedures at regular intervals. The policy and its procedures will be shared with parents/carers during their child’s settling in period.

*LSCBs bring together representatives of each of the main agencies and professionals responsible for helping to protect children from abuse and neglect in a given area. The LSCB is a multi-agency forum set up to agree how the different services and professional groups should co-operate to safeguard children in that area, and for making sure that arrangements work effectively to bring about good outcomes for children.

Recognising Child Abuse

Child abuse can manifest itself in a variety of different ways, some overt and others much less so. A person may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family, an institution or community setting; by those known to them or, more rarely by a stranger.

Physical Abuse: Involves hitting, shaking, throwing, burning, suffocating or any other physical harm. Deliberately causing a child’s ill health also constitutes physical abuse.

Sexual Abuse: Involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative or non-penetrative acts. Showing children pornographic materials, sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways also constitutes sexual abuse.

Emotional abuse: Varying degrees of emotional abuse are present in virtually all child protection incidents, but can also constitute abuse in its own right. Emotional abuse involves persistent or severe emotional ill treatment or torture causing, or likely to cause, severe adverse effects on the emotional stability of a child. Such behaviour may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless, unloved, or inadequate, or making them feel unnecessarily frightened or vulnerable.

Neglect: Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical, emotional or psychological needs, such as is likely to have a severe impact on their health, development or emotional stability. Neglect may involve failing to provide adequate food, shelter or clothing for a child, or failing to adequately protect them from physical harm or ill health. Neglect can also manifest itself in a failure to meet the basic emotional needs of child.

What to do if a child discloses

Not all child protection information results in a referral, but small pieces of information may be significant on their own to create a wider picture. All information should be recorded including:

	· Date of the disclosure/concern
	· Date and time of the record being made
	· Name and date of birth of the child or children
	· A factual report of what happened - use the child’s own words, they told you
	· A note of any other people involved
	· Printed name of the person making the record and job title
	· Signature

The Child Protection Officers should be informed and given the record. They will then decide if they need to contact Social Care or make a referral. If other members of staff feel that the incident has not been adequately followed up, they have a right to call Social Care themselves.

If the child protection concern is with regards to a staff member, the club whistle blowing procedure should be followed.

Third Party Information

This is information passed on by anyone other than staff or management of the Club, who expresses their concerns. Information from a third party regarding suspicions of child abuse cannot be ignored. If the person imparting the information has concerns, they should be encouraged to contact Social Care. If they do not wish to do so, it should be explained to them that the club is obliged to. The concerns should be logged and any action taken recorded fully.

Allegations against staff members and volunteers

If an allegation of any form of child abuse is made against a member of staff or volunteer the matter must be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and Ofsted. The LADO will advise if other external/internal agencies (eg police) should be informed, and the Club will act upon the advice given to ensure that any investigation is not jeopardised.

If an allegation is made against a member of staff, it will be factually recorded in the Incident Book stating the actions taken. All witnesses to the incident should sign and date the entry to confirm it.

It may be necessary for the club to refer to its staff disciplinary procedure regarding suspensions and exclusions following advice sought from the LADO. The management also has the right to seek professional advice from Employment Law specialists.

Staff Support and Training

The AfterSchool Club is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities in respect of child protection through the provision of support and training to staff. Therefore, the Club will ensure that:

	All staff have child protection training and will be vigilant to signs and evidence of physical, sexual and emotional abuse or neglect
	We implement safe recruitment practices for all staff, students and volunteers, including verified references and full and up to date enhanced Criminal Record Bureau checks
	All staff and volunteers are given a copy of the Child Protection policy during their induction, and have its implications explained to them.
	All staff and volunteers receive regular training and supervision in child protection issues and are provided with any relevant information and guidance
	All staff are provided with supervision and management support commensurate with their responsibilities in relation to child protection, and their requirement to maintain caring and safe relationships with children
	All staff are aware of the main indicators of child abuse
	All staff are aware of their statutory requirements in respect of the disclosure or discovery of child abuse and the procedure for doing so. All students and volunteers are instructed to report the disclosure or discovery of abuse to the manager
	The Club will take appropriate action in relation to the findings of any investigation into allegations of abuse, consistent with its duties to protect the safety of children and uphold fair processes for staff, students and volunteers
	Any member of staff, student or volunteer under investigation for the alleged abuse of a child, will be subject to the provisions of the Staff Disciplinary Policy
	The AfterSchool Club will display and follow the ‘What To Do If You’re Worried A Child Is Being Abused’ flowchart.

Safe Caring

All staff understand the AfterSchool Club’s child protection procedures and have had appropriate training and guidance in the principles of safe caring. To this end:

	Every effort will be made to avoid or minimise time when members of staff, students or volunteers are left alone with a child. If staff are left alone with a child, the door of the room should be kept open and another member of staff should be informed.
	If a child makes inappropriate physical contact with a member of staff, students or volunteer, this will be recorded fully in the Incident Record Book.
	Staff will never carry out a personal task for children that they can do for themselves. Where this is essential, staff will help a child whilst being accompanied by a colleague. Unless a child has a particular need, staff should not accompany children into the toilet. Staff are aware that this and other similar activities could be misconstrued.

Staff will be mindful of how and where they touch children, given their age and emotional understanding. Unnecessary or potentially inappropriate physical contact will be avoided at all times.

Useful Numbers

	Ofsted: 08456 404040
	LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer): 01992 556935/6
	Herts Safeguarding Children Board (Children Schools & Families) : 0300 123 4040
	Police: 020 84214001
	NSPCC: 0808 800 500

Ofsted Registration nos:

	EY356000 Mill End
	130617 Cloisters
	EY397717 Croxley Green

CONTACT NUMBERS

Debby Tindall is available on:

	01923 773938 - day, evening and weekends
	07958 666621 - club hours

Signature of Debby Tindall...........................................................................................

Signature of Parent/Carer.................................................. Date .........................

Child/rens Name/s ......................................................................................................

Reviewed October 2009

RECORDS KEPT ON YOUR CHILDREN

Send mail to Debby@TheHolidayClub.net with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: May 16, 2010

Send mail to Debby@TheHolidayClub.net with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: May 16, 2010