Adventure Camps is committed to building a ‘culture of safety’ in which the children in our care are protected from abuse, harm and radicalisation.
Our programmes will respond promptly and appropriately to all incidents or concerns regarding the safety of a child that may occur. The child protection procedures comply with all relevant legislation and with guidance issued by Ofsted and Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.
There is a Child Protection Officer (CPO) available at each site all times in session. The CPO coordinates child protection issues and liaises with external agencies (eg Social Care and Ofsted). There is a CPO available at Head Office during non-season periods.
The Head Office designated CPO is Nicholas Coulson. Please see venue information pack for the on-site designated CPO.
Children’s Rights and Entitlement #
Policy Statement #
We promote children’s right to be strong, resilient and listened to by creating an environment in our settings that encourages children to develop a positive self-image, which includes their heritage arising from their colour and ethnicity, their language spoken at home, their religious beliefs, cultural traditions and home background.
We promote children’s right to be strong, resilient and listened to by encouraging children to develop a sense of autonomy and independence.
We promote children’s right to be strong, resilient and listened to by enabling children to have the self- confidence and the vocabulary to resist inappropriate approaches.
We help children to establish and sustain satisfying relationships within their families, peers, and other adults.
We work with parents/carers to build their understanding of, and commitment to, the principles of safeguarding all of our children.
We acknowledge that all children have a right to grow up in an environment that is not abusive. We are aware that child abuse occurs to children of both sexes, at all ages and in all cultures, religions, social classes and to children with and without disabilities. We acknowledge that abuse of children can take different forms – physical, emotional and sexual, as well as neglect. We have a responsibility to our members and to Social Services to report suspected child abuse
Procedures will be followed sensitively but absolutely. Our loyalty in such circumstances remains with the child
The venues designated Child Protection Officer (CPO) is displayed on the parent notice board. The CPO coordinates child protection issues and liaises with external agencies (eg Social Care, the LSCB and Ofsted)
Forms of Child Abuse and Neglect #
Child abuse is any form of physical, emotional or sexual mistreatment or lack of care that leads to injury or harm. An individual may abuse or neglect a child directly, or by failing to protect them from harm. Some forms of child abuse and neglect are listed below:
Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child so as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve making the child feel that they are worthless, unloved, or inadequate. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.
Physical abuse can involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may be also caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes, ill health to a child.
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. This can involve physical contact, or non-contact activities such as showing children sexual activities or encouraging them to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and emotional needs. It can involve a failure to provide adequate food, clothing and shelter, to protect a child from physical and emotional harm, to ensure adequate supervision or to allow access to medical treatment.
Signs of child abuse and neglect #
Signs of possible abuse and neglect may include:
- significant changes in a child’s behaviour
- deterioration in a child’s general well-being
- unexplained bruising or marks
- comments made by a child which give cause for concern
- inappropriate behaviour displayed by other members of staff, or any other person. For example, inappropriate sexual comments, excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their role, or inappropriate sharing of images.
If abuse is suspected or disclosed
When a child makes a disclosure to a member of staff, that member of staff will:
- Reassure the child that they were not to blame and were right to speak out
- Listen to the child but not question them
- Give reassurance that the staff member will take action
- Record the incident as soon as possible (seeLogging an incident below).
- If a member of staff witnesses or suspects abuse, they will record the incident straightaway. If a third-party express concern that a child is being abused, we will encourage them to contact Social Care directly. If they will not do so, we will explain that the Camp is obliged to and the incident will be logged accordingly.
Peer-on-peer abuse #
Children are vulnerable to abuse by their peers. Peer-on-peer abuse is taken seriously by staff and will be subject to the same child protection procedures as other forms of abuse. Staff are aware of the potential uses of information technology for bullying and abusive behaviour between young people.
Staff will not dismiss abusive behaviour as normal between young people. The presence of one or more of the following in relationships between children should always trigger concern about the possibility of peer-on-peer abuse:
- Sexual activity (in primary school-aged children) of any kind, including sexting
- One of the children is significantly more dominant than the other (eg much older)
- One of the children is significantly more vulnerable than the other (eg in terms of disability, confidence, physical strength)
There has been some use of threats, bribes or coercion to ensure compliance or secrecy. If peer-on-peer abuse is suspected or disclosed We will follow the same procedures as set out above for responding to child abuse.
Extremism and radicalisation #
All childcare settings have a legal duty to protect children from the risk of radicalisation and being drawn into extremism. There are many reasons why a child might be vulnerable to radicalisation, eg:
- feeling alienated or alone
- seeking a sense of identity or individuality
- suffering from mental health issues such as depression
- desire for adventure or wanting to be part of a larger cause
- associating with others who hold extremist beliefs
Signs of radicalisation #
Signs that a child might be at risk of radicalisation include:
- changes in behaviour, for example becoming withdrawn or aggressive
- claiming that terrorist attacks and violence are justified
- viewing violent extremist material online
- possessing or sharing violent extremist material
If a member of staff suspects that a child is at risk of becoming radicalised, they will record any relevant information or observations on a Logging a concern form, and refer the matter to the CPO.
When a child wants to confide in you
| Do’s | Don’t |
| Be accessible and receptive | Jump to conclusions |
| Listen carefully | Try to get the child to “disclose” |
| Take it seriously | Speculate or accuse anyone |
| Reassure children that they are right to tell | Make promises that cannot be kept |
| Negotiate getting help | |
| Find help quickly | |
| Make careful records of what was said |
Logging an incident #
All information about the suspected abuse or disclosure will be recorded on the Logging a concern form as soon as possible after the event. The record should include:
- Date of the disclosure or of the incident causing concern
- Date and time at which the record was made
- Name and date of birth of the child involved
A factual report of what happened. If recording a disclosure, you must use the child’s own words.
Name, signature and job title of the person making the record.
The record will be given to the Camp’s CPO who will decide whether they need to contact Social Care or make a referral. All referrals to Social Care will be followed up in writing within 48 hours. If a member of staff thinks that the incident has not been dealt with properly, they may contact Social Care directly.
Informing Parents/carers: #
Parents/carers are normally the first point of contact.
If a suspicion of abuse is recorded, parents/carers are informed at the same time as the report is made, except where the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board does not allow this.
This will usually be the case where the parent/carer is the likely abuser. In these cases the investigating officers will inform parents/carers.
Allegations against staff #
If anyone makes an allegation of child abuse against a member of staff:
- The allegation will be recorded on anIncident record Any witnesses to the incident should sign and date the entry to confirm it.
- The allegation must be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and to Ofsted. The LADO will advise if other agencies (eg police) should be informed, and the Camp will act upon their advice. Any telephone reports to the LADO will be followed up in writing within 48 hours.
- Following advice from the LADO, it may be necessary to suspend the member of staff pending full investigation of the allegation.
- If appropriate the Camp will make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Promoting awareness among staff
The Camp promotes awareness of child abuse issues through its staff training. The Camp ensures that:
- Its designated CPO has relevant experience and receives appropriate training
- Safe recruitment practices are followed for all new staff
- All staff have a copy of this Safeguarding Children policy, understand its contents and are vigilant to signs of abuse or neglect
- All staff are aware of their statutory requirements with regard to the disclosure or discovery of child abuse
- Staff are familiar with the Safeguarding File which is kept in the Managers Box
Its procedures are in line with the guidance in ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children (2013)’ and that staff are familiar with the ‘What To Do If You’re Worried A Child Is Being Abused’ flowchart.
Support to Families: #
We believe in building trusting and supportive relationships with families, staff and volunteers in the group.
We make clear to parents/carers our role and responsibilities in relation to child protection, such as for the reporting of concerns, providing information, monitoring of the child, and liaising at all times with the local children’s social care team.
We will continue to welcome the child and the family whilst investigations are being made in relation to any alleged abuse?
We follow the Child Protection Plan as set by the child’s social care worker in relation to the setting’s designated role and tasks in supporting that child and their family, subsequent to any investigation.
Confidential records kept on a child are shared with the child’s parents/carers or those who have parental responsibility for the child in accordance with the Confidentiality and Client Access to Records procedure and only if appropriate under the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.
Use of mobile phones and cameras #
Photographs will only be taken of children with their parents’ permission. Only the Camp camera will be used to take photographs of children at the Camp, except with the express permission of the manager. Neither staff nor children nor visitors may use their mobile phones to take photographs at the Camp. For more details see our Mobile Phone Policy.
Contact Agencies #
Contact Numbers are located on the back of the Policies and Procedures, Employment Guide and Managers Handbook.
Legal Framework Primary Legislation
Children Act (1989 s47)
Data Protection Act (1998)
Protection of Children Act (1999)
The Children Act (2004) (Every Child Matters)
Secondary Legislation
Sexual Offences Act (2003)
Criminal Justice and Court Services Act (2000)
Human Rights Act (1999)
Race Relations (Amendment) Act (2000)
Race Relations (Amendment) Act (1976) Regulations
Equalities Act (2006)
Data Protection Act (1998) Non Statutory Guidance
Further Guidance
What to do if you’re worried a Child is Being Abused (HMG 2006)
Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (DoH2000)
Working Together to Safeguard Children (revised HMG 2006)
The Common Assessment Framework (2006)
Statutory guidance on making arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of child under section 11 of the Children Act 2004 (HMG 2007)
Information Sharing: Practitioners’ Guide (HMG 2006) • Independent Safeguarding Authority: www.isa-gov.org.uk
