Our Policies

Vision statement

We want to create a safe and educational space for people to come to to enjoy the natural environment and indoor safe space. We want to mix learning about nature with Well-being and give people skills to see them into a healthier lifestyle.

Statement on Equal Opportunities

Bluegreencymru CIC promotes equality of opportunity and welcomes people from all cultural and religious backgrounds. Staff will not discriminate against anyone, member of staff, parent, or any other on the grounds of race, culture, gender or disability. Staff will strive to work in the best way to support each person’s individual needs. No child shall receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religious beliefs, disability or the ability to pay.

Bluegreencymru CIC will appoint the best person for each job based on a fair and transparent recruitment system and will treat all applicants fairly for the job and all those appointed regardless of age, gender, sexuality, class, family status, disability, colour, ethnic origin or religion.

All members of Bluegreencymru CIC accept a commitment to implementing the equal opportunities policy as part of their job description and contract.

Activities and the use of play equipment will offer children the opportunities to develop in an environment free from prejudice and discrimination. Children are given opportunities to explore, understand and value similarities and differences between themselves and others.

Resources will be chosen to give children a balanced view of the world and an appreciation of the rich diversity of our multicultural society. Materials are selected to help children develop their self-respect and to respect other people, by avoiding stereotypes and derogatory pictures or messages about any group of people.

Discriminatory behaviour or remarks will not be accepted in the setting. We aim to respond in a way that is sensitive to everyone’s feelings, and which helps those responsible to understand and overcome the prejudice.

Information, written and spoken, will be clearly communicated in as many languages as necessary. Bilingual /multilingualism will be respected and valued and their languages recognized and respected in the group. Regard is given to each child’s needs including dietary.

The time, place, and conduct of meetings will try to ensure that all families have an equal opportunity to be involved.

Health and Safety

Bluegreencymru CIC procedures to deal with Accidents and Emergencies

In case of an accident, the member of staff in charge taking responsibility will first assess the situation and then safeguard the rest of the group. They will approach the injured person, or children, with calm and with speed, in order to reassure. The person taking charge should then decide on what action to take, and if necessary call the emergency services for assistance and take control until help arrives.

The parent, carer, or named person should be present. All the other staff and volunteers should be engaged in maintaining calm amongst the other children whilst continuing to ensure their safety.

Once the emergency is over and has been dealt with the accident must be recorded in the Accident record book, and the play leader should ensure that the parent or carer has signed to acknowledge the incident and any action taken. If medical attention has been received then the accident should be reported to the Health and Safety Executive and CSSIW.

Medication Policy

BGC does not take responsibility for administering or storing medication. It is a requirement that a medical form is completed when booking on to a session so that the session facilitator is aware of any illness or disability prior to a person beginning the session, this way any adaptations can be made if needs be. The form will be online to be completed as part of the booking process.

First Aid Kit

A First Aid kit will be readily available on site at all times.

Risk Assessment

Woodland Area

Hazards and Risks:

• Tripping over
• Getting stung
• Fatigue
Control Measures
• Safety talk before
• Adequate clothing/footwear
• Water on hand
• Checking it’s secure and sturdy
• First Aid kit on hand
• Enough adults to help

Building a Shelter

Hazards and Risks:

• Dropping Equipment.
• Shelter falling causing injury or accident.
• Tools (if any).
• Wind.
• Children getting distracted when collecting building materials.

Control Measures:

• Safety talk before
• Adequate clothing/footwear
• Checking it’s secure and sturdy
• First Aid kit on hand
• Enough adults to help

Paddling

Hazards and Risks:

• Deepwater
• Currents / Rips
• Weever fish sting
• Standing on crab shells
• Tide changing
• Coldwater exposure
• Swallowing water

Control Measures:

• Safety talk first
• Appropriate clothing including footwear
• Enough adult ratio
• Change of clothes after
• Smaller groups to monitor
• When possible always stay between lifeguards flags
• Making sure depth fits with child’s abilities
• Hot water available for weaver sting
• First aid kit to hand

Sand Dunes/Digging

Hazards and Risks:

• Deepwater
• Currents / Rips
• Weever fish sting
• Standing on crab shells
• Tide changing
• Coldwater exposure
• Swallowing water

Control Measures:

Collecting Natural Items

Hazards and Risks:

• Children wandering off getting lost
• Cutting themselves on found objects
• Dog poo
• Dirty, unsanitized object
• Falling over as distracted

Control Measures:

• Safety talk first
• Set out area which there aloud to go that’s always supervised
• Buddy children up
• Talk about whats subtle whats rubbish
• Rubbish bag on hand to dispose of suitably
• First aid kit

Using Rope and String

Hazards and Risks:

• Getting caught in the rope/string
• Burns from rope/string
• Tripping over rope/string

Control Measures:

• Safety talk first
• A small length of rope/string
• Calm energy before using it
• First aid kit

Fire

Before the session make sure of appropriate clothing i.e no hanging material, hair is tied up. Select an area that no one will walk through using cones or visual barriers. Assess children’s abilities before starting the activity. Keeping fire contained and in a safe place with a ratio of 2:1. Water to be on hand and to be known to everyone present. Be aware of the wind and smoke direction. Staying calm around the fire area.A first aid kit is always handy if ever needed. Safely put out the fire and make sure the area is cool after.

insurance

Confirmation of Liability Insurance

This document may be useful when asked to provide evidence of insurance.

Policyholder: bluegreencymru CIC
Policy Number: CD50000
Policy Form Insurance Policy for Clubs and Societies
Insurer: Markel International Insurance Company Limited
Public Liability Insurance
Period of Insurance: 26-Apr-2022 to 13-Apr-2023
Limit of Indemnity: £5,000,000
Basis of Cover Applies to each claim but in respect of Products Liability is the total for all claims made
during the period of insurance
Signed for and on behalf of Markel (UK) Limited:
Date: 26-Apr-2021
Note: This confirmation of insurance is for information purposes only. You should refer to the actual policy
document for the binding terms, conditions and exclusions of cover.

Child behaviour policy for parental information

BGC staff encourage good behaviour by example and by giving praise and encouragement. Good behaviour will be promoted through the provision of interesting and stimulating activities that are appropriately supervised and properly resourced and that are appropriate to the age and ability of the children attending. In order to promote positive behaviour staff will be sure to pass on positive comments to other staff members, children, or parents in the child’s hearing. Research has shown that positive comments to parents carry the most weight with children over any other form of reward.

Consistently refusing to respond to requests by play staff
Consistently treating others with disrespect
Persistent rudeness or language that is offensive to others
Hurting another child or member of staff deliberately
Damaging persons or property
Behaving in a way likely to damage or injure themselves, other persons, or property
Bullying other children
Fighting with other children in a way that causes injury or distress

BGC 5 Steps to Dealing with unacceptable behaviour

BGC has 5 Steps to be followed when dealing with unacceptable behaviour and all play-work staff, committee members, parents and children should be aware of these steps:

Step 1

Staff/volunteers will attempt to resolve the situation by listening to child/children and either helping them to identify their own solutions to resolve the situation or by suggesting a solution (this helps children feel in control and gives them the skills to resolve future disputes).

Step 2

If this has not worked staff/volunteers will intervene to distract one, both or all of the children, by removing a disputed activity or resource, moving the child/children from that activity and/or environment to another activity/ environment, in a way that is fair to the individuals concerned.

Step 3

If the child/ren still carries on with the behaviour they must take ‘time-out” from the activity or staff/volunteers may decide to remove equipment if it is being misused or used in a dangerous manner. This decision needs to be discussed and shared amongst the adult team so that action is carried out consistently. Staff/volunteers must explain clearly to the child/ren why they have taken this action and should monitor the situation for the remainder of the session.

Step 4

Every session should begin without prejudice so that children are given the opportunity to approach play with a ‘clean slate.’ If there is no improvement in the child/ren’s behaviour staff/volunteers reserve the option to use steps one to three again. In extreme cases for example if there was persistent poor behaviour likely to cause or damage or injury to persons or property and(after serious consultation between staff/volunteers a decision will be taken to suspend attendance from the playscheme for a defined period.

Step 5

Parents /carers will be contacted by letter regarding persistent behaviour issues.

Confidentiality/Data protection

All records containing personal or sensitive information will remain confidential and will be kept in a safe and secure place. Records will be erased or disposed of after a year or if asked after each session. These guidelines are in accordance with GDPR legislation.

Child/Adult at Risk

A declaration/statement authorising use of photographs for advertising and funding purposes will be requested. For any child under the ages of 16 a parent or career will be asked to authorise on the child’s behalf. If no authority is given, no photographs will be used for promotion/ online or for funding by BGC. A consent form will be attached to the application when booking on to the sessions.

DBS

All members of the team at Blue Green Cymru including staff and volunteers will be DBS checked prior to undergoing any Coastal school sessions with a minor.

Disclosure and Safeguarding

The ethical framework that we adhere to states that if it becomes known that a child may be at risk of harm from another person or of harming themselves or another child we may disclose this to the relevant services. If in any of these instances we feel that we may need to disclose information we will endeavour to talk to the child’s parent or carer first but we cannot guarantee that we are able to do this. Should a child be left at the end of a session and appear to have nowhere to go then we would do the following: • Check the child registration sheet and phone the contact numbers to check where the child was meant to be and to ascertain who is responsible for the child • If no response from the contact numbers then check where the child lived and a member of staff to accompany the child to the home address • If no family members could be found then ring social services and report as a safeguarding matter • Complete a written report of the incident and pass on to relevant authorities, eg police, social services, CSSIW

Procedure for a child who is missing or not collected

BGC delivers open access play sessions that are held outdoors, all paperwork such as session register, child registration sheets is on-site during the sessions.
Open access play sessions are distinct from childcare as children are only the responsibility of play staff whilst they are on the play site and engaging with our play sessions.

However, should staff or other children become concerned that a child was missing or had been abducted we would do the following:

• Carry out an initial search of the site to see if the child could be found
• Ensure the safety of remaining children and adults
• Check the registration sheet for the child and ring any contact numbers to see if the child had returned home, and/or to alert family members to the fact that the child may be missing
• If no response from the contact phone numbers then ring the police and report as a missing person
• Complete a written report of the incident and pass on to relevant authorities, eg police, social services, CSSIW

Should a child be left at the end of a session and appear to have nowhere to go then we would do the following:

• Check the child registration sheet and phone the contact numbers to check where the child was meant to be and to ascertain who is responsible for the child
• If no response from the contact numbers then check where the child lived and a member of staff to accompany the child to the home address
• If no family members could be found then ring social services and report as a safeguarding matter
• Complete a written report of the incident and pass on to relevant authorities, eg police, social services, CSSIW

Staff ratios

There will be a minimum of 2 session facilitators for each session. BGC will be running sessions within the recommended guidelines for staff/child ratios. Under no circumstances will BGC exceed the staff /child ratio which could potentially increase the risk of a child coming into harm.

Staff roles and responsibilities

It is the role and responsibility of the session facilitators and volunteers to ensure a safe and secure learning environment to enable and encourage play and development. It is the role and responsibility of the staff to ensure a risk benefit assessment is considered and that dynamic ongoing risk assessments are carried out during the session.