We are doing a lot of different work with schools and organisations to fund physical activity, sport and community togetherness in Central Barrow as a whole, as well as many of our after-school clubs as we can. Schools are also helping each other and sharing resources and knowledge. All this is being helped and supported by a lot of different organisations and funders. Both WAF and our Barrow Town Council, Active Cumbria and Furness Education and skills partner play a big part. However, so do organisations as different as Furness Rotary, our PTAs and Dropzone. It’s a team effort and it’s done so our kids in Central Barrow get the best access to every physical activity we can give them, all through their childhood and beyond.
There are three main different kinds of provision:
| Name | LOOKS LIKE | WHAT DOES IT TRY TO DO? | WHICH SCHOOLS? | WHO ELSE IS INVOLVED AT PRESENT? |
| After School Clubs | To provide after school clubs through the year for St George’s children | St George’s | St George’s staff and coaches | |
| Step up and Play | To make sure every child from 3-11 in Central Barrow has access to join and play for a club or team. To transport and escort children from Central Barrow to training and matches and help their families become an active part of a club | St George’s, Sacred Heart, Ramsden, Greengate Juniors. | Barrow Celtic Juniors, Vickerstown Juniors, Hindpool Rugby League, Duddon Canoe Club, Hawcoat Rugby Union, Hoops, Mini Islanders School coaches and staff Organised through FESP | |
| Centre Circle | To work to improve the out of school sports provision in the area for children in Central Barrow- using school halls and playgrounds etc. | St George’s, Sacred Heart, Greengate Juniors | Cumbria Cricket, Dalton Leisure Centre (swimming), Various school coaches and staff Organised through Active Cumbria |
Here below is the link to the booking form with further information:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK8UPthwM4fEiOcy9WQGm9MwBuggWNuKRhKIxPIYXaIfUFkQ/viewform
See also our copy of the Draft Enhanced Provision Guidance below. We are working together to ensure we maintain high standards of Safeguarding, Health and Safety. To do this, we need you to consent to share information.
Central Barrow Schools Enhanced Provision- Safeguarding Policy and Procedures 2024
January 2024- Context
Ramsden Infants School ,Greengate Junior School, Sacred Heart RC Primary and St George’s C of E Nursery and Primary are doing a lot of different work with schools and organisations to fund physical activity, sport and community togetherness in Central Barrow as a whole, as well as many of our after-school clubs as we can. Schools are also helping each other and sharing resources and knowledge.
All this is being helped and supported by a different organisations and funders. Both Westemorland and Furness and our Barrow Town Council, Active Cumbria and Furness Education and Skills Partnership play a big part. However, so do organisations as different as Furness Rotary, our PTAs and Dropzone. It’s a team effort and it’s done so our children in Central Barrow get the best access to every physical activity we can give them, all through their childhood and beyond.
This is proving a great success and it is important that our procedures and provisions keep pace with this. We are now working closely with more clubs and organisations than ever before. All of whom have their own safeguarding policies and procedures. While the over-riding principles are the same with regards to working with children, it is important to set out as clearly as possible where responsibility is shared and where it lies.
Introduction
This document draws from key points from the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) non-statutory guidance on best practice for creating a safe environment for children within out-of-school-settings (OOSS) in England (DfE, 2023). Guidance was first published in 2020 under the name- ‘Keeping children safe during community activities, after-school clubs and tuition’. The guidance renamed and updated in September 2023 to reflect current guidance, new legislation, and findings from a DfE pilot looking at the existing oversight of out-of-school settings (DfE, 2022).
We have also borrowed liberally from the NSPCC briefing on the above guidance. In addition, I have consulted with Kym Allen Associates (Cumbrian Health and Safety consultants) on matters contained in this policy and have checked the policies and procedures of the organisations/clubs that the schools are involved with. This aimed at organisations or individuals who provide extra-curricular training, tuition or community clubs and activities; and each section of the guidance includes a list of legal requirements.
The overarching purpose of this document is to ensure Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. It sets down the basic expectations for all organisations and contains contact information which can be referred to if concerns are raised. Information sharing, overseen by the Designated Safeguarding Leads and Welfare Officers, must be shared appropriately and proportionally.
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policies
All providers must have a written safeguarding and child protection policy that is up to-date and tailored to the organisation. The policy must be reviewed annually and after any incident that has occurred. This must be available to parents/carers, as well as partnership organisations, either provided by e-mail or through the club
It needs to include:
- a written policy statement setting out the priority you give to safeguarding, and plans to achieve this
- a commitment that no staff member or volunteer inflict harm on a child
- a list of safeguarding procedures
- contact details for the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) or Welfare Officer and local safeguarding services.
Safeguarding Procedures
Typical procedures should include:
- responding to concerns a child may be at risk of abuse or exploitation
- responding to allegations or concerns of child-on-child abuse
- responding to concerns that an adult working with children may present a risk of abuse.
- responding to adults trespassing for the purposes of abuse
- how children and families can raise a safeguarding concern.
Organisations must also consider having information about the following; code of conduct for staff, different types of abuse, how to respond to a child who discloses abuse. This is statutory for schools, who will have this within their policies on their individual websites.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and managing safeguarding concerns
A DSL is appointed with responsibility for safeguarding children in the setting. Parents or carers should be provided with the name of the DSL, another member of staff, or in the case of lone providers the contact details of the local authority’s children’s services or NSPCC helpline, so they can raise safeguarding concerns. The DSL should be suitably trained and have a good understanding of safeguarding and child protection. They should know what the local authority children’s social care referral processes are and be aware of the local criteria for action and the local protocol for assessment.
With reference to this document, the overarching responsibility for the individual schoolchildren rests with each of the individual school’s DSL team. For the purposes of the schools involved, these are as follows:
| School | Telephone Number | School E-Mail | DSL | Deputy DSLs | Website Link |
| Greengate Junior School | |||||
| St George’s C of E School | 01229 841240 | office@stgeorges.cumbria.sch.uk | Steven Herbert | Nick Thomson, Helen Morrison, Kath Albery | |
| Sacred Heart RC Primary | |||||
| Ramsden Infants School |
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility is an expectation that the school DSLs be aware of the reporting procedure of any club or organisation the children are attending. It is expected that the club/organisation are aware of whom to contact as a point of reference. Either should contact the other with concerns where appropriate, considering the factors in the same way as schools do when information sharing with any organisation.
Both organisations would record such an interaction. For example, a sports club may file this on with their Welfare Officer where a DSL places this as information
| Club/Organisation | Telephone Number | DSL/Welfare Officer | Deputy DSLs | Website/FB Link | |
| FESP | |||||
| Active Cumbria | |||||
| Barrow Celtic Juniors | |||||
| Hindpool Tigers | |||||
| Hoops | |||||
| Mini Islanders | |||||
| Duddon Canoe Club | |||||
| Vickerstown Football Club | |||||
| Dalton United Juniors |
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Specific Safeguarding Issues
Everyone that works with children should be aware of safeguarding issues that can put children at risk. Staff and volunteers must be appropriately trained. This may be a football safeguarding qualification for a coach or a Safeguarding Level 1,2 or 3 as an escort. In the case of school staff and volunteers, this resides with the DSL and also does so with the various clubs and organisations.
Abuse and neglect: Stakeholders should be aware of indicators of abuse and neglect so they can identify children who may need help or protection and respond appropriately.
Child-on-child abuse: Stakeholders should be aware that child-on-child abuse,also known as peer-on-peer abuse, is a safeguarding issue.
Mental health and wellbeing: Everyone working with children should be aware of the signs and symptoms of mental health problems among children, and how children experiencing mental health problems, may be more vulnerable to harm.
Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND): Safeguarding policies should reflect on the additional risks and barriers to recognising abuse and neglect among children with SEND.
Coaches, Staff and volunteer responsibilities
Coaches, staff and volunteers should know the settings safeguarding processes and appropriate escalation routes. They should also have a child-centred approach when working with children and be appropriately trained in safeguarding and child protection. For example, a basketball coach should be aware of this policy and guidelines but a driver should also know who the Welfare or Safeguarding Officer is at the club too. Children and adults should have access to both procedures.
Local authority children’s social care and multi-agency safeguarding arrangements
What to do if a child makes a disclosure of abuse or harm: If a child in the setting discloses that they have been abused or feel at risk of harm, it should be reported without delay to the LADO, and as appropriate the local authority children’s social care and the police. Information around the safeguarding concern should be stored securely and access to these records should be limited to the DSL or other appropriate senior workers.
In Cumbria, the LADO can be contacted thus:
- Westmorland & Furness LADO lado@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk 0300 303 389
Working and Coaching Children
Working alone with children: It is generally best practice not to work alone with a child. In situations where this is unavoidable, it may also be appropriate to invite a parent, carer or trusted adult to be present during the session. Schools must discuss the details of the session with the child and their parent or carer, and to gain written consent. If unexpectedly working alone with a child the session should take place within view of others, and the welfare officer or DSL should be informed.
Recruitment, references and pre-employment checks
The appropriate level of criminal record checks must check the applicant is suitable for the role. Checks must also be made to ensure that applicants have the right skill set, proof of identity and the right to work in the UK. Details of previous experience and references must be requested and checked thoroughly. The schools involved have staff subject to safer recruitment training.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and childcare disqualification
All relevant coaches, staff and volunteers must be DBS checked. Those in regulated activity are eligible for an enhanced certificate with a check of the relevant barred list(s). Checks are most beneficial when conducted alongside other safe recruitment practices. The DSL’s or Welfare officers must indicate that this has been the case before children commence on any linked activity.
Regulated activity providers have a legal duty to refer an individual to the DBS if they left the organisation, or moved to a role which does not involve regulated activity because they harmed or might have been at risk of harming a child.
Self-employed workers can apply for a basic DBS check. Childcare settings and care settings for children up to the age of 8 must check that individuals have not been disqualified.
Adult Behaviour
It is good practice to have a behaviour policy, which should include a commitment that no adult teacher, coach or volunteer should ever inflict physical or psychological harm on a child, and information on appropriate relationships and communications between parents, children and staff and volunteers, including the use of social media. Staff members and volunteers should be regularly monitored, and reviewed: in order to to ensure necessary skills and training to carry out their role and responsibilities. This covers a staff code of conduct, or in the case of coaches’ club code of conduct and indeed expectations of parents/carers.
What to do where concerns are raised about staff or volunteers who may pose a risk of harm to children
Providers should create a low-level concerns policy and have procedures in place to manage any concerns involving an adult working in a setting that aren’t serious enough to be considered for a referral. All DSL’s or Welfare Officers must agree to this having read this policy.
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Health and Safety and Fire Safety
Providers have a legal duty of care to try to ensure the environment is safe for people who attend. Reasonable steps should be taken to ensure people will be safe using the venue. Risk assessments should be reviewed and updated every year. Providers with 5 or more staff must write this down as part of a health and safety plan. Providers should also have first aid training and a first aid kit. A plan should be in place to help staff respond effectively to an emergency, and all providers must have a fire safety and evacuation plan.
Parental consent and attendance registers
Enrolments includes a parental consent form during the enrolment process. It’s helpful to obtain more than one emergency contact number per child and check for updates to contact details on a regular basis, as well as gathering information on any health conditions or medical requirements. Attendance registers can be used to confirm which children are present.
Supervision, Escort and Support
When children are attending competitive sport, we always encourage parents to become involved with the local club or joint schools working. Where schools are working together on a school site this means the expectation is an escort is provided by each school wherever possible. Where this is not the case, through illness or any other issue, that school’s parents/carers whose children are attending must be informed. The escort will support the coach with behaviour and expectations. The coach runs the session and the host school’s procedures regarding out of school sport and use of premises followed.
When transporting children to sporting events, there is a minibus risk assessment and responsibility rests with the driver, escort and school’s policy. Once at the venue, the escort is required to support the behaviour and expectations of each club. The club runs and is responsible for the health, safety and safeguarding itself during the activity. Again, there is an expectation that an escort is present ‘in loco parentis’ wherever possible.
On occasions, drivers and escorts may be supporting multiple venues on a given day. When this is the case, the parent/carer must be offered transport to the event, so should they wish, to provide support to both child and coach. If the parent/carer cannot attend but consents that the child may be dropped off and picked up to attend the match or training then the club must have access to an ‘on call’ DSL should any injury or concern occur, to support both parent/carer and club. For example, a suitably insured DSL may drive the parent to the venue, or provide an escort to hospital while remaining in contact with the parent. The minibus may be diverted to an emergency and steps taken to find alternative, escorted transport where possible.
Missing Child ![]()
If a child is missing, the coach or escort and contact the Duty DSL and Welfare Officer. Alternatively, lone providers should put in place contingencies to ensure someone is available to look for missing children. If the child is under the age of 5, the police should be contacted immediately. Otherwise, depending on the child’s age, the parent or carer should be contacted to establish whether they have returned home. Parents or carers are responsible for contacting the police when appropriate. Providers can contact the police on the parent’s/carer’s behalf with agreement, or without agreement if the child is at significant risk of harm.
Governance
FESP: Most charities in England and Wales are regulated through the Charity Commission. There are separate charity regulators for charities in Scotland and Northern Ireland. FESP oversees Step up and Play and holds funding.
Active Cumbria: Active Cumbria oversees the out of school joint projects on school sites and criteria for funding.
All other stakeholders: It is essential for settings with multiple employees or volunteers to set up a management committee to ensure the setting/club/team is effectively run.
Management
A representative from each school should meet at a given monthly time and other stakeholders should be invited to attend. This is likely to take place online. One of the purposes of this is to raise any overarching concerns with regards to child safety, as well as any difficulties with organisational matters.
Complaints and whistleblowing policy
There should be a clear complaints policy on each website, so parents, coaches and staff know how to make a complaint, and a formal whistleblowing policy so staff/coaches can raise concerns.
Using school, college, or local authority premises
When using school, college or local authority premises the organisation/club should follow any terms that the school, college or local authority has set, whilst continuing to implement the DfE’s After-school clubs, community activities, and tuition guidance and its own child protection and safeguarding policies and procedures.
Extremism and radicalisation
Stakeholders should be vigilant of children or staff being vulnerable to radicalisation, and the potential exposure of children to radicalisation online from peers or staff members.
Online safety issues and online safety policies
Stakeholders should have a good general understanding of the different risks young people can face online and be able to have positive conversations about online safety with young people. An effective approach to online safety protects and educates children in their use of technology and establishes mechanisms to identify, intervene in, and escalate any incidents where appropriate.
Settings providing access to the internet should have an online safety policy for both staff and children. This should outline specific procedures or codes of conduct for children and staff to follow. The setting should also have appropriate filters and monitoring systems in place.
Photography and sharing images
Parental consent must be obtained: and it should be made clear to parents and carers how, where and for how long images of children and young people will be used, and what actions will be taken to keep children safe.
Visitors to Settings
They should follow child protection policies and procedures of the setting. Assess any risks around having a stakeholder and put in place procedures to protect children. For instance, a
Visits and overnight stays
Parental consent should be obtained for overnight stays. Arrangements should be explained to parents and carers and at least one emergency contact number should be available for each child. Risk assessments should be conducted which reflect any public health advice. In overnight accommodation there should be separate facilities for adults, older and younger children, and according to sex. Mixed sex groups should have at least one male and one female supervisor.
GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018
Information should be kept safe and secure. Concerns about sharing information must not obstruct the promotion and protection of children’s safety and welfare. For that reason, it is made clear to parents/carers where information will be shared. If any stakeholder is unsure which information should be disclosed, they must contact either their ‘own’ DSL or the Club Welfare Officer.
Food Safety
If food is provided on a regular basis, it may be necessary to register with the local authority as a food business. Providers must abide by food safety regulation to ensure that the food is safe and appropriate to eat.
References
Department for Education (DfE) (2022) Oversight of out–of–school–settings
(OOSS): lessons learnt from the DfE funded pilot. [Accessed 04/10/2023]
Department for Education (DfE) (2023) After–school clubs, community activities and tuition: safeguarding guidance for providers. [Accessed 04/10/2023]
NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit site for a safeguarding checklist for community and school sports thecpsu.org.uk/check–and–challenge
Furness Education and Skills Partnership- Safeguarding Policy
https://fesp.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FESP-Safeguarding-Policy.pdf
Football Association Policies and Procedures
https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/safeguarding/policy-downloads