PopSOC Policies

See also: PopSoc Parent pack (pdf)

1989 Children’s Act and Registration

The club is registered by Ofsted, to ensure that it is safe and suitable for all its purposes in terms of staff and premises.

The Co-ordinator and the Playworkers are registered as ‘suitable’ to be working with children, as defined by Ofsted, through police references. The premises meet regulations regarding space per child, toilets and safe access to outside areas. The club maintains registration forms and an attendance register for each session. It obtains consent from parents/guardians for any activities that involve leaving the Club’s premises.

New starter policy

During each child’s first session at the club they will be shown around once more by one of the Junior Playworkers.  These are children in year six who have shown particular maturity and sensitivity towards younger children.  The Junior Playworker alongside a Playworker will explain the ground rules of the club and show all the areas the child is allowed to go and all the areas they are not allowed to go. 

Children in nursery, reception and year one will be read the book ‘Welcome to PopSOC’  The Playworker will also explain all the fire drill procedures and show all the available toys at PopSOC . This Playworker will be assigned as the child’s key worker for the first couple of weeks and will observe the child and liase with the parent as to how well the child has settled into the club.  The level of support given by the Playworker will be dependent upon the child’s age, maturity, ability, personality, previous experiences and parent recommendations.  Should any parent/carer have any concerns about their child and his/her activities at the club please do not hesitate to speak to a member of staff or to the Coordinator.

Equal Opportunities & Special Needs

The club recognises the importance of equal opportunities and is committed to addressing the issue in areas of activity.  If your child has any special needs, continuing illnesses like asthma, eczema, diabetes, or allergies, you will be asked to fill out a health care plan form with the Special Needs/Inclusion Coordinator in the club.  This will offer an opportunity for the Special Needs/Inclusion Coordinator to discuss with you how the club can best support you and your child.  This will involve informing the Special Needs Coordinator of the signs and symptoms to look for in your child.  This will greatly enhance the safety of your child in the club.  We may also need to contact your GP for further information. 

All medicines must be clearly labelled with the child’s name, regularity, dose and expiry date.  It is the parent’s/ carer’s responsibility to ensure that medicines are kept up to date and PopSOC is advised of any changes in their use.  Training will be provided to ensure that all Playworkers have information on administering medicines.  

Please ensure that the registration form contains details of such conditions and medicines so that we can ensure that all aspects are covered in staff training and the appropriate permissions are prepared before your child attends the club for the first time.  For further information please see our Equal Opportunities and Special Needs policy.

Child Sickness Policy

PopSOC cannot accept ill children at any of its sessions.  This is to ensure that contagious diseases are not spread to other children and staff.

If a child becomes unwell at school, it is the school’s responsibility to arrange for the child to be collected from school.  If a child becomes unwell at PopSOC, we will contact you so that you can collect your child.

If a child is started on a new medicine, it is important that the PopSOC Manager is informed in writing so that staff can be aware of any symptoms or signs of allergy which may develop whilst your child is attending the club.  The child should not attend PopSOC for at least 24 hours following the first dose of medicine.

Behaviour management

PopSOC wishes to promote positive behaviour.  We expect children to be kind, helpful and polite and take care of property. As a play facility, there is an expectation that children may be loud, excited and messy providing this behaviour does not put them or others in danger or cause discomfort.

PopSOC is dedicated to managing challenging behaviour in a positive manner. PopSOC staff are requested to monitor behaviour with regard to the following principles. Playworkers will encourage the children to think about the consequences of their actions and make amends for any action they have taken which has caused harm to another child or their property. (i.e. making a new picture for someone if they ripped the previous one).  Our Playworkers will avoid at all times techniques which cause humiliation and any physical punishment.

Physical intervention

In extreme circumstances it may become necessary for a playworker to use physical intervention to prevent a child from causing harm to themselves or others.  It will only be used as a means to control or calm the situation down after the Playworker has tried other intervention techniques. The child will be gently led away from the situation. Physical intervention will not be used as a form of discipline.

The minimum force necessary to prevent injury or damage will be used and will be appropriate to the age size and strength of child/ren involved.   If you have any concerns about this please speak to the Manager.  (Please see behaviour management policy for more details.)

Child Protection

PopSOC is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all children and is therefore committed to child protection.  Any Playworker noticing the signs and symptoms of child abuse will record the details and inform the Manager and/or the Child Protection Officer (James). Playworkers are trained and recognise that they should observe a number of signs or symptoms before taking any additional action.  PopSOC is committed to ensuring such matters remain confidential.

Should the Coordinator judge it necessary, a report will be made to City of York Social Services concerning any child deemed to be at risk.  Parents will be kept informed unless the Coordinator considers it would endanger the child’s safety to do so.  (Please see Child Protection Policy for further details.)

Health and Safety

PopSOC is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all the users of the club.  Regular health and safety checks and risk assessments are conducted to ensure the safety of children, parents and staff.  (Please see the Health and Safety policy for more information)

Property statement

PopSOC is not insured against the loss of personal items such as clothing, jewellery, musical instruments, books, money, gameboys, mobile phones etc.  We will endeavour to keep childrens’ property safe. However, we cannot guarantee this, and such items are left at the owner’s risk.

Parents are advised that the following precautions will minimise the risk that property will be lost; children’s clothing, bags and shoes are named; children do not carry money; children do not wear jewellery. 

Anti-bullying

PopSOC is dedicated to ensuring a safe environment for children at all times which is free from all types of bullying, physical and emotional.  Bullying is regarded as totally unacceptable and includes the repeated harassment of others through emotional, physical, verbal or psychological abuse.  PopSOC staff will strive at all times to promote an environment free from bullying.  In the event that, despite all the efforts of the staff, bullying does still occur, the parents/carers will be informed as soon as possible. A meeting will be arranged between the staff and parents to discuss the issues and a united approach forward.  (Please read anti-bullying policy for more details.)

Special Needs

This setting aims to provide a safe, caring and supportive atmosphere in which all children can play freely and feel happy, confident and of equal worth.  Ceri is our Inclusion Co-Ordinator, who has experience and training in special needs.  If you have a child with special needs and have any questions about the club and its provision please contact the club and ask to speak to Ceri, Alex or Patrick.  They would be more than happy to discuss our special needs policy and how the club can support any specific special needs.

Policies

Admissions.pdf
Anti-bullying.pdf
Arrivals And Departures.pdf
Behaviour Management.pdf
Care, Learning And Play.pdf
Complaints.pdf
Confidentiality.pdf
Consulting Children.pdf
Dealing With Racial Harassment.pdf
Documentation And Information.pdf
Equal Opportunities.pdf
Equipment.pdf
Food And Drink.pdf
Health And Safety.pdf
Health, Illness And Emergency.pdf
Infectious & Communicable Diseases.pdf
Lost Child.pdf
Medicine.pdf
Mission Statement.pdf
New Starters.pdf
Partnerships With Parents And Carers.pdf
Permission for extra curricular activities - revised.pdf
Physical Environment.pdf
PopSOC Cancellation Form.pdf
Registration form.pdf
Robust Recruitment.pdf
Rules March 2010.pdf
Safeguarding Children.pdf
Special Needs.pdf
Times and Prices insert.pdf