Our Policies

Please note, these policies have been shortened for relevance to the consumer. Full versions of any of our policies are available upon request, please email hello@sportne.co.uk and we can provide these.

Other relevent information can be found in our Privacy Policy, and booking Terms & Conditions.

Aggressive Behaviour Policy
SNE does not tolerate bullying, aggressive, confrontational or threatening behaviour from anyone. SNE is a place of safety for children and staff.

If someone behaves in an unacceptable way towards a member of staff or child, we will take the following steps:

To ensure the safety of children, we will remove them from the vicinity of the incident.
The manager will seek to resolve the situation through calm discussion.
If the individual wishes to make a complaint, they will be encouraged to follow our complaints procedure.
If the individual continues to exhibit unacceptable behaviour, we will ask them to leave the premises immediately.
If they refuse to leave, we will contact the police.

Administering Medication Policy

If a child attending SNE requires medication of any kind, their parent or carer must complete a Permission to Administer Medicine form. Staff will not administer medicine without this consent.

Before any medication is given, we will:

  • Check that we have written consent
  • Check when the last dosage was given
  • Ask another member of staff to witness that the correct dosage is given
  • Record all details on the relent medication log
  • Pass this information on to parents.

If the child refuses to take their medication, staff will not force them to do so.

Anti-Bullying Policy

SNE provides a caring, supportive, and safe environment in which children can be free from fear of being bullied. Bullying is an unacceptable behaviour in any form.

Any child who is a victim of bullying will be dealt with in a sympathetic manner. If bullying is suspected or reported, the incident will be dealt with by a Coach, who will discuss it with management and record it on the incident log. Parents of both parties will be informed.

SNE acknowledges that despite all efforts to prevent it, bullying behaviour can occur on occasion. When such incidents occur, SNE will:

  • Address all incidents of bullying thoroughly and sensitively.
  • Victims will be offered the immediate opportunity to discuss the matter with a coach.
  • Staff will support the victim, keeping them under close supervision and checking their welfare regularly.
  • If bullying behaviour persists, we will work with parents to try and resolve the issues.
  • If this fails to stop the bullying, more serious actions may be taken, as laid out in the suspensions and exclusions policy.

Behaviour Management Policy

Whilst at SNE we expect children to use socially acceptable behaviour and comply with our rules. We recognise as children develop and learn, they will need support and guidance to understand what behaviours are not acceptable.

Challenging behaviour will be dealt with in a calm, firm, positive manner. In the first instance, a verbal warning will be given, accompanied by an explanation of what behaviour was unacceptable.

In the second instance, the child will temporarily be removed from the activity. Staff will discuss the behaviour with the child, clarifying why it is inappropriate.

Staff will consult with parents to formulate clear strategies to deal with persistent inappropriate behaviour.

No staff member will ever threaten any punishment that could adversely affect a child’s well-being. Corporal punishment will never be used at SNE.

Physical intervention will only be used as a last resort when staff believe that action is necessary to prevent injury, damage or harm. If a member of staff has to physically restrain a child, the manager will be informed, it will be recorded on the incident log, and parents will be informed.

Complaints Policy

SNE aims to deliver a high-quality childcare service for everyone. If, for any reason, we fall short of this goal, we would like to be informed in order to amend our practices for the future.

Our complaints policy is always displayed on the premises. Records of all complaints are kept for at least 3 years. A summary of complaints is available for parents on request.

Complaints will be dealt with in the following manner:

  • The manager or relevant staff member will discuss the matter informally with the parent/carer concerned and aim to reach a satisfactory resolution.
  • If this is not possible, the parent or carer should put their complaint in writing to the manager.
  • The manager will acknowledge receipt within 7 days and fully investigate the complaints and notify of the outcome in 28 days.
  • The manager will send a full response in writing, to the relevant parties, including details of any changes to be made in club practices or policies as a result.

If child protection issues are raised, the manager will refer the situation to the Local Authority Designated Officer and follow the procedures of the Safeguarding Children Policy. If a criminal act may have been committed, the manager will contact the police.

Parent/carers can complain to Ofsted about SNE at any time.

Data Protection Policy

We hold only the information necessary to provide a childcare service for each child. This includes child registration information, medical information, parent contact information, attendance records, incident, and accident records, and so forth.

Once a child leaves our care we retain only the data required by statutory legislation, insurance requirements and industry best practice, and for the prescribed periods of time. Electronic data that is no longer required is deleted and paper records are disposed of securely.

Parents/carers can ask to see the information and records relating to their child or themselves at any time.

Parents/carers can ask us to delete their data, but this may mean we can no longer provide care to the child as we have a legal obligation to keep certain data. In addition, even after a child has left our provision, we have to keep some data for legal reasons, so won’t be able to delete all data immediately.

Equalities Policy
At SNE we will ensure that we provide a safe and caring environment, free from discrimination for everyone including children with additional needs.

We will challenge inappropriate attitudes and practices by engaging children and adults in discussion, and through staff always modelling anti-discriminatory behaviour.

Illness and Accidents

All parents must complete loco parentis consent at the time of booking, which gives permission for SNE to consent to emergency medical treatment for the child in the event of a serious accident or illness.

SNE cannot accept children who are ill. If children are ill when they arrive we will immediately notify parents or carers to come and collect them. Any children who have been ill should not return to the club until they have fully recovered.

There will always be a first aider present and available, other members of staff will also receive first aid training.

Intimate Care

When providing intimate care we will ensure that the child’s safety, dignity, and privacy are maintained at all times.

Staff will provide intimate care in a professional manner. Staff are aware of safeguarding issues and will have relevant training before providing intimate care.

When intimate care is given, the staff member will explain each task to the child and the reasons for it. Staff will encourage children to do as much for themselves as possible. If intimate care is given, parents will be informed.

Lone Working Policy

It is best practice to always have a minimum of two members of staff on duty, but situations arise where this may not be possible.

Parents will be notified if only one member of staff will be on duty.

Any staff lone working must have all the relevant qualifications and be approved by a manager before doing so.

Mobile Phone and Wearable Technology Policy

Whilst we understand children have mobile phones, we actively discourage them from using their phones within SNE.

SNE does not accept any responsibility for loss or damage to phones.

Children must not use their mobile phones to take photos or videos of any kind while at SNE.

 

Photo Policy

We recognise that children, parents, and carers have a right to decide whether their images are taken and how these may be used.

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

  • asking for written consent from parents or carers before taking/using a child’s image.
  • explaining what images will be used for, how they will be stored and what potential risks are associated with sharing images of children.
  • making it clear that if a child or their family withdraw consent for an image to be shared, it may not be possible to delete images that have already been shared or published.
  • not using children’s names in association with photos.
  • making sure parents/carers understand how images will be securely stored and for how long.

If parents/carers do not consent to photographs being taken, we will respect their wishes. When photos are taken of other children attending camp, we will ensure this is done in a way that does not single out the child or make them feel isolated.

We will store photographs and videos of children securely, in accordance with our safeguarding policy and data protection law.

SNE does not permit staff and volunteers to use any personal equipment to take photos and recordings of children. Only cameras or devices belonging to SNE should be used.

Safeguarding Policy

SNE is committed to building a culture of safety, where the children in our care are protected from abuse, harm and radicalisation.

We will respond promptly and appropriately to incidents or concerns regarding the safety of a child. There is always a Designated Safeguarding Lead available when the camp is open.

All our staff understand the various forms of abuse, and the signs of abuse. All our staff understand the protocol that must be followed is abuse is suspected, or if a child discloses information about abuse.

All reports, concerns, or disclosures surrounding abuse or radicalisation will be recorded in detail. Where required, external sources including Children’s Services, the Newcastle Safeguarding Children Partnership, and the Local Authority Designated Officer.

Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs

Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the SNE premises.

If we discover a child has cigarettes, tobacco products or e-cigarettes, alcohol, or illegal drugs while at SNE, we will confiscate the items and notify the child’s parents/carers.

Anyone arriving at SNE clearly under the influence or alcohol or drugs will be asked to leave immediately.

If a parent/carer is clearly over the alcohol limit, or under the influence of drugs, staff will do their utmost to prevent the child from travelling in a vehicle driven by them. If necessary, the police will be called.

Suspension and Exclusions Policy

Where a child persistency behaves inappropriately, we will implement the following:

  • The child will receive a formal warning, detailing the behaviours which we have deemed unacceptable, which have led to this point.
  • Staff will discuss the behaviours with the child, identifying strategies to avoid incidents in future.
  • The warning will be discussed with the parents, and all staff will be notified.

SNE will only suspend or exclude a child as a last resort, when all other behaviour management strategies have failed, or is we feel children or staff are at risk.

Temporary suspensions will be applied where formal warnings have failed to improve a child’s behaviour, or in the event of a serious or dangerous incident.

Permanent exclusions will only be applied in exceptional circumstances. Parents/carers will be given a verbal and written explanation of the issue and subsequent actions. Parents/carers have the right to appeal within 14 days of receiving written notification of the exclusion.

Uncollected Children Policy

If a child has not been collected by 17:30, and parents have not notified us of a delay we will follow the uncollected children policy.

Up to 10 minutes late:

  • Parents/carers will be reminded that they must inform us if they are going to be late.
  • Parents/carers will be informed the penalty fee will be charged.

Over 10 minutes late:

  • Staff will try and contact the parent via phone call.
  • Parent/carers will be reminded that they must inform us if they are going to be late.
  • Parents/carers will be informed they penalty fee will be charged.

Over 30 minutes late:

  • If we cannot contact parents/carers after 30 minutes, we will contact Social Care for advice.

If children are persistently collected late, they may lose their place at SNE.