Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

ARCHIE’S LTD

Company: Archies Ltd
Address: 70 Rosebury Road, Fulham, London, SW6 2NG
Email: archie@archies-uk.com
Phone: +44 7772 818767

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Archie Nixon

Deputy Safeguarding Lead:
Harry Nicholl

1. POLICY STATEMENT

Archie’s Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children in our care.
We believe that every child has the right to feel safe, respected and supported at all Archie’s activities.

This policy applies to:

  • Holiday camps (Battersea & Chiswick)

  • Archie’s Family Ski Weeks

  • Events and activities involving children

We operate a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, neglect, bullying or inappropriate behaviour.

Safeguarding is the responsibility of all staff.

2. OUR COMMITMENT

Archie’s will ensure that:

  • All staff hold Enhanced DBS checks

  • All staff are 18+

  • Appropriate staff-to-child ratios are maintained

  • Children are supervised at all times

  • Clear reporting procedures are in place

  • Medical and emergency information is collected in advance

  • Parents are kept informed of concerns

  • All safeguarding concerns are taken seriously

3. STAFF RECRUITMENT & TRAINING

All Archie’s staff:

  • Are aged 18 or over

  • Hold Enhanced DBS checks

  • Are briefed on safeguarding procedures

  • Understand reporting responsibilities

  • Work in teams (never alone with a child)

Staff must:

  • Treat all children with respect

  • Maintain appropriate boundaries

  • Avoid one-to-one unsupervised situations

  • Report concerns immediately

4. STAFF-TO-CHILD RATIOS

Camps (Battersea & Chiswick)

Ages 5–12
Ratio: 1 adult : 8 children

Family Ski Weeks

Ages 5+
Ratio: 1 adult : 8 children

Parents remain in resort at all times during ski weeks.

Archie’s staff:

  • Escort children to ski school

  • Supervise lunch

  • Run afternoon club

  • Do not provide evening babysitting

5. FIRST AID & MEDICAL

  • At least one Emergency First Aid trained staff member present at all times

  • First aid kit available at all events

  • Medical and allergy information collected via booking forms

  • Medication held by designated leader where required

  • Emergency contacts stored securely

In an emergency:

  • First aid administered

  • Parents contacted immediately

  • Emergency services called if required

All incidents are recorded.

6. COLLECTION PROCEDURES (CAMPS)

Children may only be collected by:

  • A named parent/guardian

  • A person authorised by the parent in advance

If collection changes:
Parents must notify Archie’s via phone or email.

Late Collection

If a child is not collected:

  1. Staff remain with child

  2. Parents contacted

  3. Emergency contacts contacted

  4. If no contact after extended period, appropriate authorities may be contacted

A minimum of two staff will remain with the child at all times.

7. TOILET & CHANGING PROCEDURES

Camps

  • Toilets are public park facilities or private venue toilets

  • Children escorted in groups

  • Minimum two staff present

  • Staff do not enter cubicles unless required for safety

Ski Weeks

  • Parents manage ski gear changing

  • Staff supervise only where appropriate

  • No one-to-one changing supervision

8. PHOTOGRAPHY & MEDIA

  • Photo consent obtained via booking forms

  • Only Archie’s equipment used for photography

  • Staff may not use personal phones for photos

  • Images used only for Archie’s marketing with consent

9. BEHAVIOUR & ANTI-BULLYING

Archie’s promotes kindness, teamwork and respect.

At the start of each camp:
Children are reminded that bullying or unsafe behaviour is not tolerated.

If issues arise:

  1. Behaviour addressed immediately

  2. Child spoken to

  3. Parents informed if persistent

  4. Continued behaviour may result in removal from activity

10. FAMILY SKI WEEK SAFEGUARDING

During ski weeks:

Archie’s staff:

  • Escort children to ski school

  • Supervise lunch

  • Run afternoon club

  • Maintain contact with parents

  • Carry emergency contact information

Children:

  • Wear Archie’s wristbands with contact details

  • Know meeting points

  • Remain in supervised groups

Parents may ski separately but remain in resort.

11. MISSING CHILD PROCEDURE

If a child is unaccounted for:

  1. Staff conduct immediate search

  2. Group secured with remaining staff

  3. DSL informed

  4. Parents contacted

  5. Venue/resort alerted

  6. Authorities contacted if required

All children wear identification wristbands during ski weeks.

12. SAFEGUARDING CONCERNS

Any staff member who has a concern must:

  1. Report immediately to DSL

  2. Record concern in writing

  3. Do not investigate independently

  4. Maintain confidentiality

DSL will assess and take appropriate action.

13. EXTERNAL REPORTING

If a child may be at risk of harm, Archie’s may contact:

  • Local Authority Safeguarding Team

  • NSPCC Helpline

  • Police (if immediate risk)

The welfare of the child is always the priority.

14. RECORD KEEPING

Archie’s maintains records of:

  • Incidents

  • Accidents

  • Safeguarding concerns

  • Behaviour issues

Records are stored securely and confidentially.

15. REVIEW

This policy is reviewed annually or following any incident.

Signed:
Archie Nixon
Director, Archies Ltd

Date: September 2024