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The North Wilts Holiday Club is specifically set up for young people with Special Needs. We provide a high level - 1:1 or 2:1 care for club members aged between 4-21. We have a commitment to working with parents, aim to home visit new club members whenever possible prior to the scheme and send daily reports home with the children.

The club is held at St Nicholas school, which is a purpose built school for children with Special Needs and is safe and secure with good accessibility and facilities.

Activities and trips are planned with the variety of needs of individual children considered. Activities are differentiated by staff to meet the needs of each individual. Trips and outings are planned with accessibility, toileting/changing facilities and suitability in mind. New places are visited and assessed prior to trips being planned

Staff come from a variety of backgrounds, the majority of staff are experienced and/or trained in working with young people with Special Needs.

Training is available for staff through a variety of agencies.

Children's information sheets are completed by parents/guardians with a detailed account of their child's needs, behaviour patterns and medical information.

A variety of books and toys designed for, and with positive images of people with special needs and disabilities are included in the play activities.

Children's dignity, confidence and independence are considered at all times. Care is taken when toileting and providing intimate care to ensure the young person feels comfortable and in control of any procedure happening to them.

Confidentiality is discussed by staff and volunteers and maintained. Children's surnames are never used outside private meetings. Confidential information is only shared by those persons who need to know. There is a private place available for parents to talk with staff.

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Requests for placements at The North Wilts Holiday club can be made by parents or social workers of any child with Special Needs.

The Club is for any child or young person aged 4+ with Special Needs. Due to the nature of the club, staffing levels and finance, places are limited Places are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Following initial contact with the club supervisor, a place will be provisionally booked if one is available. Parents will receive an initial registration form and a personal information form that need to be completed and returned. Club information will also be sent.

Where possible staff will visit the child and family at home. This will enable club members to be familiar with at least one staff member when they come to the club.

It will help keyworkers to be matched with children, and help determine which children can be placed in the same group.

It will give an opportunity for staff and parents to discuss the needs of the child and talk about other relevant issues.

If there are no places available the family will be placed on the waiting list and contacted the following year with an offer of a place if one is available.

The general policy at the Holiday Club is to enable as many young people as possible to attend, regardless of their age, sex, religion, race or ability.

All children whose parents or social workers express a need for a place will be accepted on the admission procedure.

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The Holiday Club is open to receive all children from 4-21 years regardless of ability, race, religion or gender. We strive to provide play activities for each and every child that are adapted to the individual child's need and ability, to allow them to achieve tasks and participate fully in the daily programme.

All children are encouraged to attempt all activities and 1:1 or 2:1 support is provided to ensure that, whilst each child may be challenged by a task, success is never unobtainable.

There is no gender, ability, family circumstance or race discrimination within the sessions.

All staff and volunteers are advised to ensure that their appointed child is encouraged to participate in all activities and games.

Whilst at the club the children will have the opportunity to play with and see toys, books and equipment from different cultures including images of people from a variety of races.

Staff at the North Wilts Holiday Club recognise that as well as all children being given equal opportunity to experience quality play and activities each child also has their own right to be individual and make their own decisions about the books that they want to read and the activities they want to be involved in.

Each and every child is respected for themselves.

Staff and volunteers are employed without discrimination in regard to race, religion, gender or disability.

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At the Holiday club we aim to create a safe and secure environment for all.

Preventing bullying:

We regard bullying as a form of behaviour where an individual or group deliberately use power to hurt or intimidate. We aim to prevent bullying by providing an environment where: -

• staff and club members value and support one another.
• People are listened to and taken seriously. Appropriate behaviour is encouraged and praised.
• Our high staff ratio ensures that children are never left unattended and behaviour is constantly monitored.

General behaviour:

Due to the social and emotional difficulties that many of our members have, expected behaviour differentiates enormously from one child to another.

All club members are expected to respect one another, staff, toys and equipment and personal possessions.

If children are behaving in an inappropriate manner, discipline and reprimand will depend on the ability of the child.

Distraction, removal from situation and verbal reinforcement may be used. Sanctions are consistent to each individual, with the result that boundaries are clearly drawn and good behaviour promoted.

Parents will be informed for both positive and negative behaviour in daily reports as well as any sanctions used.

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All supervising staff at the North Wilts Holiday Club have an up to date CRB cheek. They are experienced with working with young people with Special Needs.

All intimate care is given by 2 members of staff who are CRB checked.

All medication is administered by a competent, approved member of staff.

Volunteers and support staff who do not have a CRB check are never left unattended. They are fully supervised and supported by an experienced, competent and approved member of staff.

The club is managed with overall supervision and responsibility by Joanna Simpson, who is a Registered Manager and qualified with NVQ4 in Care and Health. The majority of Supervising staff hold, or are working towards a minimum of NVQ3 in Care and Health. Some are trained teachers, the majority of staff work with young people with Special Needs in their day-to-day occupation and have relevant training to accompany this.

Outside agencies, e.g. Coach companies, visiting entertainers, follow their company procedure for CRB checks, the majority of which demand a current CRB check. However, no child or young adult is ever left unattended. They are continually supervised by an approved member of Holiday Club staff.

As day carers we are required to follow the child protection Procedures agreed through the Area Child Protection Committee in Wiltshire.

Staff and volunteers have a responsibility to report any change in a child's behaviour or if they see any physical marking on a child. If staff or volunteers are uneasy about a child, or sees anything out of the ordinary they should report it to the supervisor, or one of the assistants involved in the group. The volunteer who reports the incident does so in confidence and will not be named. All responsibility to take action is that of the supervisor.

As day carers involved in the care of the child the Supervisor and Assistants will share with the parents/primary carer any concerns that they may have. However, if there is a suspicion that Child Abuse is taking place it is our duty to inform social services, our first concern is always the welfare of the children.

Further information and a copy of "Child Protection in Wiltshire. Procedures and guidance' is available from the under eights officer.

Mrs Nikki Winton, Social Services Department, Chippenham Children's Resource Centre, 357 Hungerdown Lane, Chippenham, Wiltshire, (01249) 46022

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Health and Safety policy statement for North Wilts Holiday Club for Children and Young People with Special Needs

Our policy is to provide and maintain safe and healthy working equipment and systems for all our employees and for the children who attend the scheme and to provide such information, training and supervision as is needed for this purpose. We also accept our responsibility for the health and safety of other people who may be affected by our activities.

The allocation of duties for safety matters and the particular arrangements which we will make to implement the policy are set out below.

The policy will be kept up to date and reviewed each year.

Responsibilities - overall and final responsibility for health and safety at North Wilts Holiday Club is that of the management committee.

Joanna Simpson (co-ordinating supervisor) is responsible for this policy being carried out at the premises at Holiday Club activities. All employees have the responsibility to co-operate to achieve a healthy and safe work place and to take reasonable care of themselves and others. Whenever an employee notices a health or safety problem which they are not able to put right they must report immediately to the appropriate person named above.

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Due to the vulnerability of some of the young people attending the club, good hygiene is considered of highest importance. It is the responsibility of Key workers to ensure that volunteers also understand and follow through the scrupulous hygiene rules.

All children must wash their hands before and after eating, when involved in a cooking activity and after using the toilet or participating in a messy activity. Particular attention must be given to children who crawl and those who use their hands and mouth to explore their surroundings.

All staff and volunteers should demonstrate equal standards of hygiene, as they are the children’s role models during their time at the club. Staff involved in feeding need to be particularly vigilant.

All children who require assistance at the toilet must be accompanied by a paid, and therefore police checked member of staff.

Any member of staff involved in intimately touching a child e.g. wiping their bottom, or changing a sanitary pad must wear protective gloves and explain to the child what they are doing. If a child needs an unusual amount of intimate care, as opposed to their normal individual needs, another staff member should be present for Child Protection issues. Dignity must be maintained at all times.

Trained, police checked members of staff are permitted to change nappies, the policy at the Holiday Club is to have 2 members of staff present when a nappy is changed, both staff members need to have had training in lifting. When changing a child, disposable aprons need to be worn, and a new pair of disposable gloves for each nappy changed.

All items used for nappy changing need to be kept out of reach of the child. Due to allergic reactions affecting some of the children, particular care must be taken to ensure that the gloves do not touch children's hands or faces.

All regular and emergency medication must be given and witnessed by 2 members of paid staff. Hands should be washed before administering medication, except in extreme emergency cases, e.g. rectal diazepam or epipen needing immediate administration. Both members of staff must sign the child’s individual report stating the time, date, amount and method of administering medication.

Care must be taken at all times to prevent infection and contamination.

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Medication is only to be administered to club members where written instruction stating time and dosage is supplied by, and, signed by their parent or main carer.

Medication is to be administered by named members of staff only.

All medication is to be clearly labelled with the child's name, route of administration, i.e. oral, rectal etc, dosage, frequency and name of medication.

All regular and emergency medication is to be stored in a locked box (red metal box). Keys are issued to named staff responsible for administering.

Club members who require inhalers are encouraged to be responsible for them and keep them with them. Where this is not appropriate for individual children’s ability, key workers will carry the inhaler at all times.

Staff are issued with rubber gloves to use when necessary.

Procedures, including catheterisation and tube feeding can only be carried out by trained staff.

All medication administered will be signed and countersigned and recorded on the child’s daily report, one copy to parents, one kept with Holiday club documentation.

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Any child who appears unwell must not attend the club if a child is unwell during the 24 hours before a session they should stay home. Due to the fragile health and vulnerability of many of our members, any child who appears to be suffering from an illness or ill health will be isolated from the reset of the group immediately and parents will be informed.

Any child who appears to be unwell, has a rash, vomits or has diarrhoea will be separated from the main group of children and will be looked after by their keyworker whilst the supervisor contacts the child's parents.

If there is no answer the emergency contact will be informed and arrangements made for the child to return home or to the emergency contact. The supervisor will arrange transport and accompany the child if necessary.

If there is no answer from the parents or emergency contact, the supervisor will reorganise the keyworkers groups to ensure that there is someone to care for the ill child on a 1:1 basis. The child will be kept isolated form the rest of the group. Medical advice will be sought if the manager feels it is necessary.

If a child has what appears to be an infectious disease a note will be made on all students reports that evening informing other parents that a (unnamed) member of the club has been ill and a brief description, e.g. 'Just to inform you that a child has been sent home today with a chicken pox like rash'.

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All accidents to be reported to the co-ordinating supervisor, no matter how small or who is involved ie child, volunteer, or member of staff.

All details to be entered into accident book by co-ordinating supervisor or keyworker, signed by them and any relevant volunteer and countersigned by parent/guardian if applicable. All entries must be countersigned by the co-ordinating supervisor. Details of any accident to a member must be entered into their daily report.

If co-ordinating supervisor decides that a member needs to see a doctor then parent/guardian, next of kin or emergency contact person will be telephoned informing them of accident and asking them to collect the injured person.

If it is decided by the co-ordinating supervisor that hospital treatment is needed or in case of serious accident, the co-ordinating supervisor will dial 999 for ambulance. The co-ordinating supervisor will telephone parent/guardian, next of kin or emergency contact. A staff member will accompany the injured person to hospital, taking all relevant information. Staff member to keep co-ordinating supervisor informed about condition and situation of injured person. Co-ordinating supervisor to contact parent/guardian, next of kin or emergency contact named person stated on relevant form.

If co-ordinating supervisor is injured, assistant supervisor will dial 999 for ambulance.

Assistant supervisor will telephone next of kin or emergency contact.

Assistant supervisor will assume leadership of playscheme.

Assistant supervisor will telephone Chair of Committee to decide if playscheme should continue. If decision is NO then assistant supervisor to telephone all families to cancel bookings.

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If a child is on organised transport from the club to home and there is no-one at the child's home, the supervisor Joanna Simpson will be contacted immediately by the escort on 07790 580463. She will ring other contact numbers on the child's file to try to organise an alternative.

If an arrangement can not be made the child will return to the holiday club and stay with Joanna Simpson, until the child's parents or named contact on their personal information form are able to pick them up, Joanna will arrange transport and accompany the child if necessary.

If a child is not picked up at within 10 minutes of the arranged time at St Nicholas School they will be contacted by their personal information on the child's form. If there is no reply after a further 10 minutes the emergency contact will be informed Joanna will arrange transport and accompany the child if necessary.

If there is no answer from any of the contact numbers Social Services will be informed after a period of 1 hour.

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All keyworkers have responsibility for their key children.

If they become aware that they do not know the whereabouts of their child they must inform the Supervisor Joanna Simpson immediately. If on a trip or off the school premises and they can contact her on 0779 058 0463. The supervisor will arrange for other staff member to take responsibility for the Keyworkers other Key children, and a search of the area will be organised.

If the child is not found within a reasonable period of time, depending on the ability of the child, and the situation in which they have gone missing the following procedures will take place. e.g. If a child with severe communication difficulties, ie severely autistic, or a child who has a history of running away goes missing this procedure will be implemented within a very short period of time (5-10 minutes).

If the child is able to communicate and is aware of their surroundings the time may be lengthened, e.g a child with developmental delay who has been in a settled and happy mood who goes missing in an adventure playground. A thorough search of all equipment will occur before parents are informed.

At St Nicholas School: - If the child does not appear to be on school premises, parents of lost child contacted. Police contacted

One a trip or visit: -

Staff at location informed, their lost child procedure implemented. Parents of lost child contacted.

If the child is still not found, police contacted.

If a child goes missing whilst on a trip or visit and is not found by 30 minute after the departure time of the coach is arranged to take the children back to the school, Joanna Simpson will pass responsibility of supervising the remainder of staff and children to her deputy Sian Prosser, who will ensure their safety whilst travelling back to school.

Joanna will remain at the off site location until the child is found and organise transport to the Childs' home. In the event of a child going missing, an Incident report will be filed within 24 hours. A copy will be sent to parents, and a copy kept on Holiday Club records. Social Services or the police may also require copies.

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In the event of an emergency evacuation, or if the fire alarm is sounded,

All Keyworkers must direct their volunteers and children out of the nearest exit to the school playground behind the school.

The supervisor will take the file containing the register and personal information and a mobile phone. Once on the playground she will call the register.

Emergency evacuations and practices will be recorded in the register.

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At the Holiday club we seek to create a healthier working and caring environment by reducing the risk of passive smoking.

All area accessed by the children are smoke free environments.

This policy applies to all staff, club members, visitors, parents/ carers, people working on site and volunteers.

Those who choose to smoke do so in their break times when cover is arranged and out of sight of the children, off the premises.

This policy applies whilst on trips and visits.

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1. Following any complaint either on a holiday club 'complaint/comment/compliment form’ in writing or verbally - (verbal complaints must be noted in writing by a Holiday Club representative) will be followed up.

2. The person who has complained will be contacted within 3 days by a committee member or supervisor. A meeting will be arranged with 14 days. If the person with a complaint would like support from a friend or family member this is acceptable. The Holiday club representative will take notes during the meeting to be signed by all present.

3. If the person who has complained is not happy with the outcome of the meeting they can contact the club or inform a Holiday Club representative at the initial meeting and a further meeting will be arranged with some Committee members. Again minutes will be taken and signed by all present.

4. If the outcome is not satisfactory Social Services will be contacted and their assistance requested. All complaints will be dealt with confidentiality and with thought and discretion. All comments both negative and positive are valued by the committee.

If a parent prefers to complain directly to the regulator they can contact: Carmel Burton, Area 2, Bristol office, 1 Temple Quay, Temple Square. Bristol. 0117 9486904.

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