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Play Mandarin Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy

1. Introduction

Everyone participating in Play Mandarin classes is entitled to do so in an enjoyable, nurturing, and safe environment. As an after-school/weekend Mandarin school for children aged 1.5 to 14, we have a moral and legal responsibility to safeguard all children in our care from harm, neglect, and abuse.

We are fully committed to ensuring the welfare of children through effective safeguarding policies, thorough staff training, and a clear framework for identifying and responding to any safeguarding concerns.

This policy outlines the procedures we follow to ensure children’s safety, from arrival to pick-up, and it is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect evolving best practices and legal requirements.

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1.1 Policy Statement

Play Mandarin is committed to:

  • Ensuring the welfare of the child is paramount in all decisions.

  • Providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where all children, regardless of age, culture, ability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief, or sexual identity, can participate in classes safely and enjoyably.

  • Taking all reasonable steps to protect children from harm, discrimination, and degrading treatment, while respecting their rights, wishes, and feelings.

  • Taking all safeguarding concerns, suspicions, and allegations seriously, and responding swiftly and appropriately.

  • Ensuring all staff working with children are recruited following robust safer recruitment processes, with enhanced DBS checks, verified references, and appropriate training in safeguarding and child protection.

  • Providing regular training and clear safeguarding procedures for all teachers and volunteers.

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1.2 Monitoring & Review

This policy will be reviewed at least every three years or sooner if there are legislative changes or significant changes within Play Mandarin.

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2. Promoting Good Practice

2.1 What Good Practice Looks Like

All Play Mandarin staff and volunteers should:

  • Work in an open and visible environment, avoiding one-to-one situations.

  • Make classes fun, educational, and free from bullying or discriminatory behaviours.

  • Treat all children with dignity and respect, regardless of background.

  • Put the welfare of the child first, before performance or other goals.

  • Avoid unnecessary physical contact unless absolutely required (e.g., first aid). Any contact should always be appropriate, explained in advance, and consented to by the child and parent.

  • Seek written parental consent for emergency medical treatment and off-site activities.

  • Maintain detailed records of any injuries, accidents, or safeguarding incidents, including actions taken.

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2.2 Poor Practice – What to Avoid

Staff and volunteers must never:

  • Spend excessive one-on-one time with children.

  • Engage in inappropriate physical contact.

  • Use inappropriate language or tolerate its use by children.

  • Make sexually suggestive or inappropriate jokes or remarks.

  • Use humiliating, ridiculing, or intimidating behaviour as a form of control.

  • Ignore or fail to act on any disclosure, allegation, or suspicion of abuse.

  • Perform personal care for children that they can manage themselves.

  • Allow unsupervised access to children by unauthorised adults, including parents who are not in designated roles.

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3. Types and Indicators of Abuse

This section remains as you have detailed, covering:

  • Physical Abuse

  • Emotional Abuse

  • Sexual Abuse

  • Neglect

  • Bullying (including physical, verbal, emotional, and online/cyberbullying)

Note: Specific training in recognising these signs is provided to all staff.

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4. Procedures for Handling Concerns

This section remains largely the same, with the following emphasis added:

  • All safeguarding incidents or disclosures are reported directly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), who is the Headteacher at Play Mandarin.

  • A written report must be completed immediately.

  • Confidentiality must be maintained, with information shared on a strict need-to-know basis.

  • If necessary, Play Mandarin will seek external advice from NSPCC, local social services, or the police.

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5. Safer Recruitment

All staff (paid or voluntary) who work directly with children will undergo:

  • Enhanced DBS checks.

  • Verification of at least two references, one specifically relating to working with children.

  • An interview process including safeguarding questions.

  • Regular safeguarding training and updates.

  • All qualifications will be verified, and identity (passport/ID) checked.

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6. Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

6.1 Arrival

  • Any children arriving alone (older children walking independently) must have written parental consent on file.

  • Children must remain on the premises until they have been visually identified and formally handed over to a recognised parent, carer, or authorised adult. If a child is to leave independently, this will only be permitted with written parental consent provided in advance.

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6.2 Release at Pick-Up Time

  • At the end of each session, children will only be released once Play Mandarin staff have made eye contact with the parent or carer, after which the child will be formally handed over to a recognised parent, carer, or authorised adult.

  • Photo ID may be requested if the adult is not personally known to staff.

  • Children will not be released to anyone under 16 years old.

  • If a child is to leave unaccompanied (e.g., older children with parental consent), this must be pre-agreed in writing, and a risk assessment may be conducted.

  • Any last-minute changes to collection arrangements must be communicated directly by the parent/carer to Play Mandarin before collection time. Children will not be released without proper confirmation.

  • ​Staff will be positioned in front of the children at the exit at Morden site to act as a physical barrier until safe handover takes place.

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6.3 Late Collection

  • If a parent/carer is late, Play Mandarin’s member of staff will remain with the child.

  • If no contact can be made after 15 minutes, Play Mandarin will contact emergency contacts listed on the registration form.

  • If no contact is made after 60 minutes, Play Mandarin will contact the local safeguarding authority or the police.

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7. Preventing Children from Leaving Unsupervised (Runaways/Missing Children)

Play Mandarin takes the following proactive steps to prevent children from leaving the premises unsupervised:

  • Classroom doors remain closed during teaching times.

  • Outdoor gates and entry points are secured and monitored during sessions.

  • Staff maintain clear attendance lists and perform regular headcounts.

  • All staff are trained to immediately alert the Headteacher/DSL if a child is missing.

  • In case a child goes missing:

    1. Immediate search within premises.

    2. Contact the parent/carer.

    3. If the child cannot be located within 10 minutes, the police will be called.

    4. An internal investigation will follow, and a written report completed.

  • Children are taught clear rules about staying within designated areas and reporting immediately if they feel unsafe.

  • For younger children (under 7), toilet breaks are supervised.

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8. Use of Photography and Video

  • Parents are informed and consent obtained for Play Mandarin to take photographs or videos for promotional purposes.

  • Parents are strictly prohibited from taking photos/videos of other children during classes without express consent.

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9. Online Safety

  • If any online learning sessions are held, they follow strict safeguarding protocols, including:

    • Parent present for children under 7.

    • Use of secure platforms with password-protected links.

    • No private 1:1 sessions unless pre-agreed with the parent and another staff member is present.

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10. Safeguarding Lead Contact Details

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Headteacher – Eve Chen
Contact: [eve@playmandarin.co.uk / 07738992777]

Deputy DSL:
[Lulu Yu]
Contact: [lulu@playmandarin.co.uk / 07803093231]

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11. Access Control: Visitors, Parents and Non-DBS Checked Adults

To maintain a safe environment for all children, Play Mandarin operates a strict access control policy for all non-staff adults entering the premises. This includes parents, visitors, and any external contractors.

  • No adult may enter the school premises during teaching hours unless they have been pre-registered, signed in, and accompanied at all times by a Play Mandarin staff member.

  • Any adults without an enhanced DBS check will not be permitted unsupervised access to any area where children are present.

  • For trial classes, parents accompanying their children are permitted to stay for the duration of the trial session. However:

    • They must sign in upon arrival and provide their full name and contact details.

    • They will be required to wear a visitor badge during their stay.

    • They must remain under the supervision of Play Mandarin staff at all times and must not leave the designated trial class area.

  • Parents/carers and visitors are strictly prohibited from wandering the premises or accessing other classrooms, storage areas, or facilities without permission.

  • No parent or visitor may take photos or videos during the session unless expressly authorised and supervised by Play Mandarin staff.

  • Staff are responsible for challenging any unauthorised adult on the premises and immediately reporting any concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

 

Reviewed: 3rd March 2025

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