The Little Village Role Play is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where children can play, learn and thrive. We believe every child has the right to be protected from harm and are committed to promoting their welfare during every visit.

This policy outlines our commitment to safeguarding and the responsibilities of our team, visitors and parents.

Our Commitment

We will:

• Provide a safe, clean and welcoming environment for children and families.
• Promote the welfare and wellbeing of every child who visits.
• Ensure all staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities.
• Respond appropriately to any safeguarding concerns that arise.
• Treat all children and families with dignity, fairness and respect regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, or family background.

Parental Responsibility

The Little Village Role Play is not a crèche or childcare provider.

Children remain the responsibility of their parent, guardian or responsible adult at all times while on our premises.

Parents and guardians must:

• Supervise children throughout their visit.
• Ensure children play safely and appropriately.
• Follow all venue rules and staff instructions.
• Remain on the premises during the booked session.

Our staff cannot supervise individual children.

Staff Responsibilities

All members of our team are expected to:

• Help maintain a safe environment.
• Treat children respectfully and professionally.
• Report any safeguarding concerns immediately to management.
• Never place themselves in situations where they are alone with a child unless absolutely necessary in an emergency.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.

Responding to Concerns

If a safeguarding concern arises, management will:

• Record the concern accurately.
• Take immediate steps to protect anyone at risk where necessary.
• Seek advice from the relevant safeguarding authorities where appropriate.
• Contact emergency services immediately if a child is believed to be in immediate danger.

All concerns are treated seriously and handled sensitively.

Lost or Unaccompanied Children

If a child becomes separated from their responsible adult:

• Staff will remain with the child in a safe public area.
• Management will attempt to locate the parent or guardian immediately.
• If necessary, emergency services may be contacted.

Staff will never remove a child from the premises unless instructed by emergency services.

Photography

Visitors are welcome to photograph their own children for personal use.

To protect everyone’s privacy:

• Please avoid photographing or filming children who are not part of your group.
• Staff may ask visitors to stop photographing if concerns are raised.
• Images taken by The Little Village Role Play for promotional purposes will only be used with appropriate consent.

Online Safety

Any photographs or videos shared on our social media channels or website will only be used with appropriate permission.

We encourage visitors to respect the privacy of other families when posting images online.

Visitors’ Behaviour

Any behaviour that places a child at risk, including abusive, threatening or inappropriate conduct, will not be tolerated.

Management reserves the right to:

• Refuse entry.
• Ask visitors to leave.
• Contact the police or relevant authorities if necessary.

Confidentiality

Safeguarding concerns are treated confidentially.

Information will only be shared with those who need to know in order to protect a child or where required by law.

Review

This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated whenever legislation, guidance or operational practices change.

Contact

If you have any questions about this Safeguarding Policy, please speak to a member of our management team during your visit or contact us before attending.

The safety and wellbeing of every child remains our highest priority, and we thank all families for helping us create a safe, respectful and enjoyable environment for everyone.