Safeguarding at summer camps

How to ensure a summer camp has a robust safeguarding regime in place

If you are an organisation running a summer camp or an employed or volunteer coach taking part in a summer camp, it is important to make sure you are asking the following questions and ensuring that the camp has a robust safeguarding regime in place. 

• Are all coaches and adults involved in the camp DBS checked to the appropriate level and are these DBS checks up to date?
• Are all adults (employed or volunteers, including volunteer parents) in receipt of appropriate safeguarding training and has this been documented and reviewed?
• Does the summer camp have an appropriate safeguarding policy?
• Does the summer camp have a Designated Safeguarding Lead and additional Safeguarding Officers if numbers require?
• Is there a safeguarding regulatory framework in place which includes risk assessments, template parental consent forms, online social media policies, photograph policies, video policies etc?
• Do you, as an organisation, have a recognised process should a safeguarding complaint be made during the summer camp?
• Do you, as a coach, know how to deal with a safeguarding complaint if one is raised? 
• Will the summer camp educate the children and young adults attending from the outset regarding safeguarding and how you will deal with any safeguarding issues or complaints at the summer camp? 

Would you like further advice regarding safeguarding at summer camps?

If you would like any further bespoke advice, please get in touch with the specialist safeguarding team at Gateley, you can also find out more on our Safeguarding offering and toolkits by visiting our safeguarding service page.