Safeguarding Policy
Keeping every child safe is our highest priority
1. Our Commitment
Macoc Educational Services Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people who attend our programmes. We believe every child has the right to be safe from harm, and we take all reasonable steps to protect that right.
All staff and volunteers undergo enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks before working with children, and attend regular safeguarding training.
2. Designated Safeguarding Lead
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is responsible for all child protection matters. If you have a safeguarding concern, contact us immediately:
- Email: admin@macoceducationalservices.co.uk
- Phone: +44 1582 383544
In an emergency, always call 999 first. For non-emergency safeguarding concerns, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.
3. Drop-Off & Collection Procedures
- Children must be signed in and out by a named parent, guardian, or authorised adult.
- A unique security passcode is issued to each family at registration. The collecting adult must state this passcode.
- If an unknown adult arrives to collect a child without the passcode, the child will not be released and we will contact the registered parent immediately.
- Children will never be released to a person under 16 years of age.
4. Staff Conduct
- Staff must never be alone with a single child in a closed room. A minimum of two members of staff must be present at all times during sessions.
- Physical contact with children is limited to appropriate assistance (e.g. first aid). Any contact outside this must be recorded.
- Staff must not share personal contact details with children or their families.
- Photography and recording of children by staff is only permitted using organisation-owned devices and with written consent on file.
5. Responding to a Disclosure
If a child makes a disclosure of abuse or neglect to a staff member, the staff member will:
- Listen calmly and not show shock or disbelief.
- Not promise confidentiality — explain that they may need to share the information to keep the child safe.
- Not ask leading questions or attempt to investigate.
- Record the disclosure verbatim as soon as possible.
- Report immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
We follow the guidance set out in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and the local authority safeguarding procedures.
6. Mobile Phones & Photography
Participants and visitors are asked not to photograph or film other children during sessions. Parents may photograph only their own child. Any images or footage of other children must be deleted immediately upon request.
7. Online Safety
During coding and digital sessions, all internet activity is supervised and filtered. Children are taught basic online safety principles as part of our digital literacy curriculum. Inappropriate content or online behaviour is reported to parents and, where necessary, the DSL.
8. Concerns About a Child
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child attending our programmes, or about the conduct of any Macoc staff member, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead directly using the contact details in section 2 above.
A printed copy of this policy is available upon request. This policy is reviewed annually.