Asking the right questions
When you sign your little one up to an after school activity, do you ask about their child safety policies?
Anyone working with children should have children’s safety as a primary concern, and ideally that is highly visible to parents and children.
Here are some questions you can ask:
- Is there any information about child safety on the website / induction material / parent handbook?
Can you see a commitment to keeping kids safe from abuse? Are they aware of the risks and showing you how they are managing them?
- Do all staff / volunteers have a current working with children check (Bluecard)?
This is bare minimum and no ongoing guarantee of suitability to work with children.
- Do they have a child safety policy?
Did they have to dig it out? Is it a living document for them? Do you see evidence of it being used?
- Are parents / carers welcomed into the space?
Can you see what is happening and hear the way your child is being spoken to? If not, you have to ask why not.
- Would you or your child know who to talk to if your child didn't feel safe?
Is this information visible? Is there a process that is open and transparent?