Policies

At Sylvestrian Holiday Activities, we are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people, and we expect all staff to uphold this commitment. We strive to create a safe and supportive environment where children feel secure. Any suspicions or allegations of child abuse will be taken seriously and addressed promptly and appropriately. 

All staff working with children have a legal duty to act if they believe a child is at risk or makes a disclosure. Our team follows the safeguarding procedures set by the relevant local authority for our camp location to ensure the highest standards of care and protection. 

At camp, the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is the Camp Coordinator, available should you need to discuss any safeguarding concerns. Additionally, our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL’s) Lucy Anglin, Jenna-Wiseman Brown and Jordan Wilson, can be contacted at our Centre on 02085096520 for further assistance. 

You can also contact the following should you wish to raise any concerns you may have: 

At Sylvestrian Holiday Activities, we take the health and safety of your child extremely seriously. We are committed to doing everything reasonable and practicable to safeguard the health, safety, and well-being of all children in our care, as well as our staff and any visitors to our sites. 

To ensure a consistently safe environment, we have established structured systems of proactive and reactive checks and risk assessments. These measures help maintain the safety of our equipment, activities, and the children always. Additionally, our staff receive regular training to fully understand their responsibilities within our safe systems of work, ensuring the highest standards of care and protection to all who attend.

At Sylvestrian Holiday Activities, we are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for all children in our care, ensuring a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. We actively take steps to eliminate discrimination and promote fairness in all aspects of our activities. 

We are also committed to upholding the principles of British values, embedding them throughout our operations to foster respect, inclusivity, and equality in everything we do. 

At Sylvestrian Holiday Activities, we recognise play as essential to a child’s development, well-being, and creativity. Our approach prioritises free and inclusive play, allowing children to explore, express themselves, and develop life skills.  

Group Leaders create safe and engaging environments, ensuring a variety of play opportunities, including arts, sports, nature trails, storytelling, and construction activities. Outdoor play is encouraged daily, with safety checks and supervision, to support children in building their confidence and resilience, while balancing safety with developmental benefits. 

 Safety remains a top priority, with daily risk assessments, secure storage of equipment, and monitored outdoor areas. The Centre ensures equal access for all children, including those with additional needs. Staff maintain a clean, well-maintained environment, and children have access to drinking water at all times. Through these policies, Sylvestrian Holiday Activities provides a stimulating, fun, and safe play environment, supporting children’s growth, learning, and social development.

At Sylvestrian Holiday Activities, bullying is not tolerated under any circumstances. Any incidents of such behaviour will be taken seriously, and our staff will intervene at the earliest opportunity to address and resolve the situation. 

 Our anti-bullying policy follows a structured three-step approach: preventing, identifying, and taking action against bullying behaviour. Throughout camp, we reinforce the importance of our code of conduct, ensuring that children understand expectations and that our group leaders consistently role model positive behaviour. 

At Sylvestrian Holiday Activities, we believe that for children to grow, learn, and thrive, they need an environment where they feel safe, respected, and encouraged.  

To foster this, each group collaborates during their first session to establish their own set of guidelines on how they will interact with one another. This process empowers children to take ownership of their behaviour while promoting mutual respect. Our Group Leaders play a key role in maintaining a positive and inclusive environment, encouraging children to embrace differences and be considerate in both their actions and words. 

If a child’s behaviour disrupts the positive atmosphere of the group, our staff will intervene by reminding, explaining, and working towards a resolution. However, if inappropriate or disruptive behaviour persists, depending on its severity and frequency, it may be necessary to exclude a child from camp. 

At Sylvestrian Holiday Activities, we are dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle, combining sport and fun to encourage children to stay active long after their time at camp. Our staff lead by example, practicing sun safety, and ensuring that there is always free access to water throughout the camp. 

All children are required to bring a packed lunch.

In addition to lunch, children also have two scheduled breaks during the day for refreshments. To ensure the safety of all campers, we enforce a strict no-nuts policy, meaning all packed lunches and snacks must not contain nuts. 

If your child is unwell, we kindly ask that they do not attend camp to help prevent the spread of germs or viruses. Please inform us of their absence, and we will confirm when they can return. Any reported cases of serious illnesses will be communicated at the registration desk. 

Should a child become ill during the day, we will contact you to arrange for them to be collected and cared for at home. 

At Sylvestrian Holiday Activities, we handle all confidential and sensitive information regarding your child with the utmost care. Such information is shared only with staff members who need to know and is never disclosed to other parents or children. This applies to both verbal and written communications. 

Once the camp has concluded, all information is securely stored in accordance with our data protection policy, always ensuring the privacy and security of your child’s details. 

At Sylvestrian Holiday Activities, we take all concerns seriously and aim to resolve issues promptly. Our Complaints Policy outlines the procedures for raising concerns and is available upon request.  

If you have any concerns regarding your child’s experience, please speak to an appropriate staff member as soon as possible. Minor issues should be addressed with the Camp Coordinator or Camp Manager, while major concerns should go directly to the General Manager. 

 If an issue remains unresolved, you may submit a formal written complaint to the General Manager, who will investigate and respond within 7 working days.  

 All complaints are recorded and kept confidential, with written records maintained for a minimum of three years. Cases related to child protection or criminal activities will be handled in line with our safeguarding policy and reported to the appropriate authorities if necessary. 

 For full details or to make a complaint, please contact the Holiday Activities Coordinator Langlin@forest.org.uk. Alternatively, you can contact the General Manager Jwilson@forest.org.uk. 

Any booking changes require a 48-hour notice for any alterations. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not eligible for a credit note, but where possible, bookings may be transferred to a later date. 

Credit Notes and transfers are only issued with a doctor’s note or under agreed circumstances with the Holiday Activities Coordinator. All requests must be submitted in writing via email to Langlin@forest.org.uk. 

Sylvestrian Leisure Centre are not responsible for any lost, stolen, or broken items brought to camp. While incidents will be investigated, refunds will not be provided unless clear evidence shows the Centre is at fault.