Child Behaviour Policy
CHILD BEHAVIOUR POLICY
Ultimate Activity Camps are committed to promoting a positive and fun environment at all our camps where all children feel welcome, included and safe. We achieve this by encouraging an atmosphere of positive behaviour among children and staff, and by implementing our Positive Behaviour Procedure and having a clear Negative Behaviour Procedure to effectively deal with poor behaviour.
Positive Behaviour Procedure
At the core of Ultimate Activity Camps is our Ultimate Values. A code of values that drives everything we do on camp from activities to how we treat each other on camp.
The Ultimate Activity Camp values are introduced to all children as part of the induction and are referred to daily when discussing the behaviour expectation on camp.
The steps staff use for achieving positive behaviour are as follows:
Relationships and Community
Ultimate Activity Camps aim to create and promote a strong sense of community, both as a camp overall, and within the children’s groups. Group leaders will be responsible for taking pastoral care of the group throughout the week, helping the children to build relationships and a sense of identity within the camp. The group leaders will also build strong relationships with the children in their group, so that each individual child has a role model and point of contact on camp who knows them and can encourage involvement in the camp. Children are empowered to make decisions about their experience on camp and build a sense of contribution and community.
Communication and Language.
During the daily camp welcome, the Camp Manager or Early Years Manager will speak to all the children and reinforce the behaviour expectation on camp and refer to the Ultimate Code of Conduct. Away from the main welcome, group leaders encourage the children to discuss the values and what type of conduct is encouraged and discouraged, giving the opportunity for the children to form their own code of conduct as a group. This group code is discussed every morning to ensure any new starters on camp are involved in the code of conduct and understand its meaning.
The code of conduct is reinforced during activities to encourage good sportsmanship, promote positive relationships and participation.
Staff ensure children speak appropriately only camp, discouraging negative language, swearing, teasing and name calling. The same is expected from our staff.
Respect
Respect is at the centre of the Ultimate Values, and an environment of mutual respect between children and staff is key to promoting positive behaviour. Staff also encourage children to show respect to the camp, the environment and equipment on camp.
Reward
Children are encouraged to show positive behaviour at all times on camp. Staff are able to reward good behaviour during activities, by offering specific roles during games, and free time after activities. Stickers are provided to Juniors Groups as a tool for rewarding positive behaviour actions linked with UAC’s camp values. Staff can feedback positive behaviour to parents at the end of each day. Some sites may receive UAC branded certificates that they can reward children with should they wish, camps can also create their own.
Negative Behaviour
Ultimate Activity Camps adopt a 5-step procedure for managing negative behaviour on camp that is not considered to be bullying, physical violence, racism or sexual harassment (see below). We believe that no individual should negatively impact the experience of anyone else on camp, and will take immediate steps to prevent this.
Verbal Reminder of Camp Rules
If a child is displaying unwanted behaviour that is not considered to be dangerous or purposely rude, a member of UAC staff will remind the child of the accepted behaviour and camp code of conduct, as outlined to them in the welcome talk.
Informal Chat
Staff member will take the child aside and explain why their behaviour is not acceptable. Staff will encourage the child to decide what could be done to improve their behaviour, and guide them where necessary.
Time Out
If negative behaviour continues, the child will be given a time out, where staff again explain the reason for the time out, and how long the time out will last (no longer than five minutes). Child is encouraged to relax and reflect on why their behaviour is unacceptable and encouraged to return in a more positive manner with a "clean slate".
Staff will inform Camp Manager of any time outs, so that the Camp Manager can discuss this with the parents at the end of the day, explaining what occurred and why the child was given a time out. This is to include the parents in promoting positive behaviour and involving them early if negative behaviour is to continue.
Temporary Exclusion
If there is not a significant improvement in the child's behaviour, the child will be excluded from camp temporarily. This is a decision that will be made jointly between the Camp Manager and Head Office senior management, the decision to temporarily exclude a child will not be taken lightly. It is recognised that a disruptive child can have a negative effect on the positive experience of others. To further promote positive behaviour management, the child will have a ‘cooling off day’ and then will be welcomed back on camp by UAC staff.
Exclusion
If a significant improvement in the child's behaviour is not seen on their return to camp, the Camp Manager will contact staff involved and Head Office, and inform them of any further behaviour concerns. Head Office staff can take the decision to exclude the child from camp permanently. Parent will be informed of the decision and requested to collect the child from camp as soon as possible.
Head Office will be receptive to any parent who wishes to try to re-introduce their child to camp at a future date, possibly on a trial basis. This decision will be made by a member of the Senior Management team considering what is best for the child, and others on camp.
This policy works in conjunction with the “Managing Behaviour” staff training resource. This can be found in the staff training pack and is issued to all staff.
Physical Intervention
Physical intervention will only be used as a last resort, when staff believe that action is necessary to prevent injury to the child or others around them, or to prevent significant damage to equipment or property.Physical intervention will only be applied using ‘reasonable force’. This can range from guiding a child to safety by the arm, to more extreme circumstances such as breaking up a fight or where a child needs to be restrained to prevent violence or injury. ‘Reasonable’ in these circumstances means ‘using no more force than is needed’. The use of force may involve either passive physical contact, such as standing between children or blocking a pupil’s path, or active physical contact such as leading a pupil by the arm out of and area or away from danger. If a member of staff has to physically restrain a child, the Camp Manager will be notified and an Incident Form will be completed. The incident will be discussed with the parent or carer as soon as possible. Head Office will be informed so the incident can be logged. This may be used to build a pattern of behaviour, which may indicate an underlying cause. If a pattern of incidents indicates possible abuse, we will implement procedures in accordance with our Safeguarding Policy.
Acceptable use of IT
Children are not permitted to have mobile devices on their person on camp. If a parent requests for their child to have a mobile device on camp or if a child brings one in, this must be placed out of sight, in their bag for the duration of the day (see Mobile Device policy). Access to computers or laptops either provided by Ultimate Activity Camps or the Host school will be permitted for use on Ultimate Tech Camps. When using these devices children must abide by the UAC IT code of conduct agreement and staff must adhere to the terms set out in the Ultimate Activity Camps Acceptable IT Use and Safeguarding policy.
Types of Negative Behaviour
Serious incidences such as threatening behaviour, violence, racism and sexual harassment will not be tolerated at all. Temporary and permanent exclusion from camp will be immediately considered.
Bullying
Definition: “Any repeated, deliberate behaviour by an individual or a group (children or staff) towards a child or group of children that negatively effects their experience on camp. Bullying can be in the form of emotional, physical, discriminatory, sexual or cyber.”
Ultimate Activity Camps take a no tolerance stance to bullying, it is unacceptable in any form. Children are expected to behave in a way that shows respect and consideration for themselves, for their peers, and their wider community on camp. Bullying behaviours and interactions should never be passed off or dismissed as “banter” or “part of growing up”. Nor will harmful behaviours be dismissed as the same or “just having a laugh” or “boys being boys”, etc. Staff are vigilant at all times and take immediate action when bullying is observed or reported. The procedure (below) is used to manage any cases of bullying.
Procedure:
On observing negative behaviour on camp our staff will follow the process below and involve the parents of the victim to reassure them that action has been taken.
In response to the initial concern, all children involved will be encouraged to discuss the incident in a mediated conversation led by a staff member. This discussion aims to allow both parties to be heard, promote understanding, and work towards a resolution. The child who has been or who is suspected of bullying behaviours will be helped to recognise that their behaviour is unacceptable, understand the harm they are causing, and be made aware that continued bullying will not be tolerated.
All information regarding the incident(s) must be passed on to the Camp Manager. An Incident Form will be completed to document the details of the incident and the actions taken and parents of all parties involved will be informed.
Depending on the nature and severity of the incident, the child responsible may be removed from the group to ensure the safety of others, and Head Office will be notified. In some cases, parents may be asked to collect their child as soon as possible. The decision on whether the child may return to camp, either temporarily or permanently, rests with Senior Management.
If, following the initial discussion, the bullying continues, it will be considered deliberate. The matter will be immediately recorded and reported to the Camp Manager, who will consult with UAC Senior Leadership. Parents will be informed again at this stage. In cases of severe or persistent bullying, the child may face temporary or permanent exclusion from camp. This decision will always be made by UAC Senior Leadership with the best interests of all children in mind.
In line with our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, any bullying incident that raises concerns about a child suffering or being at risk of significant harm will be treated as a child protection issue. If there is reason to believe a crime has been committed, UAC will contact the police.
Physical Violence
Definition: “The intent to cause harm through physical force. This can be threatened, or actual and has a high likelihood of resulting in physical or psychological harm.”
Ultimate Activity Camps does not accept physical violence towards children, staff or visitors.
Procedure:
If physical violence is witnessed or reported to a member of staff, the Camp Manager is to investigate and if confirmed then depending on the nature of the incident and the circumstances, the child involved may be removed from the group for the safety of other children and Head Office contacted. Parents may be requested to collect the child and it will down to the discretion of UAC Senior Management as to whether the child will be able to return to camp on a temporary or permanent basis. The incident must be recorded on an incident form including witness statements if necessary.
Racism and Racial Bullying
Definition: “Racism and racist bullying is where a child will verbally, emotionally or physically abuse or discriminate against someone on the basis of, or using another person’s colour, ethnicity, nationality or race. This includes name-calling, inappropriate banter and jokes.”
Ultimate Activity Camps does not tolerate racism or instances of racism or racial bullying towards children, staff or visitors.
Procedure:
Any such behaviour, whether witnessed or reported, will be taken seriously and investigated by the Camp Manager and Senior Leadership Team. If confirmed, appropriate action will be taken, considering the age and understanding of the child involved.
For older children who can reasonably understand the impact of their words or actions, the child will be immediately removed from the group, and the Camp Manager will explain why their behaviour was unacceptable. Head Office will be informed, and parents will be called to collect their child immediately. The incident will be formally documented on an incident form, including witness statements if necessary, and the victim’s parents will be notified. The child will be suspended for the remainder of the day and their next booked date.
For younger children, the Camp Manager will use age-appropriate methods to explain why their words or actions were wrong. If it is determined that the behaviour was intentional or repeated, the same consequences will apply. Ultimate Activity Camps Senior Management will review each case to determine if the child can safely return to camp. This decision will consider the severity of the incident, safeguarding concerns, discussions with parents, and staff input. If the child is permitted to return, any further racist behaviour—regardless of intent—will result in permanent exclusion from Ultimate Activity Camps.
Sexual Harassment or Abuse
Definition: “Sexual harassment or abuse is when someone carries out unwanted sexual behaviour towards another person that makes them feel (or intends to) upset, scared, offended or humiliated. It includes sexual jokes, inappropriate banter, comments and physical behaviour (including up-skirting and inappropriate touching).”
Ultimate Activity Camps does not tolerate sexual harassment or abuse towards children, staff or visitors.
Procedure:
If sexual harassment or abuse is witnessed or reported to a member of staff, the Camp Manager is to investigate and if confirmed, the perpetrating child is to be removed from the group, and a senior member of the team will explain to the child why the child’s actions or words were sexual harassment or abuse.
Head Office will be contacted and parents will be called to collect their child immediately. The incident must be recorded on an incident form including witness statements if necessary and the victim’s parents informed immediately.
It will down to the assessment and discretion of UAC Senior Management as whether the child will be permanently excluded from camp. This decision will be made based on the severity of original incident(s), safeguarding concerns, discussions with all parents and staff interviews. If the child is assessed as allowed to return safely to camp, any further serious incidents, at any time, will result in permanent exclusion from Ultimate Activity Camps.
Corporal Punishment
Corporal punishment or the threat of corporal punishment will never be used at Ultimate Activity Camps. We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that no child who attends our settings receives corporal punishment from any person who cares for or is in regular contact with the child, or from any other person on our premises.