Forest School policies

Policies and Procedures

Forest School commencing November 2022

Behaviour

Forest School Leaders and volunteers will promote good behaviour, offer acceptance and encouragement to all our participants, we aim to:

 •        Create a positive environment for all to thrive, allowing individuals to build confidence and self-esteem within a woodland environment.

•        Recognise small achievable steps.

•        Place the needs of the children first, nurturing their imaginations to promote creativity.

•        Model caring behaviour to allow all children to feel safe and held within nature and with each other - building relationships.

•        Promote respect for our natural environment and one another.

 This should encourage the children to:

 •       Respect each others thoughts, feeling and opinions.

•        Listen to others.

•        Establish clear boundaries, following the safety rules set out at the start of each term.

•        Share with others and be accepting of each others choices.

•        Have the freedom to play, explore and be themselves.

Parents/carers are solely responsible for their children's behaviour. FS Leaders would not get involved unless it poses immediate threat to the child and others. The approach would be to de-escalate the situation and try to reengage the child. In the event that a child’s behaviour cannot be managed by the parent and is posing extreme danger to others, they may be asked to leave the site to ensure the safety of all other children/participants.

 Environment

To preserve the woodland we will follow a ‘No trace’ policy:

 •       Dispose of waste properly, a bin will be provided onsite if you are unable to take it home.

•        Toilet waste will be buried in the designated toilet area, this will be rotated accordingly.

•        Permission from the Landowner has been granted - Father Jo, Rector of St Mary’s, Hadleigh, IP7 5DT.

 Equality

To provide all children the opportunity to access Forest School regardless of their ability. We will look to promote inclusivity and acceptance for all at Forest School to ensure that each individuals needs are met.

 Health & Safety

The health and safety of the children/participants at Forest School is of utmost importance. Risk assessments of the site, specific group and activities will be carried out. An additional site sweep and risk assessment will be carried out before each session by the FS leader.

 First Aid

All Forest School Leaders are qualified in first aid, while volunteers have a basic knowledge. An emergency bag, first aid kit and qualified first aider will be onsite at each session. Forest School leaders will be made aware of any specific medical information they should be aware of at enrolment, as disclosed on the consent form completed by parents/carers.

 Mobile phones will be fully charged before each session to ensure that contact can be made to the emergency services should the need arise.

 Accident and emergency

•        All accidents, hazards or potential safety risks should be reported to the FS Leader immediately.

•        An accident form will be completed as soon as possible after the accident occurs by a FS member or the first aider who deals with it.

•        In case of an emergency the FS leader/assistant will contact the appropriate emergency services, giving them details of location. As much detail as possible will be supplied when reporting an accident.

•        Establish and be familiar with, all emergency procedures including the reporting and recording of procedures.

•        Records held in the first aid and accident book will be retained for a minimum of 3 years, in accordance with regulation 25 of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979, and then securely disposed of.

 Hygiene

•        A hand washing station will be provided with liquid soap to promote good hygiene, we would encourage all children/participants to always wash their hands before eating or handling food. It is always good practice to wash hands before going home.

•        Children will be taught not to eat anything in the woodland through ‘stop, no pick, no lick. This will be discussed at the start of first session so that children/participants are secure in their knowledge.

 Food

•        Fruit snacks will be provided at each session.

•        If food was to be prepared onsite it would be in conjunction with the Level 2 Food Hygiene standards and the relevant qualification would be gained to provide this.

 Extreme Weather Procedure

Forest School sessions will take place in all weather conditions unless deemed unsafe. Prior to each session the weather will be monitored by BBC weather, in the event of poor weather the following procedure will be adhered to:

 •        Forest School will not run in the event of high winds, if wind speeds are expected/forecast to exceed 35mph the session will be cancelled and rescheduled accordingly.

•        If weather becomes unmanageable during a Forest School session and poses potential risk of injury and harm the decision to cancel will be made to ensure the health and safety for the group.

•        Tarpaulin shelters will be used to protect children/participants from all types of weather, heavy rain, sunshine etc.

•        If the site is directly affected by weather (example very wet under foot) areas of the woodland/paths may be cordoned off with bright coloured rope to prevent injury from slipping, tripping - the Forest School Leader will always advise of any prohibited area beforehand.

 Cancellation policy

In the event that a session needs to be cancelled, be it extreme weather, staff sickness or for any other unforeseen circumstances the session will be rescheduled and an additional session added to the end of the block of sessions. If this is not possible a refund will be offered.

 Emergency Procedure (1)

In the event of an emergency the following will happen:

•        Emergency whistle will be blown.

•        Children/participants advised to place tools down by other adults in surrounding areas and to await further instructions.

•        Forest School Leader to assess situation and remove any hazards.

 Emergency Procedure (2)

•        Situation assessed as able to treat casualty with First Aid: Adult 1 - Forest School Leader, to treat the casualty. Remaining staff/volunteers to lead children and parents safely to Point A, and complete a headcount. To await further instructions. Keep children calm and play circle time games. Adult 2 (to be assigned at the start of each session) to call First Aider and bring emergency bag and support first aider and to calm the casualty. To treat the casualty with First Aid. FS members to complete Forest School Incident Book, sign and date. Child needs to go home or further non urgent treatment required. Child able to carry on session - FS leader to monitor child and liaise with parent. Decision to make either …. Session resumed and adults advised to return to base circle. Children/parents advised of any information needed to prevent any further accidents.

•        Situation assessed as unable to treat alone with First Aid: Adult 2 - (to be assigned at each session) to call First Aider and bring emergency bag and support first aider and to calm casualty. HEAT member to support adult 1+2 while waiting ambulance - to stay on the phone to the emergency services. On arrival of the ambulance, parents are to accompany their child to hospital. FS staff to complete Forest School Incident Book, sign and date.

•        Adult 1 - Forest School leader, to treat the casualty. Phone 999 using mobile carried onsite and read script in emergency bag. To treat the casualty with First Aid. Remaining staff/volunteer to lead children/parents safely to Point A, complete a headcount. To await further instructions. Inform parents of outcome/treatment, volunteer to guide them all safely off site with their children.

 All FS leaders and volunteers have whistles to be used in an emergency. Two blows on the whistle means an emergency, so tools down.

 Lost or missing child

In the unlikely event that it is found that a child is missing we will act in accordance with the following procedures:

 When it is thought a child is missing, the Forest School Leader must be alerted at once. They will call (by whistle) the children/parents together and the Forest School Assistant will keep the group calm while the Forest School Leader and volunteers search the site with the child’s parent. In the event that the child cannot be found onsite, the decision to call the police would need to be made. After any incidents, an incident form would be completed and any risk assessments amended to reflect the risk.

 Safeguarding

All Forest School Leaders have an understanding of the safeguarding issues that we may face and are responsible for reporting any concerns they may have to the relevant authorities. We will be adhering to the Hadleigh Environmental Action Teams safeguarding policy (copy available online) and liaising with the designated safeguarding lead Paul Hodgkin in the event such risks should occur.

 We will ensure:

• The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration.

• All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, race, sexual orientation, faith or belief.

• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

• Working in partnership with other organisations, children and young people and their parents/carers is essential.

 Tools Safety Policy

This policy will be reviewed annually as we are committed to ensuring good practice within our Forest School setting.

 Aim:

To ensure that all children/participants are kept safe while using specific tools at Forest School.

 Responsibilities:

The Forest school leader and Forest School Assistant are responsible for overseeing the safe use and maintenance of all tools. At each session tools will be counted in and out, cleaned, dried and returned to its appropriate lockable tool box/bag for secure transportation. Adults will model safe use and handling behaviour at all times when using all tools - to encourage children to mimic this positive and safe behaviour.

 Prior to each session the Forest School Leader will:

• Perform a risk assessment to assess levels of risk in relation to the developmental stage of each group and whether tools would benefit the session.

• Rope off a designated tool area and assign a trained adult to supervise and support each learner. • Ensure all tools are fit for purpose, sharpened, undamaged and safe. Any that are not will be removed from circulation for repair or safe disposal.

• Remind children of the “tool down” procedure - in the event of an accident a whistle will be blown and all tool users are immediately expected to place all tools back in their safety sheath/cover and placed in the correct storage to prevent further fatalities. This ensures that the FS leader can deal with any fatalities quickly and effectively, reducing further risks to other learners.

• Children are reminded not to help themselves to tools, they will be locked in the appropriate box to prevent risk of tools being used without supervision/permission.

• Explain and agree the ‘Blood bubble rule”. In order for tools to be used safely it is thought by FS professionals that learners should be a minimum of ‘one arm and a tools length’ away from other learners while using tools. If this cannot be accommodated it is deemed unsafe to continue, this rule reduces the risk of injury and should be adhered to by all.

Tools will be used on a 1:1 basis until tool use competencies have been met by the individual. The Forest School Leader at their discretion may choose to work in small groups in line with the needs of the child. A ‘Tool Talk’ will be given to demonstrate how to use each tool before use by learners, this general guideline can be adapted according to the tool being demonstrated - see template below, Knife used for example purposes:

 Tool Talk

This is a (Knife).

This is the handle of the (Knife).

This is the Sharp Edge of the (Knife).

This is the Blunt Edge of the (Knife).

I will put the cover on like this.

I stand with the (Knife) like this (Put on the side of the thigh).

I walk with the (Knife) like this.

I put the (Knife) back into its sheath/protective cover like this.

I use the (Knife) to (whittle) anything smaller than (one finger radius), bigger than (wrist size). I use the (Knife) like this (Whittling motion outwards).

When using the (Knife), I always make sure that I am one arm and a tools length away from other learners (blood bubble rules).

When using the (Knife), I will always wear a glove on the non-working hand.

When I am not using the (Knife), I return it to its (protective sheath/cover) and put it back in the (tool box) like this.

 Each tool will be demonstrated as above, more detail can be included with older age groups as they will be better equipped to understand the more technical parts of each tool and how they work.

 The tools that will be available for use at Forest School will include the following:

 Safe use:

 Bow saw 1:1 or 1:2 ratio

Hold the top (handle) of the bow saw, facing the blade towards to ground. Always ensure a protective cover is on to prevent injury when carrying or passing the bow saw.

 Hand drills 1:1 ratio

Palm drill - Wipe down with a brush to prevent injury from the drill bit. Always hold with the wooden handle and face down to the ground when carrying.

 Wooden mallet 1:1 ratio

To be used for the purpose intended, facing towards the ground when carrying.

 Clamps 1:1 ratio

Ensure that the clamps are clamped together at the end of each session to prevent injury.

 Ropes and Knots

• All equipment will be checked and maintained by the FS leader before every session, damaged ropes will be removed from circulation and replaced.

• Learners will be encouraged to learn to tie and undo simple knots, moving to more complex knots once competent.

• Demonstrations will be provided and adapted to aid each learner’s specific requirements. • The risks associated with using ropes should be discussed and children should be advised not to wrap ropes around each other, they should only be used for their correct purpose (rope swings and bridges).

 We are not limited to the above tools, should another tool be available for use at a session the relevant risk assessment will be completed and introduced to the child with a demonstration and tool talk as mentioned above.

 Clothing

It is essential that the children/participants wear the correct clothing for the weather as incorrect clothing will have an impact on their overall enjoyment. Some key items could include: waterproof coat and trousers, long sleeve tops and trousers (to prevent scuffs and scrapes to the arms and legs). Ensure footwear is hardwearing, walking boots or wellington boots are ideal - they protect from wet and cold conditions as well as preventing injury to toes should trips happen. No open toed shoes to be worn, even in summer months - trainers would be a good choice for warmer weather.

 Insurances

A copy of the insurance policy will be kept in the emergency bag with the Forest School policies and procedures.

Forest School Combined Liability Insurance, period of cover commences 07/04/2022 - 07/04/2023

Policy Number:

Insurer: Catlin via Birnbeck Insurance Services and SAUA Limited

 DBS

All Forest School Leaders and volunteers will have the relevant DBS checks in place.

Attendance and Consent Form

You will be asked to sign a joining and consent form at the start of six-week session.

Photographs/Social Media

By providing consent, you will be giving permission to HEAT to use photographs of your child. Please note these images may be used in any of the following ways;

• Printed HEAT publications

• HEAT website and/or social media feeds

•    Within the local or national media

 HEAT will not use the personal details or full names (which means first name and last name) of any child in a photographic image on our website, or in HEAT printed publications. If HEAT uses photographs of individuals, the name of that child will not appear in the accompanying text or photo caption, unless we have your express agreement to do so.

 Please remember to inform HEAT if for some reason you wish to withdraw your consent for images of your child to potentially be used in these ways by HEAT.

 These policies and procedures have been written by Miss Jade Walker and Mrs Caroline Annis, who hold the following qualifications/certificates:

 Forest School OCN Level 3 in Forest School Leadership

16Hr Forest School First Aid

DBS