Policy Document

April 2008

General Statement

Kirkliston After School Policy Document has been compiled by the Management Committee after consultation with the following;

·         Permanent members of Staff

·         Committee Members

·         Parent and Children Members (A random Selection)

·         Head teacher at Kirkliston Primary School

·         Scottish out of School Network guidance

·         Scottish Care Commission guidance

Responsibilities

1.      Final responsibility for ensuring Club policies/procedures are upheld is that of the KASC Management Committee.

2.      The Play Leader is responsible for ensuring compliance of policies/procedures on a day to day basis at all premises of KASC. The Management Committee is responsible for ensuring all staff, children and members are aware of policies/procedures and how they should be implemented.

3.      All employees have a responsibility to co-operate with the Management Committee to ensure compliance of policies/procedures in their place of work. Employees will be issued with copies of policy documents during their induction-training period.

4.      Effectiveness of Club procedures is discussed at staff/committee meetings. Comments or suggestions are recorded and any formal changes will be notified to members in writing by the Management Committee.

5.      The Management Committee will annually review all Club policies/procedures and their effectiveness during the months of July/August.

Please note that the procedures document provides the practical working processes that are used to implement the policies detailed in this document.

The full constitution is attached as appendix one of this document, however, some points to note are:

Constitution of the Management Committee. The club only exists with the support of the community, parent members on the committee, and the commitment of the staff. Please ensure that you think carefully about how you could contribute to the running of the club. Even small gestures are very welcome. 

The committee will meet at least four times a year. Presently meetings are held at least monthly, on the second Monday of every month.

The AGM is usually held in September each year, depending on the term dates.

The financial year runs from 1 April to 31 March.

KASC is a registered charity.

Aims and Objectives

We aim to offer ‘Out of School’ care to children of school age up to 12 years old. We aim to offer play and educational opportunities that are both fun and challenging. We will promote the dignity, privacy, choice, safety, potential and diversity of all users and staff of the club.

·         The club will promote policies and procedures that promote its aims in practice, and will make these known to staff, parents and children.

·         The club will meet all relevant legislation applying to it.

·         The club will employ competent and confident staff who have been appropriately vetted.

·         The club will provide a balanced range of activities, taking account of the ages, development needs, interest and hours and pattern of attendance of each child.

·         The club will contribute to its local community and will develop links with services and organisations that will assist it in meeting it aims.

·         The club will operate a self evaluation scheme as a means of ensuring that continuous improvement takes place, and will involve staff and users in this process.

·         The club’s management will supervise the activities of its staff through a formal supervision and development programme.

·         The club will be open and transparent in all of its activities. The club will take account of local, national and SOSCN guidance in its activities.

Admission Criteria Policy

Kirkliston After School Club welcomes applications from the parent/carers of children of primary school age within the Kirkliston area.

Our admission policy is governed by the following principles:

·         We will work in partnership with parents/carers in caring for your child. Our staff will have both the time and the training to welcome you and your child to the club.

·         You will be provided with sufficient information about the club and its operations to enable you and your child to make an informed choice about the club. You will be encouraged to make at least one pre-admission visit and your child can attend for one complete session prior to taking up a place.

·         Allocation of places is based on equality and fairness.

·         Places are offered on a first come first served basis for full time places. Priority will be given to subsequent children of existing users.

·         When the club is full, places will be allocated from a waiting list maintained by the play leader. Those who have been waiting longest will be offered a place first.

·         The current waiting list is available to all parents to inspect.

·         You will be required to complete an application for registration form, and to pay the current registration fee.

·         Information provided by you about you and your child will be treated confidentially and kept safe.

Code of Conduct/Behaviour Policy

Kirkliston After School Club aims to promote positive behaviour by treating everyone connected with the club with dignity, respect equality and fairness at all times; by creating a safe and secure environment free from bullying, harassment and discrimination; by ensuring that users are free from exploitation and abuse.

We will achieve this by:

Valuing each child as an individual.

Ensuring that staff interaction with children builds confidence, encourages learning new skills and values the contributions of children and young people.

Working with parents to promote positive behaviour and deal with difficult behaviour.

Encouraging the participation of children in the life and work of the club.

Ensuring that staff are trained in recognising harm, abuse, neglect, bullying and discrimination and that they actively challenge and respond to such behaviour.

Encourage children to take responsibility for their own behaviour.

Having a child protection policy.

Having a code of behaviour that it consistently applied.

Having a safe environment that meets all relevant legislation and by carrying out regular risk assessments.

Having a non smoking environment.

Charges and Fees Policy

Kirkliston After School Club charges an annual registration fee for all children, and session fees for each day that the child attends the club. The registration and session fees for the club are determined annually, and will be communicated to all parents after the AGM.

·         Parents are liable for fees for all sessions booked, regardless of attendance

·         The club insists on payment in advance to assist cash flow.

·         Payments can be made through cash, bank transfer or various child voucher schemes.

·         All fees must be paid by the last club day of each calendar month, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the club.