Safety & safeguarding
Draft — under review before launchSafety isn't a feature. It's the foundation.
Where we are today
DBS checks & safer recruitment
No one teaches until they're checked and trained.
Our staffing policy is that all instructors and relevant staff must complete appropriate suitability checks before being permitted to deliver children's programmes. As we haven't opened yet, these checks will be completed for each person before their first session.
Criminal record checks
The check appropriate to the nation: an enhanced DBS check (England and Wales), PVG scheme membership through Disclosure Scotland (Scotland) or an enhanced AccessNI check (Northern Ireland).
Barred list checks
Where a role is legally eligible, the relevant children's barred list check is carried out as part of the criminal record check.
Identity verification
Confirmation of identity and, where required, right to work in the UK.
References
Satisfactory references, including from previous work with children where applicable.
Safeguarding training
Role-appropriate safeguarding training before delivery, refreshed regularly.
Code of conduct
Written expectations covering behaviour, communication, physical contact, photography and online contact.
Safeguarding policies
Our draft safeguarding framework
- 01
Child protection
Every adult working for AI Explorers will understand their duty to act on concerns about a child's welfare. We will follow the statutory child protection guidance of the nation where a session takes place, alongside the host school's own procedures. Concerns will be referred promptly to our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), the school's DSL and, where appropriate, children's services or the police.
- 02
Designated Safeguarding Lead arrangements
A named, trained Designated Safeguarding Lead — and a deputy — will be responsible for safeguarding decisions, record keeping and liaison with host schools and statutory agencies. Their contact details will be published here and shared with families and schools before classes open.
- 03
Reporting concerns
Instructors will record and report any concern the same day. Parents, carers, schools and children can raise concerns with the DSL in confidence. If a child is in immediate danger, anyone should call 999.
- 04
Staff conduct
Staff will never be alone with a child out of sight of others, will not contact children privately online, will not take photographs on personal devices and will maintain professional boundaries at all times.
- 05
Supervision
Sessions will run with a maximum of 12 children and planned adult ratios suited to the venue, age group and activity. Registers will be taken at the start and end of every session.
- 06
Bullying and peer concerns
We will promote kind, respectful behaviour, act quickly on unkind or harmful behaviour between children, and share concerns with parents and, where relevant, the host school.
- 07
Incident reporting
Accidents, incidents and near misses will be recorded, reviewed and shared with parents. Serious incidents will be reported to the relevant authorities as required.
- 08
Safe recruitment
Nobody will deliver sessions until the safer-recruitment checks described on this page are complete and recorded.
- 09
Online safety
Devices will be managed by the academy, with filtered internet access and pre-selected, age-appropriate educational platforms. Children will not create accounts or share personal information online during sessions.
- 10
Emergency arrangements
Each venue will have documented fire, first aid and emergency procedures. Emergency contact details will be held securely and only by those who need them.
- 11
Collection procedures
Children will only be released to adults authorised by a parent or carer. Arrangements for children who walk home independently will be agreed in writing in advance. A late-collection procedure will be followed if a child is not collected.
Safe AI learning
No unrestricted chatbots. No personal data. Ever.
Additional learning needs
We are committed to inclusive learning and to making reasonable adjustments so every child can take part. Parents and carers can discuss their child's needs confidentially with us before booking — please don't share health or personal details through our general forms.
Start a confidential conversationInsurance & regulation
Public liability insurance and any other appropriate cover will be arranged and confirmed before classes begin. We do not claim to hold insurance or registrations that are not yet in place.
Our weekly 75-minute clubs are educational sessions. Childcare registration rules differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so we will confirm the requirements that apply to each format and location before delivery begins. We do not assume that arrangements in one nation apply in another.
About holiday camps and childcare rulesWorried about a child?
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. You can also contact your local authority children's services (or Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland), or call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. Children can call Childline free on 0800 1111.
A dedicated, confidential contact for our Designated Safeguarding Lead will be published here before classes open.
All final policies require appropriate operational and legal review before publication as adopted policy.