Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
(Last updated: 25 October 2025)
1. Policy Statement
BoboKids Art Club by Bobovox Studio is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and positive environment where children can explore creativity, develop confidence and enjoy art.
We recognise our responsibility to safeguard all children who attend our activities from harm, abuse or neglect.
We believe that:
The welfare of children is paramount.
All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation, have the right to equal protection from harm.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
Reference:
2. Purpose of this Policy
This policy outlines how BoboKids Art Club will:
Protect children attending our sessions from harm or abuse.
Provide staff and volunteers with guidance on recognising and reporting concerns.
Ensure consistent, safe practices in line with UK safeguarding legislation.
3. Scope
This policy applies to:
The Founder (programme organiser), staff, volunteers, guest artists, and anyone representing BoboKids Art Club by Bobovox Studio.
All children and young people under 18 participating in classes, workshops or events at Fanshawe Community Centre or other venues.
4. Legal Framework
This policy is based on UK legislation and guidance, including:
5. Responsibilities
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Natasa Ferenczova (Founder, Bobovox Studio):
Natasa Ferenczova is the Designated Safeguarding Lead for BoboKids Art Club. She has successfully completed a Standard Child Safeguarding Course and refreshes her safeguarding training regularly.
As the sole organiser of the club, Natasa is responsible for ensuring safeguarding procedures are followed, maintaining secure records, and reporting any concerns to the relevant agencies.
Where additional advice or action is required, BoboKids Art Club will seek support from:
Barking & Dagenham MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub): 020 8227 3811 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm)
Out-of-Hours Emergency Duty Team: 020 8594 8356
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 or https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/
UNCOLLECTED CHILD POLICY
In addition, BoboKids Art Club follows an Uncollected Child Policy to ensure that all children remain safe in the rare event that a parent or carer is late for collection.
If a child is not collected on time, the organiser will:
Supervise the child on site,
Attempt to contact the parent or emergency contact, and
If no contact can be made after a reasonable period (usually 30 minutes), seek advice from the local safeguarding team or the police.
This procedure forms part of our safeguarding practice and ensures the welfare and protection of every child in our care.
MISSING CHILD POLICY
BoboKids Art Club by Bobovox Studio is committed to providing a safe, well-supervised environment for every child and therefore has a Missing Child Policy.
Although the club is operated by a sole provider, all sessions are supported by a second responsible adult who holds a DBS check, ensuring that children are always supervised by at least two adults.
This policy outlines the steps to be taken if a child goes missing during a class, workshop, or event on-site.
6. Recognising Signs of Abuse
Abuse can take many forms:
Physical abuse – hitting, shaking, causing injuries.
Emotional abuse – constant criticism, rejection, or intimidation.
Sexual abuse – involving a child in sexual activity.
Neglect – failure to meet a child’s basic needs.
All BoboKids staff and volunteers should remain vigilant and raise any concerns, no matter how small.
Reference:
7. Responding to Concerns
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
If you suspect a child is being abused or at risk:
Listen carefully to what the child says – do not promise confidentiality.
Record the facts clearly (date, time, what was said).
Contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately.
The DSL will decide whether to refer to Barking and Dagenham MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) or the police.
Local MASH contact:
020 8227 3811 (Monday–Friday 9am–5pm)
020 8594 8356 (out of hours Emergency Duty Team)
Barking & Dagenham Safeguarding Children Partnership
8. Safe Recruitment
All staff and volunteers working directly with children will be DBS checked.
New team members must provide two references and agree to follow this safeguarding policy before starting.
Staff and volunteers will be aware of organiser responsibilities for safeguarding children, how to respond to safeguarding concerns and how to make a referral to Social Care if necessary..
9. Code of Conduct
All BoboKids representatives must:
Treat all children with respect and kindness
Avoid one-to-one situations in private spaces.
Maintain appropriate physical and verbal boundaries.
Never use physical punishment or shout aggressively.
Report any safeguarding concern or breach of conduct to the DSL.
10. Online Safety, Photography and Filming
BoboKids Art Club values and celebrates the creativity of all children who attend our sessions. We may occasionally wish to share photographs and videos or examples of children’s artwork on our website, social media pages, or printed materials to highlight the joy and learning that take place in our classes.For full details refer to the Photography and Filming Policy
To protect children’s privacy and safety:
Children’s faces or identifying features will only be shared with explicit parental consent.
Parents will be asked to complete a Photo & Media Consent Form indicating whether they consent to photographs that include their child’s face.
Where consent is not given, only images of children’s artwork, hands, or group activity (with faces not visible or blurred) will be used.
Children’s full names or personal information will never be published alongside photos or artwork.
All images will be stored securely and used respectfully, only for the purposes described.
Parents can withdraw consent at any time by contacting hello@bobovoxstudio.com
All online sessions (if any) must take place via approved, secure platforms with parent supervision.
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11. Health, Safety and First Aid
Sessions are risk-assessed and supervised at all times.
Bobovox Studio staff will not administer medication. Parents must inform staff of any health needs and remain contactable during sessions.
The organiser holds a valid Level 3 Paediatric First Aid certificate, renewed every three years. A fully stocked first aid kit is available at every session, and emergency procedures are in place to ensure prompt contact with parents and emergency services in the event of an accident or medical incident.
GENERAL RISK ASSESSMENT
BoboKids Art Club by Bobovox Studio provides creative art and design sessions for children in community and educational settings. Activities include drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, and mixed-media projects.
This risk assessment (click to read full document) identifies key hazards and control measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants, staff, and visitors.
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12. Data Protection and Record Keeping
All safeguarding records and personal data will be stored securely in compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR. Information will only be shared when legally necessary to protect a child.
Reference:
13. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if safeguarding guidance changes.
Last reviewed: 21 October 2025
Next review due: 21 October 2026
2. Online Safety, Photography and Filming
BoboKids Art Club values and celebrates the creativity of all children who attend our sessions. We may occasionally wish to share photographs and videos or examples of children’s artwork on our website, social media pages, or printed materials to highlight the joy and learning that take place in our classes.
To protect children’s privacy and safety:
Children’s faces or identifying features will only be shared with explicit parental consent.
Parents will be asked to complete a Photo & Media: Parent Consent Form indicating whether they consent to photographs that include their child’s face.
Where consent is not given, only images of children’s artwork, hands, or group activity (with faces not visible or blurred) will be used.
Children’s full names or personal information will never be published alongside photos or artwork.
All images will be stored securely and used respectfully, only for the purposes described.
Parents can withdraw consent at any time by contacting hello@bobovoxstudio.com
All online sessions (if any) must take place via approved, secure platforms with parent supervision.