Pool Bridge Farm Ltd

Safeguarding Policy

Pool Bridge Farm Ltd • Created 2026-01-21

1. Safeguarding statement
Pool Bridge Farm Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We aim to provide a safe environment for all visitors and will take all safeguarding concerns seriously, acting promptly and appropriately.
Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility.

2. Scope
This policy applies to all directors, employees (including seasonal/casual staff), volunteers, contractors and third parties on site. It covers safeguarding relating to children and young people (under 18), adults at risk where relevant, and any safeguarding concerns occurring on site, during activities, or connected to Pool Bridge Farm Ltd communications/online content.

3. Our service & safeguarding context
Pool Bridge Farm Ltd operates as a sauna and wild swim venue and a seasonal campsite in summer.
Children may attend and swim only while closely supervised by their parent/legal guardian at all times.
Pool Bridge Farm Ltd does not currently provide: unaccompanied children activities, group visits (schools/youth organisations), 1:1 provision, or dedicated SEND group provision (may be considered in future).

4. Safeguarding roles
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Name: Emma Warmington-Boanas
Email: hello@poolbridge.co.uk
Phone: +44 7928 359420

Deputy DSL
Until a named deputy is appointed, the Deputy DSL function is: Director on duty / most senior person on site.

5. Recognising safeguarding concerns
Concerns may include: disclosure by a child/young person, injuries or concerning behaviour, neglect or lack of supervision, unsafe adult behaviour or coercion, bullying/harassment/intimidation, inappropriate contact or attention, or a child appearing distressed, fearful, or withdrawn.

6. Staff & volunteer conduct (safe working practice)
All staff/volunteers must treat children and families with respect, maintain professional boundaries, avoid being alone with a child wherever possible, report concerns immediately, and follow this policy and site rules.

Mobile phones/photos/videos: Staff and volunteers must not use personal phones for operational duties involving visitors, and must not take photos/videos of children or visitors on personal devices. Only authorised work processes/devices may be used where necessary.

No one site is to use a long lens or a drone without pre-written permission from the management. All photography and videography taken on site must be with consent and where children are concerend parental consent, and for personal use only
Physical contact must be minimal, appropriate, and in the interest of safety/welfare (e.g., first aid, preventing immediate harm).

7. Supervision rule for under 18s (critical)
Under 18s must be supervised by a parent/legal guardian at all times.
If a child is observed without adequate supervision, approach calmly, ask where their parent/guardian is, support reunification immediately, escalate to Supervisor/DSL if any welfare concerns arise, and record via the safeguarding form.

8. If a child discloses something
Stay calm, listen, do not promise confidentiality, do not ask leading questions, reassure them they did the right thing, report immediately, and record what was said as soon as possible.

9. Reporting procedure
Immediate danger: call 999, then inform Supervisor/DSL.
Non-emergency concerns: report immediately to Supervisor/senior staff and the DSL.
Recording: all concerns must be logged using the Pool Bridge Farm safeguarding Google Form. Records are stored securely with access restricted to senior staff/directors.

10. External escalation (City of York Council)
Safeguarding area: City of York Council.
Emergency services: 999. Non-emergency police: 101.
Where required, the DSL/director will escalate concerns appropriately.

11. Allegations about staff/volunteers
If a concern involves staff/volunteer conduct: report immediately to the Supervisor on duty, ensure immediate safeguarding actions, inform DSL ASAP, record securely, and cooperate with external agencies.
If the allegation concerns the DSL: report to another Director / Supervisor on duty.

12. Training
Pool Bridge Farm Ltd will ensure staff have basic safeguarding awareness, first aid training, and managing challenging behaviour awareness (as appropriate). Safeguarding is covered during induction and refreshed regularly.

13. Swimming/campsite welfare procedures
Lost child: keep the child safe and visible, notify the supervisor immediately, locate the parent/guardian, escalate if concerned, and record incident.
Missing person/overdue swimmer: alert Supervisor immediately, check last seen area + key zones, call 999 if needed, coordinate response, record actions/outcome.

14. Confidentiality
Safeguarding information is confidential and must only be shared with the DSL, Director on duty, senior staff with a safeguarding need-to-know, and external agencies when required.

15. Record retention
Safeguarding records will be retained securely for at least 6 years. Where appropriate, records involving children may be retained longer in line with safeguarding practice.