Safeguarding Policy

Story Rangers Ltd Safeguarding Policy

Updated July 2026

  1. Introduction

Story Rangers Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare, wellbeing and rights of children and young people. We expect all class leaders, franchisees, employees, contractors, volunteers and anyone representing Story Rangers Ltd to share this commitment and maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse or neglect.

 

  1. Purpose

This policy aims to:

  • Protect children and young people who receive our services from harm.
  • Provide franchisees, class leaders and anyone working on behalf of Story Rangers Ltd with a clear framework for safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
  • Ensure early intervention, prevention and support for children at risk.

 

  1. Scope

This policy applies to all franchisees, class leaders, employees, contractors, volunteers and anyone working on behalf of Story Rangers Ltd.

 

  1. Legal Framework

This policy is underpinned by legislation, guidance and best practice, including:

  • Children Act 1989 and 2004
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children (2026)
  • Keeping Children Safe in Education (2026)
  • Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR
  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
  • The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Prevent Duty)

 

  1. Definitions

Child: Anyone under 18 years of age.

Safeguarding: A proactive approach to protecting children from abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm, including early intervention to support children as soon as problems emerge.

Child Protection: The specific aspect of safeguarding focused on children suffering or at risk of significant harm.

Exploitation: The abuse of power or trust to take advantage of a child for personal, criminal, sexual or financial gain.

 

  1. Our Commitment

Story Rangers is committed to:

  • Valuing, listening to and respecting children.
  • Identifying and supporting children early who may be at risk (Early Help).
  • Ensuring safer recruitment processes, including Enhanced DBS checks and appropriate references for all franchisees and staff where applicable.
  • Providing regular safeguarding training and supervision.
  • Maintaining secure and confidential safeguarding records.
  • Promoting positive, respectful behaviour and responding appropriately to any behaviour that raises safeguarding concerns, including child-on-child abuse where relevant.
  • Promoting positive mental health and clear referral routes for additional support.
  • Ensuring children and families know where and how to raise concerns.
  • Working in partnership with parents, carers, schools, nurseries and other professionals where appropriate.
  • Promoting safe working practices and maintaining professional boundaries.
  • Taking all safeguarding concerns seriously and responding promptly.

 

  1. Roles and Responsibilities

Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs)

Emma Gardener and Lorna Eccleston

The Designated Safeguarding Leads will:

  • Oversee the implementation of this policy.
  • Provide advice and support to franchisees and class leaders.
  • Make referrals to local safeguarding partners where necessary.
  • Maintain confidential records and coordinate responses to safeguarding concerns.

Franchisees, class leaders and staff

All franchisees, class leaders and staff must:

  • Understand and comply with this safeguarding policy.
  • Attend safeguarding and child protection training.
  • Recognise signs of abuse, exploitation or neglect.
  • Maintain professional boundaries at all times.
  • Record safeguarding concerns accurately and factually.
  • Report concerns to a Designated Safeguarding Lead promptly.

 

  1. Training

All franchisees and staff will:

  • Complete safeguarding and child protection training appropriate to their role.
  • Receive regular refresher training (at least annually) and updates when legislation or guidance changes.
  • Be trained in recognising signs of mental health concerns and understand the appropriate reporting procedures where concerns arise.

 

  1. Recognising Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation

Franchisees and staff must be alert to:

  • Physical Abuse: Injuries without explanation or inconsistent with the account given.
  • Emotional Abuse: Rejection, constant criticism or emotional manipulation.
  • Sexual Abuse: Inappropriate sexual behaviour, knowledge or disclosures.
  • Neglect: Persistent failure to meet a child's basic needs, including food, hygiene, supervision or medical care.
  • Exploitation: Criminal, sexual or financial exploitation, often linked to coercion or manipulation.
  • Witnessing Abuse: The impact of exposure to domestic abuse or parental criminal behaviour.
  • Online Abuse: Including online grooming, exploitation and inappropriate online contact.
  • Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), including County Lines.
  • Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE).
  • Harmful Sexual Behaviour.
  • Radicalisation and extremism.

 

  1. Responding to Concerns

Franchisees and staff must:

  • Listen carefully and calmly to the child.
  • Reassure the child that they have done the right thing by telling you.
  • Avoid asking leading questions or investigating the concern yourself.
  • Never promise confidentiality. Instead, explain that you may need to share the information to help keep them safe.
  • Record the concern factually, including the date, time and exactly what was said or observed, using the child's own words wherever possible.
  • Report the concern to a Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately.

 

  1. Reporting Procedures
  • Safeguarding concerns must be reported to a Designated Safeguarding Lead without delay.
  • The Designated Safeguarding Lead will assess the concern and determine whether a referral to the appropriate safeguarding partners or other agencies is required.
  • In cases where a child is in immediate danger, emergency services should be contacted immediately by calling 999.

 

  1. Allegations Against Adults

Any concern or allegation regarding the behaviour of a franchisee, class leader, employee, volunteer or contractor must be reported immediately to a Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Story Rangers will take all allegations seriously and, where appropriate, seek advice from the relevant safeguarding agencies and take any necessary action to protect children.

 

  1. Parent and Child Sessions

During parent and child sessions, parents and carers remain responsible for the supervision, care and behaviour of their own children throughout the session.

Story Rangers staff will always act where they have safeguarding concerns or believe a child may be at risk of harm.

 

  1. Sessions in Schools and Nurseries

When delivering sessions within schools, nurseries or other educational settings, Story Rangers staff will work alongside the safeguarding procedures of the host setting.

Any safeguarding concerns will be reported in accordance with both Story Rangers procedures and those of the host setting where appropriate.

 

  1. Confidentiality
  • All safeguarding concerns and records are confidential and stored securely.
  • Information will only be shared on a strict need-to-know basis and where it is necessary to safeguard a child or comply with legal obligations.
  • Safeguarding records will be retained in accordance with legal requirements and Story Rangers' data protection procedures.

 

  1. Whistleblowing

Any staff member, franchisee or volunteer with concerns about safeguarding practice, misconduct or failures to follow this policy should report those concerns to a Designated Safeguarding Lead.

No individual will be treated unfairly for raising a genuine safeguarding concern in good faith.

 

  1. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner in response to changes in legislation, government guidance or safeguarding practice.

 

Designated Safeguarding Leads

Emma Gardener
Email: emma@storyrangers.co.uk
Tel: 07885 504743

Lorna Eccleston
Email: lorna@storyrangers.co.uk
Tel: 07837 066180