Safeguarding
Keeping every child safe
Your child's safety is not a policy tick-box — it is the whole foundation on which Forbesy Camps is built.
Our commitment
Child welfare is our highest priority
Forbesy Camps is proud to be Ofsted Registered. That registration is more than a badge — it means we are regulated, accountable and held to the national standards set for children's activities. Every decision we make, from how we design our day to who we hire, starts with one question: is this safe for the children in our care?
Ofsted registration number (URN): 2798866.
We operate a whole-camp safeguarding culture. Every member of staff — from the activity leader running the inflatable to the team member signing children in at the gate — understands their responsibilities and knows exactly what to do if something does not feel right. Safeguarding is everyone's job here, not just a manager's.
Designated Safeguarding Lead
A named person you can always reach
Every setting that works with children must have a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) — a trained individual responsible for child protection concerns. Ours is Kellie Forbes, co-founder of Forbesy Camps.
Receiving concerns
Any concern — whether raised by a child, a parent or a member of staff — is taken seriously and handled with care, confidentiality and without delay. No concern is ever dismissed as "probably nothing".
Recording & referring
Concerns are recorded accurately and, where the threshold is met, referred promptly to the relevant statutory authority — Essex Children's Services or the police. Our DSL follows the Essex Safeguarding Children Board procedures.
Ongoing training
Our DSL holds up-to-date safeguarding training and refreshes it regularly in line with current guidance. Their knowledge is current, not a one-off certificate from years ago.
Our team
Checked, trained and always watching
The people who spend the day with your children are rigorously vetted. Here is exactly what we require of every person who works at a Forbesy camp.
- Enhanced DBS check
Every member of staff holds an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, completed before their first day. No exceptions.
- Safeguarding training
All staff complete safeguarding awareness training before working with children. They know the signs to look for, how to listen, and what to do next.
- Appropriate adult-to-child ratios
We maintain ratios that meet and exceed the requirements for our Ofsted registration, ensuring every child has the supervision and attention they deserve.
- Secure sign-in and sign-out
Every child is signed in by a named adult at drop-off and signed out at collection. We do not release any child to a person who has not been pre-authorised by a parent or guardian. If you need to add a collection contact, let us know in advance.
- Reference and identity checks
Staff references are verified before employment and identity documents are checked as part of our pre-employment process.
Our policies
Full policies, available to registered parents
We believe in transparency. Our complete Safeguarding Policy, Child Protection Procedures, Health & Safety Policy and other related documents are available for all registered parents to read and download through the parent portal (iPAL) once your child is booked in.
You do not need to wait until camp begins — log in to your iPAL account at any time to access the current policy documents. If you have a specific question before booking, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Policies are reviewed and updated at least annually, or sooner if guidance from Ofsted, the DfE or our local safeguarding partnership changes. The version date is shown at the top of each document in the portal.
Raising a concern
How to tell us — or the right authorities
If you have a concern about a child's welfare — at camp or otherwise — please do not stay silent. Here is the right route, depending on the situation.
Contact Forbesy Camps directly
For any concern or question about your child's experience at camp, speak to us first. Our team is available during camp hours and our DSL can be reached via:
- Phone: 07717 582184
- Email: admin@forbesycamps.com
Urgent child safety concerns
If you believe a child is in immediate danger, or if your concern relates to possible abuse or neglect, please contact the relevant statutory agencies directly without delay:
- Emergency: Call 999
- Essex Children's Services: 0345 603 7627
- NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (free, 24/7)
- Childline (for children): 0800 1111 (free, 24/7)
You can raise a concern with statutory agencies directly — you do not need to tell us first. Your child's safety comes before anything else.
Photography & consent
Your child's image, your consent
We love sharing the joy of a Forbesy day — but never without your permission.
Consent captured at registration
When you register your child, you are asked explicitly whether you consent to photographs or video being taken and used for Forbesy Camps' promotional purposes (website, social media, printed materials). We do not assume consent.
No identifying details published
We never publish a child's full name, school, address or any other identifying information alongside their image. Photos shared on social media or on this website show groups of happy children — not identifiable individuals.
You can change your mind
If you wish to withdraw consent at any time — or if your child asks us not to photograph them — simply let us know. We will update our records immediately and remove their image from any future use.