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Safeguarding Policy 🛡️

Our commitment to keeping children safe.

Last updated: May 2026

1. Introduction & Purpose

Toddler Town: Pop-Up Role Play is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children who attend our sessions and events. The safety and wellbeing of children is our highest priority.

This policy applies to all Toddler Town Stay & Play sessions, party hire events and any other activities operated by Toddler Town across Devon and Somerset.

Toddler Town is a sole trader business operated by K Mitchell. This policy was last reviewed in May 2026.

2. Our Safeguarding Commitment

Toddler Town is committed to:

  • Creating a safe and welcoming environment for all children and families
  • Acting in the best interests of children at all times
  • Taking all concerns about a child's welfare seriously
  • Working openly and transparently with parents, carers and guardians
  • Ensuring appropriate checks and procedures are in place
  • Regularly reviewing and updating this policy

3. Parental & Carer Responsibility

Toddler Town operates on a supervised play basis. All children attending our sessions and events must be accompanied by a responsible person aged 16 or over at all times.

The accompanying adult is responsible for the care, supervision and behaviour of the children in their care throughout the session or event. Children must not be left unattended at any time.

Toddler Town does not operate as a childcare provider and does not have sole responsibility for any child at any point during a session or event.

4. Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)

The Toddler Town operator holds a current DBS check.

Should any additional staff, volunteers or helpers be involved in future Toddler Town events, appropriate DBS checks will be obtained before they have any contact with children or families.

5. Recognising Signs of Abuse or Neglect

Toddler Town recognises the four main categories of abuse as defined by the UK Government:

  • Physical abuse — including hitting, shaking, burning or otherwise causing physical harm
  • Emotional abuse — including persistent emotional ill-treatment that causes severe adverse effects on a child's emotional development
  • Sexual abuse — including forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities
  • Neglect — the persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical or psychological needs

We will remain alert to signs that a child may be at risk of harm, including unexplained injuries, changes in behaviour, fearfulness, or indicators that a child's basic needs are not being met.

6. Reporting Concerns

If the Toddler Town operator observes or receives information that raises concerns about a child's welfare, the following steps will be taken:

  1. Record the concern factually, noting what was seen or heard, the date, time and any individuals involved.
  2. If a child is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services on 999 without delay.
  3. Report the concern to the relevant local authority children's social care team:
    • Devon: 0345 155 1071 (or 0345 600 0388 out of hours)
    • Somerset: 0300 123 2224 (or 0300 123 2327 out of hours)
  4. Where appropriate, inform the child's parent or carer of the concern — unless doing so would place the child at further risk.
  5. Cooperate fully with any subsequent investigation by the authorities.

Toddler Town will not attempt to investigate allegations or suspicions of abuse. This is the responsibility of the relevant statutory agencies.

7. Code of Conduct

The Toddler Town operator will at all times:

  • Treat all children and families with respect and dignity
  • Avoid being alone with an individual child in a private or unobserved area
  • Not use physical punishment or any form of physical restraint (unless to prevent immediate harm)
  • Not engage in any behaviour that could be perceived as inappropriate
  • Use age-appropriate language and communication at all times
  • Challenge any behaviour by adults that may be harmful to children

8. Photography & Social Media

Toddler Town may take photographs or videos during sessions and events for promotional purposes. We will always:

  • Seek verbal consent from a parent or carer before photographing any child
  • Respect any request not to photograph a particular child
  • Never share images that could identify a child alongside their full name or personal details
  • Store images securely and delete them when no longer needed

Parents and carers are welcome to take photographs and videos of their own children during sessions. We ask that they are mindful of other families and do not share images of other people's children without their permission.

9. Health, Safety & Environment

  • All equipment is regularly checked for damage, wear and cleanliness
  • Equipment is cleaned between sessions
  • A visual risk assessment is carried out at each venue before the session or event begins
  • Small parts and potential choking hazards are kept to a minimum, appropriate to the 0–5 age range
  • A basic first aid kit is available at all sessions and events

The accompanying adult remains responsible for ensuring activities and equipment are appropriate for the age and ability of their child.

10. Missing or Lost Child

As children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times, the risk of a child going missing is low. However, should a child become separated from their accompanying adult during a session or event:

  1. The Toddler Town operator will immediately assist the adult in locating the child.
  2. Other attendees may be asked to help search the immediate area.
  3. All exits will be monitored where possible.
  4. If the child is not found within a few minutes, the emergency services (999) will be contacted immediately.

11. Allegations Against the Operator

If an allegation is made against the Toddler Town operator, the session or event will be paused or stopped where appropriate. The allegation will be reported to the relevant local authority and the operator will cooperate fully with any investigation. The welfare of the child will always be the primary concern.

Any person wishing to raise a safeguarding concern about the Toddler Town operator can contact Devon or Somerset children's social care directly using the numbers listed in section 6 above.

12. Information Sharing & Confidentiality

Toddler Town will treat all safeguarding concerns confidentially and share information only on a need-to-know basis. However, confidentiality will never take priority over a child's safety. Where there is a concern that a child is at risk of harm, information will be shared with the relevant statutory agencies as required.

13. Review

This safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary to reflect any changes in legislation, guidance or Toddler Town's operations.

Last reviewed: May 2026 · Next review due: May 2027

14. Contact

If you have any safeguarding questions or concerns, please contact us:

You can also contact the relevant local authority directly:

  • Devon Children's Social Care: 0345 155 1071
  • Somerset Children's Social Care: 0300 123 2224
  • NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000