Burwell House
Health and Safety
In all of our work we are conscious of the very great responsibility we bear for the well being of the thousands of children who visit Burwell House. We care deeply that we provide both a quality and a safe experience.
As with
any job where contact with children is required, all our staff undergo a thorough
CRB check before being cleared to work. All adults on site are asked
to wear an identification badge and to sign in and out at reception.
Security
At night the visiting leaders are given the keys to the property and shown the locking up procedure - once the house is locked no visitors are able to enter it. There are interior crash bars for emergency exit.
The gardens of the house, surrounded by a high wall and fence, are a safe and secure place in which the children can take part in our activities.
FireThe Centre maintains a comprehensive fire risk assessment and regularly requests inspections by fire officers to ensure that we maintain the highest standards of fire safety. All visitors under the age of 18 complete a fire drill on the first day of their visit. All areas of the house are covered by a modern and extremely sensitive fire alarm system - for this reason we cannot allow aerosol sprays to be used in the house.
During
their stay children will complete a wide range of activities, all of which
have been comprehensively assessed for the likelihood of an accident and its
potential severity. We aim to minimise all identified risks and yet
allow visitors the freedom to safely explore the house and garden
environment. All activities are planned by experienced and trained
members of staff. Any visiting leaders asked to lead an activity will
be fully briefed and made aware of all Health and Safety issues.
We
fully recognise the contribution we make to Child Protection. Our
Child Protection Policy has four main elements which encompass prevention
through teaching and pastoral support, written procedures and training for
recognising and reporting suspected abuse and support to pupils who may
have been abused and ensuring that no unsuitable persons are working with
children.
Licensing and Insurance
The Adventure Activity Licensing Regulations (updated 2004) created a licensing scheme for Outdoor Education providers. These regulations cover only the certain adventurous activities - caving, certain types of climbing, trekking (on land above 600m - i.e. not in Cambridgeshire!) and certain watersports. Burwell House offers none of these activities and we are, therefore, excluded from the scheme.
Burwell
House is covered by the centrally provided Cambridgeshire County Council
insurance which does include public liability. However, it does not
include Personal Accident cover or loss of personal effects or money.
Group leaders are advised to seek advice on taking out an additional
School Journey insurance cover.
First Aid
All residential children's groups must bring their own first-aid kit and include an adult who is able to take on the role of 'first-aider'. Burwell House does have trained first-aiders, but cannot guarantee their availability 24 hours a day. Our teaching and office staff will contact the village doctors' surgery or the ambulance service on your behalf, should this be required.
Emergency Support
During the daytime, staff will always be available to pick up Course members in difficulty who are participating in off-site, Centre-run activities.
Overnight, teachers will be left with a portable phone and a list of emergency contact numbers, including those for Centre staff. The Site Co-ordinator has accommodation within the grounds and will generally be the primary contact.
As a County Council establishment, Burwell House has a fully prepared 'Critical Incident Management Plan' that should complement schools' and other organisations' plans.
