Booking Policy
By booking any sessions run by Branch Into the Woods you accept the following policies.
Cancellation Policy
Branch Into The Woods will endeavour to give as much notice as possible in the event they need to cancel a session due to extreme weather or staff shortages. In this instance a full refund or alternative date will be offered.
A refund will not be given for a session that has already started, that needs to be stopped due to unforeseen reasons, outside of Branch Into The Woods’ control.
If you need to cancel your session, this must be done in writing and emailed to branchintothewoods@gmail.com Cancellations 7+ days before a session will be refunded in full. Cancellations between 48hrs and 7 days will be refunded at 80%. Cancellations within 48hrs will not be refunded but can be gifted to another child. Branch Into The Woods reserves the right to offer partial refunds at their discretion, outside of these terms.
Late Pick-up / Uncollected child Policy
Please let us know as soon as possible using the contact number provided on your booking confirmation, if you are going to be late picking up your child. • Pick ups more than 15 minutes late will incur a £15 fee. If your child hasn’t been collected by 4.30pm then we will follow our uncollected child policy
If a child is uncollected at the end of the session
• Branch Into The Woods will try to contact the main, then the emergency contact using the information given, then wait with the child until someone comes to collect them.
• Branch Into The Woods will contact the SPOC Professionals’ Consultation Line to seek advice at 4.15pm if there are difficulties in contacting you.
• If all possible means of contact have been exhausted and no contact can be made by 4.30pm, Branch Into The Woods will contact SPOC and if advised to do so the police, who will arrange to collect the child or make arrangements for the child to be transported to the children’s
social office.
Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Policy
Branch Into The Woods is committed to a Forest School for all approach, by encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion within Forest School sessions in line with The Equality Act 2010
We are committed to giving all children opportunities without fear of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination. We promote dignity and respect for all, and where individual differences and the contributions of all helpers and children are recognised and valued. Complaints will be taken seriously and dealt with accordingly.
Health & Safety Policy
Branch Into The Woods commits to health and safety in line with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Act 1999.
We ensure this by
• Being Forest School Leader qualified with appropriate insurance in place
• Giving appropriate training to supporting adults
• Being aware of correct manual handling techniques
• Using PPE where required
• Checking weather forecasts before sessions
• Teaching the Forest School Rules to the children and adults
• Conducting a safety sweep of the site before each session
• Ensuring a First Aider is on site and First Aid kit and Fire Safety kit is on site, with a charged mobile phone (with signal or signal areas determined prior to the session)
• Demonstrating and/or providing operating procedures for tools
• Ensuring risk management and assessments, COSHH assessments and dynamic risk assessments when required – these are based on risk vs benefit
• Regular head counts
• Call backs for groups such as 1,2,3 where are you?
• Child Protection & Safeguarding
• Awareness of poisonous plants/fungi/ticks/nettles and any other potential hazards
• Marking out hazards and boundaries if needed
Child Protection, Safeguarding and Confidentiality Policy
Branch Into The Woods takes child protection and safeguarding seriously and will undertake all reasonable steps to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children in our sessions. To ensure members are safe:
The Forest School Leader will hold a current
• Enhanced DBS Certificate
• Safeguarding Certificate
• Outdoor First Aid Certificate
• Public Liability Insurance
• Food Hygiene certificate
• Supporting adults will hold a current enhanced DBS certificate and volunteers who do not hold a DBS certificate should not be left unsupervised with a child.
• Any adult participating in Forest School will have access to the Handbook, and will be briefed on health and safety, and risk assessment for site and activities.
• No photographs will be taken by the FS Leader or any other supporting adult without express written permission from the parent/carer.
• Confidential information will be shared on a need-to-know basis only.
• Should there be any concerns or disclosures, we will follow our child safeguarding procedure
Branch Into The Woods 