Youth Club Practices
A Guide for Young People & Parents
INTRODUCTION free@last’s vision To improve the lives of the children and young people of Nechells.
free@last’s mission free@last is committed to providing opportunities, activities, mentoring and support for children and young people in Nechells, and to further their interests by working with their families, other agencies and relevant professionals.
free@last’s values Giving opportunities to all young people in Nechells without distinction.
Since 1999 free@last has worked hard to provide fun, exciting and safe activities for the children, young people and families of Nechells, and many, many local people have been involved with us. Our youth clubs have been a central part of our work as we recognise the need for regular, weekly activities for our children and young people to meet their friends, play together in a safe environment, learn new skills and build relationships with youth workers.
In order for the youth club to be a place where all who come feel safe, supported and happy we need to make sure that those who choose to be involved with the clubs behave in an acceptable and respectful manner that does not cause upset or embarrassment to other young people or staff.
SAFETY FOR ALL In order to create an environment that is safe for the young people and staff, and where parents can feel confident that their children are being cared for, the following rules will be implemented;
1.Children attending the youth club will
youth club via the designated entrance to the building – which will be clearly marked.
5.No person should leave the building once registered, except in an emergency situation or with the permission of a member of staff. If a young person chooses to leave the club before the end of the session (this applies to secondary aged persons and above) they will be required to pay another entrance fee should they wish to come back in.
3.All children and young people will be
6.All children attending the primary
not be allowed into the building until the official start time of the club or activity.
2.All members should enter and exit the
required to ‘sign in’ at the registration desk, and pay any subscriptions required.
4.Only designated areas appropriate to the club or activity can be accessed. If anyone is found in restricted areas, without permission from a member of staff, the appropriate consequences will be applied.
aged club must be brought and collected by a parent/guardian or an authorised person who is named on their contact sheet. Children will not be allowed to leave the building without the designated person signing them out on the registration form.
7.Young people who are old enough to leave the building unaccompanied will be strongly encouraged to move away from the immediate vicinity and not cause unnecessary concern for local residents. We expect this will be supported and encouraged by parents.
BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT & DISCIPLINE POLICY Everyone who lives in Nechells has the opportunity to be involved with free@last’s services. We welcome anyone who belongs to our community and are here to help with any support you need or to provide new opportunities. However, should a person choose not to conform to the rules and regulations, and they put themselves and others at risk, we will have no option but to implement the appropriate consequence. A strong message is needed to be sent to the children and young people that they need to take care of their club, or they face losing opportunities to be involved with our activities.
Chance, Choice and Consequence free@last does not want to exclude anyone from its services and opportunities, but we need to provide a safe environment. Therefore we will try our best to include all people, challenging peoples’ inappropriate behaviour, and providing opportunities for people to make the right choices. However, please be assured that we will not let those who do behave suffer because of those who choose to be disruptive. The following will guide you through the process our staff will take to deal effectively with poor behaviour.
Unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with in this order: 1. A ‘chance’ to stop, and apologise if necessary. 2. A ‘choice’ to stop or leave the club. 3. A ‘consequence’ which will lead to removal from the club.
Unacceptable Behaviour includes: Being rude and/or disrespectful to the leaders and other youth club members.
Consistent swearing.
Ignoring a leader’s request.
Fighting and/or inflicting pain (physical or emotional) on others.
Disrespecting or damaging property and/or equipment.
Intimidation or threatening behaviour to anyone.
Racism.
Possession of drugs or alcohol, and possession of cigarettes (if under 16).
Sexist behaviour/comments. Derogatory behaviour – includes words, pictures on phones, or anything else that provokes other members and/or staff.
Behaviour that jeopardises the safety of people in club (including own safety).
If the unacceptable behaviour persists, or if the behaviour requires external assistance, the following steps will be taken: 1. Parents will be phoned and asked to collect their child
2. Following that, if necessary, the police will be called.
free@last will do all we can to promote good behaviour, including: Ensuring that everyone is aware of the behaviour expected of them by clearly displaying the acceptable rules and consquences, and through explaining this leaflet to all who choose to be involved with our services. Providing staff who are able to positively challenge poor behaviour in order to help young people make the right choices and remain involved with our services. Being firm, fair and consistent in addressing poor behaviour.
Consequences of Poor Behaviour It is our desire that ALL children and young people are able to participate in the services, support and opportunities that we provide for Nechells people, but we have to recognise that sometimes we have no alternative but to respond to a person’s behaviour through implementing tough consequences. We will try our best to help a young person understand the choices they are making, especially when the results of their choices are negative and hurtful towards themselves and other people. If a young person refuses to behave in an acceptable manner, even after we have provided them with a ‘Chance’ and ‘Choice’ we will use 1 or more of the following:
1. Senior age - Ask the young person to leave the premises (and the surrounding streets) for half an hour, removing themselves from the situation, to calm down, consider their behaviour and decide if they wish to re-enter the building with a positive behaviour. The condition of re-entry will be to apologise to any child or adult whom they have upset. 2. Senior age - Ask the young person to leave the premises (and the surrounding streets) and not return that evening. Should they wish to try again the following week, before entry is allowed, they will be expected to have a short discussion with a youth worker, discussing their negative behaviour and what the consequences will be should the same thing happen again.
3. Parents will be called and asked to help with the removal of their child from the premises. This action will require the parents, child and youth workers to meet at a convenient time, after the event, to discuss how we can work together to address the issues that the young person has. A support plan may be produced to work towards a change in behaviour, and reintegration back into the youth club. 4. As a last resource, if both the youth workers and/or parents/family are unable to assist a young person away from the building, or if the child and/or other peoples’ lives are in danger, or if any criminal activity/damage has occurred or is likely to, the police will be called. If this happens we will still support the young person and family members through this diďŹƒcult process, working together to try and overcome the problems. Our vision is to improve the lives of the children and young people of Nechells. We need your help, as young people and parents, to make this possible for every child and young person in Nechells. If you have any questions, concerns or problems about this information, or anything else, please talk to a member of sta, or call us on 0121 327 5959.
ITS YOUR CLUB!
“I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full� John 10:10 Registered Charity number: 1101078 Private Limited Company number: 4723576
2 Cattells Grove Nechells Birmingham B7 5RA
( 0121 327 5959 ( 0787 532 9248 * free@last1.org.uk www.freeatlast.st www.freax.co.uk www.dadsdoittoo.co.uk