The use of mobile phones, smart watches and cameras in the setting forms part of the risk assessment process to allow staff/committee to review the settings policies and procedures to ensure that children are safeguarded.
Mobile Phones for Personal Use
We recognise that our staff, committee members and volunteers will have mobile phones, however during working hours personal use of mobile phones is not permitted. Such mobile phones must be kept switched off or on silent and stored securely in the office.
All visitors to the setting including parents and carers are made aware that we request mobile phones are not accessed in the setting. Where visitors are in the building with children present, they must always be supervised by a member of staff. Any visitors using their mobile phone within the building may be challenged and asked to put their phone away or move outside the building whilst to use their phone.
Staff, volunteers, visitors and committee members will be able to give The Wonder Years’ telephone number to people who may need to contact them in the event of an emergency during working hours.
Staff will be permitted to use their mobile phone during their breaks only in areas away from children. Staff may request permission to access their phone from the manager/acting manager, deputy or most senior member of staff. As well as during breaks, staff may be able to access their phones at other times at the discretion of the manager/acting manager.
Smart Watches worn by staff
Staff are permitted to wear smart watches whilst at the setting but the camera function on these must be disabled. If staff do not wish to disable the camera on their smart watch it can be stored securely alongside the mobile phones in the office.
Mobile Phones for Work Use
There are circumstances where committee members, the manager/acting manager or deputy manager may be required to use their own mobile phone for work purposes. This is permitted in the setting in the office or in areas away from children.
If mobile phones are to be used whilst working with children, such as for trips and or outings, a risk assessment will be undertaken.
Contractors with mobile phones and electronic devices
Where possible, all maintenance work, involving contractors, will be carried out during times where children are not present in the building. We understand however that this is not always possible and that workers may require their phone/tablet to carry out their duties. Where contractors are in the building with children present, they must always be supervised by a member of staff.
Cameras on ipads
Parental consent will be sought before photographs of children are taken, consent forms (part of the registration form) will determine whether parents agree for their child to be photographed for examples such as observation purposes, publicity purposes, The Wonder Years’ website, Social Media pages (i.e. The Wonder Years Facebook page).
Separate consent forms will be used as/when necessary to give consent for students to observe and photograph children as part of their academic studies.
Staff will not bring personal cameras or ipads into the setting, the setting has its own ipads with cameras available for use.
The setting uses ipad cameras as part of a recording process to enable staff to observe children’s development and capture any special significant moments.
Photographs are uploaded onto our systems (Google Drive and iCloud) and printed off for use in the setting and specific photographs uploaded to Tapestry, the settings electronic journal.
Children are permitted to bring electronic devices into the Holiday Club setting and we recognise that these devices may have camera facilities; however, it is made clear to the children that taking photographs is not permitted. Use of these devices will be closely supervised and limited to specific times. Appropriate use of these devices will be determined at staff discretion.
This policy should be reviewed every 3 years, or sooner if there is new industry guidance.