Community directory

Parent and carer's guide to choosing voluntary groups

Daycare activities are required to register with OFSTED, but many organisations providing supervised activities are not. These include uniformed organisations (Brownies, Cubs etc.)sports clubs and youth groups.

Organisations offering activities for children should all be welcoming and happy to share information about the group and what they do.
Many of these organisations are run and supported by volunteers who give up their own time to provide regular activiites for your child. However whether or not workers are paid the organisation should be offering the same high standards of care and safety.
The sort of questions you will need to think about may vary according to your child, their needs and how long they will spend on that activity each week.

Things you might want to check:

• A good organisation will welcome questions about their activities and the safety of their environment. All organisations should have a child protection policy; including guidelines on keeping children safe.
• Are the staff and volunteers suitable to work with children?
  Both staff and volunteers should have been through a recruitment processes which include interviews, references and police checks; they should have training in child protection and health and safety; There should be someone in charge who supervises staff and volunteers and is able to act appropriately if there are concerns about a child.
• Is there a written code of behaviour?
  All organisations should have a written code of behaviour, which outlines good practice. An organisation should not allow behaviour such as bullying, racism or sexism.
• Does the organisation have a health and safety policy?
  Find out if there is a leader qualified in first aid; If there is a first aid box; and if the builing has passed fire regulations.
• How does the organisation provide for care needs?
  In the case of very young children, or those with a disability, you should check out routines for toiletting, feeding and administering medication.
• What are the arrangements when children go on
  outings?
  You should be informed of arrangements for every outing no matter how short, this includes transport arrangements. Your consent should be requested before the outing takes place.
• Does the organisation have an internet safety policy?
  If the organisation allows children to access the internet,
  find out what guidelines or filtering software they have in
  place for safe surfing.
• How can you raise concerns?
  Organisations should tell you where to go and what to do if you or your child have any worries about activities or how the group is run.


Listen to your child and ask them about the activities they take part in.