Behaviour Policy

Oxford Active believes that children and adults flourish best in an ordered environment in which everyone knows what is expected of them and children are free to play without fear of being hurt or disturbed by others. Oxford Active clubs aim to provide an environment in which children can develop self-discipline and self-esteem in an atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement.

In order to achieve this each Oxford Active club will adhere to the following guidelines:

• All adults in the club will try to provide a positive model for the children with regard to friendliness, care and courtesy and to offer strategies for handling any conflict

• Rules governing the conduct of the group and the behaviour of the children are discussed and agreed with the children at the club and explained to all newcomers, both children and adults.

• Staff ensure that the rules are applied consistently, so that children have the security of knowing what to expect and can build up useful habits of behaviour

• Good behaviour is praised

• Staff actively try to avoid attention seeking through undesirable behaviour

• Bullying behaviour in any form, which may be emotional, physical or verbal, is completely unacceptable at our club. Children are encouraged to report any incidences of bullying to a member of staff.

When children behave in unacceptable ways:

• They are given one to one adult support in seeing what was wrong and how to cope more appropriately. If appropriate this might include a period of “time out” with an adult.

• In any case of misbehaviour, it is always made clear to the child that it is the behaviour that is unwelcome and not the child

• Physical restraint is only used to prevent physical injury to children or adults and/or serious damage to property. Any significant event of this sort is recorded and the parent informed on the same day.

• In cases of serious misbehaviour, such as racial or other abuse, the unacceptability of the behaviour and attitudes is made clear immediately, but by means of explanations rather than personal blame.

• Staff are aware of and respect cultural expectations in communications

• Staff handle behaviour problems in an appropriate way with respect to the child’s understanding and maturity

• Staff ensure they are aware of problems arising from children’s special needs

• Recurring problems are tackled by explanation and discussion with all children at the Club, in order to establish an understanding of the cause and offer a solution.

• Parents/carers will be informed if behaviour problems are persistent and are making it difficult to provide a calm and safe environment for other children attending the club. In very serious cases, children may be asked to take time out from the club.

The club does not:

• Send children out of the room by themselves

• Use or threaten physical punishment such as smacking or shaking

• Single out or humiliate children

• Allow adults to shout or raise their voices in a threatening way