Policies

Policies Overview – Essex Kids Camp

Last reviewed: September 2026

Bullying
We have a zero-tolerance approach to bullying. We are committed to creating a safe, kind and inclusive environment where all children feel respected and supported. Any concerns are taken seriously and dealt with promptly. For more information, please email info@essexkidscamp.co.uk.

Behaviour
We encourage positive behaviour and clear expectations at all times. Any behaviour incidents are reviewed on an individual basis, and we work with parents to support children where needed. However, we reserve the right to refuse a child’s return to camp if behaviour is deemed unsafe or consistently disruptive.

Safeguarding
We have a duty of care to all children and staff and take safeguarding very seriously. Our team follows clear safeguarding procedures, and all concerns are handled appropriately to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone at camp. A copy of our safeguarding policy is available by emailing info@essexkidscamp.co.uk.

Allergy & Anaphylaxis Policy

Essex Kids Camp is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all children, including those with food allergies, intolerances and other potentially serious allergic conditions.

We recognise that allergic reactions can develop rapidly and, in severe cases, can be life-threatening. We therefore take the management of allergies and anaphylaxis extremely seriously.

Information from Parents and Carers

Parents and carers must inform Essex Kids Camp of any known allergy, intolerance or medical condition when registering or booking their child. The MY ACCOUNT section of the website will allow you to update any new information, our staff are sent all of your notes on the morning of each camp.

This should include:

The allergen(s) concerned.
The usual symptoms and severity of previous reactions.
Any medication required.
Whether the child has been prescribed an Adrenaline Auto-Injector (AAI), such as an EpiPen or Jext.
Any specific instructions or medical/allergy action plan provided by a healthcare professional.

Parents must notify us promptly if their child's allergy information, medication or treatment changes.

Children with a significant allergy may require an individual allergy or healthcare plan before attending.

Medication and Adrenaline Auto-Injectors

Where a child has been prescribed emergency allergy medication, parents/carers must provide the medication required for their child while attending Essex Kids Camp.

Medication must:

Be clearly labelled with the child's name.
Be in date.
Be supplied in its original packaging where appropriate.
Be accompanied by clear instructions for use.

Emergency medication will be kept readily accessible to staff and must not be locked away where this could delay treatment.

Parents are responsible for ensuring medication supplied to Essex Kids Camp remains in date.

Food at Camp

Parents must ensure that all allergies and dietary requirements are declared when booking.

At venues where Essex Kids Camp provides meals or snacks, allergy information will be communicated to the staff responsible for preparing and serving food.

Where meals are prepared by our onsite chef, the chef will be informed of children's declared allergies before food is prepared.

Allergen information will be available for food supplied by Essex Kids Camp where required.

We will take reasonable precautions to prevent allergen cross-contact. However, Essex Kids Camp operates in shared environments, including school premises, and cannot guarantee that any venue or food environment is completely free from a particular allergen.

Packed Lunches and Food Brought from Home

At sessions where children bring their own packed lunch, snack or drink, parents remain responsible for ensuring that the food is suitable for their own child. We do request that no nuts, including spreads or nut bars, are ever put in lunchboxes at our camps.

Where we are aware of a child attending with a particularly serious allergy, we may ask other families not to bring specific foods or allergens into the setting.

We ask all parents to support any such request.

We do not encourage children to share or swap food.

Staff Awareness

Relevant staff will be made aware of children attending with known serious allergies and the appropriate action to take in an emergency.

Staff will be expected to recognise common signs of an allergic reaction, which can include:

Swelling of the lips, face or eyes.
Hives, rash or itching.
Vomiting or abdominal pain.
Difficulty breathing, wheezing or persistent coughing.
Swelling or tightness of the throat.
Difficulty speaking or swallowing.
Dizziness, collapse or loss of consciousness.

Staff responsible for children with prescribed emergency allergy medication will be made aware of its location and the child's emergency procedure.

Allergic Reaction or Anaphylaxis

If a child is suspected of experiencing a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis, staff will treat the situation as a medical emergency.

Staff will:

Follow the child's individual allergy/emergency plan where one has been provided.
Administer the child's prescribed Adrenaline Auto-Injector where appropriate and staff are trained/authorised to do so.
Call 999 immediately where anaphylaxis is suspected.
Inform the child's parent or emergency contact as soon as possible.
Keep the child supervised and follow the instructions of the emergency services.

A child who has experienced suspected anaphylaxis will require emergency medical assessment even if their symptoms appear to improve.

Activities

Some activities, including cooking, food preparation, crafts or special events, may involve food products or other potential allergens.

Where appropriate, staff will check children's allergy information before participation. Alternative activities or ingredients may be provided where reasonably practicable.

Parents should contact us before attending if they have concerns about whether a particular activity is suitable for their child.

Inclusion

Having an allergy will not automatically prevent a child from attending Essex Kids Camp.

We will work with parents and carers to make reasonable arrangements so that children with allergies can participate safely wherever possible.

Where a child's allergy presents particularly complex or significant risks, we may need to discuss their individual requirements with the parent/carer before confirming that we can safely meet their needs.

Parent/Carer Responsibility

Parents and carers are responsible for providing Essex Kids Camp with complete and accurate information about their child's allergies and for ensuring that any required medication is supplied and remains in date.

If important allergy or medical information has not been disclosed, we may be unable to safely accept the child into the session until the appropriate information and/or medication has been provided.

Contact Us

If your child has a serious allergy or you would like to discuss their individual requirements before booking, please contact us:

Essex Kids Camp
Email: info@essexkidscamp.co.uk
Telephone: 07949 436587