Purpose
First Kick CIC ensures that all football sessions and holiday clubs are staffed at safe and appropriate ratios to meet children’s needs, comply with statutory requirements, and maintain high standards of supervision.
Principles
– Staffing levels must always enable children’s safety and wellbeing.
– Ratios reflect the age of children, nature of activities, and the environment.
– The competence and experience of staff members are considered in setting ratios.
– Children are always within sight and/or hearing of staff.
Ratios
– General standard: 1 staff member to 15 children.
– Maximum ratio: 1 staff member to 20 children, only where staff are aged 21+ and experienced.
– Younger/inexperienced staff: ratios will be kept closer to 1:15 until staff are fully confident and competent.
– High-risk activities (e.g. swimming, trips, inflatables, Nerf/laser tag): enhanced ratios will be applied based on risk assessment.
Procedures
– Ratios are reviewed daily at sign-in to ensure compliance.
– Volunteers and students are not counted in ratios unless deemed competent by the Operations Director or Holiday Club Manager.
– Staff absences are covered by deploying relief staff or adjusting group sizes.
– Managers monitor ratios throughout the day.
Responsibilities
– Operations Director (Suleman Desai): overall responsibility for ensuring safe staffing levels.
– HR & Coaching Performance Manager / Welfare Officer (Danny Nolan): monitors compliance, ensures training, and addresses welfare implications.
– Holiday Club Manager (Lee Galloway): responsible for onsite ratio management and deployment of staff.
– Head of Mini Kickers (Chris Ganner): ensures Mini Kickers sessions are delivered within ratios.
– SENDCO (Dana Aubrey-Williams): advises on enhanced ratios for children with SEND or medical needs.
Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if statutory requirements, EYFS guidance, or organisational needs change.