Health and Safety at camp

Question 1

Staff Qualifications & training

Accepted Answer

All of our staff have an enhanced level DBS check. Specialist instructors have specific qualifications for activities such as archery, fencing, inflatables, motorsports, swimming and the waterpark. We also have a minimum of two paediatric First Aid qualified staff at every camp. Every staff member needs to attend a Barracudas virtual assessment event, complete extensive online training and attend our on-site training day before they’re able to work at camp.

Question 2

Staff:Child ratios

Accepted Answer

Barracudas’ ratio of staff to children exceeds all statutory requirements. Our standards are:

4 - 5 years: 1:8. Maximum of 24 children in a group
6-7 years 1:10. Maximum of 30 children in a group
8- 10 years: 1:13. Maximum of 32 children in a group
10+ years: 1:15. Maximum of 30 children in a group

Please note: 10 year old children may be placed in either a 8-10 year or 10-14 year group, depending on the age make up of the camp.

Question 3

Risk assessments and Audits

Accepted Answer

We carry out thorough risk assessments in all areas of camp including activity areas, registration areas and base rooms. Risk assessments are ongoing and are an important part of the ‘checking’ process. We regularly carry out careful examinations on camp and implement any precautions to be taken to prevent anyone coming to harm.

All activities follow our Activity Code of Practice, which are the generic risk assessment as set by Barracudas for the activity. These are used in conjunction with the site specific risk assessments.

Our Area Management team regularly visit each of their allocated camps to carry out full audits and double check our rigorous protocols are being followed. In the rare case that any areas are identified as needing improvement these are immediately acted upon and checked again.

Question 4

Ofsted

Accepted Answer

Every Barracudas camp is registered with Ofsted. We are regularly inspected by Ofsted on all areas of the camp including Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Behaviour, Inclusion, Wellbeing and Leadership.

Question 5

Swimming

Accepted Answer

All our Lifeguards hold valid Lifeguard qualifications and must also perform a competency test with us before working on camp. The staff to child ratios during swimming sessions is 1:5 for under 7 years and 1:10 for 8 years and above. There will be a member of staff in the water at all times for under 7's. All children under 8 years old will remain in the shallow end of the pool.

There’s a swimming section in the Essential Information form. We ask if your child can swim 25 metres unaided. If you say ‘No’ your child will be given buoyancy aids in line with their age, height and the depth of the pool and only be able to swim in the shallow end.

Question 6

Specialist activities general information

Accepted Answer

Qualified or trained instructors have specialist expertise in their activity areas and Camp Managers involve them in the risk assessment process to produce the safest set of rules. They carry out risk assessments of the activity areas for which they’re responsible.

Question 7

Specialist activities: Motorsports

Accepted Answer

All our vehicles are serviced prior to camp and checked by our trained instructors on camp. Staff then carry out daily and weekly maintenance checks throughout the season. Vehicles are restricted in speed to suit the age and ability of the children. We provide protective clothing and require children to wear closed toe shoes. The maximum group size for general sessions is 8 children and for Skills Builder sessions it's 5 children.

Question 8

Specialist activities: Fencing

Accepted Answer

Sessions are led by instructors who’ve attended a Nationally recognised 2 day training course. Fencing equipment is checked by our in-house expert before being sent to camp and trained instructors recheck the equipment on site. Children must wear closed toe shoes and ankle length trousers and are supplied with safety wear (jacket, plastron, helmets, gloves and foils for the over 7s and mini fencing equipment for the under 7s).

Question 9

Specialist activities: Archery

Accepted Answer

All of our archery equipment is checked prior to camp by our equipment team who hold a current GNAS certificate. This is checked again by our trained instructors on camp with daily checks during the season. The maximum group size is 12 children with 1 trained instructor. We provide all the safety equipment required. We just ask you to send children in with long sleeve tops.

Question 10

Specialist activities: Inflatables

Accepted Answer

All of the inflatables sent to camp are inspected by an external inspector who is registered on the Register of Play Inspectors International. Each inflatable item receives a PIPA tag confirming it’s safe to use and meets all current legislation. All inflatables have a daily inspection prior to use by our trained staff. The maximum number of children allowed on the equipment will depend on the size and type of inflatable, but don’t worry, all of them are designed with limited waiting time and maximum fun.

Health and Safety at camp

Frequently Asked Questions - Health & Safety at camp