LodeStar Festival Child Safety Policy

LodeStar Leisure Limited believes that the safety and wellbeing of children at the Festival is paramount. We take all reasonable and practicable steps to ensure a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable environment for families.

1. Our Safeguarding Commitment
Risk Assessments: Every children's activity area, entertainment, and workshop is fully risk-assessed before the event. Suitable control measures are put in place to minimize risks.
Staff Briefings: All festival staff, stewards, and artists are fully briefed on our safety procedures and child protection guidelines.
Background Checks: In line with UK safeguarding laws, LodeStar uses the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure that any staff or volunteers in regulated, unsupervised positions with children are fully vetted and checked.
Supervision Rules: No single volunteer or artist is permitted to be left in sole, unsupervised charge of a child.

2. On-Site Safety Measures
All family and children's areas at the festival will provide:
Adequate and safe lighting.
Supervised and managed entry and exit points.
Clearly labelled fire exits.
Reasonable, clean access to toilets and running water.
Regular and safe disposal of rubbish.
Professional SIA-licensed security teams and dedicated First Aid medical cover.

3. Parental Responsibility & Adult Supervision
Under 8s: Children under the age of 8 must never be left unattended at any time.
Ratios: Parents or legal guardians maintain primary responsibility for the children in their custody. Supervision ratios must be kept at a safe level.
Staff Fitness: Anyone working within the children’s festival areas must be medically fit and strictly prohibited from being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Physical Contact: Staff and artists will avoid unnecessary physical contact with children. Any necessary contact (such as administering first aid) will be done transparently and safely.

4. Lost Child Procedure
The festival operates a dedicated, secure Lost Child Point staffed by trained safeguarding personnel.
All stewards and staff are trained in our strict Lost Child Procedure.
If a lost child's parent or guardian cannot be located within a reasonable window, our on-site safeguarding lead will coordinate directly with local authorities and emergency services to ensure the child's welfare.

5. Behaviour and Protection from Harm
Zero Tolerance: Bullying, physical abuse, or disruptive behaviour that spoils the enjoyment of others will not be tolerated.
Inappropriate Content: We only book family performers with credible references. Performance material is vetted to ensure there is no inappropriate language, lewd actions, or illegal references.
Discipline: Staff and artists use positive behaviour management. Corporal punishment (including smacking, slapping, or shaking) is strictly illegal in the UK and is completely banned. Practices that threaten, frighten, or humiliate children are never used.
Inclusivity: We are committed to equal opportunities. Children of all backgrounds and abilities are actively encouraged to participate.

6. Safety Guidelines for Craft Workshops
While craft activities carry minor inherent risks, we reduce them through careful planning:
Safe Materials: All adhesives, paints, and varnishes must be non-toxic, non-allergenic, and completely safe for children.
Material Checks: Recycled or "junk" materials must be thoroughly checked for cleanliness, staples, or sharp edges before use.
Tool Safety: High-risk tools (such as hot glue guns, staple guns, craft knives, or irons) must be kept out of reach and operated only by adults. Children should only use round-ended safety scissors. Wherever possible, materials will be pre-cut by workshop leaders to minimize the need for sharp tools.
Allergy Awareness: Workshop leaders must remain alert to unexpected material allergies (such as reactions to specific woods, dusts, or sandpapers).
Incident Reporting: Any minor accidents or injuries must be recorded immediately on an official incident form and handed directly to LodeStar’s Health and Safety Manager.

Doug Durrant (Director) and the LodeStar Team
This policy is reviewed annually to maintain the highest standard of child safety.