ISS International Soccer School

Parent guide - All The Essential Information You Need About ISS

Booking and Payment

Childcare vouchers

Your employer may offer you tax-free childcare vouchers to help pay for your childcare needs. We accept any type of voucher and we will process them in the usual way. If you require any information about this service please do not hesitate to contact our Membership Services Team.

Financially assisted places

We are always looking for ways to ensure our camps are inclusive. Our assisted places scheme is one way of helping children to attend whatever their family’s financial circumstances. If you are a single parent, unemployed or on income support, call us to find out if you are eligible for an assisted place.

Age limits

For legal reasons we can only accept children on the camp who are in compulsory full time education. This does not include nursery, kindergarten or pre-prep school children.

Camp information

Information about the camp will be sent by email or post just prior to the start of the camp, it will include general camp info and specific info about your venue, including directions.

Preparing for Camp

Before you arrive

You will be asked to complete a Camp Attendance Form for your child. These forms contain all of the vital information for safety and welfare including all of the emergency contact information and medical details.

What you’ll need for camp

  • Food, a snack for break and lots to drink (we don’t have refrigerated storage facilities – see our Policies section on Food Storage).
  • Arrive in clothes suitable for sports activities – T-shirt, tracksuit, shorts, etc.
  • Wear suitable trainers (non-marking if possible).
  • Sportswear appropriate for the activities provided on the camp.
  • All sports equipment is provided.
  • Sun cream and a hat or cap when the weather is warm.
  • Your completed Camp Attendance Form(s) on the first day.

You won’t need

  • Sports equipment – we’ve got lots of that!
  • Cameras.
  • Computer Games, MP3 players.
  • More than £1 each day.
  • Valuable watches/jewellery.

Preparing food and drink

Please Note: we are usually not able to provide refrigeration for food. We advise that you use an insulated container with a frozen pack or avoid high-risk foods such as meats, meat products, dairy products, rice and pulses. Cold air sinks – so place the frozen pack on top of the food, if possible.

Medication

We are required to keep a record of any medication administered to children whilst on the camp. You must inform us clearly if medication is required to be given. The Camp Attendance Form is used to record medication administered e.g. Antibiotics or Inhaler. The Parent/Carer needs to sign the form giving his/her permission for a staff member to administer the medicine.

Epi-Pens

If your child may have need of an epi-pen you must indicate this on the Camp Attendance Form in the medical section of the form. You must also speak with the manager of the camp about the condition.

We will need written permission from the parent allowing us to administer treatment in an emergency. We have an agreement between King’s Camps and the parent for this purpose.

Whilst some of our staff may have had training, it is a condition of the agreement that someone with the appropriate experience gives adequate training in how to administer the injection.

On Camp

What happens at the start and the end of the day?

  • On the first day you will need to arrive 15 minutes early.
  • At the end of the day you will be asked for your security number given to you at registration and children must be signed out by an authorised adult.
  • If your children are allowed to travel to and from camp by themselves they will require written authorisation on the Camp Attendance Form.
  • Please respect our course times and deliver and collect your children promptly.

Security

At registration, parent/carers are given a security card for each child, the Group Leader records the number on the register and the card is kept by the parent/carer as proof of identity. Collecting adults must show their security card. If another adult is collecting then either the card may be passed on or at least the number passed on. Children must be signed out by their collecting adult, recording the time of departure so that we are aware that the child has left and who they have gone with. If your child is allowed to travel to and from camp by themselves they will require written authorisation on the Camp Attendance Form.

Accident reporting

It is essential that all incident report forms are signed by parents so that they are immediately and fully aware of anything that may have occurred to their child that day. A bright sticker is used to show that an accident has occurred. If your child has a sticker please speak to his/her Group Coach before you leave. Serious accidents are dealt with differently and parents or carers will be contacted during the day.

Weather conditions

When the weather is particularly warm the following precautions must be taken:

  • If there is any possibility of sunburn or sunstroke please ensure that the children wear adequate protection i.e. hat and sun cream of the correct factor.
  • Children must have enough to drink for the whole day. This problem is made more acute as the children are participating in sport. Drinking water will be available.

When the weather is particularly cold or wet children will remain in the indoor areas.

Mobile phones

We recognise that parents may prefer children to be able to contact their children during camp, but we would prefer your children not to bring mobile phones onto the camp because of the possibility of them being lost, stolen or damaged. If they do bring these onto the camp we would need them to be switched off except in emergencies, with permission of the manager. This would be at their own risk and the manager of the camp must be informed that they are on-site. Parents may contact the camp by telephoning our Head Office on 08700 429 325 and we will contact the manager of the camp on your behalf.

Safety

  • Children are usually coached in minimum ratios of 1:16.
  • The ratio for under 8s is strictly 1:8.
  • These ratios are increased further with the manager and helpers
  • All of our camps have public liability and employer’s liability insurance cover
  • A Fire Drill will be carried out on the first morning of the camp.

Behaviour

We expect children to show respect for all children and adults on camp, treating them as they would wish to be treated themselves. If there is an issue with behaviour on camp, initially the Group Coach will try to deal with the situation.

  • If unsuccessful, the Manager will try to deal with the situation, removing the child from the group but having a witness.
  • If unsuccessful, the parent/carer will be involved. If the parent/carer does not come to collect the child, a note will be given to them requesting that the parent/carer sees the manager in the morning.
  • If unsuccessful, the manager will consider suspending the child after consultation with Head Office.

For more details see our behaviour policy.

Bullying

If a child feels that they are being bullied then they are encouraged to report this to their Group Coach. Once a member of staff has been informed they will report the incident to the Manager immediately who should then discuss the matter with the child and with their Group Coach. If the Manager feels that there is a legitimate complaint they then need to discuss the matter with the person being accused of bullying. It is worth bearing in mind that the bully may have problems of their own which are resulting in this behaviour and need to be dealt with sensitively and fairly. There may be reasons for their bullying but there are no excuses for such behaviour. If we are convinced that bullying has taken place then we will decide what action is appropriate. In a serious case we may need to consider the removal of the bully from the camp.

Uncollected/Lost child

  • There are a number of reasons why a child may remain uncollected at the end of the day, perhaps if a parent is delayed or confused about who is collecting or about the time of collection. Should this occur then the following action will be taken:
  • We will attempt to contact you using the child details information.
  • At least two adults will remain with the child until collected.
  • We will not allow the child to return home alone or with an unauthorised adult unless we have your permission.
  • Upon collection we will politely ensure that the parent understands the procedures.
  • If this occurs more than once for the same child Head Office will be informed.
  • If after two hours no one arrives to collect the child and we have been unable to contact anyone by telephone, we will call the local social services department who will make arrangements for a social worker to collect the child.
  • We also have procedures if a child is lost on the camp so please contact us should you require a copy.
  • Ofsted in England or CSSIW in Wales will be informed as a notifiable event

Contacting parents or carers

Parents will be contacted under the following circumstances:

  • Serious injury such as a broken or suspicion of broken bone.
  • If the child is unable to participate due to serious illness or a toilet accident.
  • If a child is seriously upset about being on camp.
  • Bang to head that may result in concussion.
  • Any situation resulting in a hospital visit.
  • Serious behaviour problem.
  • If the child is found not to have brought food/ drink.

After Camp

Lost property

Due to the nature of the activities, we recommend that your children do not wear their best or most expensive clothing for camp. We cannot guarantee the return of lost property, but we endeavour to return items that are clearly labeled with your child’s full name.