Our Commitment to Safeguarding
At STEM Fun, keeping children safe is our first priority. We follow current government guidance for out‑of‑school settings and tuition, and we expect every adult involved in our clubs, courses and events to share that commitment to children’s welfare. Safeguarding is not an add‑on to our STEM activities – it underpins how we recruit, train and supervise everyone who comes into contact with young people or their personal data.
Safe Recruitment and DBS Checks
All STEM Fun staff, tutors, volunteers and helpers who have any contact with children – or access to children’s personal information – have an up‑to‑date DBS check at the appropriate level (Basic or Enhanced, depending on their role and level of responsibility). We use DBS checks as part of a wider safe recruitment process to help ensure that only suitable adults work with our learners.
Most of our tutors are experienced teachers or former teachers with many years in UK classrooms, used to working within school safeguarding cultures and expectations. However, we do not rely solely on previous experience or existing checks; everyone must meet STEM Fun’s own standards before they work with children.
Training for Every Tutor and Helper
Every adult who delivers or supports STEM Fun sessions completes our in‑house tutor training, regardless of their prior experience. This training covers:
STEM Fun’s safeguarding principles and code of conduct
how to recognise and respond to possible concerns about a child’s welfare
how to report any concern quickly to the appropriate person or agency
professional boundaries when working with children and young people in clubs, schools and online settings
This means a retired teacher, a practising engineer and a new volunteer all receive the same clear expectations and procedures before leading or assisting in sessions.
Supervision and Safer Practice in Sessions
STEM Fun sessions are planned to run safely as well as enjoyably. We:
maintain appropriate adult‑to‑child ratios for the age group and activity
risk‑assess practical tasks such as soldering, robotics, 3D printing and tool use, and provide suitable safety equipment
ensure that children are never left in unsupervised one‑to‑one situations with adults where this can be avoided
follow venue procedures for signing children in and out, and for site security
We expect all staff and volunteers to model safe, respectful behaviour and to speak up immediately if they see anything that could put a child at risk.
If a Child or Adult Has a Concern
Everyone associated with STEM Fun is encouraged to raise concerns, however small they may seem. If a child, parent, carer, school or tutor has a worry about a child’s safety or wellbeing in connection with our activities, we will:
listen carefully and take the concern seriously
follow our safeguarding procedures and share information only with people who need to know
seek advice from the appropriate local safeguarding partners or children’s services, where necessary, in line with national guidance on working together to safeguard children.
We will never promise absolute confidentiality where a child’s safety might be at risk, but we will explain clearly what we need to do and why.
If a Child or Adult Has a Concern
Safeguarding is a shared responsibility. We work closely with the schools, clubs and organisations that host our sessions, and we aim to keep parents and carers informed about what we do and how we keep children safe. We encourage families to ask us questions about our DBS checks, training and procedures – and we are always happy to explain our approach or discuss any specific needs a child may have.