Lockdown procedures may be activated in response to any number of situations, but some of the more typical ones might be:
- A reported incident of civil disturbance in the local community which poses a risk to the out of school club.
- An intruder on the site with the potential to pose a risk to the club community.
- A warning received regarding the risk of air pollution (smoke plume/gas cloud)
- A major fire in the vicinity.
- A dangerous dog roaming loose.
All staff are aware of lockdown procedures.
A partial lockdown
This may be as a result of a reported incident or civil disturbance in the local community with the potential to pose a risk to children. It may also apply to a warning of air pollution etc.
Immediate action:
- All outside activities cease immediately and children and staff move inside the building.
- Everyone remains inside with doors and windows locked.
- Free movement may be permitted within the building depending on the circumstances.
- Once everyone is inside staff will conduct an ongoing dynamic risk assessment based on advice from the emergency service’s. Partial lockdown should be seen as precautionary
Full lockdown
This signifies an immediate threat to the club and may be an escalation of a partial lockdown
Immediate action:
- All children will be kept together inside.
- External doors and windows will be locked and where approperiate, blinds drawn.
- Children will sit quietly out of sight (eg under tables)
- Once in lockdown all children will be counted and identified. Any child missing will be immediately searched for.
- Staff will encourage children to keep calm
- The club will contact emergency services.
- Children will not be released to parents during lockdown.
- Staff will await instructions from emergency services.
- Staff and children remain in lockdown until it has been lifted by a senior member of the emergency services
- During lockdown, staff will keep agreed lines of communication open but not make unnecessary phone calls as this could delay more important communications.
Communication with parents and carers
In a lockdown parents will be advised of the incident as soon as practicable. This will be done via text o remail if texts are not possible.
Parents and carers will be asked not to call and tie up phone lines needed for emergency services.
Parents will be told not to come to club as they could interfere with access by emergency services and may put themselves in danger.
Parents will be told to wait for the club to contact them when its safe to collect their children
Emergency services
Lines of communication will be kept open with emergency services as they are best placed to offer advice as the situation unfolds.