Child Safeguarding & Protection Policy
First Step Robotics CIC
Policy Version: 2.0 – Website Summary
Last updated: 10 November 2026
Website: https://firststeprobotics.com
1. Our Commitment to Safeguarding
At First Step Robotics CIC, the safety, wellbeing and protection of children and young people are our highest priorities.
We are committed to providing a safe, welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment where every child can learn, explore, create and develop their skills with confidence.
Our programmes include robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, engineering, electronics, 3D design and printing, drone activities, competitions, holiday camps and other hands-on STEM learning experiences.
We recognise that all children and young people have the right to be protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation, bullying, discrimination and other forms of harm.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.
2. Our Safeguarding Principles
First Step Robotics is committed to:
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Putting children's safety and welfare first.
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Treating every child with dignity and respect.
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Listening to children and taking their concerns seriously.
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Providing safe, appropriately supervised activities.
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Recruiting staff and volunteers safely.
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Ensuring appropriate PVG checks are completed.
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Providing safeguarding training and guidance.
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Maintaining professional boundaries.
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Responding promptly to safeguarding concerns.
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Protecting children's personal information.
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Working with parents, carers and relevant authorities where appropriate.
These principles apply to all staff, volunteers, directors, mentors, contractors and others acting on behalf of First Step Robotics CIC.
3. Designated Safeguarding Leads
We have appointed safeguarding leads responsible for coordinating our child protection arrangements.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Edoh Agbenokoudji
Director, First Step Robotics CIC
Email:
Telephone: 07898 746166
Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Lydia Forbe
Email:
Parents, guardians, participants, staff and volunteers can contact our safeguarding leads to raise concerns or seek advice.
If a concern relates to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, it must be reported directly to the Deputy Safeguarding Lead or an appropriate external authority.
4. Safer Recruitment and PVG Checks
First Step Robotics follows safer recruitment procedures when appointing staff, tutors, mentors and volunteers.
These may include:
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Identity verification
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Application and interview processes
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Appropriate references
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Assessment of suitability for working with children
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PVG membership where legally required
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Safeguarding induction and training
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Agreement to our Code of Conduct
Individuals undertaking regulated roles must meet applicable Disclosure Scotland PVG requirements before carrying out those roles.
We assess roles according to current Scottish legislation and Disclosure Scotland guidance.
5. Supervision and Safe Learning
Our activities are supervised by authorised staff, tutors and volunteers.
We take appropriate precautions when children use practical STEM equipment, including robotics kits, electrical components, batteries, tools, soldering equipment, 3D printers and other specialist technology.
Activities are risk assessed, and participants receive appropriate instructions and supervision.
Children must follow safety instructions and use equipment only when authorised.
6. Staff and Volunteer Code of Conduct
Everyone working with First Step Robotics must maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
Staff and volunteers must:
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Treat children fairly and respectfully.
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Avoid inappropriate physical contact.
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Never use physical punishment or intimidation.
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Avoid inappropriate one-to-one situations.
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Never develop inappropriate personal relationships with participants.
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Avoid private communication with children through personal social media accounts.
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Report safeguarding concerns promptly.
Individual learning support should take place in observable environments wherever reasonably practicable.
7. Online Safety
Digital safeguarding is particularly important because our programmes involve coding, artificial intelligence, computers, online learning platforms and internet-connected technology.
We aim to provide appropriate supervision and guidance when children use digital tools.
Staff and volunteers must use approved communication channels, maintain professional boundaries and report inappropriate online behaviour.
Children are encouraged to report cyberbullying, grooming, inappropriate messages, harmful content or unwanted online contact.
8. Photography and Video
We may take photographs and videos during activities to celebrate achievements, document projects and promote our educational programmes.
Photography and filming must follow our consent and data protection arrangements.
Where required, we obtain appropriate permission before using identifiable images of children for promotional purposes.
Staff and volunteers must not use photographs of participants for personal purposes or publish them through personal social media accounts.
Parents can contact us to withdraw consent for future promotional use.
9. Recognising Safeguarding Concerns
Safeguarding concerns may include:
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Physical, emotional or sexual abuse
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Neglect
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Bullying or cyberbullying
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Discrimination or harassment
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Online grooming or exploitation
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Inappropriate behaviour by adults
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Harmful behaviour between children
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Unsafe supervision or activities
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Other situations that may place a child at risk
Anyone who becomes concerned about a child's safety should report the concern promptly.
Staff and volunteers are not responsible for investigating suspected abuse themselves.
10. Reporting a Safeguarding Concern
We follow the safeguarding response:
Recognise → Respond → Record → Report → Refer
If a child discloses a concern, staff and volunteers must listen calmly, take the child seriously, avoid leading questions and report the concern promptly.
We will record concerns accurately and share information only with appropriate people or organisations.
Where necessary, concerns will be referred to relevant statutory services, including Social Work or Police Scotland.
We cannot promise absolute confidentiality where information must be shared to protect a child.
11. Emergency Situations
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
Do not delay emergency action while waiting to contact a safeguarding lead.
For non-emergency police matters, contact Police Scotland on 101.
Following an emergency, our Designated Safeguarding Lead should be informed as soon as possible.
12. Missing Children and Collection Arrangements
Children must be collected by an authorised parent, guardian or nominated adult unless an alternative arrangement has been agreed.
We maintain procedures for situations where a child is missing or is not collected at the agreed time.
If a child is missing, staff will take immediate appropriate action, maintain supervision of other children, notify relevant personnel and contact emergency services where necessary.
Children will not be left unattended while waiting to be collected.
13. Inclusion and Additional Support Needs
First Step Robotics is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
We recognise that children have different abilities, backgrounds, learning needs and communication preferences.
We aim to make reasonable adjustments and provide appropriate support so children can participate safely and meaningfully.
Bullying, racism, discrimination, harassment and exclusion are not tolerated.
Children's views and concerns will be listened to and taken seriously.
14. Safeguarding Records and Confidentiality
Safeguarding information is recorded and stored securely.
Access is restricted to authorised individuals with a legitimate need to know.
Information may be shared with appropriate safeguarding professionals or statutory agencies where necessary to protect a child.
We handle personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable UK data protection legislation.
15. Raising Concerns and Complaints
Children, young people, parents, guardians, staff and volunteers are encouraged to raise concerns about safety or wellbeing.
Concerns can be reported to:
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Edoh Agbenokoudji
07898 746166
Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Lydia Forbe
If the concern involves the Designated Safeguarding Lead, please contact the Deputy Safeguarding Lead directly.
Anyone may contact Police Scotland or the appropriate local authority child protection service where necessary.
16. Working with Parents and Guardians
We recognise the important role parents and guardians play in children's safety and wellbeing.
We encourage parents to:
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Provide accurate emergency contact details.
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Inform us of relevant medical or support needs.
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Notify us of changes to collection arrangements.
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Discuss concerns about their child's wellbeing.
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Encourage children to follow safety instructions.
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Support respectful and appropriate behaviour.
Where a safeguarding concern arises, we will work with parents and guardians where appropriate.
However, information may need to be withheld or shared with statutory services where informing a parent could increase the risk to a child or compromise an investigation.
17. Policy Review
Our safeguarding arrangements are monitored and reviewed regularly.
The full Child Safeguarding & Protection Policy is reviewed at least annually and sooner where necessary following changes in legislation, safeguarding guidance, organisational activities or identified risks.
This website summary should be read alongside our full safeguarding policy and related procedures.
18. Contact and Further Information
First Step Robotics CIC
Website: https://firststeprobotics.com
General enquiries:
Safeguarding:
Emergency: 999
Police Scotland (non-emergency): 101
For further information about our safeguarding arrangements, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Policy Version: 2.0 – Website Summary