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Our Policies

Hackney Playbus Privacy Policy

Last updated: 4 February 2025

Hackney Playbus (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website https://hackneyplaybus.org/ (the “Website”). By using the Website, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We only collect information automatically when you visit our Website through the use of cookies and similar tracking technologies. The sole method we use is via Google Analytics, which gathers data in an anonymous form to help us understand how visitors use the Website. This information may include, but is not limited to:

  • IP address (anonymised)
  • Browser type and version
  • Operating system
  • Referring website
  • Date and time of visit
  • Pages visited and time spent on those pages

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information collected via Google Analytics for the following purposes:

  • To monitor and analyse usage and trends in connection with our Website
  • To improve the content and overall user experience on our Website
  • To help us understand how visitors interact with our Website so that we can enhance its functionality and design

3. Cookies

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device to help the Website provide a better user experience. Google Analytics utilises cookies to collect the aforementioned data. You can control the use of cookies at the individual browser level. If you choose to disable cookies, some parts of our Website may not function as intended.

For more information about how Google Analytics uses cookies and how you can opt out, please visit the Google Analytics opt-out page.

4. Third-Party Services

Our Website uses Google Analytics to collect and process information as described in this Privacy Policy. Google Analytics’ data collection and processing is subject to Google’s own privacy policies, which you can review on their website.

5. Data Retention

We will retain your data collected through Google Analytics only for as long as is necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, and in line with Google’s own data retention policies. The information is stored in an anonymised form, and we do not use it to identify you personally.

6. Your Rights

Under the UK GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Access: Request copies of your personal data.
  • Rectification: Ask for corrections if you believe that any information we hold about you is inaccurate or incomplete.
  • Erasure: Request that we delete your personal data under certain circumstances.
  • Object: Object to the processing of your personal data where applicable.
  • Restrict Processing: Request the restriction of processing your personal data.
  • Data Portability: Receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format, and have the right to transmit that data to another controller.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us through the details provided on our Contact Us page.

7. Security

We take reasonable steps to ensure that your information is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure. While we strive to protect your personal data, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last updated” date at the top of this document. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please refer to our Contact Us page for current contact details.

Hackney Playbus Safeguarding Policy

Purpose and Aims of the Policy

Hackney Playbus aims to promote the physical, intellectual, and social development of babies and young children. The safety of all children is central to our programme.

Hackney Playbus works in partnership with parents, carers, and other organisations to promote children’s welfare, protect them from abuse and neglect, and involve parents and carers in decision-making where possible.

The purpose of this policy is:

  • To raise awareness among staff, volunteers, parents, and carers about different types of abuse and possible signs and symptoms.
  • To outline procedures for addressing concerns.
  • To explain how to handle disclosures.
  • To set procedures for handling allegations against staff or volunteers.
  • To integrate child welfare and safety into our practices.

Legal Framework

This policy is based on laws and guidance including:

  • Children Act 1989
  • United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1991
  • Sexual Offences Act 2003
  • Children Act 2004
  • Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
  • Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018
  • What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused 2015
  • Information Sharing 2018

Categories of Abuse

Neglect

Persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in serious impairment of health or development.

Physical Abuse

May involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child.

Emotional Abuse

Persistent maltreatment causing severe and adverse effects on emotional development, including verbal abuse, rejection, and overprotection.

Sexual Abuse

Forcing or enticing a child into sexual activities, including physical contact and non-contact activities such as exposure to inappropriate content.

How to Recognise Signs of Abuse

Neglect

  • Constant hunger
  • Poor hygiene
  • Untreated medical problems
  • Low self-esteem

Physical Abuse

  • Unexplained injuries
  • Withdrawal from physical contact
  • Fear of returning home

Emotional Abuse

  • Overreaction to mistakes
  • Extreme passivity or aggression
  • Depression and withdrawal

Sexual Abuse

  • Sudden changes in behavior
  • Sexualized behavior inappropriate for age
  • Fear of undressing

Other Forms of Abuse

Domestic Abuse

Any incident or pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening behavior, violence, or abuse between those aged 16 or over.

Forced Marriages

Marriages where one or both individuals do not consent and are pressured into it through physical, emotional, or financial means.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

FGM is a form of abuse, illegal in the UK, often performed on minors. Signs include absence from sessions and discomfort when sitting.

Safeguarding on Hackney Playbus

Concerns must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or their deputy. If speaking to a parent might endanger the child, staff must inform the DSL immediately.

How to Report a Concern

Contact the DSL: Claire Lindsay (07973 183607) or Deputy DSL Claire Kelly (07930310396). In case of immediate danger, contact the police (999).

Dealing with Disclosures

Receive

  • Listen carefully, do not show shock.
  • Take the child’s statements seriously.

Reassure

  • Stay calm and acknowledge their feelings.
  • Do not promise confidentiality.

React

  • Avoid leading questions.
  • Do not criticize the alleged abuser.
  • Inform the DSL immediately.

Recruitment

All staff and volunteers undergo DBS checks every two years, with safer recruitment practices in place.

Training

All staff, volunteers, and trustees receive safeguarding training, with the DSL and Deputy DSL receiving annual specialized training.

Confidentiality

Hackney Playbus follows strict confidentiality policies in line with the Data Protection Act (2018).

Allegations Against Staff

Any allegation must be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and handled in a fair and consistent manner.

Whistleblowing Procedures

Employees and volunteers can raise concerns about misconduct, fraud, or abuse without fear of reprisal.

Child Protection Procedures

All concerns must be recorded with details such as name, date, time, and observations. These records are handled confidentially.

Contact

If you would like to contact us about any of the above, our charity registration number is 1163792 and our contact details are: