1. Purpose

Goomoo The Adventure Merchants is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone taking part in its Dungeons & Dragons sessions.

This policy sets out the arrangements Goomoo has in place to safeguard young people participating in these sessions and explains how concerns will be handled.

Terminology: Throughout this policy, DM (Dungeon Master) refers to the person responsible for running and facilitating the Dungeons & Dragons session, including guiding the story, managing the game and ensuring the session is conducted appropriately.

2. Where Sessions Take Place

• Dungeons & Dragons sessions take place at Market Stall 60, Longton Market.
  
• Sessions take place in the middle of the stall, with the table visible to other market traders and members of the public at all times.
  
• Attendees are not taken into private or secluded areas as part of the session.
  

3. Responsibility for Young Attendees

Goomoo is responsible for running and supervising the Dungeons & Dragons activity itself.

Goomoo does not provide childcare or act as a childminder or general caretaker.

For attendees under 18:

• A responsible adult accompanying the attendee remains responsible for them.
  
• Where a responsible adult is elsewhere within the market, they remain responsible for the attendee and must remain contactable.
  
• Where an attendee is permitted to attend without a responsible adult being present in the market, responsibility remains with the emergency contact/responsible adult identified on the Under 18s Registration Form.
  
• Attendees under the age of 10 must have a responsible adult present in the market during the session.
  

4. Registration and Emergency Information

Before an attendee under 18 participates in a session, a parent, guardian, carer or other responsible adult must complete the Goomoo Under 18s Registration Form.

This provides Goomoo with relevant:

• Emergency contact information
  
• Relationship to the attendee
  
• Relevant medical, accessibility or additional-needs information
  
• Supervision arrangements
  
• Consent for participation
  

The information provided will be used only for appropriate session administration, safeguarding and emergency purposes and handled in accordance with Goomoo's Privacy Policy.

5. Communication

Goomoo's general communication regarding Dungeons & Dragons sessions will be with parents, guardians, carers or other responsible adults, rather than directly with under-18 attendees.

During a session, the DM will naturally communicate directly with attendees as part of running the game.

Goomoo will not use private personal communication channels to communicate with under-18 attendees about sessions.

6. Appropriate Content

Goomoo will adapt Dungeons & Dragons content according to the age and group attending.

For younger or specifically Kid-Friendly sessions, content will be kept appropriate for the intended age group.

Goomoo will not intentionally include sexual content or other inappropriate adult themes in sessions intended for young attendees.

Parents/responsible adults are welcome to ask about the general themes and content of upcoming sessions.

7. Behaviour and Respect

All attendees are expected to treat other players and the DM with respect.

Bullying, harassment, discriminatory behaviour or deliberately making another attendee uncomfortable will not be tolerated.

Where inappropriate behaviour occurs:

1. The attendee will initially be given a clear warning and asked to stop.
   
2. If the behaviour continues, players may be separated or the activity paused.
   
3. If the behaviour continues, the responsible adult may be contacted.
   
4. Serious or repeated inappropriate behaviour may result in the attendee being asked not to participate in future sessions.
   

8. Physical Contact

Goomoo maintains a no unnecessary physical contact approach between the DM and attendees.

Physical contact will only occur where reasonably necessary, such as assisting someone who is injured or responding to an emergency.

9. If an Attendee Becomes Upset or Uncomfortable

If an attendee becomes upset or uncomfortable during a session, the DM will attempt to resolve the situation appropriately at the time.

This may include:

• Pausing or changing the game.
  
• Removing or changing an uncomfortable element of the session.
  
• Giving the attendee space.
  
• Speaking with them appropriately in the public session environment.
  

If the situation cannot be resolved, or if further support is required, the responsible adult/emergency contact will be contacted.

10. Safeguarding Concerns or Disclosures

If an attendee raises a concern about their safety or wellbeing, Goomoo will:

1. Listen calmly and take the concern seriously.
   
2. Allow the attendee to explain what has happened without unnecessarily questioning them.
   
3. Not promise confidentiality where the information may need to be shared to protect them.
   
4. Make a factual written record of the concern, including relevant details and, where possible, the attendee's own words.
   
5. Contact the responsible adult/emergency contact where appropriate.
   
6. Seek appropriate safeguarding assistance or report the concern to the relevant authorities where necessary.
   

Goomoo will not attempt to investigate or determine whether an allegation is true itself.

11. Emergencies and First Aid

As sessions take place within Longton Market, market procedures will be followed for first aid, fire evacuation and other emergencies.

Goomoo will use the market's designated first-aid arrangements and contact emergency services where necessary.

Parents/responsible adults will be contacted as soon as reasonably possible where an emergency involving their attendee occurs.

12. Recording Concerns and Incidents

Significant safeguarding concerns or incidents involving an attendee will be recorded, including:

• Date and time
  
• What happened
  
• Who was involved
  
• Action taken
  
• Whether a responsible adult was contacted
  
• Any further action required
  

Records will be kept securely and only accessed where necessary.

13. Raising a Concern

Parents, guardians, carers, attendees, market staff or other individuals can raise a safeguarding concern directly with Goomoo.

All concerns will be taken seriously and considered appropriately.

Where a concern cannot be safely or appropriately resolved by Goomoo, the matter may be referred to the relevant safeguarding authority or emergency service.

14. Review

This policy will be reviewed periodically and whenever there is a significant change to the way Goomoo's Dungeons & Dragons sessions operate.

Owner: Jake R

Goomoo The Adventure Merchants

Market Stall 60, Longton Market