Under 18s policy

Children and safeguarding 

The committee will make every reasonable effort to ensure that club activities are safe and appropriate for participants of all ages.

Gaming can be a complex hobby, and not all games are suitable for all ages. If the theme or content of a large event is unsuitable for younger players, the committee will make this clear in advance.

Gold Chest Tabletop Gaming Club does not have committee members dedicated to children's activities or childcare, and the club does not provide a childcare service. Parents and guardians remain responsible for the welfare and behaviour of any children attending the club.

Under-18s attending without a parent or guardian

Participants under the age of 18 may attend without a parent or guardian present where the club's parent/guardian consent form has been completed and returned in advance.

The club does not routinely carry out DBS checks on its members. However, some members may hold an Enhanced DBS check through another organisation or role outside of Gold Chest Tabletop Gaming Club. A member may, at their own discretion, inform the committee that they hold such a check and may be willing to act as a designated responsible adult for an under-18 participant.

Any such arrangement is voluntary and must be agreed between the member, the parent or guardian, and the member of the committee responsible for the session. A member is not required to disclose whether they hold a DBS check, nor are they required to take responsibility for supervising an under-18 participant.

A DBS check held through another organisation does not mean that the member has been DBS checked by, or on behalf of, Gold Chest Tabletop Gaming Club, and should not be treated as a formal club safeguarding qualification.

Where an under-18 participant attends without their parent or guardian, the club will aim to ensure that an agreed responsible adult is aware of their presence and can keep an eye on them during the session. This is a safeguarding arrangement and does not constitute formal childcare. The parent or guardian remains responsible for ensuring that they are comfortable with the arrangements.

Under-18s attending without prior arrangements

We recognise that an under-18 participant may occasionally attend a club session without the committee having been informed in advance, particularly where the participant or their parent/guardian was unaware of these arrangements.

Where this happens, the committee will first speak with the parent or guardian, where they are present, and explain the club's policy. If the participant has arrived without a parent or guardian, the committee will contact the parent or guardian where possible to establish consent and discuss the arrangements.

The participant will not be permitted to remain at the club unsupervised until appropriate arrangements have been agreed. Where a suitable member is willing to act as a responsible adult, and the parent or guardian is happy with this arrangement, the participant may be able to remain for the session once the appropriate consent has been obtained.

If no suitable arrangement can be made, the committee may require the participant to leave with their parent or guardian, or arrange for them to be collected. The committee will take a reasonable and proportionate approach, particularly where the participant and their parent or guardian were genuinely unaware of the club's requirements.

For future attendance, the parent or guardian will be asked to complete the club's parent/guardian consent form and agree the appropriate arrangements in advance.

If you have any questions about arrangements for under-18 participants, please contact a member of the committee before attending.