Safeguard-Me Blog 2026

The Marathon is Nearly Over - Closing Out Summer Activity

2025-12-18 15:32

Closing Summer Programmes Safely — The Final Week Checklist

Finishing summer provision safely and professionally covers end-of-programme reviews, gathering feedback without losing safeguarding focus, staff debriefs that turn into improvements, identifying ongoing concerns before children disappear back into routine, transition planning for vulnerable children, and preparing clear handover information for schools, commissioners, or partner services.

And you thought the hard work was nearly over!

When summer ends… what happens to the children you’re still worried about?

The final week is a weird mix: excitement, tiredness, and a rush to finish strong. It’s also when safeguarding can get missed because everyone is thinking about the next thing.
A safe closure isn’t just “pack away and say goodbye”. It’s making sure:
  • Concerns don’t get lost
  • Learning is captured
  • Children who need extra support don’t fall through gaps

1) Do a “safeguarding sweep” before the last day

Before closure, run a quick review of what you already know.
Look for:
  • Repeated low-level concerns that form a pattern
  • Children whose behaviour escalated over time
  • Injuries, disclosures, or incidents that need follow-up
  • Unresolved parent conflicts or complaints
Use digital safeguarding records to pull a simple list of open items and patterns.

2) End-of-programme reviews: keep it short, keep it real

A good review answers:
  • What went well (that we should repeat)?
  • What drifted (and why)?
  • What were our top safeguarding themes this summer?
  • What will we change next time?

Quick tip

Don’t wait for a perfect report. Capture the learning while it’s fresh.

3) Feedback: collect it without turning it into a 'marking your own homework' exercise

Feedback is useful, but it can also distract from safeguarding.
Collect feedback from:
  • Children (what they loved, what felt unsafe or unfair)
  • Parents (communication, confidence, concerns)
  • Staff (pressure points, near-misses, what support they needed)
Keep it simple:
  • 3 direct questions max
  • One open question for “anything else?”

4) Staff debriefs: turn experience into improvements

Debriefs work best when they’re structured.
A practical debrief format:
  • Hotspots: where did behaviour/concerns spike?
  • Transitions: where did the day feel chaotic?
  • Boundaries: where did we see drift?
  • Recording: what got logged late or inconsistently?
  • Support: what did staff need more of?
Log actions and owners (who will do what) so it doesn’t become a chat that disappears.

5) Ongoing concerns: decide what needs a handover (and to whom)

Not every worry becomes a referral — but every ongoing concern needs a decision.
Decide:
  • Do we need to share information with a school/setting?
  • Do we need to notify a commissioner/local authority contact (if funded)?
  • Do we need advice from children’s social care/MASH?
Record:
  • What you shared
  • With whom
  • Why it was necessary so you can explain how you came to the decision

6) Transition planning for vulnerable children: don’t let summer be a deadend

Some children rely on summer provision for routine, safety, and trusted adults.
Practical transition supports:
  • A final check-in with the child (age-appropriate)
  • A clear plan for what happens next (who they’ll see, where they’ll go)
  • A handover note where appropriate
  • Signposting for families (support routes, local services)

7) Handover information: make it usable

Handover notes should be short, factual, and focused.
Include:
  • What was observed (patterns, triggers, key incidents)
  • What support worked
  • What actions were taken
  • What you’re recommending next
Avoid:
  • Opinions and labels
  • Unnecessary detail
This is where safeguarding software helps: you can produce clear summaries from consistent records.

8) Final admin that protects you (and children)

Before you close:
  • Check any outstanding incident logs are completed
  • Ensure records are stored securely
  • Confirm who holds access over the closure period
  • Confirm how parents can raise concerns after programme end

Q&A: closing summer programmes safely

Q1: What’s the biggest safeguarding risk in the final week?

Loose ends. Concerns that felt “small” can become patterns, and patterns can become harm if they’re not shared appropriately.

Q2: What should we do if we’re worried about a child but don’t have a clear incident?

You should still report your concerns to your local council's children's social care team or the NSPCC, as you don't need proof, just suspicion; inform the police for immediate danger, but otherwise, contacting these services provides advice, support, and ensures professionals investigate subtle signs like extreme mood swings, withdrawal, or concerning behaviour.

Q3 (longer): What does a good safeguarding handover look like?

A good handover is short, factual, and actionable. It helps the receiving setting understand what to look for and what support has worked.
A strong handover usually includes:
  • What you noticed: patterns over time (not just one-off moments)
  • Context: when/where concerns tended to happen
  • What you did: actions taken, conversations held, any referrals/advice sought
  • What helped: strategies that reduced risk or improved behaviour
  • What you recommend: what the next setting should monitor or continue
It avoids judgemental language and doesn’t try to “diagnose” the child. The goal is continuity of support and safety.

Q4: How do we close without overwhelming staff with paperwork?

Use a closure checklist and pull summaries from digital safeguarding records. Focus on open items and patterns, not rewriting everything.

Q5 (longer): How can digital safeguarding records help with programme closure?

Closure is where information gets lost: staff leave, people forget details, and concerns don’t get passed on.
With digital safeguarding records, you can:
  • Identify open concerns quickly
  • Build a simple chronology for children with repeated issues
  • Evidence actions taken (who did what, when)
  • Produce consistent summaries for handover
  • Store everything securely with controlled access
That means you’re not relying on memory — and you’re not trying to rebuild the story in September.

Quick checklist: final week safeguarding

  • Run a safeguarding sweep for patterns and open items
  • Complete outstanding logs in digital safeguarding records
  • Hold a structured staff debrief with actions and owners
  • Decide what needs sharing and record information sharing decisions
  • Prepare short, factual handover notes for vulnerable children
  • Confirm post-programme contact route for concerns