Keeping Children and Animals Safe

• At PonyTales – Interactive™, animal welfare is at the heart of everything we do.

Sidney the pony is part of our family, not a performer. His health, comfort, and emotional wellbeing always come before any session or event. If Sidney is unwell, tired, or not comfortable, activities will be adapted, paused, or postponed.

We follow recognised best practice in animal care, including the Five Domains Model of Animal Welfare, and carry out regular welfare checks to ensure Sidney is happy, healthy, and relaxed.

All interactions with animals are:

• calm and gentle 
• fully supervised 
• led by the animal’s choice and comfort 
• never forced or expected
   

If weather, travel conditions, or the environment are not safe — or could impact animal welfare — sessions will not go ahead.

Our promise is simple:
Sidney’s wellbeing always comes first.

At PonyTales – Interactive™, the safety and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority.

We are committed to creating a space where children feel safe, respected, and supported at all times. Safeguarding is embedded in the way we plan, deliver, and review every session.

What This Means for Families

• All staff are DBS checked 
• Staff are First Aid qualified 
• We follow a clear Children’s Safeguarding Policy 
• Appropriate supervision ratios are maintained 
• Boundaries are age-appropriate and clearly explained 
• Children are never pressured to participate

We believe children should feel:

• listened to 
• valued 
• comfortable to say no 
• supported in their individual needs
   

Any safeguarding concerns are taken seriously and handled in line with statutory guidance and best practice.

Our sessions are designed to be calm, inclusive, and respectful — ensuring that children can enjoy stories, play, and connection in a safe environment.

If you ever have questions about safeguarding, we welcome open conversation.

 At PonyTales – Interactive™, we take health and safety seriously so that children, families, staff, and animals can enjoy sessions in a safe and supportive environment.

Every session is carefully planned and risk-assessed in advance. We consider the venue, activities, weather conditions, animal interaction, and individual needs to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place. 

What This Means for You

• All staff are DBS checked 
• Staff are First Aid qualified
• Appropriate supervision ratios are maintained 
• Activities are age-appropriate and SEND-aware 
• Clear boundaries are set around animal interaction 
• Food hygiene procedures are followed 
• Allergies and dietary requirements are carefully managed
   

If conditions are unsafe — including severe weather, unsuitable ground conditions, or risks to animal welfare — sessions may be postponed. These decisions are always made with safety as the priority.

Policies We Hold

To support our commitment to safety and responsible practice, we maintain and regularly review the following policies:

• Health & Safety Policy 
• Risk Assessment Procedures 
• Children’s Safeguarding Policy 
• Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy 
• Animal Welfare Policy 
• Environmental Policy 
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy 
• Data Protection & Privacy Policy 
• Complaints Policy 
• Employment Policy
   

Copies of relevant policies are available on request.

Our aim is to create a space where families feel confident, informed, and reassured — knowing that safety is thoughtfully considered at every stage.

 At PonyTales – Interactive™, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of vulnerable adults who may attend or support our sessions, events, or community activities.

We recognise that vulnerability can take many forms, including learning disabilities, neurodivergence, mental health needs, physical disabilities, or circumstances that may place someone at greater risk.

Our Commitment

• We follow a clear Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy 
• All staff are DBS checked 
• Staff are trained to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns 
• Dignity, respect, and consent are always prioritised 
• Boundaries are clearly communicated and upheld

All concerns are taken seriously and managed in line with statutory guidance and best practice. 

Creating Safe, Inclusive Spaces

Our sessions are designed to be:

• calm and welcoming 
• respectful of individual needs 
• flexible and non-judgemental 
• inclusive of different communication styles
   

Adults are never pressured to participate and are supported to engage in ways that feel comfortable for them.

Our aim is to ensure that everyone — children, adults, families, staff, and volunteers — feels safe, respected, and supported when engaging with PonyTales – Interactive™.

If you have any questions or concerns about safeguarding, we welcome open conversation.

At PonyTales – Interactive™, we believe caring for children and animals also means caring for the environment around us.

We are committed to operating in a way that is thoughtful, responsible, and mindful of our impact — both locally and more widely.

Our Approach

We aim to:

• Use natural, reusable, and low-waste materials wherever possible 
• Reduce single-use plastics at events and sessions 
• Reuse and repurpose creative resources 
• Encourage outdoor exploration that respects nature and wildlife 
• Leave venues and outdoor spaces clean and undisturbed 

When delivering woodland or outdoor sessions, children are guided to:

• respect plants, trees, and wildlife 
• collect natural materials responsibly 
• understand simple environmental care principles
   

We value working with venues and sponsors who share our commitment to:

• ethical animal care 
• environmental awareness 
• community responsibility
   

Environmental consideration is built into our planning — from event setup to pack-down.

Small Steps, Meaningful Impact

We recognise that small, consistent actions matter. By modelling respectful, sustainable practices, we aim to help children develop an early appreciation for caring for the world around them.

Because nurturing imagination and nurturing the environment go hand in hand.

At PonyTales – Interactive™, we believe every child deserves to feel welcome, valued, and included.

Our sessions are designed to create a space where children and families can take part in a way that feels comfortable for them. We recognise and celebrate the diversity of the communities we work with, and we are committed to ensuring our activities are accessible, respectful, and inclusive.

Our Commitment

We aim to create environments where:

• Every child is treated with kindness, dignity, and respect 
• Differences in ability, communication, culture, background, and identity are welcomed 
• Children are supported to engage in their own way and at their own pace 
• Neurodivergent children and those with additional needs feel safe and understood 
• Families feel comfortable sharing individual needs or adjustments
   

Our sessions are intentionally designed to be calm, flexible, and pressure-free, recognising that there is no single “right way” to participate.

Inclusive by Design

We support inclusion by:

• Designing activities suitable for different learning styles 
• Using visual storytelling and sensory experiences 
• Encouraging gentle participation rather than expectation 
• Being open to reasonable adjustments wherever possible
   

Our goal is not simply to allow participation, but to ensure every child feels they belong.

Our Policy

PonyTales – Interactive™ operates in line with our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy, which supports fair and respectful treatment for all children, families, staff, volunteers, and partners.

If you have any access needs or questions before attending a session, we welcome you to get in touch so we can help make your experience as comfortable as possible.