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Residential Camp Working Hours Policy

1. Purpose

This policy sets out Future Foundations approach to working hours, breaks, and rest periods for staff working on residential programmes. It ensures compliance with the Working Time Regulations 1998 while recognising the unique demands of residential delivery.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all staff and volunteers working on Future Foundations residential programmes, including house parents, pastoral staff, operations staff, coaches and ambassadors.

3. Working Hours

Residential programmes require flexible working hours. Staff may be required to work early mornings, evenings, and overnight on-call.

  • Breaks: Staff are entitled to a minimum uninterrupted 20-minute break if working more than 6 hours in a day.
  • Daily Rest: Staff should have at least 11 consecutive hours of rest between shifts where practicable.
  • If disrupted (e.g. due to overnight on-call), compensatory rest will be provided.
  • Weekly Rest: Staff are entitled to:
  • 24 hours of uninterrupted rest per week, OR 48 hours of uninterrupted rest every two weeks.
  • Overnight On-Call: Time spent on-call but asleep does not count as working time. If sleep is interrupted, this time is counted as working time, and compensatory rest will be arranged.

4. Maximum Working Hours

The standard maximum working week is 48 hours on average, measured over a 17-week reference period.

Due to the nature of residential programmes, if staff are working on 2 back to back camps, they are required to sign a Working Time Opt-Out (see section 5) to allow for periods where weekly hours could exceed 48 hours.

This agreement is voluntary and can be withdrawn at any time by giving written notice. Withdrawal will not affect my current or future engagement. Future Foundations will continue to provide adequate breaks and compensatory rest.

6. Responsibilities

  • Operations Director: Ensure breaks are scheduled and compensatory rest is recorded.
  • Staff: Take breaks, follow rest periods, and escalate if rest requirements are not being met.
  • HR/Operations: Maintain signed opt-out agreements and review compliance.

7. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or after each residential programme cycle to ensure it remains compliant and practical.

If you have any questions. please don’t hesitate to contact us by emailing: maths.camps@future-foundations.co.uk.

Last reviewed: 01/08/2025 by Jonathan Harper and by Megan Lees, HR Documentation Advisor, Peninsula Group Limited.