Safeguarding Children

Policy statement

Our setting will work with children, parents and the community to ensure the rights and safety of children, young people* and vulnerable adults.  Our Safeguarding Policy is based on the three key commitments of the Pre-school Learning Alliance Safeguarding Children Policy.

*A ‘young person’ is defined as 16 to 19 years old – in our setting they may be a student, worker, volunteer or parent.

Procedures

We carry out the following procedures to ensure we meet the three key commitments of the Alliance Safeguarding Children Policy, which incorporates responding to child protection concerns.

Key commitment 1

We are committed to building a ‘culture of safety’ in which children, young people and vulnerable adults are protected from abuse and harm in all areas of our service delivery.

Our designated person (a member of staff) who co-ordinates child, young person and vulnerable adult protection issues is:

Sarah-jane Simmons

When the setting is open but the designated person is not on site, a suitably trained deputy is available at all times for staff to discuss safeguarding concerns.

Our designated officer (a member of the management team) who oversees this work is:

Claire Fairchild

 

• The designated person, the suitably trained deputy and the designated officer ensure they have relevant links with statutory and voluntary organisations with regard to safeguarding.
• The designated person (and the person who deputises for them) understands LSP (Local Safeguarding Partners) safeguarding procedures, attends relevant LSP training at least every two years and refreshes their knowledge of safeguarding at least annually.
• We ensure all staff are trained to understand our safeguarding policies and procedures and that parents are made aware of them too.
• All staff have an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues, are alert to potential indicators and signs of abuse and neglect and understand their professional duty to ensure safeguarding and child protection concerns are reported to the local authority children’s social care team or the NSPCC. They receive updates on safeguarding at least annually.
• All staff are confident to ask questions in relation to any safeguarding concerns and know not to just take things at face value but can be respectfully sceptical.
• All staff understand the principles of early help (as defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2015) and are able to identify those children and families who may be in need of early help and enable them to access it.
• All staff understand LSP thresholds of significant harm and understand how to access services for families, including for those families who are below the threshold for significant harm.
• All staff understand their responsibilities under the General Data Protection Regulations and the circumstances under which they may share information about you and your child with other agencies.
• All staff understand how to escalate their concerns in the event that they feel either the local authority and/or their own organisation has not acted adequately to safeguard.
• Staff receive regular supervision, which includes discussion of any safeguarding issues, and their performance and learning needs are reviewed regularly.
• All staff understand what the organisation expects of them in terms of their required behaviour and conduct, and follow our policies and procedures on positive behaviour, online safety (including use of mobile phones), whistleblowing and dignity at work.
• Children have a key person to build a relationship with, and are supported to articulate any worries, concerns or complaints that they may have in an age appropriate way.
• All staff understand our policy on promoting positive behaviour and follow it in relation to children showing aggression towards other children.
• Adequate and appropriate staffing resources are provided to meet the needs of children.
• Applicants for posts within the setting are clearly informed that the positions are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
• Enhanced criminal records and barred lists checks and other suitability checks are carried out for staff and volunteers prior to their post being confirmed, to ensure that no disqualified person or unsuitable person works at the setting or has access to the children. All staff including apprentices and students will have a DBS check on the update service.
• Where applications are rejected based on information disclosed, applicants have the right to know and to challenge incorrect information.

Volunteers must:

• be aged 17 or over;
• be considered competent and responsible;
• receive a robust induction and regular supervisory meetings;
• be familiar with all the settings policies and procedures;
• be fully checked for suitability if they are to have unsupervised access to the children at any time (DBS Check)

Information is recorded about staff qualifications, and the identity checks and vetting processes that have been completed including:

• the criminal records disclosure reference number;
• certificate of good conduct or equivalent where a UK DBS check is not appropriate;
• the date the disclosure was obtained; and
• details of who obtained it.
• All staff and volunteers are informed that they are expected to disclose any convictions, cautions, court orders or reprimands and warnings which may affect their suitability to work with children (whether received before or during their employment with us).
• From 31^st August 2018 staff and volunteers in childcare settings that are not based on domestic premises are not required to notify their line manager if anyone in their household (including family members, lodgers, partners etc.) has any relevant convictions, cautions court orders, reprimands or warnings or has been barred from, or had registration refused or cancelled in relation to any childcare provision or have had orders made in relation to care of their children.
• We notify the Disclosure and Barring Service of any person who is dismissed from our employment, or resigns in circumstances that would otherwise have led to dismissal for reasons of a child protection concern.
• Procedures are in place to record the details of visitors to the setting.
• Security steps are taken to ensure that we have control over who comes into the setting so that no unauthorised person has unsupervised access to the children.
• Steps are taken to ensure children are not photographed or filmed on video for any other purpose than to record their development or their participation in events organised by us.
• Parents sign a consent form and have access to records holding visual images of their child.
• Any personal information is held securely and in line with data protection requirements and guidance from the ICO.
• The designated person in the setting has responsibility for ensuring that there is an adequate online safety policy in place.
• We keep a written record of all complaints and concerns including details of how they were responded to.
• We ensure that robust risk assessments are completed, that they are seen and signed by all relevant staff and that they are regularly reviewed and updated, in line with our health and safety policy.
• The designated officer will support the designated person to undertake their role adequately and offer advice, guidance, supervision and support.
• The designated person will inform the designated officer at the first opportunity of every significant safeguarding concern, however this should not delay any referrals being made to children’s social care, the LADO, Ofsted or RIDDOR.

Key commitment 2

We are committed to responding promptly and appropriately to all incidents, allegations or concerns of abuse that may occur and to work with statutory agencies in accordance with the procedures that are set down in ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’ (HMG, 2015) and the Care Act 2014.

Responding to suspicions of abuse

• We acknowledge that abuse of children can take different forms – physical, emotional, and sexual, as well as neglect.
• We ensure that all staff have an understanding of the additional vulnerabilities that arise from special educational needs and/or disabilities, plus inequalities of race, gender, language, religion, sexual orientation or culture, and that these receive full consideration in relation to child, young person or vulnerable adult protection.
• When children are suffering from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, or experiencing neglect, this may be demonstrated through:
• significant changes in their behaviour;
• deterioration in their general well-being;
• their comments which may give cause for concern, or the things they say (direct or indirect disclosure);
• changes in their appearance, their behaviour, or their play;
• unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect; and
• any reason to suspect neglect or abuse outside the setting.
• We understand how to identify children who may be in need of early help, how to access services for them.
• We are aware of the ‘hidden harm’ agenda concerning parents with drug and alcohol problems and consider other factors affecting parental capacity and risk, such as social exclusion, domestic violence, radicalisation, mental or physical illness and parent’s learning disability.
• We are aware that children’s vulnerability is potentially increased when they are privately fostered and when we know that a child is being cared for under a private fostering arrangement, we inform our local authority children’s social care team.
• We are prepared to take action if we/I have concerns about the welfare of a child who fails to arrive at a session when expected. The designated person will take immediate action to contact the child’s parent to seek an explanation for the child’s absence and be assured that the child is safe and well. If no contact is made with the child’s parents and the designated person has reason to believe that the child is at risk of significant harm, the relevant professionals are contacted immediately and LSCB procedures are followed. If the child has current involvement with social care the social worker is notified on the day of the unexplained absence.
• We are aware of other factors that affect children’s vulnerability that may affect, or may have affected, children and young people using our provision, such as abuse of children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities; fabricated or induced illness; child abuse linked to beliefs in spirit possession; sexual exploitation of children, including through internet abuse; Female Genital Mutilation and radicalisation or extremism.
• In relation to radicalisation and extremism, we follow the Prevent Duty guidance for England and Wales published by the Home Office and LSP procedures on responding to radicalisation.
• The designated person completes online Channel training, online Prevent training and attends local WRAP training where available to ensure they are familiar with the local protocol and procedures for responding to concerns about radicalisation.
• We are aware of the mandatory duty that applies to teachers, including early years practitioners, and health workers to report cases of Female Genital Mutilation to the police. We are also aware that early years practitioner should follow local authority published safeguarding procedures to respond to our FGM and other safeguarding issues which involves contacting police if a crime of FGM has been or may be about to be committed.
• We also make ourselves aware that some children and young people are affected by gang activity, by complex, multiple or organised abuse, through forced marriage or honour based violence or may be victims of child trafficking. While this may be less likely to affect young children in our care, we may become aware of any of these factors affecting older children and young people who we may come into contact with.
• If we become concerned that a child may be a victim of modern slavery or human trafficking we will refer to the National Referral Mechanism, as soon as possible and refer and/or seek advice to the local authority children’s social work service and/or police.
• Where we believe that a child in our care or that is known to us may be affected by any of these factors we follow the procedures below for reporting child protection concerns and follow the LSP procedures.
• Where such evidence is apparent, the child’s key person makes a dated record of the details of the concern and discusses what to do with the member of staff who is acting as the designated person. The information is stored on the child’s personal file.
• In the event that a staff member or volunteer is unhappy with the decision made of the designated person in relation to whether to make a safeguarding referral they must follow escalation procedures.
• We refer concerns to the local authority children’s social care team and co-operate fully in any subsequent investigation. NB In some cases this may mean the police or another agency identified by the Local Safeguarding Partners.
• We respond to any disclosure sensitivity and appropriately and take care not to influence the outcome either through the way we speak to the children or be asking questions of children (although we may check/clarify the details of what we think they have told us with them.)
• We take care not to influence the outcome either through the way we speak to children or by asking questions of children.
• We take account of the need to protect young people aged 16-19 as defined by the Children Act 1989. This may include students or school children on work placement, young employees or young parents. Where abuse is suspected we follow the procedure for reporting any other child protection concerns. The views of the young person will always be taken into account, but the setting may override the young person’s refusal to consent to share information if it feels that it is necessary to prevent a crime from being committed or intervene where one may have been, or to prevent harm to a child or adult. Sharing confidential information without consent is done only where not sharing it could be worse than the outcome of having shared it.
• All staff are also aware that adults can also be vulnerable and know how to refer adults who are in need of community care services.
• We have a whistleblowing policy in place.
• Staff/volunteers know they can contact the organisation Public Concern at Work for advice relating to whistleblowing; if they feel that the organisation has not acted adequately in relation to safeguarding they can contact the NSPCC whistleblowing helpline.

Recording suspicions of abuse and disclosures

Where a child makes comments to a member of staff that give cause for concern (disclosure), or a member of staff observes signs or signals that give cause for concern, such as significant changes in behaviour; deterioration in general well-being; unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect; that member of staff:

• listens to the child, offers reassurance and gives assurance that she or he will take action;
• does not question the child, although it is OK to ask questions for the purposes of clarification;
• makes a written record that forms an objective record of the observation or disclosure that includes: the date and time of the observation or the disclosure; the exact words spoken by the child as far as possible; the name of the person to whom the concern was reported, with the date and time; and the names of any other person present at the time.

These records are signed and dated and kept in a secure and confidential locked filing cabinet away from child’s records. The designated lead is the only person with access to this. If someone else needs to see the files on a ‘need to know’ basis the files can be requested.

The member of staff acting as the designated lead is informed of the issue at the earliest opportunity, and within one working day. Should the lead be absent the safeguarding deputy will record the relevant information and pass over to the safeguarding lead as soon as possible.

Where the Local Safeguarding Children Board stipulates the process for recording and sharing concerns, we include those procedures alongside this procedure and follow the steps set down by the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

Making a referral to the local authority children’s social care team

The Pre-school Learning Alliance’s publication Safeguarding Children contains procedures for making a referral to the local children’s social care team, as well as a template form for recording concerns and making a referral.

We keep a copy of this document alongside the procedures for recording and reporting set down by our Local Safeguarding Partners, which we follow where local procedures differ from those of the Pre-school Learning Alliance.

 

Escalation process

If we feel that a referral made has not been dealt with properly or that concerns are not being addressed or responded to, we will follow the LSP escalation process.

We will ensure that staff are aware of how to escalate concerns.

We will follow local procedures published by the LSP or safeguarding partners to resolve professional disputes.

Informing parents

• Parents are normally the first point of contact. Concerns are discussed with parents to gain their view of events, unless it is felt that this may put the child at risk, or interfere with the course of a police investigation. Advice will be sought from social care if necessary.
• Parents are informed when we make a record of concerns in their child’s file and that we also make a note of any discussion we have with them regarding a concern.
• If a suspicion of abuse warrants referral to social care, parents are informed at the same time that the referral will be made, except where the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Partners does not allow this, for example, where it is believed that the child may be placed at risk. This will usually be the case where the parent is the likely abuser.
• If there is a possibility that advising a parent beforehand may place a child at greater risk (or interfere with a police response) the designated person should seek advice from children’s social care, about whether or not to advice parents beforehand, and should record and follow the advice given.

 

Liaison with other agencies

• We work within the Local Safeguarding Partners guidelines.
• The current version of ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’ is available for parents and staff and all staff are familiar with what they need to do if they have concerns.
• We have procedures for contacting the local authority regarding child protection issues, including maintaining a list of names, addresses and telephone numbers of social workers, to ensure that it is easy, in any emergency, for the setting and children’s social care to work well together.
• We notify Ofsted of any incident or accident and any changes in our arrangements which may affect the well-being of children or where an allegation of abuse is made against a member of staff (whether the allegations relate to harm or abuse committed on our premises or elsewhere). Notifications to Ofsted are made as soon as is reasonably practicable, but at the latest within 14 days of the allegations being made.
• Contact details for the local National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) are also kept.

 

Allegations against staff

• We ensure that all parents know how to complain about the behaviour or actions of staff or volunteers within the setting, or anyone living or working on the premises occupied by the setting, which may include an allegation of abuse.
• We differentiate between allegations, and concerns about the quality of care or practice and complaints and have a separate process for responding complaints.
• We respond to any inappropriate behaviour displayed by members of staff, volunteer or any other person living or working on the premises, which includes:
• inappropriate sexual comments;
• excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities, or inappropriate sharing of images.

• We will recognise and respond to allegations that a person who works with children has:
• Behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child
• Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child
• Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children

• We follow the guidance of the LSP when responding to any complaint that a member of staff or volunteer within the setting, or anyone living or working on the premises occupied by the setting, has abused a child.
• We ensure that all staff and volunteers know how to raise concerns about a member of staff or volunteer within the setting.
• We respond to any concerns raised by staff and volunteers who know how to escalate their concerns if they are not satisfied with our response
• We respond to any disclosure by children or staff that abuse by a member of staff or volunteer within the setting, or anyone living or working on the premises occupied by the setting, may have taken, or is taking place, by first recording the details of any such alleged incident.
• We refer any such complaint immediately to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) to investigate and/or offer advice:

 

Email: LADO@suffolk.gov.uk or Phone: 0300 123 2044

Customer First – 0808 800 4005

• We also report any such alleged incident to Ofsted (unless advised by LADO that this is unnecessary due to the incident not meeting the threshold), as well as what measures we have taken. We are aware that it is an offence not to do this.
• We co-operate entirely with any investigation carried out by children’s social care in conjunction with the police.
• Where the management team and children’s social care agree it is appropriate in the circumstances, the member of staff or volunteer will be suspended for the duration of the investigation. This is not an indication of admission that the alleged incident has taken place, but is to protect the staff, as well as children and families, throughout the process. Where it is appropriate and practical and agreed with LADO, we will seek to offer an alternative to suspension for the duration of the investigation, if an alternative is available that will safeguard children and not place the affected staff or volunteer at risk.

 

Disciplinary action

Where a member of staff or volunteer has been dismissed due to engaging in activities that caused concern for the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults, we will notify the Disclosure and Barring Service of relevant information, so that individuals who pose a threat to children and vulnerable groups can be identified and barred from working with these groups.

Key commitment 3

We are committed to promoting awareness of child abuse issues throughout our training and learning programmes for adults. We are also committed to empowering children through our early childhood curriculum, promoting their right to be strong, resilient and listened to.

 

Training

• Training opportunities are sought for all adults involved in the setting to ensure that they are able to recognise the signs and signals of possible physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse (including child sexual exploitation) and neglect and that they are aware of the local authority guidelines for making referrals.
• Designated persons receive appropriate training, as recommended by the Local Safeguarding Partners, every two years and refresh their knowledge and skills at least annually.
• We ensure that all staff know the procedures for reporting and recording any concerns they may have about the provision.
• We ensure that all staff receive updates on safeguarding via emails, newsletters, online training and/or discussion at staff meetings at least once a year.

Planning

The layout of the rooms allows for constant supervision.  No child is left alone with staff or volunteers in a one-to-one situation without being within sight and/or hearing of other staff or volunteers.

Curriculum

• We introduce key elements of keeping children safe into our programme to promote the personal, social and emotional development of all children, so that they may grow to be strong, resilient and listened to and so that they develop an understanding of why and how to keep safe.
• We create within the setting a culture of value and respect for individuals, having positive regard for children’s heritage arising from their colour, ethnicity, languages spoken at home, cultural and social background.
• We ensure that this is carried out in a way that is developmentally appropriate for the children.

Confidentiality

All suspicions and investigations are kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know. Any information is shared under the guidance of the LSP.

Support to families

• We believe in building trusting and supportive relationships with families, staff and volunteers.
• We make clear to parents our role and responsibilities in relation to child protection, such as for the reporting of concerns, information sharing, monitoring of the child, and liaising at all times with the local children’s social care team.
• We will continue to welcome the child and the family whilst investigations are being made in relation to any alleged abuse.
• We follow the Child Protection Plan as set by the child’s social worker in relation to the setting’s designated role and tasks in supporting that child and their family, subsequent to any investigation.
• Confidential records kept on a child are shared with the child’s parents or those who have parental responsibility for the child in accordance with the Confidentiality and Client Access to Records procedure, and only if appropriate under the guidance of the LSP.

We signpost parents to the MASH team on the Suffolk Safeguarding Children Board: http://www.suffolkscb.org.uk/working-with-children/how-to-make-a-referral/

 

Making Safeguarding and CAF referrals –

From Monday 12 November 2018 the following forms must be completed and submitted using the new secure Suffolk Children and Young Peoples Portal at https://cypportal.suffolk.gov.uk

Multi Agency Safeguarding Form (MARF)

Common Assessment Framework (CAF)

 

The first time you complete a form you will be prompted to create a new portal account.  To ensure the information you submit is secure, you will be required to log into this account every time you access the portal.

Prevent Duty

• We are effective and lawful, and meet specific legal duties including those arising from the Prevent Duty.
• This sets out the need for ‘British Values’ to help everyone live in a safe and welcoming community where they feel they belong.
• To fulfil the Prevent Duty we ensure all staff are alert to harmful behaviours by influential adults in child’s life. This may include discriminatory and/or extremist discussions between parents, family and/or staff members
• We take action when we observe behaviour of concern
• Staff are able to identify who may be vulnerable to radicalisation, and know what to do when they are identified.
• We assess the risk of children being drawn into terrorism, and work in partnership with local partners such as police, prevent co-ordinators, channel police practitioners and our LSP, to take account to local risks and respond appropriately
• We make referrals to local channel panels, channel police practitioners of the LSP, if there are concerns that an individual may be vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism or extremism. Helpline No- 02073407264 email extremisim@education.gov.uk or Police Confidentiality 0800 789 321 or Customer First 0808 800 4005
• We assess training needs in the light of their assessment risk
• All practitioners have completed an online course to increase their knowledge in relation to their duties and responsibilities.
• We have raised awareness of FGM by all staff carrying out the governments recommended course from the Home Office.
• All staff to be aware of signs and procedure if necessary and report to the appropriate authorities and work together with relevant agencies.

Legal framework

Primary legislation

Children Act (1989 s47)

Protection of Children Act (1999)

The Children Act (2004 s11)

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006)

Childcare Act (2006)

Secondary legislation

Sexual Offences Act (2003)

Criminal Justice and Court Services Act (2000)

Equality Act (2010)

General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) (2018)

Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations (2009)

Children and Families Act (2014)

Care Act (2014)

Serious Crime Act (2015)

Counter-Terrorism and Security Act (2015)

Further guidance

Working Together to Safeguard Children (HMG, 2015)

What to do if you’re Worried a Child is Being Abused (HMG, 2015)

Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (DoH 2000)

The Common Assessment Framework for Children and Young People: A Guide for Practitioners

(CWDC 2010)

Statutory guidance on making arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children under section 11 of the Children Act 2004 (HMG 2008)

Hidden Harm – Responding to the Needs of Children of Problem Drug Users (ACMD, 2003)

Information Sharing: Guidance for Practitioners providing Safeguarding Services (DfE 2015)

Disclosure and Barring Service: www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check

Revised Prevent Duty Guidance for England and Wales (HMG, 2015)

Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, Education and Skills Settings, (Ofsted, 2016)

NCSC National cyber security centre

Other useful Pre-school Learning Alliance publications

Safeguarding Children (2013)

Safeguarding through Effective Supervision (2013)

The New Early Years Employee Handbook (2016)

People Management in the Early Years (2016)

This policy was adopted at a meeting of:	Thurston Childcare
Held on:	September 2021
Date to be reviewed	September 2021
Read and agreed on behalf of the management and the committee	Sarah Simmons and Committee Director