Introduction
Just Kids Daycare Ltd are committed to Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of all of the children in its care. Every child’s welfare is paramount, we will aim to keep them safe and practice in ways to protect them.
The nursery will provide a safe and nurturing learning environment where children can develop, grow and thrive. All staff at Just Kids Daycare are adequately trained and are committed to these standards.
The setting promotes anti-discriminatory practice and will give equal priority to keeping all children safe regardless of their age, disability, race, religion, belief or sexual orientation.
This policy applies to all adults, including volunteers, working in or on behalf of Just Kids Daycare. Everyone working in or for our Daycare shares the objective to help children and young people keep safe by contributing to:
• Providing a safe environment for children and young people to learn and develop in the nursery setting.
• Listening to children and respecting them.
• Being aware of the signs and symptoms and following the correct procedures.
• Taking seriously any changes in children’s behaviour and this includes changes that may indicate a child is at risk of radicalisation.
• Promoting a tolerance, appreciation and respect for their own and other cultures; know about similarities and differences between themselves and others and among families, faiths, communities, cultures and traditions.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the setting is Shabana Shah
The Deputy safeguarding lead for the setting is Mandy Gill.
The role of the DSL is to be the main point of contact for the setting in reporting any forms of abuse, the DSL will then follow their procedures in reporting to the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer).
The LADO for The London Borough of Redbridge is:
Helen Curtis
Mon-Thurs Office: 020 8708 3885
Mobile: 07903 221 521
helen.curtis@redbridge.gov.uk
This policy is in line with the London Child Protection Procedures, some useful guidelines and Acts that these include are:
• The Childrens Act 1989/2004
• Children and social work Act 2017
• Working together to safeguard children (DFE 2018)
• What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused (DFE 2015) • Mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation (FGM) Home office 2016
The care act 2014
• Equality Act 2010
- The Education act 2002
- The children and families act 2014
- The safeguarding vulnerable groups act 2006
- GDPR and data protection act 2018
- Keeping children safe in education 2021
- Domestic abuse act 2021
We will review and update the policy annually, or earlier as appropriate, to ensure it is updated in light of any changes in legislation, serious case review and recommendations from relevant reports. The policy will be made known to everyone working in the nursery, including staff, trainees and volunteers.
We work together with EYCIT (Early years child improvement team) in order to make sure our policies and procedures are in line with current safeguarding legislation and guidance and ensure to update as and when necessary.
At Just Kids Daycare, we understand that child protection procedures are part of the Safeguarding children policy. Safeguarding covers more than the contribution made to child protection in relation to individual children. It also incorporates issues such as pupil health and safety, bullying and a range of other issues, for example, arrangements for meeting the medical needs of children,
providing first aid, nursery security, risk assessments, staff ratios, drugs and
substance misuse, positive behaviour etc. There may also be other safeguarding issues that are specific to the local area or population.
Safeguarding of children therefore involves the awareness of a much larger number of areas and issues, which may include:
Child Protection
– E-Safety
– FGM (Female Genital Mutilation)
– Abuse linked to faith and belief
– Breast flattening
– Prevent Duty
Just Kids Daycare aims to ensure all staff are trained to recognise the signs and symptoms of all different types of abuse that could occur with a child or young person and to actively follow policies and procedures if ever having to deal with any type of abuse.
Managers of the setting have advanced safeguarding training which will be refreshed annually and all staff will carry out level 2 safeguarding training and regular safeguarding spot checks to ensure they become confident with knowing who to contact regarding safeguarding concerns, this will be refreshed every 2 years or sooner depending on their knowledge.
E-Safety
The Daycare recognises that computers are a source of fun, entertainment, communication and education for children. However, we know that some men,
women and young people will use these technologies to harm children. The harm
might range from sending hurtful or abusive texts and emails, to enticing children to engage in sexually harmful conversations, web cam photography or face-to face meetings.
The Daycare has an e-safety policy that is known to all staff and children.
Across the UK, criminal and civil legislation aims to prevent a range of abusive activities online including:
• Stalking
Policy date February 2021 to be reviewed 2022
• Harassment
• Improper use of public communications network
• Sending indecent, offensive, false or threatening communications • Sending private sexual photos or videos of another person without their consent
The setting will ensure that children are protected from any type of online activities and have robust procedures in place to make sure that pictures, videos and personal information are not shared with anyone outside of the setting.
Permission will be collected from the parents/guardians before the children start the setting.
• The children will use ICT when working and exploring in the classrooms • The children will have limited access to the internet and all programs will be accessed by adults.
• Password systems will be strong and limited to a number of people • The setting will use a ‘Tapestry’ journal in the rooms where access is limited to keyworkers of the children and parents will have their own access to their child’s development records, the management will have access to all children files.
• CCTV will be in all areas of the nursery and will be accessible by management only.
• The children will regularly be talked to about online safety and how to be safe when exploring online at home or in the setting.
Staff will keep mobiles phones, smart watches or any other devices in a phone box in the office which can only be accessed at break times or when leaving the setting.
The nursery has a mobile phone which is password protected and only accessible by managers.
- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
According to the Home Office Multi-Agency Statutory Guidance on Female Genital Mutilation, ‘FGM compromises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.’
At Just Kids Daycare we recognise that girls and women from a range of backgrounds are at risk of and have experienced FGM, from birth to marriage and beyond. FGM is child abuse and illegal according to the FGM Act 2003 amended by the Serious Crime Act 2015 and therefore any known or suspected cases identified by practitioners working for Just Kids Daycare will be reported firstly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. The Designated Safeguarding Lead
Policy date February 2021 to be reviewed 2022
will assess whether further information needs to be gathered, for example, by speaking to parents or if a referral needs to be made to children’s social care without parent’s knowledge if the risk is high.
Just Kids Daycare aims to ensure all staff are trained to recognise the signs and indicators of FGM.
– Abuse linked to faith or belief
According to the National Action Plan to Tackle Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief, child abuse linked to faith or belief is where ‘there are concerns for a child’s welfare that have been identified, and could be caused by, a belief in witchcraft, spirit or demonic possession, ritual or satanic abuse features; or when practices linked to faith or belief are harmful to a child.’ At Just Kids Daycare, we know that this can lead to the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of the child, all of which constitute child abuse and we are by duty committed to identifying and reporting. Any identification of a child at risk of or experiencing abuse linked to faith or belief will be reported firstly to the designated safeguarding lead who will assess whether further information needs to be gathered, for example, by speaking to parents, or if a referral needs to be made to children’s social care without the parents’ knowledge if the risk is too high.
Just Kids Daycare aims to ensure all staff are trained to recognise the signs and indicators of abuse linked to faith or belief.
– Breast flattening
According to the National FGM Centre, Breast Flattening is the process during which a young (pre) pubescent girls’ breasts are ironed, massaged, flattened and/or pounded down over a period of time (sometimes years) in order for the breasts to disappear or delay the development of the breasts entirely.’Just Kids Daycare recognises that girls and women from a range of backgrounds have experienced and are at risk of breast flattening which is child abuse and illegal. Although we recognise the practice begins just before puberty, we are also aware that girls can be at risk earlier. Any identification by any staff member of a girl at risk or who has undergone breast flattening will be reported firstly to the designated safeguarding lead. The designated safeguarding lead will assess whether further information needs to be gathered, for example, by speaking to
parents or if a referral needs to be made to children’s social care without parent’s knowledge if the risk is high.
Just Kids Daycare aims to ensure all staff are trained to recognise the signs and indicators of breast flattening.
Prevent duty
The prevent duty became law in 2015. This is a duty on all schools and registered early years providers to have due regard to preventing people being drawn into terrorism. In order to protect children in our care we must be alert to any reason for concern in the child’s life at home or elsewhere. This includes awareness of the expression of extremist views.
In addition to this, the counter terrorism and security act also places duty on early years providers “to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”
Our setting aims to:
– Look out for signs and indicators
– Protect children in our care from terrorism outside of the setting – Talk to children about being safe and listening to children’s concerns – Protect the children in our car from outside influences, people who may
try to come into the setting or take children out of the setting – Practice safety measures in the setting
The prevent duty coordinator for London borough of Redbridge is:
Neil Lemon –
020 8708 5244
07506 460 350
Neil.lemon@redbridge .gov.uk
Dial 101 (prevent duty officer national)
Prevent duty drills are carried out on a regular basis to ensure that staff and children are aware of this and able to follow the procedures in case of a prevent situation.
The setting has a stranger and intruder policy in place, no unauthorised person has access to the nursery, visitors are booked by appointment, Identification is checked at the door and sign in is required if entering the premises.
Bullying
While bullying between children is not a separate incident of abuse and neglect, it is a very serious issue that can cause considerable anxiety and distress. At its most serious level, bullying is thought to result in up to 12 child suicides each year. All incidences of bullying should be reported and will be managed through our anti-bullying procedures. All child and parents receive a copy of the anti
bullying procedures on joining the pre-school and the subject of bullying is addressed at regular intervals in the personal, social and communication (EYFS) curriculum. If the bullying is particularly serious, or the anti-bullying procedures are deemed to be ineffective, the nursery coordinator and the DSL will consider implementing safeguarding procedures.
Providing a safe and supportive environment
Safer Recruitment and Selection Managers of Just Kids Daycare have been trained to know the procedures of carrying out safe recruitment and are very knowledgeable about the staff that are working in the setting.
Staff, trainees and volunteers undergo rigorous checks and an interview process before being allowed to work in the setting.
Just Kids Daycare has a Safer Recruitment Policy, which ensures that all appropriate measures are applied in relation to everyone who is employed at the nursery and who is therefore likely to be perceived by the children as a safe and trustworthy adult. This includes volunteers and staff employed by contractors. Safer recruitment practice includes scrutinising applicants, verifying identity and academic or vocational qualifications, obtaining professional references, checking previous employment history and ensuring that a candidate has the health and physical capacity for the job. It also includes the following:
• An Enhanced DBS Disclosure is obtained for all new appointments to our nursery through DBS services and staff are required to register on the DBS update service.
• Maintenance of an up to date single central record detailing a range of checks carried out on our staff.
• Additional checks are carried out, where appropriate, when recruiting anyone who has lived abroad for a substantial period of time.
- Right to work in the UK and proof of ID is checked (Passport) and a copy is taken for staff files.
• Our nursery ensures that supply/bank staff have undergone the necessary checks and will be made aware of this policy
• Staff are subject to completing a self-disclosure form along with their application.
Allegations against staff and maintaining Safe Practice:
Our nursery will comply with the current Guidance for Safer Working Practice for those working with Children and Young People and ensure that information in this guidance regarding conduct, is known to all staff, visitors and volunteers who come into the nursery.
Safe working practice ensures that the child is safe, and that all staff are:
• Responsible for their own actions and behaviour, and should avoid any conduct which would lead any reasonable person to question their motivation and intentions.
• Work in an open and transparent way.
• Discuss and/or take advice from nursery management over any incident which may give reason for concern.
• Record any incidents or decisions made and know the procedures to follow in doing this.
• Apply the same professional standards taking into account of diversity issues.
• Be aware of information-sharing and confidentiality policies.
• Are aware that breaches of the law and other professional guidelines could result in criminal or disciplinary action being taken against them.
Any concerns regarding the conduct of any adult within the setting should be reported immediately to the DSL, make brief notes of the date and time and exactly what was seen or heard. Remember the first priority you have is the welfare of the child.
The DSL will contact LADO to get appropriate advice and guidance.
Ofsted must be notified of any allegations of serious harm or abuse committed on the premises or any abuse which is alleged to have taken place. Failure to comply with this requirement is an ‘Offence’
Ofsted contact details:
0300 123 1231
enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
Full investigations will be carried out.
Safeguarding information for children
Through curriculum opportunities, children are helped to talk about their feelings to deal assertively with pressures and know whom they can turn to for advice and help.
All children know who they might talk to, both in and out of the nursery, their right to be listened to and heard and what steps can be taken to protect them from harm.
Staff should allow children time and opportunities to share this information if they wish, to accurately take notes of what is said or shown and follow the steps to ensure the child is protected at all times.
Staff should report to the DSL of the setting or LADO if concerns are about management or anyone above the DSL.
Partnership with Parents
The Daycare shares a purpose with parents to educate and keep children safe
from harm and to have their welfare promoted. We are committed to working with parents positively, openly and honestly. We ensure that all parents are treated with respect, dignity and courtesy. We respect parents’ rights to privacy and confidentiality and will not share sensitive information unless we have permission or it is necessary to do so in order to protect a child.
The Daycare will, in most circumstances, endeavor to discuss all concerns with parents about their children. However, there may be exceptional circumstances.
When the nursery will discuss concerns with Social Care and/or the Police without parental knowledge (in accordance with the London Child Protection procedures).
The nursery will, of course, always aim to maintain a positive relationship with all
parents. The Daycare’s Safeguarding and Child Protection policy is available to all parents.
Partnerships with others
Our nursery recognises that it is essential to establish positive and effective working relationships with other agencies that are partners of the RSCP (Redbridge Safeguarding Children Partnership). There is a joint responsibility on all these agencies including Social Services, The Police, NHS etc, to share information to ensure the safeguarding of all children.
RSCP – Redbridge Safeguarding Children Partnership
CPAT – Child Protection Referral Team
0208 708 3885/ 0208 708 5897
CPAT.Referrals@Redbridge.gov.uk
Nursery training and Staff induction
The nursery manager and staff with designated responsibility for safeguarding will undertake multi-agency safeguarding awareness and Designated Safeguarding lead training and refresher training on a yearly basis.
All other nursery staff, including voluntary staff, will undertake appropriate induction training or safeguarding/child protection training to equip them to carry out their responsibilities for safeguarding effectively, which is kept up to date by refresher training every 2 years.
All staff (including temporary staff and volunteers) are provided with the nursery safeguarding policy and informed of our safeguarding arrangements on induction.
Support, Advice and Guidance for Staff
Staff and parents will be made aware of whom the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is for the setting and details of their role. They will also be made aware of external agencies they can contact in circumstances when the DSL is not available i.e. Redbridge local safeguarding children board (LSCB)
Supervision of Staff
Just Kids Daycare understands developing effective staff supervision in early year’s settings is crucial in ensuring safe practice and staff training needs. Either the DSL or the manager will regularly supervise all staff, peer on peer observations and monitoring of staff will also be carried regularly to ensure we are maintaining our best practice.
Photography and Images
To protect children, we will:
• Seek parental consent for photographs to be taken or published (for e.g. our website or in newspapers or publications)
• Seek parental consent for personal information.
• Use only the child’s first name with an image.
• Ensure children are appropriately and adequately dressed.
• Encourage children to tell us if they are worried about any photographs that are taken of them.
• Have a policy regarding staff use of mobile phones within the workplace. Please see our Mobile Phone, Camera and IT usage policy for further details.
Children missing from nursery
The nursery follows the “Safeguarding Children Missing from home or care” section of the London Child Protection Procedures and will refer all cases of concern to the Safeguarding Team or contact the Family Information Service for guidance and support.
This could also involve children in care, vulnerable children and looked after children missing from placements, as the setting provides after school care and weekend classes for older children up to the ages of 11 years.
Confidentiality
The nursery will operate with regard to “Information Sharing: Practitioner’s guide” 2018 and have a clear and explicit confidentiality policy.
“Where there is a concern that the child may be suffering or is at risk of suffering significant harm, the child’s safety and welfare must be the overriding consideration’’
The nursery will only share confidential information about children on a need to know basis. Please see our Confidentiality Policy for more details on who has access to confidential records of children i.e. child protection files, and when we may share these records with parents/carers and external partner agencies i.e. police and Social Care where the child/young person is/may be at risk of significant harm.
Data Protection
The nursery record-keeping policy for child welfare and child protection is consistent with the EYFS guidance, which is known to all staff. The setting are registered with the ICO (information commissioners officer).
In order to keep children safe and provide appropriate care for them, our nursery requires accurate and up to date information regarding:
• Names and contact details of persons with whom the child normally lives
• Names and contact details of all persons with parental responsibility (if different from above)
• Emergency contact details (if different from above)
• Details of any persons authorised to collect the child from pre-school (if different from above)
• Any relevant court orders in place including those, which affect any person’s access to the child (e.g. Residence Order, Contact Order, Care Order, Injunctions etc.)
• If the child is or has been subject to a child protection or care plan
• Name and contact details of G.P.
• Any other factors which may impact on the safety and welfare of the child
The Data Protection Act 2018 is the UK’s implementation of the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) which allows you to have the right to know what information is being stored about you.
The nursery will collate, store and agree access to this information. All child protection documents will be retained in a ‘Child Protection’ file, separate from
the child’s main file. The main file will clearly show an alert that a child protection file exists and the location of this. This child protection file will be locked away and only accessible to the Owner/manager and senior designated person. These records will be copied and transferred to any nursery or school setting the child moves to, clearly marked ‘Child Protection, Confidential, for attention of Designated Safeguarding Lead’. Original copies will be retained according to settings policy on retention of records.
British values
British values are a set of four values introduced to help keep children safe and
promote their welfare – as is the duty of all providers following the EYFS; specifically to counter extremism.
The British values and some of the ways we use them in the setting.
Democracy- Making decisions together, giving opportunities to develop enquiring minds in an atmosphere where questions are valued, circle time, giving choices.
Individual liberty- Freedom for all, for example reflecting on their differences and understanding we are free to have different opinions.
Rule of law- Understanding that rules matter as cited in Personal, Social and Emotional development for example collaborating with children to create rules and codes of behaviour.
Mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs- Treat others as you want to be treated, for example sharing and respecting others opinions. It also highlights clearly what is not acceptable for example, failure to challenge gender stereotypes and routinely segregating girls and boys.
Whistleblowing
Whistleblowing was enforced by the public interest disclosure act 1998, Staff and employees are able to raise their concerns at any time if they see something in the work place which they believe is of wrongdoing, for example if you see a criminal offence, health and safety breach, risk or damage to the environment, breaking the law, or covering up wrong actions.
The employee can choose to go to their DSL or may take it further by reporting to the LADO to get further advice.
Obvious examples of such improper actions include mistreating, harming or physically/emotionally abusing a child, breaches of the settings health and safety and breaches of the settings code of conduct.
The issue should be dealt with at the earliest possibility as not doing this could later lead to a devastating effect on the nursery.
Staff can raise their concerns verbally or in writing, staff should know why they are reporting this concern and demonstrate that they have an honest and reasonable suspicion that malpractice has occurred, is occurring or is likely to occur.
The nursery will respond to any concerns raised by investigating all concerns seriously and effectively.
Roles and Responsibilities
The manager will ensure that:
• The nursery has adequate safeguarding policy and procedures in place that are in accordance with local authority guidance and locally agreed inter agency procedures, and the policy is made available to parents, staff and volunteers.
• The nursery has a safer recruitment procedure and makes sure that all appropriate checks are carried out on staff and volunteers who work with children.
• The nursery follows the London Child Protection procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse against staff and volunteers
• The nursery coordinator is designated to take lead the designated safety officers role.
• Sufficient resources and time are allocated to enable the designated person and other staff to discharge their responsibilities.
• The DSL and deputy have completed the on-line Safer Recruitment training.
• All staff undertakes appropriate safeguarding/child protection training, at regular intervals; including FGM training and prevent duty training.
• Any deficiencies or weaknesses regarding safeguarding arrangements are remedied without delay.
• Liaison with the LA and /or partner agencies are maintained in the event of allegations of abuse being made against any member of staff.
• Where services or activities are provided on the nursery premises by another body, the body concerned has appropriate policies and procedures.
Policy date February 2021 to be reviewed 2022
in place in regard to safeguarding children and liaises with the nursery on these matters where appropriate.
• The policies and procedures are reviewed annually
The Designated Safeguarding Lead will ensure that:
• The policies and procedures adopted by the setting are fully implemented, and followed by all staff, trainees, students and volunteers.
• All staff and volunteers feel able to raise concerns about poor or unsafe practice in regard to children, and such concerns are addressed sensitively and effectively in a timely manner in accordance with the agreed Whistle Blowing Policy.
• The procedure for managing allegations against staff is known to staff and displayed in staff rooms.
• Operate the procedure for managing allegations effectively and refer relevant concerns to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
Referrals
• Cases of suspected abuse or allegations are referred to children’s social care and maintain a record of all referrals.
• They act as a source of support, advice and expertise within the educational establishment and have access to the on-line London Child Protection Procedures.
• They liaise with the DSL/manager to inform him/her of any issues and on-going investigations and ensure there is always cover for this role.
Training
• Staff recognise how to identify signs of abuse and know when it is appropriate to make a referral.
• They have knowledge of the Local Authority Redbridge team role, conduct of a child protection case conference and be able to attend and contribute to these.
• All staff have access to and understand the setting/nursery safeguarding policy.
• All staff have safeguarding training at induction and at regular intervals from then onwards e.g. INSET days, in-house training.
• Keep detailed, accurate and secure written records.
• Obtain access to resources and attend any relevant or refresher training courses at least every two years.
Raising Awareness
• Ensure the safeguarding policy is updated and reviewed annually and work with the owner regarding this.
• Ensure parents are made aware of the safeguarding policy which alerts them to the fact that referrals may be made and the role of the establishment in this to avoid conflict later.
• Where a child leaves the establishment, ensure the child protection file is copied for the new establishment ASAP and transferred to the new nursery/school separately from the main pupil file.
All staff and volunteers will:
Fully comply with the nurseries policies and procedures, attend appropriate training and inform the designated lead of any concerns.
Identifying children and young people that may be at risk
All staff and other adults in the nursery are well placed to observe any physical, emotional or behavioural signs, which indicate that a child may be suffering
significant harm. The relationships between staff, child, parents and the public which foster respect, confidence and trust can lead to disclosures of abuse, and/or nursery staff being alerted to concerns.
As in the Children Acts 1989 and 2004, “a child is anyone who has not yet reached his/her 18th birthday”.
Harm means ill-treatment or impairment of health and development, including, for example, impairment suffered from seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another;
Development means physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development; Health includes physical and mental health;
Ill-treatment includes sexual abuse and other forms of ill-treatment which are not physical. Abuse and Neglect are forms of maltreatment. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm or failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting, by those known to them, or, more rarely, by a stranger. They may be abused by an adult or adults or another child or children.
Physical Abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of or deliberately induces illness in a child.
Sexual Abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, including prostitution, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative (e.g. rape, buggery or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts. They may include non
contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of,
sexual online images, watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
Emotional Abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to
cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only so far as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond the child’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:
• Provide adequate food and clothing, shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment).
• Protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger.
• Ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate caretakers). • Ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.
It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to a child’s basic emotional needs.
Taking action to ensure children are safe at the setting and at home
All staff to follow the London Child Protection Procedures, which are consistent with ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’, ‘keeping safe in education 2021, and Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
It is not the responsibility of the nursery staff to investigate welfare concerns or determine the truth of any disclosure or allegation. All staff, however, have a duty to recognise concerns and maintain an open mind. Accordingly, all concerns regarding the welfare of a child will be recorded and discussed with the designated lead/manager with responsibility for safeguarding (or the deputy safeguarding lead in the absence of the designated person) prior to any discussion with parents.
Staff must immediately report and record:
• Any suspicion that a child is injured, marked, or bruised in a way which is not readily attributable to the normal knocks or scrapes received in play.
• Any explanation given which appears inconsistent or suspicious.
• Any behaviour which give rise to suspicions that a child may have suffered harm.
• Any concerns that a child may be suffering from inadequate care, ill treatment, or emotional maltreatment.
• Any concerns that a child is presenting signs or symptoms of abuse or neglect.
• Any significant changes in a child’s presentation, including non-attendance.
• Any suspicion, allegation disclosure of abuse about or by a child/young person.
• Any concerns regarding person(s) who may pose a risk to children (e.g. living in a household with children present).
• Information which indicates that the child is living with someone who does not have parental responsibility for them (private fostering).
Responding to Disclosure and Allegations
Allegations or information may be received from child, parents or other members of the public. The nursery recognises that those who disclose such information may do so with difficulty, having chosen carefully to whom they will speak. Accordingly all staff will handle allegations with sensitivity.
Such information cannot remain confidential and staff will immediately communicate what they have been told to the designated person and make a record including date and time.
Staff will not investigate but will, wherever possible, listen, record and pass on information to the designated person in order that s/he can make an informed decision of what to do next.
Staff will:
• Listen to and take seriously any information shared that a child may be at risk of harm.
• Clarify the information.
• Make a written record of what the child has said.
• Try to keep questions to a minimum and of an ‘open’ nature e.g. ‘Can you tell me what happened?’ rather than ‘Did x hit you?’.
• Try not to show signs of shock, horror or surprise.
• Not express feelings or judgments regarding any person alleged to have harmed the child.
• Explain sensitively to the person that they have a responsibility to refer the information to the senior designated person.
• Reassure and support the person as far as possible.
• Explain that only those who ‘need to know’ will be told.
• Explain what will happen next and that the person will be involved as appropriate.
Action by the Designated Safeguarding Lead
Following any information raising concern, the Designated Safeguarding Lead will:
• Consider the child‘s wishes and feelings, but not promise confidentiality. • Consider any urgent medical needs of the child.
• Make an immediate referral to the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) if there has been a disclosure or allegation of abuse or there are clear grounds for concerns about the child’s safety and well-being.
• Consult with a member of the RSCP if they are uncertain whether or not a referral is required.
In consultation with either the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) or the Redbridge Safeguarding Children Partnership (RSCP) , decide:
• Wherever possible, to talk to parents, unless to do so may place a child at risk of significant harm, impede any police investigation and/or place the member of staff or others at risk.
Whether to make a child protection referral to social care because a child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm and if this needs to be undertaken immediately.
• Contact the designated officer for safeguarding in another agency if that agency is working with the family.
OR
• Not to make a referral at this stage, but retain the information in written notes on the child’s Daycare file.
• If further monitoring is necessary and agree who and how this will be undertaken.
• If it would be appropriate to undertake an assessment (e.g. CAF) and/or make a referral for other services.
All information and actions taken, including the reasons for any decisions made, will be fully documented. All referrals to social care for children living in the borough needs to be completed.
Contact details for Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH):
Office: 020 8708 3885 Out of hours: 020 8708 5897
Action following a child protection referral
The Designated Safeguarding Lead or the deputy will:
• Maintain contact with the allocated Social Worker.
• Contribute to the Strategy Discussion and Strategy meeting.
• Provide a report for, attend and contribute to any Initial and Review Child Protection Conference.
• Share the content of this report with the parent, prior to the Child Protection Conference.
• Attend Core Group Meetings for any child subject to a Child Protection Plan or Child in Need meeting for any child subject to a Child in Need Plan.
• Where a child on a child protection plan moves from the nursery or goes missing, immediately inform the key worker in Social Care.
Dealing with Disagreement and Escalation of Concerns
The Designated Safeguarding Lead will:
• Contact the line manager in children’s social care if they consider that the social care response to a referral has not led to the child being adequately safeguarded and follow this up in writing.
• Contact the line manager in children’s social care if they consider that the child is not being adequately safeguarded by the child protection plan and follow this up in writing.
• Use the escalation policy if this does not resolve the concern. Supporting the Child and working in Partnership with Parents
• We will provide a secure, caring, supportive and protective relationship for the child.
• The nursery recognises that the child’s welfare is paramount. Good child protection practice and a good outcome for the child relies on a positive, open and honest working partnership with parents.
• Whilst we may, on occasion, need to make referrals without consultation with parents, we will make every effort to maintain a positive working relationship with them whilst fulfilling our duties to protect any child.
• Children will be given a proper explanation (appropriate to age & understanding) of what action is being taken on their behalf and why.
• We will endeavor always to preserve the privacy, dignity and right to confidentiality of the child and parents. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will determine which members of staff “need to know” personal
information and what they “need to know” for the purpose of supporting and protecting the child.
Allegations regarding person(s) working in or on behalf of the nursery (including volunteers)
Where an allegation is made against any person working in or on behalf of the nursery that he or she has:
A. Behaved in a way that has harmed a child or may have harmed a child; B. Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child or
C. Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates s/he is unsuitable to work with children.
We will apply the same principles as in the rest of this document and we will always follow the procedures outlined in the London Child Protection Procedures for managing allegations against people who work with children. This includes allegations against staff in their personal lives.
Whilst we acknowledge such allegations, (as all others), may be false, malicious or misplaced, we also acknowledge they may be founded. It is, therefore, essential that all allegations are investigated properly, in line with agreed procedures and outcomes recorded.
Initial Response to an allegation or concern
Initial Action by person receiving or identifying an allegation or concern:
• Treat the matter seriously and keep an open mind.
• Make a written record of the information, including the time, date and place of incident/s, persons present and what was said and sign and date this.
• Immediately report the matter to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Initial Action by the Designated Safeguarding Lead/ Deputy Safeguarding Lead
If the DSL is the subject of the allegation, then the owner will take the following action:
• Obtain written details of the concern or allegation but do not investigate or interview child, adult or witnesses
Contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
• Within 1 working day.
• Discuss with LADO the next steps using the London Child Protection Procedures Flow charts Allegations/Concerns against Staff.
• Action to be informed by any professional strategy meeting held.
• Contribute to the child protection process by attending professional strategy meetings.
• Conduct a disciplinary investigation, if an allegation strategy meeting indicates the need for this.
• Maintain contact with LADO.
• Ensure clear and comprehensive records regarding the allegation, and action taken and outcome are retained on the staff member’s personnel file.
• The decision to suspend a member of staff is the responsibility of the line manager, taking into account of any advice given by LADO. The protection of children and the staff member must be the paramount consideration
Policy date February 2021 to be reviewed 2022
and suspension must be without prejudice and without delay in line with disciplinary procedures.
• Refer to DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) if this outcome is agreed with LADO.
Children who harm others
Our Daycare recognises that the harm caused to children by the harmful and bullying behaviour of other children can be significant.
Children who harm others will pose a risk to other children in the setting, home and community and risk management strategies will need to be put in place.
Where this harm involves sexual abuse, serious physical or serious emotional abuse, the safeguarding procedures set out in this policy will be applied.
This nursery recognises that children who harm others are likely to have considerable needs themselves and may have experienced or be experiencing significant harm to themselves.
Referrals
Where a child has caused significant harm to another child, through sexual abuse or serious physical or emotional abuse, the nursery will make separate referrals to children’s social care of the victim(s) and perpetrator(s).
Our nursery will be mindful of the sections in the London Child Protection
Procedures concerning “Harming Others” and “Sexually Active Children” and work closely with social care, the police and other agencies following the investigation of a referral.