Early Years Improvement Team
Safeguarding and Welfare Audit
A tool for settings
Statutory Requirement / EYFS reference / Yes / Partly / No / Evidence, Comments and ActionsChild Protection
Providers must be alert to any issues for concern in a child’s life at home or elsewhere. Providers must have and implement a policy, and procedures, to safeguard children. These should be in line with Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children’s Board. (NSCB)
– The policy is reviewed annually.
– Updates are made without delay.
– The policy is accessible to all stakeholders.
– Clear records are kept, including actions and outcomes.
– Children’s voices; words, thoughts and feelings are accurately recorded to maintain integrity and feed into the bigger picture in terms of multi-agency activity concerning themselves and their family.
– All contact details for other agencies up to date and NSCB website link listed in policy.
/ 3.4 / Date last reviewed:
Child protection policy includes the following procedures:
Emergencies:
If a child is in immediate danger, left alone or missing, contact the police and/or ambulance service directly on 999.
If a child is at immediate risk you should call MASH on 0300 126 1000 and make a telephone referral, you will subsequently be required to put this in writing.
In all other circumstances to make a referral to the MASH please complete the online referral form
Non-emergencies:
If there is no immediate danger, you will need to establish the level of need and risk before you take action. Thresholds and Pathways will help you to do this using the vulnerability matrix. (Thresholds and Pathways document pg.36)
If you need advice about the levels of need and whether to make a referral, please contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) or
Out-of-hours:
Outside of normal office hours (Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm) please contact the Out-of-Hours Service:
- Telephone 01604 626938
– Setting has registered with the NSCB website for updates.
/ 3.4
-Setting are aware of the range of leaflets Nscb website.
Leaflet with a guide to the new Procedures Manual launched in August 2016:
Guide to the New Procedures Manual(PDF 294KB)
Leaflet promoting the key policies within the online Procedures Manual:
Procedures Manual Information Leaflet.(PDF 254KB)
Leaflet explaining how to subscribe for alerts when updates are made within the online Procedures Manual:
Registering for updates to the Online Procedures Manual(Word Document 659KB)
Leaflet explaining the role of Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children Board:
About Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children Board Leaflet(PDF 894KB) (Colour tri-fold A4)
Leaflet explaining the purpose of Serious Case Reviews and summaries of recent findings and actions resulting from SCRs:
NSCB Serious Case Reviews Leaflet(PDF 414KB)
Leaflet explaining the work the NSCB is doing around Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE):
NSCB Child Sexual Exploitation Leaflet(PDF 65KB)
Leaflet explaining the work the NSCB is doing around Female Genital Mutilation (FGM):
NSCB Female Genital Mutilation Leaflet(PDF 254KB)
Leaflet explaining the NSCB face to face training offer delivered by Barnardo's
Face to Face training leaflet (PDF 93KB)
Leaflet detailing the NSCB E-Learning courses available through the Virtual College
E-Learning Leaflet(PDF 286KB)
Leaflet detailing the 10 steps to getting started with E-learning.
10 Steps to Getting Started with E-Learning(Word Doc 418KB)
Flyer promoting eLearning to Young People
NSCB eLearning Flyer(Word Doc 352KB)
Tea Break Guides
The NSCB has produced a series of tea break guides to give you practitioners an insight into a range of topics you may be unfamiliar with.Managing Allegations Against Staff
Private Fostering
Professional Disagreements
Professionals Guide to Social Media
Last updated: 20 September 2017 / 3.4
- Leaflet for parents and carers that you can download and print. It includes examples of different cases that have been referred to the MASH and will help them understand more about how the MASH works:
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub: Information for Parents and Carers
-settings are aware of the range of toolkits available on the NSCB website.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Risk Assessment Toolkit
View the FGM Policy and Procedure(Link to the NSCB's Policies and Procedures Manual website)Neglect Toolkit
This tool is for use by professionals for assessing children who may be suffering neglect.
Download theNSCB Neglect Toolkit (PDF 1.5MB)
Download the Graded Care Profile (Word Doc 324 KB)
Download the NSCB Neglect Screening Tool (Word Doc 14KB)
View the NSCB'sNeglect Policy and Procedure(Link to the NSCB's Policies and Procedures Manual website)
Safer Dogs Around Children Assessment Toolkit
View the Safeguarding Children from Dangerous Dogs Practice Guidance.
Download the'Safer Dogs Around Children Risk Assessment Tool' / 3.4
Self-Harm Toolkit
The NSCB Policy and Procedure for Self Harm is currently under review.
Please refer to the Northamptonshire Toolkit for Supporting Children and Young People Presenting with Self-Harming Behaviours or Intent to Self-Harmon the AskNormenwebsite. or alternatively contact the NSCB Business Office on 01604 364036.
Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation Toolkit (May 2015)
The Tackling CSE Toolkit has been designed for a range of different professionals as well as parents/carers and young people. Click the link to view the toolkit designed for you in your role:
Tackling CSE Toolkit for Educational Settings(Early years, primary and secondary)
Tackling CSE Toolkit for the Voluntary Sector and Community Groups
Tackling CSE Toolkit for Parents and Carers
Tackling CSE Toolkit for Young People
- The basis for an effective assessment of risk and the options for action that could be considered by strategy discussions or child protection conferences.
– Provider has accessed practice guidance for Bruising and Marks in Non Mobile Infants.
/ 3.4
– Provider is aware of their responsibilities regarding the reporting of female genital mutilation?From 31st October 2015 the act introduces a mandatory reporting duty which requires health, social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales to report ‘known’ cases of FGM in under 18s which they identify in the course of their professional work to the police.
– The duty is a personal duty which requires the individual professional who becomes aware of the case to make a report; the responsibility cannot be transferred. The only exception to this is if you know that another individual from your profession has already made a report; there is no requirement to make a second.
– Staff aware of key signs to look out for regarding FGM. (Detailed on NSCB website link below.)
– FGM campaign poster displayed
- NSCB online FGM training course accessed
- CSE information for parents and carers leaflet accessed
– Provider is aware of their responsibilities regarding private fostering and information is included in the Child protection policy. If a child under the age of 16 (or under the age of 18 if disabled) is living in a private arrangement with someone who is not their parent, step-parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle or adult sibling, for 28 days or more, then the local authority must be notified, as this is likely to be a 'private fostering' arrangement.
– Provider routinely asks, records and maintains up to date records of who has parental responsibility for each child.
– All staff are aware of what private fostering arrangements are and how to report it.
– Parental responsibility and private fostering arrangements are included in the safeguarding training/or discussed at a staff meeting if appropriate. / 3.4
– Provider is aware of their responsibilities under the Prevent Duty. This is referenced within the policies and procedures. This has been shared with all staff.
- The Prevent duty guidance (Revised) accessed
- The Prevent duty advice to schools and childcare providers accessed
– An online general awareness training module on Channel has been accessed by staff. (Generates a certificate when completed.) / 3.4
– Provider is aware of and has systems in place to record and monitor late or non-attendance. / 3.4
– Provider has accessed information that sets out the key points inspectors need to consider when inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings.
- Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings (August 2016)
– Provider has accessed HM Government Information sharing: guidance for practitioners and managers. Suggest this is displayed.
- Information sharing
– The setting has an e-safety policy in place.
– The policy is reviewed annually.
– Are there clear online e-safety procedures for staff? E.g. who is responsible for downloading and monitoring apps?
– Do staff understand and are alert to the potential risks associated with technology?
– Is there appropriate filtering in place if there is internet access in the setting? / 3.4
– Are all staff aware of fundamental British Values?
– How do you ensure active promotion of British values?
- Further background reading on British values
Policy includes actions to be taken if an allegation is made against a member of staff
– Policy includes what to do if staff have concerns about the manager.
– Aware of requirement to notify Ofsted and Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
– Aware of Local Authority requirement to notify the Designated Officer (DO) in the event of an allegation being made.
– Clear records are kept.
– All staff, including committee members and owners are aware of how to respond to allegations.
The Designated Officer should be informed of all cases in which it is alleged that a person who works with children has:
- Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child;
- Possibly committed a criminal offence against children, or related to a child; or
- Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children, for example if their conduct falls within any of these categories of abuse:
- physical
- emotional
- sexual
- neglect
To make a referral to the Designated Officer, email the referral form to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) at:
- Direct link to NSCB Designated Officer information:
Policy covers the use of mobile phones and cameras
– Includes use of phones and cameras on outings.
– Personal mobile phones are permitted on setting grounds, but are used during break times only, within designated areas away from children.
– Personal mobile phones must never be used to contact children or their families, nor used to take videos or photographs of children. Setting issued devices must be used for this purpose and, if containing sensitive information or photographs of children, must not leave the premises unless pass code protected.
– Staff have a whistleblowing responsibility to report other staff’s misuse of mobile phones during setting opening times.
– The setting operate a mobile phone free environment which includes visitors and parents.
– Written consent must be obtained from parents or carers before photographs or videos of young people will be taken or used within the setting, including displays, learning journeys, setting website and other marketing materials.
– If a recording device is lost it must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately.
– Parents must not take photographs/videos of children whilst on setting premises. / 3.4
There is a designated practitioner to take lead responsibility for safeguarding children (DSL)
– How do you ensure all staff are aware of the designated safeguarding lead? E.g. written in policy, displayed on staff board, informed during induction.
– The designated safeguarding lead is responsible for liaison with agencies including MASH, NSCB. / 3.5
The designated safeguarding lead must attend child protection training
which enables them to identify signs of abuse.
-training is available through the early years team and NSCB
– Recommendation that the DSL attends Early years designated lead trainingdelviverd by the Early years team ,NSCB Working Together Course ,NCC Thresholds and pathways / 3.5
The designated safeguarding lead must provide support, advice and guidance to any other staff on an ongoing basis, and on any specific safeguarding issue as required
– Howregularly is this information cascaded to provide support, advice and guidance to all staff? This should be on an ongoing basis but at least annually.
– All staff including the deputy have received training appropriate to their role.
– All staff have received child protection refresher training during the last 2 years. / 3.5
All staff trained by provider to understand the Safeguarding policy and procedures and have up to date knowledge of safeguarding issues
– All staff are made aware of setting policy and procedures at the earliest opportunity. (Including cook, volunteers, and students.)
– How often do you revisit safeguarding issues with staff team as ongoing professional development? For example, it is good practice for safeguarding to be an agenda item at each staff meeting.
–The NSCB recommend that safeguarding training is refreshed every two years.
- Link to online training available:
Training made available by the provider must enable staff to identify signs of possible abuse and neglect at the earliest opportunity, and respond in a timely and appropriate way
– All staff are made aware of, and know how to respond appropriately to concerns, including signs of radicalisation and child sexual exploitation.
- Link to CSE training available:
Providers must have regard to statutory guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015, ‘Prevent duty guidance 2015 ’
Schools are required to have regard to ‘Keeping Children Safe in Eduction’ other providers may find this helpful.
– Staff are aware of and have access to a copies of the documenst.
– Copies of What to do if you think a child is being abused (2015) are accessible and on display in the setting.
/ 3.7
Procedure to inform Ofsted and the Designated Officer of anyallegations of serious harm or abuse by any person living, working, or looking after children at the premises (whether allegations relate to harm or abuse committed on the premises or elsewhere). Providers must also notify Ofsted of any action taken in respect of these allegations
– Notifications made to MASH .Settings must not do their own investigations and notification of the incident must be made as soon as possible to Ofsted but at the latest within 14 days. FAILURE TO COMPLY IS AN OFFENCE.
– Consider how you make the notification to ensure you have an evidence trail.
/ 3.8
Suitable people
Effective safer recruitment systems in place
– Has safer recruitment training been accessed?
– Are there clear procedures in place for recruiting staff?
– Are references obtained?
– The setting is keeping all the required information. / 3.9
Enhanced disclosure and barring checks criminal records disclosures obtained for every person aged 16 and over who:
- Work directly with children
- Lives on the premises
- Works on the premises
- Additional checks for those who have lived or worked abroad
Link to Ofsted Disclosure and Barring Service checks handout revised 2017 / 3.10
Provider has informed staff that they must disclose any convictions, cautions, court orders, reprimands andwarnings that may affect their suitability to work with children (whether received before or during their employment)
– Do you ask staff if they have anything to disclose on an ongoing basis? E.g. at interview and during supervision or part of yearly appraisal?
– How do you evidence this process? E.g. staff could complete and sign an internaldisclosure form. / 3.11
Staff supervised at all times whilst waiting for their suitability checks
– How do you record the application process and timeline?
– Volunteers are supervised. / 3.11
Information recorded about staff qualifications and identity checks and vetting processes that have been completed (Including the criminal records disclosure reference number, date obtained and who obtained it)
– Do you keep a central log of criminal records disclosure information?
– Is it up to date based on current staff?
– Does it include all current committee members?
- make sure the setting only keeps a record of the disclosure form number / 3.12
Provider meeting responsibilities under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. This includes a duty to make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service where a member of staff is dismissed (or would have been, had the person not left the setting first) because they have harmed or put a child a risk of harm
- are settings aware of this responsibility? / 3.13
Disqualification -
In the event of the disqualification of a registered provider, the provider must not continue as an early years provider – nor be directly concerned in the management of the provision / 3.14
Where a person is disqualified, the provider must not employ that person in connection with early years provision / 3.14
Where an employee becomes aware of relevant information that may lead to disqualification of an employee, the provider must take appropriate action to ensure the safety of the children / 3.14
Aware that a provider or childcare worker may also be disqualified because they live in the same household as another person who is disqualified / 3.15
The provider must notify Ofsted of any significant event which is likely to affect the suitability of any person who is in regular contact with children on the premises where childcare is provided
– Disqualificationcould be an instance of a significant event. / 3.16
The provider must give Ofsted the following information about themselves or about any person who lives in the same household as the registered provider:
- details of any order, determination, conviction, or other ground for disqualification from registration under regulations made under section 75 of the Childcare Act 2006;
- the date of the order, determination or conviction, or the date when the other ground for disqualification arose;
- the body or court which made the order, determination or conviction, and the sentence (if any) imposed; and
- a certified copy of the relevant order (in relation to an order or conviction).