1
Safeguarding children and child protection policy
(Including managing allegations of abuse against a member of staff)
Policy statement
Coton Green Pre-School Nursery believes that every child is entitled to a safe and happy environment. All adults associated with the nursery are committed to this and anyone using the nursery will also accept these principles. If anyone should have any concerns the advice of professional agencies shall be sought. Providing early help is more effective in promoting the welfare of children than reacting later.
PLEASE SEE ALSO E-SAFETY POLICY (this covers use of mobile devices including phones, cameras and internet), ADMISSIONS POLICY AND STUDENT PLACEMENT POLICY
EYFS key themes - See 3.4-3.17 (EYFS)
A Unique Child / Positive Relationships / Enabling Environments / Learning and Development- Keep children safe
- Sensitive and responsive to children’s needs, feelings and interests
- Personal, social and emotional development
.
Legislation relevant to safeguarding children:
Children Act 1989
Children Act 2004
Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill 2015
FGM Act 2003
Guidance:
What to do if you are worried a child is being abused (Department of Education 2015)
Working together to safeguard children (2015)
Common Assessment Framework 2005
Staffordshire County Council’s safeguarding children’s procedures (Safeguarding children’s board) 2007
Statutory Framework for the Early years Foundation Stage (revised 2014)
The Prevent Duty (2015)
Mandatory reporting of Female Genital Mutilation (Home Office 2015)
Keeping children safe in education (2016)
Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings (Ofsted 2015)
Who does this policy apply to?
Our policy applies to all staff, committee members, students and volunteers (including parent helpers) and has regard to the document “What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused.” (Department of Education 2015)
Staff and volunteers
- Our designated person* (staff) who co-ordinates child protection issues is:
CHRIS CHESHIRE (PRE-SCHOOL MANAGER)
OR DEPUTY PRE-SCHOOL MANAGER IN HER ABSENCE
- Our designated officer (a committee member) who oversees this work is:
…Holly Preece……………….
- For further details of this role- see appendix 2
What is safeguarding?
As defined in ‘Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings’ (Ofsted 2015):
Protecting children from maltreatment
Preventing impairment of children’s health or development
Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes
Action may need to be taken to protect children from:
Neglect, physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse
Bullying, including online bullying and prejudice-based bullying
Racist, disability and homophobic or transphobic abuse
Gender-based violence/ violence against women and girls
Radicalisation and/ or extremist behaviour
Child sexual exploitation and trafficking
The impact of new technologies on sexual behaviour e.g. sexting and accessing pornography
Substance misuse
Domestic violence
Female genital mutilation
Fabricated or induced illness
Poor parenting, particularly in relation to babies and young children
What is abuse?
Abuse is defined in appendix 1 to this policy and is in brief:
Physical abuse – deliberately physically hurting a child- frequent injuries, unexplained bruises or marks.
Emotional abuse – the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child -where a child shows fear, excessive withdrawal or who has unexplained changes in their behaviour.
Sexual abuse and exploitation– any sexual activity with a child- where a child shows signs of abuse, or uses inappropriate sexual behaviour or shows that he or she have witnessed inappropriate sexual behaviour e.g. pornography. Sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse where children are sexually exploited for money, power or status.
Neglect – is a pattern of failing to provide for a child’s basic needs, whether it be adequate food, clothing, hygiene, supervision or shelter.
NB. Witnessing domestic violence may also be regarded as abuse.
See appendix 4 for signs and symptoms of abuse.
Where there is a safeguarding issue Coton Green Pre-School Nursery will work in accordance with Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Board policies and procedures.
- A child’s welfare is paramount.
- Each child is unique and consideration will be taken of child’s cultural, ethnic and religious background, their gender, sexual orientation, ability and any special needs.
- Children, parents and other carers should be made aware of their responsibilities and rights, together with advice about the power of professionals to intervene in their family circumstances.
- If a child is at risk of significant harm, there is a duty on the organisation to share information with Staffordshire children’s social care.
- Personal information is usually confidential. It should only be shared with the permission of the individual concerned (and/or those with parental responsibility) unless the disclosure of confidential personal information is necessary in order to protect a child or promote their welfare. In all circumstances information must be confined to those people directly involved in the professional network of that child and on a strict ‘need to know’ basis.
How will we safeguard children?
There are nine elements to our policy:
1) We will practice safe recruitment in checking and monitoring the suitability of staff and volunteers
In order to achieve this: -
Applicants for work within the pre-school, paid or otherwise, will be interviewed and asked to provide references, which will be followed up.
It will be made clear to applicants that the position is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
All staff, regular helpers (including long term) students and committee members will be required to produce a satisfactory enhanced disclosure check.
Details of all identity checks, vetting and DBS disclosures will be recorded by the designated persons- Chris Cheshire
Staff and committee members responsible for recruitment will undertake safer recruitment training
All staff and regular helpers will be required to confirm their suitability as and when required, at least annually- and will be required to confirm this on writing.
All staff and volunteers are required to disclose any convictions, cautions, court orders, reprimands and warnings that may affect their suitability.
2) We will raise awareness of safeguarding children issues by equipping children with the skills needed to keep them safe
In order to achieve this: -
All adults involved in the nursery will be encouraged to attend any available safeguarding training to ensure that they recognise the symptoms of possible abuse. (Physical, emotional, sexual and neglect)
All adults in the setting will be encouraged to attend any training to identify children at risk of being drawn into terrorism and to challenge extremist ideas.
Children will be encouraged to develop a sense of independence in making choices and develop self-confidence to resist inappropriate approaches.
Include opportunities in the curriculum for children to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay safe from abuse. This will be done sensitively using such topics as stranger danger, safety and people who help us. Advice will be sought to help staff in delivery of these topics. Promotion of fundamental British values will underpin all activities within the setting- these are:
Individual Liberty: freedom for all.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance: treat others as you want to be treated.
Democracy: making decisions together.
Rule of Law: understanding rules matter.
3) We will record any injuries seen on arrival or noticed later
We will record medications given to a child prior to entry into the nursery
A confidential record of the injury will be kept with the child’s name and date of birth, the date and time the injury is reported (or noticed), and any explanation given. Parents will be asked to sign this when they report any injury.
A record will be kept of any medication given to children prior to entry into nursery to ensure that we can pass on any relevant information to the medical profession in the event of an emergency.
4) We will take any information or disclosure seriously
In order to achieve this:
We shall establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk and listened to.
Ensure that children know that there are adults in nursery whom they can approach if worried.
Ensure that any disclosure (full or partial) by any child is treated seriously, without blame or recrimination and the child is not questioned, prompted or unduly distressed.
5)We will discuss concerns with the appropriate person/agency
In order to achieve this: -
We shall have a designated person responsible for safeguarding children issues. THE DESIGNATED PERSON SHALL BE CHRIS CHESHIRE AND IN HER ABSENCE THE DEPUTY MANAGER.
We shall have a nominated committee member responsible for safeguarding children. THE NOMINATED COMMITTEE MEMBER SHALL BE Holly Preece. .
Any suspicions/ concerns should be discussed confidentially with the designated person who will decide on the next action. (NB. Where the designated person is not available and the matter is urgent) the nursery supervisor should be consulted initially.
A confidential record to be set up separate from a child’s key worker or other records. This record will not be accessible to people other than the designated person and/or nominated member or other appropriate person i.e. First response, Police, NSPCC. This record will be kept in a locked place away from other nursery paperwork.
Early assessment of the need for early help
Where we have identified that a child/ family may benefit from early help:
We shall prepare an early help assessment (e.g. Early help Assessment (EHA) in accordance with current guidance.
Where a child has suffered significant harm or is likely to do so,
In cases of suspected abuse, the following procedure, in accordance with Staffordshire area safeguarding board shall be as follows:
CONTACT FIRST RESPONSE – 0800 131 126
(If unable to get through email- , give your name and the setting name and phone number AND request a call back)
Parents will be informed on the advice of First response
Ofsted will be notified – 0300 123 1231
The phone call must be followed up with written confirmation within 48 hours on the multi-agency referral form (MARF).
Where there are general concerns about a child’s wellbeing,
CONTACT THE LOCAL SUPPORT TEAM- 01827 475555
(give details and they will tell you if a there is already a case and the social worker involved and will be able to give advice about the next steps)
Where there are concerns that a child/family are being drawn into terrorism or at risk of being radicalised,
REFER TO THE CHANNEL PROGRAMME (PREVENT DUTY)-
01785 232054
Where there are concerns that a child may be at risk of Female Genital Mutilation,
CONTACT THE LOCAL SUPPORT TEAM- 01827 475555
Where there are concerns or physical signs that FGM has taken place,
CALL 101 (POLICE SINGLE NUMBER)
6)We will take any allegation against adults in the setting seriously
In order to achieve this:
The nursery will operate a ‘whistle blowing’ policy whereby it is always in the child’s best interests to report concerns or suspicions of abuse.
Any allegations of abuse to be made in writing (although initially this may be verbal) to the designated person (UNLESS it is more appropriate to refer directly to the nominated committee member)
Actions to be followed as per FIRST RESPONSE – contact LADO (local authority designated officer)
Where the management committee and children’s social care agree it is appropriate in the circumstances, the chairperson will suspend the member of staff on full pay, or the volunteer, 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.
Disciplinary action - Where a member of staff or a volunteer is dismissed from the setting because of misconduct relating to a child, we notify the Disclosure and Barring service.
Ofsted will be notified
The following measures will be followed in order to protect children and adults:
No adult will be left alone for long periods with individual children or small groups. If an adult needs to take a child aside for any reason, leave the door ajar.
Only adults producing an Enhanced disclosure notice and satisfactory references may accompany children to the toilets.
Parents taking their own child to the toilet should use the disabled toilet
All adults to make others aware of any inappropriate behaviour (e.g. touching) by children
Care to be taken particularly when changing children –records to be kept of each change or where personal assistance given (i.e. wiping of bottoms)
All mobile phones and deviceswill be kept in the office –including volunteers and visitors
7)We will inform all those who work in, or use our nursery about our safeguarding procedures
In order to achieve this: -
All adults working directly with children will undertake level 1 safeguarding training.
Child protection officer/ Manager will also undertake level 2 training.
All adults involved in the nursery (including parents and committee members) will be encouraged to undertake safeguarding children training.
All adults will be given up to date knowledge of safeguarding issues at relevant meetings.
We shall ensure that every member of staff, volunteer and parent knows the name of the designated person and their role. This will be done by displaying their name on the notice board and in the welcome book/ induction book.
The designated person will be responsible for giving support, advice and guidance to others as required
The designated person will receive up to date training which will be passed on to others.
We shall ensure that parents and staff have an understanding of the responsibility placed on the nursery for safeguarding children by including details in the welcome book/ staff handbook and by making this policy available to see.
All adults in the nursery must remain alert to any issues for concern in the child’s life at home or elsewhere. This includes any concern about any child or family becoming involved in radicalisation or extremist activities and any concern that a child is at risk of female genital mutilation.
All staff and users of the setting will be expected to comply with our code of conduct (see appendix 3).
8)We will support children who have been abused and families or staff affected by abuse
In order to achieve this:
The nursery recognises that children who are abused may find difficulty in developing a sense of worth – the nursery will endeavour to support the child by promoting a positive, supportive and secure environment in which children are given a sense of being valued.
Other agencies such as Child Mental Health, welfare and education services and psychology services will be consulted to seek further advice.
The nursery recognises that coping with an abused child is stressful and that parents are to be supported and reassured that the group welcomes the child and family at all times.
To offer support, in liaison with other agencies.
9)We will take steps to find out about a child who is absent from the setting to ensure their safety
In order to achieve this:
The nursery will contact families of children where they are absent and no contact has been made with the family for 24 hours. (We may make contact before 24 hours if this is a repeated situation)
If no contact can be made or response is inconclusive we shall contact First Response.
Finally, this nursery believes that for young children to develop and thrive they need love, comfort and affection and it is the nursery’s policy to provide these in appropriate ways – e.g.hugging children who are distressed, sad or lonely. Children also enjoy the closeness of being with others – being cuddled on laps, enjoying stories; circle time etc and parents should notify us in writing if they do not wish us to follow these practices.
This policy was adopted at a meeting of Coton Green Pre-School Nursery on …………………… Signed …………………………. (Chair)
Appendix 1: What is abuse and neglect?
(As taken from “What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused.” (Department of Education 2015)
Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment – a person may abuse or
neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm.
Children and young people may be abused in a family or in an institutional
or community setting; by those known to them or, more rarely, by a
stranger, including via the internet.
Physical abuse is deliberately physically hurting a child. It might take a variety of different forms, including hitting, pinching, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning or suffocating a child.
Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child.
Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child. It is also sometimes called psychological abuse and it can have severe and persistent adverse effects on a child’s emotional development.
Emotional abuse may involve deliberately telling a child that they are worthless, or unloved and inadequate. It may include not giving a child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. Emotional abuse may involve serious bullying – including online bullying through social networks, online games or mobile phones – by a child’s peers.
Sexual abuseis any sexual activity with a child. You should be aware that many children and young people who are victims of sexual abuse do not recognise themselves as such. A child may not understand what is happening and may not even understand that it is wrong. Sexual abuse can have a long-term impact on mental health.
Sexual abuse may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside clothing. It may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in the production of sexual images, forcing children to look at sexual images or watch sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.