Trospacc Nursery
Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy
(Including managing allegations of abuse against a member of staff)
Policy Statement
The Nursery will provide a safe environment that protects children and minimises the
occurrence of harm. Any suspicion that abuse has / could occur will be dealt with in ways that respect the rights of the child and which reinforce adult responsibilities towards children
Our Lead Practitioner for Safeguarding who co-ordinates child protection issues is Vanessa Ayres (Deputy Nursery Manager)
Our designated officer who oversees this work is Jackie Collyer (Nursery Manager)
Procedures
Prevention
At the nursery we aim to create an environment in which children are safe from abuse and in which any suspicion of abuse is promptly and appropriately responded to. In order to achieve this we will:
· Exclude Known abusers
It will be made clear to applicants for posts within the nursery that the position is exempt from the provision of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and that all applicants are subject to rigorous recruitment procedures.
All applicants who work within the nursery, whether voluntary or paid, will be interviewed before an appointment is made and will be asked to provide at least two references. All such references will be followed up. In the case of applicants with unexplained gaps in their employment history, or who have moved rapidly from one job to another, explanations will be sought. All appointments will be subject to clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service at enhanced level.
All appointments, both paid and voluntary, will be subject to a probationary period and will not be confirmed unless the nursery is confident that the applicant can be safely entrusted with children.
Child Protection
All staff and volunteers should be alert to signs of abuse. All suspicions and allegations of abuse should be taken seriously and reported immediately to the Lead Practitioner for Safeguarding or the nursery manager. They will then take responsibility for ensuring that the situation receives correct attention and will notify the appropriate agencies. Should the Child Protection Officer or nursery manager not be available, or if the child is in immediate danger, Children’s Services or the Police must be contacted immediately.
Reporting abuse is a personal responsibility which falls to each volunteer or member of staff. It is NOT your responsibility to determine whether it is abuse or not, but it is your responsibility to report your concerns, as quickly as possible, to the Lead Practitioner for Safeguarding
Children’s Services professional telephone number 01329 225379
Out Of Hours telephone number 0845 6004555
Definitions of child abuse:
▫ Physical - Directly inflicting harm of a physical nature on a child (e.g.
hitting, kicking, shaking etc).
▫ Emotional - Emotional ill treatment of a child that negatively affects their
emotional development. A child may be made to feel worthless,
frightened or in danger.
▫ Sexual - Forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual acts, whether or
not the child is aware of what is happening. the acts may be
physical or non-physical, such as forcing or enticing a child to look
at or be involved in something of a sexual nature.
▫ Neglect - Failing to properly care for a child or protect them from harm. A
child may not be receiving suitable nourishment or is being made to
live in un-hygienic conditions.
If you suspect or witness abuse:
DO
▪ Stay calm
▪ Listen carefully
▪ Reassure the child
§ Explain to the child that you must report the matter to the Lead Practitioner for Safeguarding.
▪ Alert the Manager as soon as possible.
▪ Write down, at the first opportunity, what you have heard, seen or been told
(ideally within 2 hours but definitely within 24 hours).
DON’T
▪ Jump to conclusions
▪ Ask leading questions
▪ Promise complete confidentiality
▪ Put adult words to what the child is describing
Record
· What is said or seen and by whom – actual words
· Who is present
· Subsequent events
Make a written record of date, time, etc. Keep rough notes as well as final report
Telephone Referral
· Child’s name, date of birth, address
· Family information, parents and siblings
· Name of G.P
· Concerns
· Follow up verbal report with a written report within 48 hours
· Always keep records of concerns confidentially
Written referral
To be sent within 48 hours of telephone referral
· Name, address, telephone number of setting and name and role of referrer
· Confirmation of telephone referral Yes/No
· Details of child being referred – give as much detail as possible: surname, forename, aliases, DoB, M/F, ethnic origin, first language, religions, preschool/nursery/school
· Family information, parents and siblings – address and child’s address if different and previous address (if known)
· Details of significant others (where known) e.g. extended family, close friends, step-siblings – give as much detail as possible
· Other professionals involved e.g. educational psychologist, health visitor, G.P, Portage (if known) – name, role, address, telephone number
· Circumstances leading to your referral – information should be based on fact, observation and your professional judgement
· Using the relevant domains and dimensions of the framework for Assessment of Children in Need and their families, if known comment on child’s developmental needs, factual information or observation about parenting capacity, and family environmental issues
N.B Put Childs name on each piece of paper and ensure sheets are firmly attached together e.g. stapled.
Action – if you are worried A child is being abused:
Child Protection Procedure for the Lead Practitioner for Safeguarding/Nursery Manager
Lead Practitioner for Safeguarding/Nursery manager, it is your responsibility to carry out the following procedure if a child, young person or member of staff or volunteer reports abuse to you
1. Record the information clearly (it may be used in a Court of Law).
2. Use body map if physical or sexual abuse is disclosed.
3. Inform the Children’s Centre Support Officer immediately.
4. Refer concerns to Children’s Services
Children’s Services professional telephone number 01329 225379
Out Of Hours telephone number 0845 6004555
5. Note the name of the person you talk to at Children’s Services
6. Write down and follow the advice given to you by Children’s Services
7. Confirm in writing. Your report should be objective and based on evidence.
8. Provide the Children’s Centre Support Officer with a copy of the report and actions taken.
9. Be prepared to act as an advocate on behalf of the child.
10. When invited to, attend and provide written reports for child protection conferences.
11. Inform Ofsted,
OFSTED Contact Details
Ofsted
Piccadilly Gate
Store Street
Manchester
M1 2WD
Telephone 0300 123 1231
Trospacc Nursery Registration Number is EY447988
Should you wish to talk over the issues, support is available from the Children’s Centre Support Officer /Nursery Manager
BODY MAP FOR INJURY RECORDING
Name of injured childDate of birth of injured child
Name of person witnessing injuries
Date when injuries were witnessed
Date when information recorded
Time when information recorded
Description of all injuries
Note: Ensure that the sizes and types of individual injuries are appropriately recorded
LEGEND
B / Bruise
S / Scratch
C / Cut
F / Broken Bone or Fracture
W / Weal or Burn
X / Other Injury (as described)
Place appropriate letters (as above) in small circles at sites of injuries on diagrams below
STAFF ALLEGATIONS PROTECTION POLICY
§ 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 follow the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board 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 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's designated officer (currently Barbara Piddington 01962 876364) and follow their advice. We also report any such alleged incident to Ofsted and 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 local authority designated officer agrees it is appropriate in the circumstances, the nursery manager 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.
Training
§ We seek out training opportunities 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 and neglect and that they are aware of the local authority guidelines for making referrals.
§ We ensure that all staff know the procedures for reporting and recording their concerns in the setting.
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 visible to others.
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 that they develop an understanding of why and how to keep safe.
§ We create within the setting a culture of value and respect for the individual, 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 Local Safeguarding Children Board.
Support to families
§ We believe in building trusting and supportive relationships with families, staff and volunteers in the group.
§ We make clear to parents our role and responsibilities in relation to child protection, such as for the reporting of concerns, providing information, 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 care 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 Local Safeguarding Children Board.
The use of mobile phones and recording devices in the Nursery
§ There are to be no mobile phones in any of the nursery rooms. The only exception is the caterpillar room mobile ( without a camera) which is used for parents to contact the nursery.
§ Visitors to the nursery are asked to leave their phones in the office until their departure.
§ Staff will photograph the children as part of their evidence for each child’s learning and development. Occasionally staff will video other staff working with the children. This is for the benefit of in house / external training and will be used for these purposes only. In order for this to take place parent’s/carer’s are asked to sign a consent form as part of the registration process when their child first starts the nursery.
§ Parent’s/carer’s are permitted to photograph and video their own children at special events that are held in the nursery, i.e. leavers presentation/ Christmas party.
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