Marsh Gibbon Pre-School

Child ProtectionPolicy and Procedures

Marsh Gibbon Pre-School aims to create an environment in which children are safe from abuse and neglect and in which any suspicion of abuse and neglect are promptly and appropriately responded to. The Children Act 1989 makes it clear that to be legally considered as abuse, behaviour must result in ‘significant harm’ to the child’s health and development. The pre-school will respond when it has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm.

Rachel Blane is the nominated Designated Officer (DO) on the Pre-School Committee who works closely withMegan Neal, the Pre-School Leader and the Designated Officer (DO) of the setting.Tracey Benton, the Preschool Deputy is also Designated Officer (DO) trained. All DO training is reviewed every 2 years and regular update meetings by the local authority are attended. Al practitioners also review their training every 2 years as well as receive regular updates. Practitioners are also encoraged to keep themselves up to date by reading literature and the local authority update tools.

Parents are informed at their initial visit about our Policies and Procedures. All our Policies are available and visible to parents at every session.

What is Abuse and Neglect?

‘Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by 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 for example, via the internet. They may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children.’ (Buckinghamshire’s Safeguarding and child protection Information and Guidance, October 2014).There is more than one type of abuse; we aim to ensure our staff are knowledgeable, understanding the different types of abuse.

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.

Emotional abuse - is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to causesevere 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 insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. 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 (including cyber-bullying, refer 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.

Sexual abuse - involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities 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 of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet, refer to Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males.Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.

Neglect - is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychologicalneeds, 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, clothing and 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 care-givers); or

• ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment

It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.

The above definitions are taken from ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ March 2013.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) Preventing and protecting

FGM is child abuse and it is against the law. If you suspect a child or woman has experienced FGM you must report your concerns so appropriate support and action can be taken. If you think a child may be at risk there are steps you can take to help protect them and prevent them from experiencing FGM.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It's also known as female circumcision or cutting.Religious, social or cultural reasons are sometimes given for FGM. However, FGM is child abuse. It's dangerous and a criminal offence.There are no medical reasons to carry out FGM. It doesn't enhance fertility and it doesn't make childbirth safer. It is used to control female sexuality and can cause severe and long-lasting damage to physical and emotional health.

How we can help protect children from FGM

  • Child protection policy and proceduresoutline what to do in the event of a concern about FGM. The policy are to be read and signed by all members of staff and reviewed and updated annually.
  • A robust attendance policy is in place and can help identify patterns of absence and ensure these are picked up on and investigated. Frequent absences due to health issues can be a sign that FGM may have taken place.
  • Regular staff training is important to ensure staff recognise possible signs and indicators that a girl is either at risk or has already undergone FGM. All staff are to undergo on online FGM training and it will be updated every 2 years along with annual policy updates.
  • Personal, social and emotional education group times are a good way of raising awareness for both Children and practitioners.

If you think that a child may be at risk of female genital mutilation or if you suspect that FGM has already happened, even if it's not recently, you must seek help and advice. You need to follow the same procedures for all Child abuse concerns. Ensure you monitor and keep records of concerns, seek advice from designated officers, Loren Guest and Rachel Blane. Call first response or the FGM helpline or in an emergency call 999.

Rachel Blane – Committee Designated Officer

Tel: 07974576415

First Response - single action point of contact for Buckinghmashire’s Children’s Social Care

Tel: 0845 4600 001

Email:

Secure Email:

Call the FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550or email .

If you think a child is at immediate risk call the police on 999.

Marsh Gibbon Pre-School aims to:

Have a Robust Recruitment Procedure

  • It will be made clear to applicants for posts within the Pre-School that the post is exempt from the provision of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
  • All applicants will be made aware that we have a paramount duty to safeguard children and it will be part of their day to day role.
  • All applicants applying for paid or voluntary work with the Pre-School will be interviewed and will be asked to supply a minimum of two referees which will be followed up.
  • All successful candidates will be DBS checked.
  • On going suitability checks are in place.
  • All such appointments will be made initially for a probationary period. Minimum of 3 Months for Pre-School Assistants and 6 months for the Leader.
  • The Leader/Management Committee will carry out regular one on one sessions with all staff and Annual Appraisals to enable us to monitor staff performance and behaviour and also to provide opportunities for staff to share any concerns they may have.

Seek and Supply Training

  • All staff are given “Induction Training” where our Policies and Procedures on protecting Children are explained. The Treshold document is explained to all in great detail and it is visable to see at all times.
  • All staff will undertake Level 1 Safeguarding Children training to enable them to recognise symptoms of possible abuse within 6 months of employment. In line with the Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Children’s Board (BSCB)’s recommendation, all staff will attend a Safeguarding Children “Refresher” course every 2 years.
  • Publications such as ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’ (DFES, 2003) will be available for staff to view at all times.
  • All staff will have a copy of the ‘Child Protection policy’ as well as the’ Whistle Blowing Policy’.

Preventionby Means of Good Practice

  • Adults who have not been checked with a DBS will not take children to the toilet.
  • Adult support will encourage children to have independent thoughts in making choices and expressing their feelings.
  • The layout of the rooms used will ensure constant supervision of all children at all times.
  • Discuss sensitively and appropriately with children how they can empower themselves with regard to safeguarding/child protection issues.
  • The Pre-School is a non-Mobile phone Zone.
  • Mobile telephones are not to be used by staff when working with the children. Mobile telephones are to be kept in the kitchen area at all times whilst the pre-school is in session (see mobile phone policy).
  • The pre-schools camera is only to be used by staff to record children’s achievements and play within the normal play areas of the hall and the outside play areas.

Be vigilant to identify

  • Any significant changes in children's behaviour;
  • Any unexplained bruising or marks;
  • Any comments children make which give cause for concern;
  • Any deterioration in a child's general well-being.

Respond Appropriately to Suspicions of Abuse

  • Observations will be carried out to identify changes in a child’s appearance and/or behaviour.
  • In the event of a disclosure to a member of staff, the staff member will listen to the disclosure, restraining from a reaction and not leading the conversation through questions. The member of staff should never make promises to the child of ‘keeping it a secret’ or ‘it will all be ok’
  • The member of staff will then inform the Leader (Deputy in the absence of the leader).
  • The member of staff will be asked to write a report of what was disclosed, using facts only and not interpreting the facts into opinions. The report should be signed, dated and be completed with the time and place of the disclosure.
  • All the above will remain confidential between the member of staff, Pre-School Leader, Designated Officer, and where appropriate, the Safeguarding Team with First Response.
  • The leader will then act, seeking advice from First Response if necessary.

Domestic Violence

Seeing, hearing or knowing of a parent being abused is traumatic for children and can have long-term damaging emotional and psychological effects. Wherever Domestic Violence is suspected in a home where a child is resident, we have a duty under Hackney’s Corporate Domestic Violence Policy to refer this information to Social Care services, who have a duty to investigate.

Keep Records

  • When changes such as outlined above are noticed in a child, a record will be set up to include details of observations, description of behaviour (without comment or interpretation), if possible recording the exact words used by the child. The record will be dated with name and signature of the recorder.
  • Such records will be confidential to the Pre-School Leader, Designated Officer and, where appropriate, the Safeguard Team within First Response.

Seven Golden Rules for Information Sharing (Information Sharing, 2008)

1. Remember that the Data Protection Act is not a barrier to sharing information

2. Be open and honest with families about what information can be shared and in what circumstances

3. Seek advice if you are in any doubt

4. Share information with consent, where appropriate and where possible

5. Consider safety and well-being and who may be affected by your sharing this information

6. Necessary, proportionate, relevant, accurate, timely & secure: ensure that the information you share is necessary for the purpose for which you are sharing it, is only shared with people who need to have it, is accurate and up-to-date, is shared in a timely fashion, and is securely shared

7. Keep a record of your decision and reasons for sharing information

When a child leaves your setting, you should send any Child Protection records to the new setting, addressed to their Nominated Safeguarding Children Adviser.

Liaise With Other Authorities

  • If we have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering or is at risk of suffering significant harm wemust refer the matter to First Response, Children’s Services.
  • Where possible the child’s parents will be informed immediately if the above action is taken.
  • The Pre-School will maintain good relations with the First Response Department.
  • Useful contacts:

Ofsted: 0300 123 1231
The NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000.
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls are free, unless you’re calling from a mobile phone.

FGM helpline:0800 028 3550or email .

Children are Unbeatable Alliance
(An alliance of more than 300 organisations campaigning for children to have the same legal protections against being hit as adults. Also provides advice on disciplining children without smacking.)
Telephone: 020 7700 0627
Parentline Plus
Helpline: 0808 800 2222
Textphone: 0800 783 6783
National Childminding Association
Advice Line: 0800 169 4486

First Response - single action point of contact for Buckinghmashire’s Children’s Social Care

Tel: 0845 4600 001

Email:

Secure Email:

Support Families

  • The Pre-School will ensure that good relations exist between families, staff and volunteers within the group.
  • All prospective parents will be made aware of Marsh Gibbon Pre-School’s commitment to safe-guarding children prior to their child joining.
  • Where abuse is suspected, the child will be welcome at the Pre-School during the investigations.
  • Marsh Gibbon Pre-School will endeavour to support every family, but the care and safety of the child is our first priority.
  • For children who attend settings in addition to Marsh Gibbon Pre-School, we will strive to ensure continuity and progression by sharing relevant information with the other settings and parents. Due regard will be given to confidentiality and data protection in any such exchange.

Act Quickly Where There is an Allegation of Abuse Against a Member of Staff

  • Our Designated Officer (DO) Rachel Blane(Committee) and Loren Guest (Leader and Settings DO) will deal with allegations made against staff.
  • If a Staff Member or Parent makes an allegation of Abuse, then the Pre-School Leader, or Deputy in her absence, and the Committee Designated Officer, RachelBlane should be made aware of the allegation.
  • If an allegation of abuse is made against the Pre-School Leader, the Committee’s Designated Officer Rachel Blanewill be made aware of the Allegation.
  • A written record will be made of any allegation, signed by both the person(s) making the allegation and the Leader/Deputy or Designated Officer on the Committee.
  • The Leader or Deputy will inform the Chair and Committee Designated Officer of the Pre-School that any allegation has been made, and will inform OFSTED within 14 days and the Local Authority’s Designated Officer (LADO) immediately in order to take advice about what steps to take.
  • Where the allegation is against a Staff Member, they will be informed by the Pre-School Leader (DO) and Committee Designated Officer, and a record of the meeting will be taken and signed by all present.
  • Where the allegation is against the Pre-School Leader, they will be informed by the Committee Designated Officer, Rachel Blane - the Chairman, and a record of the meeting will be taken and signed by all present.
  • The member of staff concerned will be treated as an un-police checked member of staff until further notice, or if advised by OFSTED, they may be suspended until the allegation is resolved.
  • If an allegation is made against the Committee Designated Officer,Rachel Blane, the LADO will be contacted within 24 hours.

Rachel Blane – Committee Designated Officer

Tel: 07974576415

First Response - single action point of contact for Buckinghmashire’s Children’s Social Care

Tel: 0845 4600 001

Email:

Secure Email:

Whistle-blowing Procedure(Please see Whistle Blowing Policy)

  • Anyone who raises a concern will not be vilified by staff or committee members.
  • Whistleblowers can ask for their concerns to be treated in confidence and such wishes will be respected.

The Pre-School will not hand over a child to the nominated person collecting if it is felt that the person collecting is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Another nominated collector of the child will be contacted by the pre-school initially. Police will be called as a last result. Confidentiality regarding the allegation / disclosure will be kept at all times with only the necessary persons (as outlined in this Policy). All records and reports will be stored in a locked filing cabinet on the premises

Mobile Phones:

  • All mobiles telephone and devices are to stay in the kitchen, In a personal bag. These may have to be moved if requested by the leader of the session if a cooking activity is taking place.
  • All staff, Visitors and Parents are prohibited to answer or use their mobile phone or have their Mobile phones visible whilst in the setting or around the children.
  • If staff need to answer a call on their mobile telephone or a text message please do so on your break or in your own time.
  • If parents or visitors need to answer their mobile telephone or a text message go into the kitchen to do so and stay there until you have finished.
  • If staff have told the leader of the session at the beginning of the day they are expecting an important call the mobile telephone can be left on the side and the call can be taken in the kitchen.
  • If staff have to make an emergency call this can be done on the works phone or your own personal mobile telephone in the kitchen.
  • During trips outside the work mobile telephone will be taken and not a member of staff personal mobile telephone. The mobile telephone will be used only in emergencies.
  • On outdoor trips all staff, parents and visitors personal mobile telephones will stay at the setting.
  • All staff are asked to be vigilant, to approach and report any concerns to the leader of the session.
  • The Leader of the session reserves the right to check the image contents of a member of staffs mobile phone should there be any cause for concern over the appropriate use of it.
  • Should inappropriate material be found then our Designated Officer (DO) will be contacted immediately. We will follow the guidance of the DO as to the appropriate measures for the staff member’s dismissal.

The Prevent Duty