Safeguarding children
1.2 Safeguarding children and child protection
(Including managing allegations of abuse against a member of staff)
Policy statement
Our setting will work with children, parents and the community to ensure the rights and safety of children and to give them the very best start in life. Our safeguarding policy is based on the three key commitments of the Ducklings Private Nursery Safeguarding Children Policy.
EYFS key themes and commitments
A Unique Child / Positive Relationships / Enabling Environments / Learning and Development1.3 Keeping safe / 2.1 Respecting each other
2.2 Parents as partners / 3.4 The wider context / 4.4 Personal, social and emotional development
Procedures
We carry out the following procedures to ensure we meet the three key commitments of Ducklings Private Nursery Safeguarding Children Policy.
Key commitment 1
Ducklings Private Nursery is committed to building a 'culture of safety' in which children are protected from abuse and harm in all areas of its service delivery.
1.Policy statement introduction
Child Protection Coordinator Medusa Sojourn
Georgina Cooper
Ducklings day nursery committed to the wider picture of Safeguarding by acknowledging that there are a range of policies & procedures that go together to create a safe environment where children thrive and enjoy their time at with us
Policies are consistent with the publication “What to do if you think a child is being abused.” and the Birmingham Safeguarding Children’s Board (BSCB) Guidelines
Including: Guidance for Safer Working Practice for Adults who work with Children and Young People in Education Settings.
All staff including students on placements and volunteers working within the setting have the duty to listen carefully to what children say and observe any changes in their appearance or behaviour which may result from abuse or neglect.
All individuals have the responsibility to report concerns and this setting has procedures in place to ensure that everybody understands how to report safeguarding concernsit is our Organisation’s responsibility to ensure sufficient, suitably qualified and experienced staff deployed and supervised wherenecessary.
The health and safety and well being of the children in the nursery are of paramount importance to all the adults who work in the nursery. Our children have the right to protection, regardless of age, gender, race, culture or disability. (Please refer to Equal Opportunities, Inclusion and Senco policy). They have the right to be safe in our nursery.
In the nursery we respect our children. The atmosphere within our nursery is one that encourages all the children to do their best. We provide opportunities that enable our children to take and make decisions for themselves. Throughout the day to day activities that happen at the nursery we teach and encourage the children to recognise different situations, and how to behave in response to them. All children are provided with safe and secure environments in which to interact and explore. All staff in areas conduct a formal risk assessment and constantly reappraise both the environments and activities to which the children are being exposed to. Staff must make necessary adjustments to secure their safety at all times.
Designated Person & their responsibilities
This policy ensures that all the staff in the nursery setting are clear about the actions necessary with regard to child protection issues. All staff are aware that it is not their responsibility to investigate whether or not a child has been abused; this responsibility lies with Integrated Access Team and the Police. All child protection concerns must be passed on to Integrated Access Team and Medusa Sojourn is the person who is responsible for this. In her absence or where it I not deemed appropriate concerns should be passed onto Georgina Cooper Or The head teacher at Moor Hall Primary
this policy’s aims are:
• To raise awareness of all staff and identify responsibility in reporting possible causes of abuse.
• To ensure that all staff have an up to date understanding of safeguarding children issues and be able to implement the child protection policy appropriately.
• To ensure effective communication between all staff when dealing with Child Protection issues.
• To lay down the correct procedures for those who encounter an issue of Child Protection.
• We have the duty to children, parents and staff to act quickly and responsibly in any instance that comes to our attention, including reporting suspicions around abuse to the local authority.
• To focus any action of an allegation on the welfare of the child as a possible victim of abuse.
• Staff should be aware of possible indicators of abuse and respond appropriately to the following:
** Significant changes in children’s behaviour
**Deterioration in their general well- being
**Unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse;
** Neglect
** The comments children make which give cause for concern
Recruitment & Selection
All our posts are exempt from the rehabilitation of offenders act. We require all adults who have contact with the children at the nursery to have their police checks vetted through police records (Enhanced CRB Disclosure) in order to ensure that there is no evidence of offences involving children or abuse of any nature. All adults working with children at the nursery undergo statutory checks to ensure they are suitable to do so. References from previous employment, Medical clearance, evidence and proof of qualifications are required before any member of staff can be left unattended with any children. We will also check all gaps in employment and identity (eg passport utility bills) Staff will also have regular supervision, staff meetings and yearly appraisalWe ensure appropriate induction training is in place and that all staff attend child protection training
The Designated Safeguarding Person is also responsible for cascading information, updating & reviewing the policy and procedures, identifying safeguarding.
Definitions of Abuse
What is abuse and neglect?
Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse orneglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children maybe abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting, by those known tothem or, more rarely, by a stranger for example, via the internet. They may beabused by an adult or adults, or another child or children.
Physical abuse
Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning orscalding, 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
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 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 cyberbullying), 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
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). Sexual abuse is not solely
perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can
other children.
Neglect
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, 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.
.
Domestic Abuse
Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults, aged 18 years or over, who are or have been intimate partners or are family members regardless of gender. Domestic abuse can have an impact on children in the family home and on their development; domestic abuse can link with other areas of abuse
3. ProceduresMedusa Sojourn is the first point of contact that is informed of all Child Protection issues, but in some cases it may be necessary for her to delegate this responsibility. In her absence Georgina Cooper will then be the first point of contact.
Planning
The layout of the room allows for constant multiple supervision. Where children need to spend time away from the rest of the group, in the cave staff will still be able to view the children.
Curriculum
- We create within the setting a culture of value and respect for the individual.
- We ensure that this is carried out in a way that is appropriate for the ages and stages of our children.
- We introduce key elements of safeguarding children into our foundation stage curriculum, or activity planning so that children can develop an understanding of why and how to keep safe. We make Stranger Danger, Road Safety, water safety part of our program as well as making children aware of their own bodies in accordance with"good touch"/ "bad touch", basically any areas that are hidden by for example underwear, are not places that generally other people should be touching!
Complaints
- We ensure that all parents know how to complain about staff or volunteer action within the setting, which may include an allegation of abuse.
- We have a procedure on Allegations made against a member of staff
- We notify Ofsted and the Early Years development team when we receive an allegation made about a member of staff, in line with our procedure
- We follow all the disclosure and recording procedures when investigating an allegation that a member of staff or volunteer has abused a child as if it were an allegation of abuse by any other person.
If we suspect abuse
- We acknowledge that abuse of children can take different forms - physical, emotional, sexual and neglect.
- When children are suffering from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, this may be demonstrated through changes in their behaviour, or in their play. Where such changes in behaviour occur, or where children's play gives cause for concern, the Setting investigates.
- We allow investigation to be carried out with sensitivity. Staff in the setting take care not to influence the outcome either through the way they speak to children or ask questions of children.
- Where a child shows signs and symptoms of 'failure to thrive' or neglect, we make appropriate referrals. We seek parent’s permissions before making a referral unless by seeking this permission we put a child at risk.
- We work co-operatively with the parent unless this is inconsistent with the need to ensure the child’s safety
Disclosures made to us
Where a child makes a disclosure to a member of staff, that member of staff:
- offers reassurance to the child;
- listens to the child; and
- gives reassurance that she or he will take action.
The member of staff does not question the child – the golden rule is observe and listen but do not probe.
Recording and Reporting suspicions of abuse and disclosures
Staff make a record of:
- The child's name; address, date of birth;
- The date and time of the observation or the disclosure;
- An objective record of the observation or disclosure;
- The exact words spoken by the child;
- The name of the person to whom the concern was reported, with date and time;
- The names of any other person present at the time.
These records are signed and dated and kept in a separate confidential file.
The member of staff will discuss the incident with the Supervisor and a decision will be made about who should be notified. If a child’s safety is at risk the Intake and assessment team will be contacted immediately. We will take advice from them regarding information then given to parents.
In a case where a child is not in immediate danger we try to discuss the matter with parents before making any referrals. However it is the welfare of the child which is paramount and this is at the forefront of all our actions. We are aware that many children have suffered because of lack of communication between agencies, and that government guidance now encourages the full sharing of information. We shall therefore use our professional judgement in sharing information with the agencies that ‘need to know’, being open and honest with parents and children as to why we feel we need to share the information.
Full records of conversations will be maintained when any referrals or discussions are held with any other agencies or with parents prior to a referral. These records will include dates and times of the conversation, who we speak to, and the advice we were given.
Informing Parents
We will always aim to involve parents in any referrals before they are made. However if a suspicion of abuse is recorded, and the child is considered at risk an immediate referral will be made to the Intake and assessment team and we will take their advice on informing parents.
Confidentiality
All suspicions and investigations are kept confidential and shared only with thosewho need to know. If there are concerns within a setting it is important that the Supervisor is made aware of them. However children will work with a number of different adults in a setting and they should also be made aware that there are concerns about an aspect of well-being of the child in question. Any information shared with external agencies is done under the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.
Support to families
- The setting takes every step in its power to build up trusting and supportive relations among families, staff and volunteers in the group.
- The setting continues to welcome the child and the family whilst investigations are being made in relation to abuse in the home situation.
- Confidential records kept on a child are shared with the child's parents or those who have parental responsibility for the child only if appropriate under the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.
With the proviso that the care and safety of the child is paramount, we do all in our power to support and work with the child's family.
If any member of staff suspects that a child in the setting may be a victim of abuse, they immediately inform the child protection coordinator about their concerns. Abuse can be Sexual, Emotional, or Physical by nature; it can also be a result of Neglect or Domestic Abuse.
Allegations made against a person in a position of Trust.
This procedure will be adhered to if the concern is related to their work in the nursery or anywhere else.
• I f a concern rises against any person in a position of trust that raises a query as to their suitability to work with children (this may include a cook, student, staff or volunteer). We will immediately take the person to one side and inform them an allegation has been made against them.
• We will not at this point tell the person the nature of the allegations.
• We will remove the person from any direct contact with children and it may be necessary to suspend the person on full pay until the investigation is completed. This action is intended to Safeguard the welfare of the children and does not assume that the person is guilty.
We will contact the Duty worker on the BEN development team 0121 675 1943 or the Emergency Duty team 0121 675 4806.
• We will make sure that someone in the nursery is designated to offer support to the member of staff.
• If the parent of the child is not already aware of the concern we will immediately inform them, and where possible will ensure confidentiality of all parties concerned..
• We will fully co operate at all times with any External investigation, which may include a Multi agency “Position Of Trust Coordination Meeting”. We will take on board any advice given in relation to the allegation.
• If the allegation is found to be true, we will take the person through a disciplinary process and dismiss them. We will also refer their name to the Secretary Of State for possible inclusion in the list of people banned from working with children.
• It may be proved to the nursery’s satisfaction that the person has abused one or more children.
• It may be proved to the nursery’s satisfaction that the person is not guilty of Abuse or
• The enquires may be inconclusive, leaving suspicion, but no proof about the persons behaviour.
• If not proven we will follow the advice given by the Principle Officer for Integrated Access Team and the Designated Safeguarding Person for Early Years.
The nursery is committed to training and developing Staff members to ensure that all Staff have an understanding and awareness of Child Care issues and are up to date with any changes in legislation.
This policy is linked with the requirements of the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) Safeguarding and Promoting Children’s Welfare.
Ofsted stipulate that providers MUST “Inform Ofsted without delay, of any allegations of serious harm or abuse by any person living, working, or looking after children at the premises (whether that allegation relates to harm or abuse committed on the premises or elsewhere), or any other abuse which is alleged to have taken place on the premises, and of the action taken in respect of these allegations. An Early Years provider, who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with this requirement, commits an offence.
Providers must also notify any child protection agency previously identified by the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB), without delay, of allegations of abuse.”