Children’s Centresservices Safeguarding Audit. Blank(name) Children’s centre

Safeguarding practice and guidance is underpinned by a duty for children’s centres to cooperate with relevant agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The protection of children is of the highest priority for Northamptonshire County Council and Ofsted across all its inspection remits.

“Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 places duties on a range of organisations and individuals to ensure their functions, and any services that they contract out to others, are discharged having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.” (Working Together to Safeguard Children:March 2013 pg 47)

“Sure Start Children’s centres are safe places for childrenand families to spend time in, and services that are provided through them are safe.” (Sure Start Children’s Centres Statutory Guidance: April 2013 pg 18)

The list below has been compiled as a safeguarding audit for Children’s Centres, there are additional criteria, please also refer to ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children: March 2015) and ‘Children Centre inspection handbook:Ofsted April 2014)

In place / details / Further actions
Audit date / Review date
Yes/No / Yes/No
1 / Does the Children’s Centre have an up to date electronic single central register that includes all partners that work with children and families?
2 / Are all Children Centre staff and users aware of who is the named personfor safeguarding in the centre?
3 / Is the NCSB icon on the children centre computer desktop so that it is accessible for all staff and volunteers?
4 / Are the entire Children’s Centres safeguarding policies (as below) accessible and up-to-date with evidence of regular and ongoing review?
a / Safeguarding
b / Child protection
c / Mobile phone
d / E-safety
5 / Can you evidence that all staff and volunteers have read all safeguarding polices
6 / Is the Safeguarding poster on display for users?
7 / Can the Children’s Centre produce evidence that all staff have attended Safeguarding training?
a / Is it up-to-date?
8 / Has the appropriate staffwithin the Children’s Centre completed training in Safer Recruitment, what evidence is available to support this?
9 / Has the appropriate staff within the Children’s Centre completed CAF training?
a / Capita super user training?
b / Capita skilled generalist training?
10 / Are all Children’s Centre staff fully familiar/aware ofNorthamptonshire thresholds and pathways document
a / Is there a short cut saved on the centre computer desk top?
b / Have all staff attended ‘making children safer events?
11 / Are Safeguarding procedures/information displayed for staff and users of the Children’s Centre? (e.g. flowchart)
12 / Is safeguarding a standing agenda item on Children Centre team meetings, Advisory Board meetings and supervision (1:1)?
a / What evidence do you have to support this?
13 / Are parents given the opportunity to feedback and contribute to the Children’s Centres’ safeguarding policies and procedures?
a / How does this happen?
14 / Does the Children’s Centre have appropriate signing in/out process?
15 / Do all staff and visitors wear identification badges when in the Children’s Centre/outreach building?
16 / Does the Children’s Centre keep accurate and clear records of any safeguarding issues/concerns?
a / How does this happen?
17 / Are parents offered safeguarding training?
18 / Does the Childrens Centre have robust and effective risk assessments in place?
a / In the elimination of any identified risk relating to safeguarding children, families and staff?
b / Health & safety
c / Activity/resources
d / Home visits
19 / Are Commission services fully aware of and adhere to the centres safeguarding policies and procedures? How can you evidence this?
a / How can you evidence this?
20 / When planning service delivery, are Equality Impact Assessments carried out to ensure all protected groups are not disadvantaged.
21 / Has the children’s centre completed the NCSB section 11 Audit Tool kit? -When?
22 / Are staff aware of whom their ‘named social worker’ is? / Name?
Environment
23 / Is there signage to indicate the children’s centre base?
24 / Does the signage have the NCC logo?
25 / Is there clear signage as to when the centre is open?
26 / Is there a clear answer phone message for when the centre is closed for families to direct them for support?
27 / Is the access to the venue clear and safe?
28 / Are there clean, baby change facilities available?
29 / Is food prepared on site?
a / If yes have staff had training in food hygiene?
b / Is the centre registered as a food business?
30 / Do all staff/partners know where the first aid box is kept?
a / Are there notices in each room to inform where it is kept?
31 / Are all staff that deliver services trained in paediatric first aid?
a / Can you evidence this?
32 / Are all fire exits and extinguishers clearly marked and kept clear.
33 / Does the CC have a fire log noting all checks and drills? When was the last drill?
34 / Do display boards reflect the EYFS?
35 / Are there positive images displayed in the centre that reflect diversity (including BME, fathers, disabled parents and children?)
36 / Are the centres main priorities for improvement displayed for all users? (linking to SEF)
37 / Does the children’s centre website have an up to date programme available displaying services on and off site?
38 / Do staff/volunteers support parents to access the online registration form?
a / How does this happen?
39 / What links does the centre have with libraries located within the cluster?

Any further comments:

Check completed by:

Check completed on:

To be reviewed on:

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SA CCV915