Audit of statutory duties and associated responsibilities for all childminders who are registered with Ofsted (not early years settings) in relation to ‘Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education’ (DCSF 2007) and considering ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (DfE July 2016)

Please note, all childminders who are registered with Ofsted must complete this audit whether they have children on roll or not.

This audit should be used to monitor, review and evaluate safeguarding policies and procedures, to ensure the maximum effectiveness of safeguarding children in your care.

This audit:

·  will support you to meet the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

·  will help you to assess the quality of your safeguarding practice

·  will help to ensure that gaps in safeguarding are identified and prompt action is taken to address these areas

·  should be reviewed twice a year

·  can be included as evidence for Ofsted (Self Evaluation Form)

It is the responsibility of the childminder to ensure that they understand their safeguarding responsibilities and that arrangements for safeguarding children comply with current guidance from government and the Herefordshire Safeguarding Children Board.

Each childminder should have the following in place (from Early Years Foundation Stage requirements):

·  A written safeguarding policy and up to date child protection (cp) procedures that includes the risks of peer on peer abuse. Download and use the Safeguarding Policy guidanceto help you write your safeguarding policy for your setting. The policy must be updated annually (Keeping Children Safe in Education 2016). If employing assistants you must also have a staff behaviour (conduct) policy.

·  You must have attended training at the agreed HSCB level. Appropriate levels for Early Years are: Inter-Agency Training every 2 years for the Designated Safeguarding Lead(s) which includes childminders and if you employ any assistants, single agency training provided by the HSCB every 3 years for all other staff. Click tovisit thetrainingpage for HSCB. The DSL needs to refresh knowledge and skills at least annually and all other staff need to receive regular updates annually.

·  Notify the Local Authority Designated Officer (01432 261708) of any allegations of abuse against yourself or persons living or working on the premises at which the childminder takes place without delay.

·  Notify the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (01432 260800) of any concerns you have about a child being harmed or neglected.

·  You MUST notify Ofsted of Serious accidents, injuries and deaths and notify local child protection agencies.

·  An Acceptable Users Policy for IT equipment used by children, and yourself (This should include use of computers, social networking sites, mobile phones, cameras, memory sticks etc.) If children have access to the internet, you must have appropriate filters and monitoring systems in place to protect children from harmful online material.

Audit of statutory duties and associated responsibilities for early years settings in relation to ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (DFE 2016)

Name of childminder……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Ofsted Unique Reference Number (URN)…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name(s) of any other registered childminders in your setting………………………………………………………………………………………….

Name(s) of any assistants in your setting…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Date of last Ofsted inspection…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Instructions for completing the audit

·  When responding to each statement provide a Yes, No or N/A answer where applicable.

·  If answered ‘yes’ evidence can be provided

·  If answered ‘no’ an action must be provided

Before starting the audit it would be useful to have the following information to hand: staff files, training records, and policies and procedures including your safeguarding policy.

Please tick appropriate box / Yes / No / Date of Training:
I am the Designated Safeguarding Lead for Child Protection (DSL) and I have completed HSCB inter-agency CP training within the last 2 years
Provider: Must be HSCB if not please check you have completed correct level of training.
I have another childminder/assistant working with me who is a deputy DSL(s) who has completed HSCB inter-agency CP training within the last 2 years / Name of other childminder:
Date of Training:
Provider: Must be HSCB if not please check you have completed correct level of training.
If I employ other childminders/assistants they have all completed the single agency training provided by the HSCB every 3 years
For information about availability of local safeguarding training:
Visit Herefordshire CPD online, select Early Years and search for safeguarding / List the names and positions of all others registered to work in your childminding setting and dates of training for each person:
I am familiar with the Ofsted document “Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings (Aug 2016)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inspecting-safeguarding-in-early-years-education-and-skills-from-september-2015
I have a current paediatric first aid certificate. This is renewed every 3 years / Date of Training:

I agree that the information in this audit is correct and the actions have been agreed.

Signature of Childminder(s)…………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………….....

Identify which of the statements below best describe/best fits your setting:

If your setting is scoring mostly 1s – well done and thank you for your continuing commitment in this area.

If your setting is scoring mostly Level 2 or 3, you clearly have made a good start but still have some work to do. Plan some work in before your next Ofsted inspection. Please use the Safeguarding Action Plan, (Appendix 1) to highlight areas for improvement.

If your setting is scoring mostly Level 4 you need to make your safeguarding and child protection planning a priority; your next Ofsted inspection may be very critical of the gaps. Seek help and advice from your Early Years Improvement Adviser, who will be happy to provide advice regarding training and assistance to you and your setting.

1)  The childminders safeguarding policy

1. I have a policy which is up to date and includes the points provided by the HSCB (DSL Handbook) http://westmidlands.procedures.org.uk/board/Herefordshire/0cjN and includes the risk of peer abuse and takes account of the guidance in the Early Years Foundation Stage, 2017 (page 16, para 3.4). There is evidence the policy has been read by all assistants and volunteers (if applicable). Also, parents are aware of it through the prospectus and/or my website if applicable. The policy is reviewed annually. The policy covers all safeguarding elements described in the Ofsted publication “Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings (updated Aug 2016) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inspecting-safeguarding-in-early-years-education-and-skills-from-september-2015
2. I have a policy which is up to date, includes the points provided by the LA (DSL Handbook), takes account of the guidance in the Early Years Foundation Stage, 2017 (page 16, para 3.4). The policy is shared with and accessible to parents but not fully effective in that not all assistants and volunteers are aware of it (if relevant). The policy is reviewed annually.
3. I have a policy but it needs updating.
4. I have no safeguarding policy currently in place.

2)  Child protection procedures

I and any assistants or volunteers (if applicable) know where to find the Herefordshire Safeguarding Children Board (HSCB) procedures (Herefordshire Safeguarding Children Board) and use these within my setting. If relevant assistants are given a copy of my CP policy and are made aware that I am the DSL. As DSL regularly check the HSCB website for the most up to date guidance and documentation and I know how to use the Escalation Policy when necessary. I am aware of the revised document ‘What to do if you are worried a child is being abused’ (2015) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-to-do-if-youre-worried-a-child-is-being-abused--2
2. I and any assistants or volunteers (If applicable) and parents are aware of the HSCB and my setting’s child protection policy and procedures. I check the HSCB website to access the most up to date guidance and documentation.
3. Procedures are in place but only I know about them. I have not checked the HSCB website regarding updates and documentation.
4. Child protection policy and procedures are not in place.

3)  Consistency and cross referencing of procedures

1. All of my key policies/procedures are aligned and cross refer to my child protection policy, e.g. anti-bullying, medical needs, first aid, physical intervention, managing behaviour (please refer to Managing Behaviour, EYFS 2017, (page 28 para 3.52), health and safety, complaints, Acceptable User Policy, SEN, outings and attendance. All policies are reviewed annually with assistants (if applicable) within the appropriate timescales for each policy. Children with medical needs have had their individual plan updated to ensure their safety and this includes those with asthma.
2. All of my policies and procedures have been identified and those due to be reviewed in line with current safeguarding policy and CP procedures have been drawn up in an action plan to ensure they are cross-referenced appropriately.
3. I have made a start at looking at other policies/procedures that need to reference to the safeguarding policy and CP procedures
4. Although CP procedures are in place, other policies and procedures (e.g. anti-bullying, positive handling and restraint, discipline, health and safety, complaints etc.) contradict or do not reference them
1. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (2016), I have carefully considered how I can sign post parents and carers to offers of Early Help including examples such as:- guidance on parenting, language development, dietary advice, money management, toileting , CSE screening tool (if applicable), listening to the voice of the child to identify FGM, promoting fundamental British values, multi-agency working (MARAC, MASH and Social Care), accident prevention, referral processes and training and considering permanency for the child. If I employ assistants or volunteers they are aware of these and know how to raise a concern and the Herefordshire graduated pathway. The offer of Early Help is written and referred to in a policy and for parents. I know about the Herefordshire Council webpages regarding Families First and Early Help early help approach.
2. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (2016) I have carefully considered how I can sign post parents and carers to offers of Early Help including examples such as:- guidance on parenting, language development, dietary advice, money management, toileting, CSE screening tool, listening to the voice of the child to identify FGM, promoting fundamental British values, multi-agency working (MARAC, MASH and Social Care), accident prevention, referral processes and training and considering permanency for the child. If I employ assistants not all are aware of these and know how to raise a concern. The offer of Early Help is not written and referred to in a policy and for parents.
3. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (2016) I am considering how I can find out about offers of Early Help to parents and carers, including examples such as:- guidance on parenting, language development, dietary advice, money management, toileting, CSE screening tool, listening to the voice of the child to identify FGM, staff supervision, promoting fundamental British values, multi-agency working (MARAC, MASH and Social Care), accident prevention, referral processes and training and considering permanency for the child. I am not aware of the graduated pathway.
4. What is Early Help?

4)  Offer of Early Help

5) Training

1. As the DSL I have received HSCB inter-agency CP training appropriate to my role in the last two years and (if applicable) all other assistants/childminders have received HSCB basic awareness training in the last three years.
2. I have had updated child protection training but it was not the inter-agency training in the last two years but other assistants (if applicable) have been offered training.
3. I have received inter-agency training in the past, but this has not been updated in the last two years. (if applicable) I employ assistants and they have not been offered training (NB this would be a potential negative judgment for Ofsted Inspection).
4. I have not attended any inter-agency child protection training (if applicable) and assistants have not received any training.

6) Safeguarding and the Early Years Foundation Stage (The Voice of the Child)

1. Through play based activities, children are encouraged to talk about feelings to deal assertively with pressures, are listened to, and know they can turn to me for help and advice if necessary. I have identified, listened to and made provision for my most vulnerable or those destined for disadvantage children. I can identify those who are more vulnerable (e.g. who have a parent in prison, drug using parents, domestic abuse in the home, Special Educational Needs, medical needs, are on a Child Protection Plan or have had Child Protection concerns raised about them, are Children in Care, or are children with a disability or children who may have been subject to FGM or vulnerable to CSE) I have sought their views on my setting life and can evidence that provision is in place to support them within my setting.
2. I provide some opportunities for children to consider risk situations and explore strategies for keeping safe. I have identified and made provision for my most vulnerable children. I can identify those who are more vulnerable or destined to disadvantage (e.g. who have a parent in prison, drug using parents, domestic abuse in the home, Special Educational Needs, medical needs, are on a Child Protection Plan or have child protection concerns raised about them, are Children in Care, or are children with a disability or children who may have been subject to FGM or vulnerable to CSE) and I can evidence that provision is in place to support them within my setting but I have not sought their views about my provision.
3. I am seeking training/advice about how to develop opportunities for safeguarding and child protection work. I can identify those who are more vulnerable (e.g. who have a parent in prison, drug using parents, domestic abuse in the home, Special Educational Needs, medical needs, are on a Child Protection Plan or have child protection concerns raised about them, are Children in Care, or are children with a disability or children who may have been subject to FGM or vulnerable to CSE) and I am currently looking at seeking their views and ensuring provision is in place to support them in my setting.
4. I generally do not view safeguarding and child protection as having a place in the activities in my setting. I would struggle to identify my most vulnerable children and any provision in place is not informed by the most vulnerable groups.

7) Safer Working Practice