Guildhall Feoffment Pre-School and Nursery

GUILDHALL FEOFFMENT PRE-SCHOOL AND NURSERY

Safeguarding policy

Guildhall Feoffment Preschool and Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children in line with ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children March 2015, Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups 2006 and Keeping Children Safe in Education September 2016. We want to ensure ALL children are protected from abuse and harm by taking a proactive approach to safeguarding children in our daily practice and through training and awareness. We work in cooperation with parents, carers, local authorities and other agencies in relation to the EYFS.

Our Aims:

To provide caring and safe environments in which all children and young people can develop socially, emotionally, physically and educationally and in which all children, young people and staff feel safe, secure and valued.
To reflect the fact that additional barriers can exist when recognising abuse and neglect with children with SEND
To recognise that radicalisation and extremism are no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability in today’s society by following the Prevent Duty (see our Prevent Duty Policy)

Underpinning Values:

Where there is a safeguarding issue we will work in accordance with the principles set out in this policy and those outlined in the Suffolk Safeguarding Children Board procedures:

• A child’s welfare is paramount. Each child has a right to be protected from harm and exploitation and to have their welfare safeguarded

• Each child is unique. Action taken by our setting should always be in the best interest and should be child-centred, taking account of a child’s cultural, ethnic and religious background, their gender, their sexual orientation, their individual ability and any special needs

• Children, parents and other carers should be made aware of their responsibilities and their rights, together with advice about the power of professionals to intervene in their family circumstances

• Individual family members must be involved in decisions affecting them. They must be treated with courtesy and respect and with due regard given to working with them in a spirit of partnership in safeguarding children’s welfare. However, it may not be appropriate to advise parents/carers immediately about a referral depending on circumstances and the advice given by Children’s Social Care. The welfare of the child is paramount in such situations

• Each child has a right to be consulted about actions taken by others on his/her behalf in an age appropriate way. The concerns of children and their families should be listened to and due consideration given to their understanding, wishes and feelings. However, it may not always be possible to respect a child/carer’s request for confidentiality. If a child may be at risk of significant harm, there is a duty on the nursery to share information with the Suffolk Safeguarding Board.

• Personal information is usually confidential (see our Data Protection Policy). It should only be shared with the permission of the individual concerned (and/or those with parental responsibility) unless the disclosure of confidential personal information is necessary in order to protect a child or promote their welfare. In all circumstances, information must be confined to those people directly involved in the professional network of each individual child and on a strict “need to know” basis

Roles and Responsibilities:

All staff working at Guildhall Feoffment Preschool and Nursery have a statutory duty and shared responsibility to safeguard and protect the welfare of children and young people. There will always be a Designated Safeguarding Officer on site to aide this.

• Ensuring the setting operate and practice in line with the organisations safeguarding policies and procedures that comply with Suffolk’s Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

• Providing the necessary support and resources to ensure children are kept safe.

. Children are protected by online materials. (See our Social Media/Internet Policy.)

• Reporting on a monthly basis an overview of safeguarding concerns and issues, actions taken and any potential implications for future practice amongst staff and/or other agencies.

• Providing support and resources to the staff involved in managing safeguarding issues, as the organisation acknowledges how stressful safeguarding situations are e.g. providing additional staffing if required

• To review the organisation’s safeguarding policy annually.

If there is a concern or allegation against the manager, or indeed any staff members where action seems slow, must inform Sue Herriott (Head of Committee) and/or consult with LADO.

Recruitment & Volunteering

The designated persons (member of staff) for Safeguarding Children who coordinateschildprotection issues are: Tracy Bucher, Manager and Tracey Griggs Deputy Manager. We employ a robust recruitment and selection process to identify and deter people whomight abuse children or are otherwise unsuitable for employment.(see Safer Recruitment Policy)

Volunteers do not work unsupervised.

We abide by the Protection of Children Act requirements in that we will not employ anyone who is on the Barring List and will refer to DBS if we dismiss anyone who harmed a child or adult or who intended to harm them. We would also inform DBS if we were planning to dismiss them but they resigned first.

We provide adequate and appropriate staffing resources to meet the needs of children in line withthe EYFS Welfare Requirements.

Training & Awareness

We seek out training opportunities for all adults involved in the setting and staff are updated every 3 years on Safeguarding Training as well as in Supervisions, PDR’s, and staff meetings/informal training. This helps to ensure that they areable to recognise the signs and symptoms of possible physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse andneglect and so that they are aware of the local authority guidelines for making referrals. Stafftraining is run according to local authority guidelines.

Designated Safeguarding Officers also have additional training to keep their knowledge and skills refreshed.

We ensure that all staff know the procedures for reporting and recording their concerns in the preschooland have a sound knowledge of our Safeguarding children policy.

We also raise awareness of safeguarding issues in our setting and ensure that all staff andcommittee members have sound knowledge of our policy and procedures as part of our induction.

Creating a proactive environment

The EYFS and Every Child Matters influence our planning and curriculum, ensuring that we createa positive environment in our preschoolwhich encourages children to develop the skills needed tokeep them safe and promote their rights to be strong, resilient and listened to. No child is left unsupervised at any time during the day.

We work with parents to build their understanding of and commitment to the welfare of all ourchildren which may include the completion of a Multi-Agency Referral Form withfamilies (MARF), if needed.

Planning

The layout of the room allows for constant supervision.
The daily routine is given due consideration so that volunteers will not be left in a room withchildren unsupervised at any time.
During personal hygiene breaks/nappy changing the door into the toilet area is left openso that staff members can call for assistance while respecting the privacyof the child. Staff are to remain near the entrance door to remain visible.

Curriculum

We introduce key elements of safeguarding into our Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, so thatchildren can develop understanding of why and how to keep safe.
We create within the settinga 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 ourchildren.

Security

We have a visitor’s log book where we record the details of any visitors. This also includes taking any mobile electronic devices from any visitors and put in the office in a lockable filing cabinet while they are visiting us. (see Visitor Policy)
We take security steps by having a key pad system on the door and intercom to the entrance door to ensure that we have control overwho comes into the building so that no unauthorised person has unsupervised access tothe children. When we have free flow into the outside area, a staff member is always present to ensure this continues when the door is open.
At drop off and collection time the door is kept supervised by members of staff to ensure children are kept safe.
Our admission forms include details of who are the child’s legal guardians, who hasparental responsibility, who can be contacted in an emergency and if there is anyonespecifically who should not collect the child. We also employ a password system for eachchild so only those who have parental agreement and know the password may collect thechild.
We also have Lost Child and Non-CollectionPolicies and procedures, of which staff,volunteers and parents/carers are well aware.
If staff consider the child and/or parents/carers would benefit from further services and support an assessment of their needs can be conducted through the MARF procedure.
If a child comes to the setting with a visible injury we will ask the carer/parent how the child came to receive it and ask for them to sign our incident book after we record what was said. If we are not convinced of parent explanation, we would follow the safeguarding procedures.
If a child has an unexplained absence and they are on the ‘at risk’ register we will contact parents/carers in the first instance to ask why their child is absent. If there is any concern this would then be reported to the Social Services department. Further to this if a child does not attend the setting, we will follow up with a phone call and note reason in the register.

What to do if abuse is suspected

We acknowledge that abuse of children can take different forms physical,emotional, sexualand neglect.
When children are suffering from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, this may bedemonstrated through changes in their behaviour, or in their play. Where such changes inbehaviour occur, or where children's play gives cause for concern, the preschoolinvestigates through observations, monitoring and recording.
We may speak to the parent/carer in the first instance, depending on the situation. Alternatively we may contact the Head of Committee, Mrs Sue Herriott, for guidance.
Where a child shows signs and symptoms of 'failure to thrive' or neglect, we make appropriatereferrals.
If in doubt the manager will always seek advice from the Head of Committee and refer toour posters on staff room, office, teaching rooms and parent boards for guidance on MASH.

Disclosures

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 ask questions without giving the child ideas, eg, what happened, who did…
Reassures the child that they believe them
Gives reassurance that she or he will take action, using age appropriate language.

The member of staff takes all allegations seriously.

Recording suspicions of abuse and disclosures

As soon as possible after the event, staff must make a record of on the Record of Concern Form:

The child's name;
The child's address;
The age of the child;
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; and the names of any other person present at the time.

All disclosures are reported to the Manager. These records are signed and dated andkept in a separate confidential file.

All members of staff know the procedures for recording and reporting. The Manager reports all child protection referrals to the management committee, whoprovides support as well as ensuring procedures, are being carried out properly.

If it is believed that a child is, or may be at risk of, suffering significant harm, a referral to SocialServices will be made.

Informing Parents

Parents are normally the first point of contact. If a suspicion of abuse is recorded, parents areinformed at the same time as the report is made, except where the parent is the likely abuser. In these cases the investigating officers will inform parents.

Confidentiality

All suspicions and investigations are kept confidential and shared only with those who need toknow.

Support to families:

The settingtakes every step in its power to build up trusting and supportive relationsamong families, staff and volunteers in the group.
The settingcontinues to welcome the child and the family whilst investigations are beingmade in relation to abuse in the home situation.
Confidential records kept on a child are shared with the child's parents or those who haveparental responsibility for the child only if appropriate.
With the proviso that the care and safety of the child is paramount, we do all in our power tosupport and work with the child's family.

What happens when an allegation is made against a member of staff

It is important that allegations against staff are dealt with promptly and appropriately.Any allegations are dealt with by the designated person, manager and/or committee chair.The following procedures are strictly adhered to:-

Determine the nature of the allegation. Is the concern about the conduct or alleged abuse/neglect of a child?
If the concern is about conduct, we follow our complaints and disciplinary procedures.
If the concern is about abuse/neglect of a child the following procedure is acted upon.
The manager or designated Officer will inform the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) of the allegation within 24 hours.
The manager or Designated Officer will make a referral for the child to Customer First.
The manager or Designated Officer will inform Ofsted
The manager or Designated Officer will inform the Head of Chair
The manager or Designated Officer will ask the person about whom the allegation has been made to leave the premises immediately.
The manager/Designated Officer or staff will NOT, under any circumstances, conduct any interviews or investigations themselves.
The manager or Designated Officer will ensure that any concerns about conduct or safeguarding are recorded on the member of staff’s personal file.

Supporting those involved

Parents or carers of a child or children involved should be told about the allegation as soon aspossible if they do not already know about it, by the Preschool Manager or Head of Committee. They should be kept informed of the progress of the case, and told of outcomeswhere there is not a criminal prosecution.

The person who is subject of the allegation will be kept informed of the progress of the case, andarrange to provide support while the case is ongoing. If the person is suspended, the Chairpersonwill make arrangements to keep the individual informed about developments in the workplace.

Confidentiality

Every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality and guard against publicity while an allegationis being investigated.

Whistle-Blowing

Whistle-blowing is raising a concern about misconduct or malpractice within an organisation. Staff can call LADO if this is a concern.

Our setting is committed to delivering a high quality service which is accountable and maintains public confidence.

Our setting will not accept or condone any behaviour by staff or other adults associated with the setting that is contrary to the settings aims and objectives, policies and procedures.Whistle-blowing is underpinned by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, which encourages people to raise concerns about misconduct or malpractice in the workplace. It is designed to nurture a culture of transparency within the setting, which makes it safe and acceptable for staff, students and volunteers to raise, in good faith, a concern they may have about misconduct or malpractice.

Use of mobile phones/cameras

All staff must ensure that their mobile telephones and other electronic devices are left in the main office at all times unless it is during lunch breaks, when staff are not working.
All students and visitors must hand in their phones to the manager or deputy, and then stored in the office in a safe place until they leave.
When on outings the Manager will only use her phone in an emergency and no photographs will be taken.
Under no circumstances must cameras of any kind be taken into the bathrooms without prior consultation with management.

Photographs will only be taken on the setting camera and after use the camera, must be placed in the cupboard or in the filing cabinet in the office.
All cameras in the nursery including those on staff mobile telephones can be subject to scrutiny at any time by the manager.
Any staff member, volunteer or student found to be non compliant with this policy will face disciplinary action.
Photographs will be printed from the office computerto be included in a display within the setting. Permission will be asked for internet pictures. The pictures are then deleted. Photographs will not leave the setting except where parents are given photographs of their own children.

Parents/carers will be asked to read and sign our photo permission form when their child starts attending. If a parent/carer does not give permission for their child to be photographed, all staff will be informed so that all reasonable steps can be taken to ensure that the child is not in any pictures. Where photographs are to be used for marketing purposes parents will be asked to sign a specific consent form. Names of the children will never accompany the photographs unless prior permission form the parent has been obtained.

Staff, students and volunteersare therefore encouraged to report any instances of unsatisfactory practice that they may observe in the setting. They may do this at staff meetings, appraisals and at any time with the manager as an open door policy exists for all staff.