Last Updated 19.08.2016
Introduction
We at Hearts and Minds believe that all children should always enjoy a happy and safe life and we are therefore committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children who attend our setting. This policy, sets out guidelines and procedures to be followed by all who work within our setting. If any person has reason to believe that this policy and its procedures are not being completely followed, they must report it at the earliest opportunity to the nursery manager or company director.
Hearts and Minds have based this policy on the ‘Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006)’. This Act suggest that
“Practitioners have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children”
This policy lays out the procedures that will be followed within our setting, should we have any reason to believe that a child within our care is subject to any form of abuse including physical, sexual, emotional or neglect.
Statement of Intent
Hearts and Minds understands that the welfare of the children we care for is of paramount importance, we therefore aim to work alongside children, parents, carers and external agencies in order to build up close relationships and ensure that children are kept safe and free from any harm.
As a result of this Hearts and Minds will
· Provide a safe and secure environment for all children and families
· Always listen to children and their families
· Ensure that our environment allows children to develop a positive self image and self confidence
· Encourage children to develop a sense of independence suitable to their age and stage of development
Aims of the setting
It is Hearts and Minds responsibility to ensure a high standard of welfare and well being for all children in our care, as a result of this we aim to work as part of a multi agency team, with parents, carers, children and other agencies to ensure that we respond to and act as quickly as possible in response to any causes of concern.
Hearts and Minds aim to:
· Ensure that children are never at risk while under the care of practitioners within our setting
· Ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times
· Ensure that all practitioners are aware of the different ways in which children can be harmed including by radicalisation or by other children i.e. bullying and discriminatory behaviour
· Ensure that all practitioners are confident with the safeguarding procedures and that their training is regularly updated and reviewed
· Ensure parents and carers are fully aware of the safeguarding policies and procedures in the setting, and they are continually updated
Children who attend our setting will be supported in a range of ways by our highly qualified practitioners, this includes, offering reassurance, comfort and understanding in order to enable children to grow and develop.
Safeguarding Officers:
Hearts and Minds have two named practitioners who monitor any safeguarding and welfare issues. Our Safeguarding officers are Laura Day and Rebecca Preston. They have attended suitable training courses and cascade any updates back to other practitioners within the setting. It is also the officers responsibility to monitor any causes for concern and they will be the main point of contact should another practitioner have any concerns about a child or practitioner within our setting.
Types of Abuse and Procedures:
Practitioners at Hearts and Minds recognise that abuse can take different forms and that many of the signs and symptoms of abuse overlap into varying categories. All staff members have been trained on how to identify any signs and symptoms of abuse.
Physical Abuse
Hearts and Minds staff understand that they should take action if they have any reason to believe that there has been a physical injury to a child, which was inflicted on or knowingly not prevented, by any person. This may include, bruising or injuries in an area that is not usual for a child. All large or unusual injuries must be recorded on an ‘Existing Injury Form’. Practitioners must also be aware that small children may be physically abused by shaking or throwing, burning or scalding, any of these types of injuries should be recorded and reported to the safeguarding officers immediately.
Procedure:
· Any sign of large or unusual injuries such as bruises, burns or scratches on a child when they enter the setting will be recorded on an ‘Existing Injury Form’ immediately
· The incident will be discussed with the parent/carer at the earliest opportunity who will then sign the form and give further details as appropriate
· Any information given by the parents/carers will be recorded on the form
· Should any queries appear regarding the injury, the case will be reported to one of the designated officers who will then pass on this information, if appropriate, to ‘Children’s Social Care Services’ and further advice will be sought from them.
Practitioners are also aware of the signs to watch out for in relation to Female Genital Mutilation (FMG). Practitioners must report their concerns immediately if they believe that any person has been subject to or is at risk of being subjected to FGM, this must be done the same day and without delay.
Sexual Abuse
Hearts and Minds practitioners should report and record any instances of children indicating sexual activity through words, play or drawings. Children who have been/are being Sexually Abused may also have an excessive knowledge or interest of sexual activity or sexual matters. Other indicators of sexual abuse include, children becoming worried if their clothes are removed (for toileting routines, nappy changes and changing soiled clothing), rapid changes in behaviour, for example they may become withdrawn or overly outgoing. Some children may also show a change in behaviour towards a certain adult, this could include becoming withdrawn or excessively clingy whilst in their company.
Procedures:
· Practitioners should report any initial concerns to the safeguarding officers without delay
· Practitioners should record any observations of uncommon behaviour or conversations on a ‘Child Information Recording Form’, this information will then be passed onto one of the nursery’s designated Safeguarding officers
· Practitioners should reassure the child and listen without interrupting if the child wishes to disclose any information. Practitioners will never promise not to tell
· Where appropriate the Safeguarding Officers will then refer the case for further investigation to ‘Children’s Social Care Services’ who will give advice on any further actions to be taken
Emotional Abuse
Practitioners should record and report any changes to a child’s behaviour or emotional development which is believed to be caused by Emotional Abuse. Emotional Abuse can be caused by persistent or severe ill treatment or rejection, including being constantly shouted at, lack of attachments with parents or carers along with parents and carers placing unsuitable expectations upon a child. Emotional Abuse also includes children witnessing domestic abuse and alcohol or drug miss-use. Practitioners at Hearts and Minds should also be aware that there may be times when young children suffer emotional abuse at the hands of other children. Practitioners should therefore observe the children during play to ensure that no ‘peer on peer’ abuse occurs, or that appropriate strategies are put in place to eliminate should this occur. Further details about bullying can be found in our Behaviour procedures.
Procedures:
· Any concerns should be discussed with one of the Safeguarding Officers
· If it is deemed appropriate, these concerns may then be discussed with the child’s parent/carer
· All discussions will be recorded on a ‘Child Information Recording Form’
· Should any queries arise then ‘Children Social Care Services’ will be contacted and advice will be sought
· A ‘Common Assessment Framework’ (CAF) may also be completed
Neglect:
Hearts and Minds staff must have reason to believe that there has been persistent or severe neglect towards a child in their care in order to take action under this heading. This may result in a serious impairment of a child’s health or development including failure to thrive and flourish. Signs of this form of abuse may include children being unwashed or unkempt, wearing inappropriate clothing or shoes, arriving at the setting in the same nappy or underwear as the previous day or having a persistent illness which is not being addressed. Children may also be persistently hungry or thirsty.
Procedures:
· The initial concerns will be discussed with one of the nursery’s Safeguarding Officers
· If it is deemed appropriate, these concerns may then be discussed with the child’s parent/carer
· These discussions will be recorded on a ‘Child Information Recording Form’ and signed by all involved
· Should any queries arise then ‘Children Social Care Services’ will be contacted and advice will be sought
· A ‘Common Assessment Framework’ (CAF) may also be completed
Radicalisation and the Prevent Duty:
Practitioners at Hearts and Minds must also take into consideration their duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. As a result of this all practitioners must report any concerns they may have about a child or their family becoming subject to radicalisation. Any concerns will be reported to the Channel team who will provide further advice where necessary. Practitioners at Hearts and Minds promote British Values through following the guidance set out to us by Lancashire County Council and in The Prevent Duty 2015. Should practitioners feel that anyone is in immediate danger they should contact the police straight away.
As the internet has become increasingly popular practitioners should also be aware that abuse can take place through the internet. Children should therefore be closely monitored when using ICT equipment within the setting and their comments and disclosures about their use of resources at home should also be recorded.
Recording Abuse:
Any concerns, observations or disclosures in relation to abuse must be recorded on either a Child Information Recording Form or a Cause for Concern Form. The information which must be recorded includes:
· Childs name
· Child’s full address
· Childs age and date of birth
· The date and time of the observation or disclosures
· Exact words spoken or actions of the child
· Exact position of the injury and description of the marks
· Exact observation and any witnesses
· Who the concern was reported to, with the date, time and the names of any persons present at the time
· Any discussion held with the parents and carers
All records should be signed by the practitioner reporting it and the designated officer; they should then be dated and stored in a confidential file. All records will be recorded in black ink.
Disclosure of Information:
Should a child disclose information about possible abuse practitioners must ensure that they follow the steps for reporting and recording the incident. It is important for all practitioners to be aware that a disclosure can be obtained through both spoken words and observational records.
· Practitioners should always listen to the child and give reassurance to them
· Practitioners must make the child feel as comfortable as possible and inform them that they are going to try and help them resolve the situation
· Practitioners must never question the child or put words in their mouth
· Practitioners will always document all conversations and/or observations including the date and time, the exact words and actions used, the name of who the observation was reported to, along with the date and time and also any other practitioners present
· All records are signed and dated and kept in the child’s personal file, which is stored in a secure filing cabinet located in the office
· Should the disclosure not be shared with the child’s parents and/or carers these records will be stored in a separate folder within a secure filing cabinet
· Practitioners should always report any incidents to the Safeguarding Officers as soon as possible.
Practitioner must never promise any child that they “will not tell” during disclosure
Vulnerable Groups:
At Hearts and Minds we recognise that some groups of children particularly those who are under one year of age and children who have a disability or additional need can be particularly vulnerable to abuse. As a result of this all practitioners are highly trained in spotting the signs and symptoms of abuse and recognise that this can be disclosed to us in a range of ways. All practitioners at Hearts and Minds are aware of the need to report all concerns no matter how small in an appropriate manner.
Contact Numbers:
If any person feels that they need to contact external services in relation to the safeguarding of a child they should use the following contact numbers:
Ofsted Early Years: Tel: 0300 123 1231
Children’s Services Referrals: Tel: 03001236720
Children’s Services Referrals (Out of Hours): Tel: 03001236722
Early Years Safeguarding Officer, (Catherine Isherwood): 07909001430
Local Area Designated Officer (LADO, Tim Booth): 01772 536694
Anti Terrorism Hotline: 0800789321
Channel Coordinator for Lancashire (DS1436 Maxine): 01772413029/ 07943050822
Police: 999/01772 203203
Informing parents:
When practitioners have a ‘cause for concern’ about a child in our care, their parents or carers are usually our first point of contact, unless the guidance from Children’s Social Care does not allow this. This is only likely to be the case if the parent, carer or family member is the suspected abuser or if the child is seen to be in immediate danger. Should this be the case the Children’s Social Care Investigating officers will notify the parents or carers.
Practitioners will, where suitable, inform parents when records are made and any discussion with parents/carers will be recorded.
All concerns and investigations will remain confidential and shared on a need to know basis.
Staffing
Staffing procedures at Hearts and Minds are robust in order to ensure that all people who come into contact with the children in our setting are suitable to do so. For further information, refer to our ‘Staff Recruitment Policy’. All practitioners at Hearts and Minds must undertake an enhanced DBS check to ensure they are safe and suitable to care for children. Should a DBS check present an area of concern, practitioners have the right to challenge any information they believe to be incorrect. Hearts and Minds keep information relating to each practitioners DBS clearance, this includes the clearance number, the date it was obtained and the details of who obtained it. Practitioners receive basic safeguarding training during their induction period, which includes procedures for identifying, recording and reporting suspected abuse. All practitioners then attend Level 1 training in the area of Child protection within their first six months of employment at Hearts and Minds, this is then reviewed every three years. The safeguarding officers attend regular and higher level training and any updated information is then cascaded to practitioners.