Document Name
Safeguarding Policy and Child Protection Procedures / Document Number
1
Version No. / 3 / Date Review / November 2015 / Reviewer / Alison Vickers
Reason / Updated to reflect changes in EYFS 2014 / Approved by / Committee, Staff Team
Print Name / Signature / Print Name / Signature / Print Name / Signature

Contents

Introduction

Revisions to the document in March 2014 and August 2014

Part 1:

Quick reference guide

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) safeguarding and welfare requirements that relate specifically to child protection / Page9
The role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in the Early Years or Out of School setting / Page11
Who to contact within our setting about safeguarding concerns / Page12
Who to contact in other agencies about safeguarding concerns / Page13

Part 2:

Safeguarding Policy statement

Introduction to our setting’s safeguarding children policy statement / Page14
Purpose of the document / Page 15
Safeguarding children and young people not in our care / Page 15
Safeguarding adults / Page 16
The definition of safeguarding children / Page 16
How our setting will put this policy into practice / Page 16
Policies relating to our safeguarding roles and responsibilities as defined by the EYFS safeguarding and welfare requirements (2014) / Page 18
Policy and procedure in relation to the use of cameras and mobile phones within the setting / Page 18
Recognising inappropriate behaviour displayed by members of staff or any other person working with children / Page 18
Policies relating to our other safeguarding roles and responsibilities as defined by the EYFS Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements (2014) / Page 20
Policies relating to our safeguarding responsibilities under Section 11 Children Act (2004) / Page 21
Help with policies and procedures linked to safeguarding for Early Years childcare and out of school settings / Page 22

Part 3:

Procedures for responding to specific child protection concerns about children at risk of significant harm

Section 1
Scope of the Procedure / Page23
Section 2
Action to take if you observe abuse whilst it is taking place / Page25
Section 3
Action to take if you observe injuries or behaviour in a child
that could indicate that he/she has suffered abuse, or is likely to suffer
significant harm / Page27
Section 4
Action to take if you receive an allegation or disclosure of
possible significant harm to a child / Page29
Section 5
Identification of level of concern and next steps.
Action to be taken by the Designated safeguarding Lead (DSL) / Page32
Child at risk of Significant Harm / Page 33

Should I talk to parents before making a referral to children’s

social care services?

/ Page 35
Child in Need of Services but not at Risk of Significant Harm / Page 36
Section 6
Follow up after making a referral to children’s social care services / Page37

Part 4:

Dealing with an allegation about a member of staff, volunteer,

student or carer working with children or young people

Roles and responsibilities of Partner agencies of Sheffield Safeguarding
Children Board / Page38
Identifying a designated senior manager in your setting with responsibility
in respect of allegations against staff, volunteers or students / Page 38
Recognising and responding to an allegation about a member of staff,
volunteer, student or carer who works with children / Page 39
Initial action by the named senior manager / Page 40
Contacting the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) / Page 41
Contacting children’s social care services via the Prevention and
Assessment Teams / Page 42
Contacting Ofsted / Page 42
Roles and responsibilities of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) / Page 43
Disciplinary process or assessment regarding suitability / Page 44
Action in respect of unsubstantiated and false allegations / Page 45
Referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service / Page 45
Links to our whistleblowing procedures / Page 46

Part 5:

Safeguarding Adults

Policy and Procedures / Page47

Part 6:

Useful contacts

Local organisations / Page50
National regulatory organisations / Page 52
Guidance to help registered Early Years Childcare and Out of School
settings to update their own policies, procedures and recording sheets / Page 52
Other Sheffield policy and practice guidance / Page54
Safeguarding and child protection training in Sheffield / Page 55
National policy and practice guidance / Page 55

Revisions to the document in September 2014

Changes to national and local guidance

This document has been significantly revised to reflect:

  • The latest version of the web based Sheffield Safeguarding Children BoardChild Protection and Safeguarding Procedures (June 2014)
  • The revised Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2014) which is mandatory for all registered early years providers
  • The latest version of the web-based South Yorkshire Safeguarding Adults Board Procedures(June 2014)

Changes to national and local services

This document has been updated to reflect:

  • The merging of the Criminal Records Bureau and Independent Safeguarding Authority to form the Disclosure and Barring Service in December 2012
  • The setting up of Prevention and Intervention Teams as a ‘single front door’ to early help and children’s social care services in Sheffield
  • The introduction of the Family Common Assessment Framework (FCAF) in Sheffield

New resources to support Safeguarding children in Sheffield

This document has been updated to include the following resources and guidance:

  • Sheffield Early Years Safeguarding Audit Tool Third Edition (2014)Sheffield Early Years model e-safeguarding policy (2012)
  • Sheffield Early Years Safeguarding Advisors:Organisational expectations of suitable behaviour: Guidance for safer working practices for adults who work with children in registered Early Years settings (2012)
  • Model Safeguarding Supervision Toolkit for registered Early Years Childcare and Out of School Settings in Sheffield (2013)
  • Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board Thresholds of Need Guidance (2012)

Designated Safeguarding Lead

We have introduced the title of:

  • Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to describe the person with the lead safeguarding role in the setting, as this more accurately reflects what is involved in the role than Child Protection Officer (CPO) and is in line with current national guidance
  • DesignatedSafeguarding Deputy (DSD) to replace deputy child protection officer

Local polices and procedures referred to this document are available online, on the Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board website

Amendments

Below is a table of the sections that have been added or significantly revised in this version of the document.

Part 1:

Quick reference guide

EYFS safeguarding and welfare requirements (2014) / Updated to reflect EYFS 2014 changes
The role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) / Amended and updated to make reference toDesignated Safeguarding Lead (DSL),FCAF, Sheffield Thresholds of Need Guidance (2012) and Prevention and Assessment Teams
Who to contact in other agencies about safeguarding concerns / Slightlyamended and updated

Part 2:

Safeguarding Policy statement

Policies relating to your safeguarding responsibilities under Section 11 Children Act (2004) / Significantly amended and updated to reflect EYFS 2014 changes

Part 3:

Procedures for responding to specific child protection concerns about children at risk of significant harm

Section 3
Immediate action to take if you
observe injuries or behaviourin a
child that could indicate that he/she
has suffered abuse, or is likely to
suffer significant harm / Amended and updated to reflect changes to SSCB Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures (June 2014)
Section 5
Identification of level of concern and next steps / Amended and updated to reflect changes to SSCB Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures (June 2014)
Section 6
Follow up after making referral
to children’s social care
services / Amended and updated to reflect changes to SSCB Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures (June 2014)

Part 4:

Dealing with allegations against members of staff, volunteers or students who work with children or young people

Dealing with an allegation about a
member of staff, volunteer, student or
carer working with children or
young people / Significantly amended and updated to reflect changes to the SSCB Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures (June 2014)

Part 5:

Safeguarding Adults

Safeguarding Adults policy and procedure / Significantly amended and updated to reflect changes to the South Yorkshire Safeguarding Adults Board Procedures Manual (June 2014)

Part 6: Useful contacts

Local organisations / Amended and updated
Guidance to help Early Years
settings to update their policies
etc. / Amended and updatedto reflect EYFS 2014 changes
Local policy and practice
guidance / Amended and updatedto reflect EYFS 2014 changes
Safeguarding and child
Protectiontraining / Amended and updated to reflect EYFS 2014 changes
National policy and practice
guidance / Amended and updated to reflect EYFS 2014 changes

Part 1 Quick reference guide

Early Years Foundation Stage Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements

The Early Years Foundation Stage Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements (2014) state that the provider must take all necessary steps to keep children safe and well,in particular;

3.4 Providers must have and implement a policy, and procedures, to safeguard children. These should be in line with the guidance and procedures of the relevant Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB).
The safeguarding policy and procedures must include an explanation of the action to be taken in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff, and cover the use of mobile phones and cameras in the setting / See Parts 2, 3 and 4 of this document
3.5 A practitioner must be designated to take lead responsibility for safeguarding children in every setting. The lead practitioner is responsible for liaison with local statutory children’s services and with the LSCB. They must provide support, advice and guidance to any other staff on an ongoing basis, and on any specific safeguarding issue as required. / See Part 1 of this document for details of the role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead
3.5The lead practitioner must attend a child protection training course (taking account of any advice from the LSCB or local authority on appropriate training courses) that enables them to identify, understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible abuse and neglect / See Part 6 of this document for details of how to obtain the
Sheffield Early Years Safeguarding and Child Protection Training Pathway
3.6 Providers must train all staff to understand their safeguarding policy and procedures, and ensure that staff have up to date knowledge of safeguarding issues / See Part 6 of this document for details of the
  • Sheffield Early Years Safeguarding and Child Protection Training Pathway
  • the Early Years section of the Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board website
  • The Sheffield Safeguarding Board web based Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures

3.6 Training made available by the provider must enable staff to identify signs of possible abuse and neglect at the earliest opportunity, and to respond in a timely and appropriate way. These may include:
  • significant changes in children's behaviour
  • deterioration in children’s general well-being
  • unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect
  • children’s comments which give cause for concern
  • any reason to suspect neglect outside the setting, for example in the child’s home
  • inappropriate behaviour displayed by other members of staff, or any other person working with the children e.g. inappropriate sexual comments: excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities; or inappropriate sharing of images
/ See Parts 3,4 and 5 of this document

3.7 Providers must have regard to the Government’s statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children (2015)

/ See Part 6 of this document for details of how to view this document
3.7 If providers have concerns about children’s safety or welfare, they must notify agencies with statutory responsibilities without delay. This means the local children’s social care services and, in emergencies, the police. / See Part 6of this document for details of how to contact local agencies
3.8 Registered providers must inform Ofsted of any allegations of serious harm or abuseby any person living, working, or looking after childrenat the premises (whether that allegation relates to harm or abuse committed on the premises or elsewhere).Registered providers must also notify Ofsted of the action taken in respect of these allegations. These notifications must be made as soon as is reasonably practicable, but at the latest within 14 days of the allegations being made. A registered provider who without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with this requirement commits an offence / See Part 4 of this document
3.21. Providers must put appropriate arrangements in place for
the supervision of staff who have contact with children and
families. Effective supervision provides support, coaching and
training for the practitioner and promotes the interests of
children. Supervision should foster a culture of mutual
support, teamwork and continuous improvement, which
encourages the confidential discussion of sensitive issues.
3.22. Supervision should provide opportunities for staff to:
• discuss any issues – particularly concerning children’s
development or well-being
• identify solutions to address issues as they arise; and
• receive coaching to improve their personal effectiveness / See Part 6 of this document for details of the Sheffield Early Years Model Safeguarding Supervision Toolkit (2013)

The role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead

To enable the setting to meetthe safeguarding responsibilities set out in this document, the Designated Safeguarding Lead will;

Supervision, Support and Training

  • Provide support, supervision and advice for any staff member, volunteer or student with a safeguarding or child protection concern
  • Ensure own safeguarding training is up to date by completing the Sheffield Early Years Safeguarding and Child Protection Training Pathway

(See Part 6 of this document for details)

  • Provide safeguarding induction for new staff, students and volunteers
  • Ensure that the whole staff group is appropriately trained and that a register is kept of staff who have completed Induction, Introductory and Advanced safeguarding and child protection training

Integrated Practice

  • Co-ordinate the early identification of vulnerable children and families and the involvement of mothers, fathersand carers
  • Co-ordinate the development of integrated practice for vulnerable children and families including using the Family Common Assessment Framework (FCAF), and the Sheffield Thresholds of Need Guidance (2012)
  • Liaise with, and make referrals to, appropriate agencies about children where there are safeguarding or child protection concerns, including as appropriate Prevention and Assessment Teams, Multi-Agency Support Teams (MAST), Children and FamiliesSocial Care Teams, South Yorkshire Police and the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
  • Co-ordinate and support the setting when working with a child who has a Child in Need or a Child Protection Plan

To ensure thatthesetting is meeting its legal and statutory requirements, in liaison with the registered person we will

  • Regularly update the Registered Person of changes to legal and statutory requirements in relation to safeguarding
  • Undertake an annual review and update of safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures
  • Ensure that policies and procedures relating to safeguarding are fully implemented by the setting and followed by staff, students and volunteers
  • Liaise with OFSTED about safeguarding concerns
  • Set up and managing clear, accurate and secure record keeping systems

Who to contact within our setting about safeguarding concerns
The Designated Safeguarding Lead(DSL)in this setting is:
Name: Alison Vickers
Job title: Manager
Contact telephone number: 07946752386, E.Mail-
The Designated Safeguarding Deputy/ Deputies(DSD)in this setting is:
Name: Jane Preston, Hannah Marsh, Helen Hodgkinson
Job title Deputy Manager, Head of Under 2’s Room, Early Years Practitioner
Contact telephone number:07933 420058, 07976 982453, ,07580 566164
To discuss safeguarding concerns about the behaviour ofany member of staff, student or a volunteer in this setting, contact theManager, nominated in our safeguarding procedure for dealing with allegations against staffwho is:
Name: Alison Vickers
Job title: Manager
Contact telephone number: 07946752386, E.Mail-
To discuss safeguarding concerns about the behaviour ofthe Manager in this setting, contact:
Name: Helen Dobson
Job title: Committee Member responsible for Safeguarding
Contact telephone number 07931591405, E. Mail: or
To discuss safeguarding concerns about the behaviour ofthe Registered Person, or Chair of management committee in this setting, contact:
Name: Helen Dobson
Job title: Committee Member responsible for Safeguarding
Contact telephone number 07931591405, E. Mail: or

To discuss concerns about possible wrongdoing in this setting, contact the named Senior Officer,nominated in our whistleblowing policy, who is:

Name: Alison Vickers, Job title: Manager

Contact telephone number: 07946752386, E.Mail-

OR

Name: Helen Dobson, Job title: Committee Member responsible for Safeguarding

Contact telephone number 07931591405, E. Mail: or

OR

In the case of issues regarding accounting or auditing

Kim Stillwell, Job Title: Treasurer of the committee, 07920014046,

Who to contact in other organisations about safeguarding concerns

Concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing

If you have safeguarding concerns about a child or young person,or are concerned about their welfare, you should make a telephone referral to the Prevention and Assessment Team for the area where the child lives.
Prevention and
Assessment Team / Areas covered
(by electoral ward) / Contact numbers
North PAT
Sorby House
42 Spital Hill
S4 7LG / Burngreave, East Ecclesfield, Firth Park, Shiregreen & Brightside, Southey, Stannington, Stocksbridge & Upper Don,
West Ecclesfield / Tel: 0114 2331189 MAST
Fax: 0114 2331042 MAST
Tel: 0114 2039591 Social Care
Fax: 0114 2039633 Social Care
(for new referrals)
East PAT
1st floor Shortbrook Primary Site
Westfield Northway
S20 8FB / Arbourthorne, Beighton, Birley, Darnall, Manor Castle, Mosborough, Richmond, Woodhouse / Tel: 0114 2053635 MAST
Fax: 0114 2053639MAST
Tel: 0114 2037463 Social Care
Fax: 0114 2037510 Social Care
West PAT
Old Sharrow Junior School
Southview Road
S7 1DB / Beauchief & Greenhill, Broomhill, Central, Crookes, Dore & Totley, Ecclesall, Fulwood, Gleadless Valley, Graves Park, Hillsborough, Nether Edge, Walkley / Tel: 0114 2506865MAST
Fax: 0114 2506713MAST
Tel: 0114 2734491 Social Care
Fax: 0114 2736370 Social Care
(for new referrals)
Out of Hours Social Work Team 0114 273 485517.15– 08.45 Mon –Thurs; 16.45 on Fri –08.45 on Mon
Allegations of abuse by staff, students, volunteers or carers who work with children
If you are concerned that someone working with children may have harmed a child, you should also inform the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)within one working day via Sheffield Safeguarding Children Advisory Service (Mon – Fri, 9 -5) on 0114 205 3535

Referrals from a member of the public