Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements Checklist / Date Completed
Name and address of setting: / Telephone numbers:
Email address:
Name of present leader: / Number of employees
Opening times: / Charges per session:
Ofsted Outcomes
Ofsted registration number:
Is certificate displayed? / Yes/No
Date of last inspection:
Name of Ofsted Inspector:
Outcome of last inspection:
Registered on the *Early Years Register / *Childcare Register / *Voluntary Register? (*delete as appropriate)
Ofsted recommendations/actions from last inspection: / Improvements made since last inspection:
Staff Members
Name and role: / Qualifications:
Yes / No / Where can evidence be found? / Date reviewed / Any actions
Staff Members
Are 50% of staff other than the Leader qualified to Level 2 or above?
Is this the case during each session?
Is there a member of staff with a valid 12 hour Paediatric First Aid certificate on duty at all times?
Child Protection
3.4(must)
Do you have a clear Safeguarding or Child Protection Procedure that has been updated in line with the reformed Early Years Foundation Stage?
(must)
Is your procedure in line with the guidance from North Somerset Safeguarding Children’s Board?
Are Safeguarding Procedures regularly reviewed?
(must)
Does the procedure include what action should be taken if there is an allegation against a staff member?
(must)
Does the procedure cover the use of mobile phones and cameras, and tablets in the setting?
Do you have appropriate arrangements to oversee the safe use of Information technology for the children?
Including the use of the internet?
Can you evidence this?
3.5(must)
Do you have a designated practitioner for Safeguarding children?
Is there a designated safeguarding lead or appropriately trained deputy available during opening hours for staff to discuss concerns?
Can you evidence this?
Are they named within your procedures?
Are all staff aware?
(must)
Has the designated practitioner recently attended Safeguarding training (within two years)?
If you are a Committee run setting – is there a member of the Committee who oversees Safeguarding and Child Protection?
Has this Committee member also recently attended appropriate Child Protection training? (up to and including advanced inter-agency 2 day)
Child Protection: Basic Awareness– for all staff to attend
Inter Agency Child Protection: Introduction
(leaders and managers to attend)
Advanced Inter Agency Child Protection (2 days)
(leaders and managers to attend)
Inter Agency Specialist subjects e.g.
  • Signs of Safety

  • Substance Misuse

  • Domestic Abuse – 1 champion per setting

  • Safer Recruitment
(leaders and managers)
  • Child Protection Case Conference training

  • Inter Agency Child Protection for Managers

  • Inter Agency Child Protection Update

Is your Designated Safeguarding lead attending the Designated Person clusters?
3.6 (must)
Do you ensure that you, all staff, volunteers and committee understand safeguarding policy and procedures?
Do you ensure that you all have up to date knowledge of safeguarding issues through training?
Do all staff members receive child protection and Safeguarding updates as required but at least annually?
(this could be via email, e-bulletins and staff meetings)
3.7 (must)
Do you have regard to the Government's statutory guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015’?

Are all staff are aware of the definition of Safeguarding within ‘working together to safeguard children, which is
  • Protecting children from maltreatment
  • Preventing impairment of children’s health or development
  • Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
  • Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcome
Can you evidence this?
Are all staff aware of the document ‘Information sharing; Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers March 2015

Staff have the knowledge that Safeguarding is not just about protecting children, from deliberate harm, neglect and failure to act. It relates to broader aspects of care and development, including:
  • Children’s health and safety and well-being
  • the use of reasonable force
  • meeting the needs of children with medical conditions
  • providing first aid
  • educational visits
  • intimate care and emotional well-being
  • online safety and associated issues appropriate arrangements to ensure children’s security, taking into account the local context.
Can you evidence this?
Are all staff aware of the Ofsted document ‘Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings’ which was revised in August 2016?

Can you evidence this?
Are all staff aware of the document ‘Guidance for safer working practice for those working with children and young people in education settings October 2015’

(must)
Do you have up to date contact numbers of the local children's social care services and, in emergencies, the police? If providers have concerns about children's safety or welfare, they must notify agencies with statutory responsibilities without delay.
Can you evidence that safeguarding concerns are responded to in a timely fashion?
Can you evidence how you support multi agency plans around the child?
3.8 For Information:
Registered providers must inform Ofsted or their childminder agency of any allegations of serious harm or abuse by any person living, working, or looking after children at the premises (whether the allegations relate to harm or abuse committed on the premises or elsewhere). Registered providers must also notify Ofsted or their childminder agency of the action taken in respect of the 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.
(must)
Does your allegations procedure include that you must notify Ofsted within 14 days of any allegation taking place? (A registered provider who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with this requirement, commits an offence)
Are all staff given a copy of the allegations and whistle blowing procedure?
Are all staff aware of the role Designated Officer for Allegations (DOFA) formally known as Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and their role in allegations against staff and volunteers who work with children?
Do you have an up to date North Somerset Safeguarding Procedure for Early Years and Play Provider handbook?
Do you have a form to make a Child Protection referral on?
Do you have the current publication ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’ – Summary. Published by DFE (2015)?

Has this been highlighted to all staff?
All staff have had the DfE document ‘The Prevent duty Departmental advice for schools and childcare providers’ highlighted to them.

Has this been highlighted to all staff?
The designated safeguarding lead and deputy have attended the local authority ‘workshop to raise awareness of prevent’ or other recognised WRAP training?
Children’s absences are followed up, including appropriate checks when children stop attending the setting.
Can you evidence this?
How do children contribute to keeping themselves safe?
Are you aware of your mandatory reporting process for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)?
Further information can be found at

Suitable People
3.9/10(must)
Do you carry out suitability checks on:
  • all staff

  • bank staff

  • regular volunteers

  • any person who is likely to have regular contact with children (including those living or working on the premises)?

Do these checks include:
  • Identity checks
  • Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Checks (CRBs) or Enhanced Disclosure Baring Service Checks (DBS)
  • If staff members are signed up to the DBS update service, do you have sign in details?
  • Do you have a process for checking that staff keep up their subscription to the DBS update service?
This should include details of any Springboard workers that support children within your setting
  • Qualifications

  • Written references (minimum of 2)

  • Application form

  • Full employment history

  • Medical suitability

  • Interview records

3.11(must)
Do youensure that all staff, students and regular volunteers know that they are expected to disclose any convictions, cautions, court orders, reprimands and warnings which may affect their suitability to work with children (whether received before or during their employment at the setting)?
Can you evidence this (this could be within a 1:1 or supervision format)?
(must)
Do you ensure that people, whose suitability has not been checked, including through a criminal records check, don’t have unsupervised contact with children being cared for?
Can you evidence this?
3.12(must)
Do you record information about staff qualifications and the identity checks and vetting processes that have been completed?
Does this include
  • the criminal records disclosure reference number?

  • the date a disclosure was obtained?

  • and the details of who obtained it?

  • If the member of staff has signed in to the DBS update service do you have a system for evidencing how frequently you check it?

3.13 For Information:
Providers must also meet their responsibilities under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, which includes a duty to make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service where a member of staff is dismissed (or would have been, had the person not left the setting first) because they have harmed a child or put a child at risk of harm
Disqualification (all registered providers and employees in registered settings)
Information only:
3.14. A registered provider or a childcare worker may be disqualified from registration. In the event of the disqualification of a registered provider, the provider must not continue as an early years provider – nor be directly concerned in the management of such provision. Where a person is disqualified, the provider must not employ that person in connection with early years provision. Where an employer becomes aware of relevant information that may lead to disqualification of an employee, the provider must take appropriate action to ensure the safety of children.
3.15. A registered provider or a childcare worker may also be disqualified because they live in the same household as another person who is disqualified, or because they live in the same household where a disqualified person is employed.
Can you evidence how you ask staff about this?
Initially and ongoing?
3.16 For Information:
A provider must notify Ofsted or the agency with which the childminder is registered of any significant event which is likely to affect the suitability of any person who is in regular contact with children on the premises where childcare is provided. The disqualification of an employee could be an instance of a significant event. If a registered person or childcare worker is disqualified they may, in some circumstances, be able to obtain a ‘waiver’ from Ofsted.
3.17 For Information:
The provider must give Ofsted or the childminder agency with which they are registered, the following information about themselves or about any person who lives in the same household as the registered provider or who is employed in the household:
  • details of any order, determination, conviction, or other ground for disqualification from registration under regulations made under section 75 of the Childcare Act 2006;
  • the date of the order, determination or conviction, or the date when the other ground for disqualification arose;
  • the body or court which made the order, determination or conviction, and the sentence (if any) imposed; and
  • a certified copy of the relevant order (in relation to an order or conviction)

3.18 For Information:
The information must be provided to Ofsted or the childminder agency with which they are registered as soon as reasonably practicable, but at the latest within 14 days of the date the provider became aware of the information or ought reasonably to have become aware of it if they had made reasonable enquiries.
Staff taking medication/other substances
3.19(must)
Do you ensure that any practitioners at your setting are not under the influence of alcohol or any other substance which may affect their ability to care for children?
Can you evidence this?
Do you ensure that if practitioners are taking medication which may affect their ability to care for children, those practitioners should seek medical advice?
Can you record this initially and ongoing?
(Providers must ensure that those practitioners only work directly with children if medical advice confirms that the medication is unlikely to impair that staff member’s ability to look after children properly.)
(must)
Is all staff medication on the premises securely stored, and out of reach of children, at all times?
Staff qualifications, training, support and skills
3.20 For Information:
The daily experience of children in early years settings and the overall quality of provision depends on all practitioners having appropriate qualifications, training, skills and knowledge and a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.
(must)
Do you ensure that all staff receive induction training to help them understand their roles and responsibilities?
Does your induction include:
  • Information about emergency evacuation procedures

  • Safeguarding

  • Child protection

  • Equality policy

  • Health and safety issues

  • Confidentiality

  • Behaviour Management

(must) Do you provide support for staff to undertake appropriate training and professional development opportunities to ensure they offer quality learning and development experiences for children that continually improves?
Can you evidence this?
3.21/3.22 (must)
Are appropriate regular supervision sessions for staff in place?
Does supervision in your setting encourage teamwork and continuous improvement?
The confidential discussion of sensitive issues?
Do supervisions provide opportunities to:
  • Discuss any issues concerning children’s development or well-being?

  • Identify solutions to address issues as they arrive?

  • Receive coaching to improve personal effectiveness?(should)

Can you evidence this?
Is there an opportunity at supervision to look at medical suitability and any medication that may affect a member of staff’s ability to care for children?
Is there an opportunity to discuss any convictions, cautions, court orders, reprimands and warnings which may affect a staff member’s suitability to work with children?
Is there an opportunity to discuss whether the childcare practitioners live in the same household as another person who is disqualified?
For Information:
Training regarding Supervision is available through North Somerset Council Early Years Team
3.23In group settings, the manager must hold at least a full and relevant level 3 qualification and at least half of all other staff must hold at least a full and relevant level 2 qualification. The manager should have at least two years’ experience of working in an early years setting, or have at least two years other suitable experience. The provider must ensure there is a named deputy who, in their judgement, is capable and qualified to take charge in the manager’s absence.
Can you evidence this?
3.25(must)
In your setting, is at least one person who has a current paediatric first aid certificate on the premises at all times when children are present?
Is this the same for at least one of those staff who accompany children on outings?
For Information:
From 1st September 2016 all newly qualified early years staff (with full and relevant level 2 or level 3 childcare qualifications) will also be required to hold a current Paediatric First Aid (PFA) or emergency PFA in order to be included in an early years setting. Childcare providers will be allowed a three month ‘grace’ period to complete PFA training after starting work with a new employer.
For Information:
3.26 Providers must ensure that staff have sufficient understanding and use of English to ensure the well-being of children in their care. For example, settings must be in a position to keep records in English, to liaise with other agencies in English, to summon emergency help, and to understand instructions such as those for the safety of medicines or food hygiene.
Key person
3.27(must)
Is each child assigned a key person?
Their role is to help ensure that every child’s care is tailored to meet their individual needs (in accordance with paragraph 1.11), to help the child become familiar with the setting, offer a settled relationship for the child and build a relationship with their parents.
Do you ensure parents/carers are aware of their child’s key person?
Can you evidence this?
Do you have an effective key person system?
Can you evidence this?
Staff:child ratios
3.28(must)
Do your staffing arrangements meet the needs of all children and ensure their safety?
Do you ensure that children are adequately supervised and decide how to deploy staff to ensure children’s needs are met?
Do you inform parents and/or carers about staff deployment, and, when relevant and practical, aim to involve them in these decisions?
Do you ensure that children are always within sight and hearing of staff?
3.29
Are only those practitioners aged 17 or over included in ratios? (Students on long term placements and volunteers (aged 17 or over) and staff working as apprentices in early education (aged 16) may be included in the ratios if the provider is satisfied that they are competent and responsible.)
Staff under 17 should be supervised at all times.
Do you assess suitability of students?
Is this recorded?
Do students and volunteers have an induction?
Do students and volunteers receive formal supervision?
3.30
Do you meet or exceed the ratio and qualification requirements below?
(These apply to the total number of staff available to work directly with children. For group settings providing overnight care, the relevant ratios continue to apply and at least one member of staff must be awake at all times. Exceptionally, and where the quality of care and safety and security of children is maintained, exceptions to the ratios may be made.)
3.31 For children aged under two:
  • there must be at least one member of staff for every three children;
  • at least one member of staff must hold a full and relevant level 3 qualification, and must be suitably experienced in working with children under two;
  • at least half of all other staff must hold a full and relevant level 2 qualification;
  • at least half of all staff must have received training that specifically addresses the care of babies; and where there is an under two-year-olds’ room, the member of staff in charge of that room must, in the judgement of the provider, have suitable experience of working with under twos.