Laleham Church Playgroup will follow Surrey Safeguarding Children’s Partnerships procedure for allegations against adults who work with Children.
This procedure should be used in all cases which may meet the harms threshold in which it is alleged a member of staff, including agency staff, volunteer, or another adult who works with children has:
• behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child;
• possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child; or
• behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates he or she may pose a risk of harm to children
• behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children.
The last bullet point above includes behaviour that may have happened outside of setting, that might make an individual unsuitable to work with children, this is known as transferable risk.
Allegations against a member of staff who is no longer at the setting should be referred to the Police. Historical allegations of abuse should also be referred to the Police.
Where settings raise concerns about a child having been harmed, that there may be an immediate risk of harm to a child or if the situation is an emergency, they should contact children’s social care and as appropriate the Police immediately. In dealing with allegations or concerns against an adult, staff must:
• Report any concerns about the conduct of any member of staff, volunteer or other adult to Louise Hawthorn Manager/ Susie Morris DSL or Natalie Apthorp DDSL immediately.
• If an allegation is made against the Manager/Proprietor, the concerns need to be raised with Jo Smith – 07976 967281(Oftsed Named person & Church PCC Member) as soon as possible. If not available, then the LADO should be contacted directly.
• Once an allegation has been received by the Manager (Louise Hawthorn), Susie Morris DSL/Natalie Apthorp DDSL they will contact the LADO (as part of their mandatory duty) on 0300123 1650 option 3 LADO or Email: LADO@surreycc.gov.uk immediately and before taking any action or investigation.
• Following consultation with the LADO, inform the parents of the allegation unless there is a good reason not to.
In liaison with the LADO, the setting will determine how to proceed and if necessary, the LADO will refer the matter to Children’s Social Care and/or the Police.
Laleham Church Playgroup have a duty to inform Ofsted of any allegations of serious harm or abuse by any person, working, or looking after children at the premises (whether the allegations relate to harm or abuse committed on the premises or elsewhere). We must also notify Ofsted of the action taken in respect of the allegations. Notifications will be made as soon as is reasonably practicable, but at the latest within 14 days of the allegations being made. We understand that if we fail to comply with this requirement, we will commit an offence.
If the matter is investigated internally, the LADO will advise the setting of who is able to provide support within the local authority, in line with the SSCP procedures.
At Laleham Church Playgroup we have a policy and process in place to deal with low level concerns (including allegations) which do not meet the allegation/harm threshold set out above.
Concerns may arise in several ways and from several sources. For example:
suspicion; complaint; or disclosure made by a child, parent or other adult within or outside of the organisation; or as a result of vetting checks undertaken.
(See also our Whistleblowing Policy)
We recognise that children cannot be expected to raise concerns in an environment where staff fail to do so.
All staff should be aware of their duty to raise concerns, where they exist, about the management of Safeguarding and Child Protection, which may include the attitude or actions of colleagues, poor or unsafe practice and potential failures in setting’s safeguarding arrangements.
Staff are encouraged to use an external, independent and confidential service provided by Navex Global, who can be contacted on their freephone helpline number 0800 069 8180 and through the Navex Global web pages.
The NSPCC whistleblowing helpline is also available for staff who do not feel able to raise concerns regarding Child Protection failures internally or have concerns about a way a concern is being handled by their setting. Staff can call: 0800 028 0285 – line is available from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Friday and Email: help@nspcc.org.uk.
At Laleham Church Playgroup staff are aware that children can abuse other children and that it can happen both inside and outside of Laleham Church Playgroup. Peer on peer/child on child abuse is not tolerated within Laleham Church Playgroup and our staff are able to recognise the signs and indicators and respond appropriately.
At Laleham Church Playgroup we recognise that peer on peer/child on child abuse is most likely to include, but may not be limited to:
• Bullying (including cyberbullying, prejudice-based and discriminatory bullying)
• Physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, shaking, biting, hair pulling, or otherwise causing physical harm (this may include an online element which facilitates, threatens and/or encourages physical abuse)
• Sexual violence, such as rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault; (this may include an online element which facilitates, threatens and/or encourages sexual violence)
• Sexual harassment, such as sexual comments, remarks, jokes and online sexual harassment, which may be standalone or part of a broader pattern of abuse
• Causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent, such as forcing someone to strip, touch themselves sexually, or to engage in sexual activity with a third party.
• Consensual and non-consensual sharing of nudes and semi-nudes images and or videos (also known as sexting or youth produced sexual imagery)
• Upskirting, which typically involves taking a picture under a person’s clothing without their permission, with the intention of viewing their genitals or buttocks to obtain sexual gratification, or cause the victim humiliation, distress or alarm; and
• Initiation/hazing type violence and rituals (this could include activities involving harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group and may also include an online element)
Laleham Church Playgroup recognises that it is vital that professionals agree on how behaviours should be categorised regardless of culture, faith, beliefs, and their own experiences or values. Additionally, staff recognise that that some peer on peer/child on child abuse issues may be affected by sexual identity, age, ability and culture of those involved, however, all peer on peer/child on child abuse is unacceptable and all reports will be taken seriously.
In order to minimise the risk of peer on peer/child on child abuse, Laleham Church Playgroup will: ‘foster an environment in which we care for each other and treat each other with respect’.
All allegations of peer on peer/child on child abuse will be recorded, investigated, and dealt with in line with associated setting policies, including Child Protection, antibullying and behaviour.
Alleged victims, perpetrators and any other child affected by peer on peer/child on child abuse may be supported by their key worker in the first instance and the DSL and DDSL
Sexual violence and sexual harassment can occur between children of any age and sex. It can occur through a single child or a group of children sexually assaulting or sexually harassing a single child or group of children.
Children who are victims of sexual violence and sexual harassment will find the experience stressful and distressing. This will, in all likelihood, adversely affect their education attainment as well as their emotional well-being. Sexual violence and sexual harassment exist on a continuum and may overlap; they can occur online and offline (both physically and verbally) and are never acceptable. It is important that all victims are taken seriously and offered appropriate support.
Reports of sexual violence and sexual harassment are extremely complex to manage. It is essential that victims are protected, offered appropriate support, and every effort is made to ensure their education is not disrupted. It is also important that other children, adults, and staff are supported and protected as appropriate.
We recognise that children are capable of abusing other children and their peers and this will be dealt with under our Child Protection policy and in line with KCSiE (2021) and following recommendations from the Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment between Children in Schools and Colleges guidance (DfE 2021).
We are clear that sexual violence and sexual harassment is not acceptable, will never be tolerated, and is not an inevitable part of growing up.
We will minimise the risk of peer on peer/child on child abuse by taking a whole setting approach to Safeguarding and Child Protection and provide staff with appropriate training. We will provide a clear set of values and standards underpinned by the setting’s behaviour policy and pastoral support. We will engage with specialist support and interventions.
Children making any report of sexual violence or sexual harassment including “upskirting” (The Voyeurism Offences Act 2019) will be taken seriously, kept safe and be well supported.
If the report includes an online element staff will be mindful of the Searching, Screening and Confiscation: advice for schools 2018 guidance.
If a member of staff becomes aware of an incident, they will follow the Child Protection procedures and refer to the DSL immediately.
If a child is at risk of harm, is in immediate danger, or has been harmed, a Request for Support will be made to the C-SPA.
Following a report, the DSL will make an immediate risk and needs assessment on a case-by-case basis.
The risk assessment will consider;
• The victim, especially their protection and support.
• The alleged perpetrator, their support needs, and any discipline action.
• All other children at the setting.
• The victim and the alleged perpetrator sharing space at the setting
• The risk assessment will be recorded and kept under review.
Where there has been other professional intervention and/or other specialist risk assessments, these professional assessments will be used to inform the setting’s approach to supporting and protecting children.
Support regarding risk assessments can be accessed from the Education
Safeguarding Team – education.safeguarding@surreycc.gov.uk
• The wishes of the victim.
• The nature of the incident including whether a crime has been committed and the harm caused.
• Ages of the children involved.
• Developmental stages of the children.
• Any power imbalance between the children.
• Any previous incidents.
• Ongoing risks.
• Other related issues or wider context.
Options:
• Manage internally
• Early Help intervention
• Request for support to the C-SPA
• Report to the Police (generally in parallel with a request for support to the CSPA)
Ongoing Response:
The DSL will manage each case individually and will ensure the risk assessment is reviewed regularly with relevant partner agencies, for example the Police and Children’s Social Care.
Where there is a criminal investigation into a rape, assault by penetration or sexual assault, the alleged perpetrator should be removed from any space they share with the victim.
The DSL will consider how best to keep the victim and perpetrator a reasonable distance apart on the setting’s premises.
Where a criminal investigation into a rape or assault by penetration leads to a conviction or caution, the setting will take suitable action. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances, the rape or assault is likely to constitute a serious breach of discipline and may lead to the view that allowing the perpetrator to remain
in the same setting would seriously harm the education or welfare of the victim (and potentially themselves and other children).
Where a criminal investigation into sexual assault leads to a conviction or caution, the setting will, if it has not already, consider any suitable sanctions in light of their behaviour policy, which may include consideration of permanent exclusion. Where the perpetrator is going to remain at the setting, the Manager and all staff should continue keeping the victim and perpetrator in separate areas and continue to consider the most appropriate way to manage potential contact on the premises. The nature of the conviction or caution and wishes of the victim will be especially important in determining how to proceed in such cases.
The victim, alleged perpetrator and any other children & adults affected will receive appropriate support and safeguards on a case-by-case basis.
The setting will take any disciplinary action against the alleged perpetrator in accordance with the behaviour policy.
The setting recognises that taking disciplinary action and providing appropriate support are not mutually exclusive actions and will occur at the same time if necessary.
While a clear focus of peer on peer/child on child abuse is around sexual abuse and harassment, physical assaults and initiation violence and rituals from children to children can also be abusive.
These are equally not tolerated and if it is believed that a crime has been committed, will be reported to the Police.
The principles from the anti-bullying policy will be applied in these cases, with recognition that any Police investigation will need to take priority. Staff are aware that mental health problems can, in some cases, be an indicator that a child has suffered or is at risk of suffering abuse, neglect or exploitation.
At Laleham Church Playgroup staff are aware that mental health problems can, in some cases be an indicator that a child has suffered or is at risk of suffering abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Staff are aware of how children’s experiences, can impact on their mental health, behaviour, and education.
Please see our Mental Health Policy for Children and Adults (employees)
At Laleham Church Playgroup we acknowledge that children with additional needs or disabilities can face additional safeguarding challenges. These can include:
• Assumptions that indicators of possible abuse such as behaviour, mood, and injury relate to the child’s condition without further exploration
• These children being more prone to peer group isolation or bullying (including prejudice-based bullying) than other children
• The potential for children with additional needs and disabilities or certain medical conditions being disproportionally impacted by behaviours such as bullying, without outwardly showing any signs
• Communication barriers and difficulties in managing or reporting these challenges.
The DSL will work closely with the SENCO Louise Hawthorn to plan support as required.
(See also our Policy for Special Education Needs and Disability)
At Laleham Church Playgroup we have a Safety Policy & Procedure and Mobile Phone Policy online safety policy, which explains how we keep children safe in our setting and how we respond to online safety incidents. This can be found in our policies folder and on our website
We understand that children increasingly use electronic equipment daily to access the internet.
Some adults and other children use these technologies to harm children. The harm might range from sending hurtful or abusive texts or emails, to grooming and enticing children to engage in extremist or sexual behaviour involving webcam photography or face-to-face meetings.
Children may also be distressed or harmed by accessing inappropriate material such as pornographic websites or those which promote extremist behaviour, criminal activity, suicide or eating disorders.
Children are taught about online safety and all staff receive online safety training which is regularly updated. Our online safety co-ordinator is Louise Hawthorn
We ensure that appropriate filtering and monitoring systems are in place (see also our Confidentiality Data Protection Policy).
A private fostering arrangement occurs when someone other than a parent or close relative cares for a child for a period of 28 days or more, with the agreement of the child’s parents. It applies to children under the age of 16 years old or 18 years old if the child is disabled.
Looked After Children by the local authority or those who are placed in residential school/colleges, children’s homes or hospitals are not considered to be privately fostered.
Private fostering occurs in all cultures and children may be privately fostered at any age.
Laleham Church Playgroup recognises that most privately fostered children remain safe and well but are aware that safeguarding concerns have been raised in some cases. Therefore, all staff are alert to possible safeguarding issues, including the possibility that the child has been trafficked into the country.
By law, a parent, private foster carer, or other persons involved in making a private fostering arrangement must notify Children’s Social Care immediately. However, where a member of staff becomes aware that a child may be in a private fostering arrangement they will raise this with the DSL and the DSL will notify the C-SPA immediately.
The most common reason for children becoming looked after is because of abuse and neglect.
Laleham Church Playgroup will ensure that staff have the necessary skills and understanding to keep looked after children safe. Appropriate staff have information about a child’s looked after legal status and care arrangements, including the level of authority delegated to the carer by the authority looking after the child and contact arrangements with birth parents or those with parental responsibility.
The Designated staff member is Louise Hawthorn and they will have the appropriate level of training to equip them with the knowledge and skills to undertake their role.
The Designated staff member for looked after children and the DSL have details of the child’s social worker and the name and contact details of Surrey County Council’s Head of Virtual School.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is illegal in England and Wales under the FGM Act (2003). It is a form of child abuse and violence against women. A mandatory reporting duty requires staff member to report ‘known’ cases of FGM in under 18s, which are identified in the course of their professional work, to the Police.
The duty applies to all persons in Laleham Church Playgroup who are employed or engaged to carry out ‘work’.
The duty applies to the individual who becomes aware of the case to make a report. It should not be transferred to the DSL; however, the DSL should be informed.
If a teacher is informed by a girl under 18 that an act of FGM has been carried out on her or a staff member observes physical signs which appear to show that an act of FGM has been carried out on a girl under 18 and they have no reason to believe the act was necessary for the girl’s physical or mental health or for purposes connected with labour or birth, the staff member should personally make a report to the Police force in which town the girl resides by calling 101. The report should be made immediately.
Staff at Laleham Church Playgroup are trained to be aware of risk indicators of FGM.
Concerns about FGM outside of the mandatory reporting duty should be reported using the setting’s Child Protection procedures. Staff should be particularly alert to suspicions or concerns expressed by female children about going on a long holiday during the summer holiday.
There should also be consideration of potential risk to other girls in the family and the wider community. Where there is a risk to life or likelihood of serious immediate harm the staff member should report the case immediately to the Police, including dialling 999 if appropriate.
There are no circumstances in which a manager/DSL or other member of staff should examine a girl.
(Pg. 25 HM Government - Multi-agency statutory guidance on Female Genital Mutilation (publishing.service.gov.uk)
A forced marriage is a marriage in which one or both people do not (or in cases of people with learning disabilities cannot) consent to the marriage but are coerced into it. Coercion may include physical, psychological, financial, sexual and emotional pressure. It may also involve physical or sexual violence and abuse.
Forced marriage is recognised in the UK as a form of violence against women and men, domestic/child abuse and a serious abuse of human rights. Since June 2014 forcing someone to marry has become a criminal offence in England and Wales under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
A forced marriage is not the same as an arranged marriage which is common in many cultures. The families of both spouses take a leading role in arranging the marriage but the choice of whether or not to accept the arrangement remains with the prospective spouses.
Following Forced marriage guidance staff should never attempt to intervene directly or through a third party. Contact should be made with the C-SPA 0300 470 9100 and/or the Forced Marriage Unit 200 7008 0151
Honour based abuse (HBA) can be described as a collection of practices, which are used to control behaviour within families or other social groups, to protect perceived cultural and religious beliefs and/or honour. Such violence can occur when perpetrators perceive that a relative has shamed the family and/or community by breaking their honour code.
Honour based abuse might be committed against people who:
• become involved with a boyfriend or girlfriend from a different culture or religion.
• want to get out of an arranged marriage; become involved with a boyfriend or girlfriend from a different culture or religion.
• want to get out of an arranged marriage.
• want to get out of a forced marriage
• wear clothes or take part in activities that might not be considered traditional within a particular culture
It is considered a violation of human rights and may be a form of domestic and/or sexual abuse
The Prevent Duty for England and Wales (2015) under section 26 of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a duty on education and other children’s services to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
Staff at Laleham Church Playgroup are clear that exploitation of vulnerable children and radicalisation should be viewed as a safeguarding concern.
Staff receive training to help identify early signs of radicalisation and extremism. We will ensure that staff are aware of the online risk of radicalisation through social media and the Internet.
Using the Keyperson approach means we already know our Key Children well and so we will notice any changes in behaviour or personality.
Opportunities are provided in the curriculum to enable children to discuss issues of religion, ethnicity and culture. The setting promotes and embeds the fundamental ‘British Values’ in the setting through activities and within policies.
The Manager, the DSL and the DDSL will assess the level of risk within the setting and put actions in place to reduce that risk. Risk assessment may include due diligence checks for external speakers and private hire of facilities,anti-bullying policy and other issues specific to the setting’s profile, community and philosophy.
When any member of staff has concerns that a child may be at risk of radicalisation or involvement in terrorism, they should speak with the DSL in the first instance. They should then follow the safeguarding procedures and refer cases by e-mail to preventreferrals@surrey.pnn.police.uk following the Prevent referral form. If the matter is urgent then Police must be contacted by dialling 999.
In cases where further advice from the Police is sought dial 101 or 01483 632982 and ask to speak to the Prevent Supervisor for Surrey.
The practice of children sharing images and videos via text message, email, social media, or mobile messaging apps has become commonplace. However, this online technology has also given children the opportunity to produce and distribute sexual imagery in the form of photos and videos. Such imagery involving anyone under the age of 18 is unlawful.
Sharing Nudes/Semi-Nudes refers to both images and videos where:
• A person under the age of 18 creates and shares sexual imagery of themselves with a peer under the age of 18.
• A person under the age of 18 shares sexual imagery created by another person under the age of 18 with a peer under the age of 18 or an adult.
• A person under the age if 18 is in possession of sexual imagery created by another person under the age of 18.
All incidents of this nature should be treated as a safeguarding concern and in line with the UKCCIS guidance Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: advice for education settings working with children and young people
Cases where sexual imagery of people under 18 has been shared by adults and where sexual imagery of a person of any age has been shared by an adult to a child is child sexual abuse and should be responded to.
If a member of staff becomes aware of an incident involving making or sharing nudes/semi-nudes, they should follow the Child Protection procedures and refer to the DSL immediately.
The member of staff should confiscate the device involved and set it to flight mode or, if this is not possible, turn it off. Other staff must not view and no one should copy, or print the images.
The DSL should hold an initial review meeting with appropriate staff and subsequent interviews with the children involved (if appropriate).
Parents should be informed at an early stage and involved in the process unless there is reason to believe that involving parents would put the child at risk of harm.
At any point in the process if there is concern a child has been harmed or is at risk of harm a request for support should be made to the C-SPA and/or the Police as appropriate.
Immediate request for support at the initial review stage should be made to Children’s Social Care/Police if:
• The incident involves an adult.
• There is good reason to believe that a young person has been coerced, blackmailed or groomed or if there are concerns about their capacity to consent (for example, owing to SEND).
• What you know about the imagery suggests the content depicts sexual acts which are unusual for the child’s development stage or are violent.
• The imagery involves sexual acts.
• The imagery involves anyone aged 12 or under.
• There is reason to believe a child is at immediate risk of harm owing to the sharing of the imagery, for example the child is presenting as suicidal or self-harming.
If none of the above apply then the DSL will use their professional judgement to assess the risk to children involved and may decide, with input from the Manager and DDSL to respond to the incident without referral to the C-SPA or the Police.
During the decision making the DSL will consider if:
• There is a significant age difference between the sender/receiver.
• There is any coercion or encouragement beyond the sender/receiver.
• The imagery was shared and received with the knowledge of the child in the imagery.
• The child is vulnerable, for example subject to Child in Need, Child Protection or Early Help plans, Looked After, SEND.
• There is a significant impact on the children involved.
• The image is of a severe or extreme nature.
• The child involved understands consent.
• The situation is isolated or if the image been more widely distributed.
• There other circumstances relating to either the sender or recipient that may add cause for concern.
• The children have been involved in incidents relating to youth produced sexual imagery previously.
If any of these circumstances are present, the situation will be referred according to our Child Protection procedures, including referral to the C-SPA 0300 470 9100 or the Police 999
The DSL will record all incidents of making, sharing and sending nudes and semi-nudes including the actions taken, rationale for actions and the outcome.
Appendix one: What is child abuse?
The following definitions are taken from Working Together to Safeguard Children HM Government (2024). In addition to these definitions, it should be understood that children can also be abused by being sexually exploited, honour-based violence, forced marriage, or female genital mutilation. To support the local context, all staff have access to the Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership Levels of Need Threshold Document.
What is abuse and neglect?
Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting, by those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger. They may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children.
Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child.
The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development.
It may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children.
These may include interactions that are beyond a child’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another.
It may involve serious bullying (including cyber bullying), causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, although it may occur in isolation.
Involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening.
The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including online).
Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development.
We use the Graded Care Profile 2 tool to support better identification and intervention in cases of neglect. The Neglect Risk Assessment Tool is used to support with the initial identification of neglect.
Appendix Two: Signs and Indicators of abuse and neglect
Bullying and cyberbullying
Child sexual exploitation
Child trafficking
Criminal exploitation and gangs
Domestic abuse
Emotional abuse
Grooming
Neglect
Non-recent abuse
Online abuse
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
• Surrey County Council Education Safeguarding Team webpages
• NSPCC webpages
• Childline webpages
• CEOP ThinkuKnow webpages
• Anti Bullying Alliance webpages
• Childnet International
• Safer Internet Centre webpages
• Contextual Safeguarding Network webpages
• Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership webpages
• Lucy Faithfull Foundation webpages
• Graded Care Profile 2
This practice was accepted by Laleham Church Playgroup on.. 20thFebruary 2024
Signed on behalf of Laleham Church Playgroup……………………………………………..