Safeguarding Children - Policy and Procedures
The safety of all children is central to Laleham Church Playgroup. We aim to provide an environment in which all children are safe from abuse and in which any suspicion of abuse is promptly and appropriately responded to. We also have due regard to the need to prevent children being drawn into terrorism, known as the Prevent Duty. To achieve these aims we comply with local child protection procedures approved by the Surrey Safeguarding Children’s Partnership (formerly Safeguarding Children Board).
Susie Morris is designated as the staff member responsible for child protection issues (DSL).
Natalie Apthorp is the deputy DSL
Laleham Church Playgroup’s Agreed Procedures:
Staff, regular volunteers or parents should inform the DSL or deputy DSL of any concerns/allegations about a child, staff member, volunteer or member of their household. The DSL will be responsible for recording and confidentially storing any information relating to safeguarding concerns or cases, and for liaising with parents, and consulting/informing outside agencies e.g. Health Visitor, Social Services, Police, Ofsted. (Note – it is not the role of the DSL or any member of staff to investigate an allegation. They should take a record of what is said or seen and refer it to C-SPA (Children’s Single Point of Access) who is trained to make enquires, which will indicate whether further investigations are necessary.
Staff and regular volunteers are required to inform the DSL or Manager immediately if they have been, or may be, disqualified from working with children. A declaration regarding this, consisting of answering the following 4 questions, will form part of their appraisal and supervision meetings. Failure to disclose this information is a disciplinary matter.
1. Have you been involved with the Police such as being interviewed, questioned, subject to a court order, bound over, having received a reprimand, warning, caution or conviction before or during your employment at this setting?
2. Have anyone that lives in the same household or property as you have been, disqualified or barred from working with children under the Childcare Act 2006? Has anyone that lives with you in the same household or property as you have been, cautioned or convicted of an offence that may have a bearing on your suitability to work with children? (Answering this question is optional)
3. Do you have parental responsibility for a child who is being assessed or who has been placed on a Child Protection Plan under section 47 of the Children’s Act 1989?
4. Do you have a medical condition that could affect your ability to work with children?
5. Are you taking any medication or any other substances on a regular basis?
It is our aim that all new staff will take part in an online course for “Working together to Safeguard Children: Introduction” course (or equivalent) before joining the setting. Training should be updated 2 yearly and 2 yearly for DSLand Deputy DSL.
Also, at Staff Meeting half termly and when carrying out peer observations, Safeguarding questions are asked to each member of staff to ensure that their knowledge is always in the forefront of their mind.
- Adults who have been registered as “fit” will not be left alone for long periods with individual children or with small groups of children.
- Adults who have not been registered as “fit” persons will not take children to the toilet and they will be supervised by a “fit” person during all contact with the children.
- The layout of the playrooms and outdoor areas will allow constant supervision of all children.
- A record is kept of all intimate care provided, this to included the date, time, name of child, name of person providing the care and what care was provided.
- A record is kept of any physical intervention used to manage a child’s behaviour, the incident will be explained to the parent/carer and they will be asked to sign the record.
- Details of any accidents or injuries to a child that occur in the setting will be recorded in the Accident Book. Parents will have the injury explained to them and will be asked to sign the record. - Parents will be asked to provide us with a written record (witnessed by member of staff) of the details of any accidents/ incidents that happen to their child whilst not in our care.
- Bruising in a child not independently mobile (this includes all children under 6 months, even if they are rolling, and children with significant disabilities resulting in immobility) should result in an immediate referral to Surrey C-SPA at 0300 470 9100 Out of Hours: 01483517898
- Records are kept of children’s names, address(es) and name(s) of person(s) with parental responsibility and/or legal contact. This information is checked and updated at parent/keyperson meetings by the child’s keyperson.
- Unexplained absences of children will be followed up by the manager or DSL on the day. If we are unable to contact the parents/carers we may phone the police for advice. Regular patterns of absences will also be followed up by the manager or DSL. Details of all calls and conversations will be recorded in the “Absence Log” in the back of the register. For Full policy please see ‘Absent Child Policy’ – (This is shared with parents in their induction pack).
The setting has a Whistleblowing Policy, a copy of which is given to each member of staff, student and regular volunteer and it is emphasized during the induction process and during ongoing staff training that they have a duty to disclose any concerns they have about the conduct of other staff, students and volunteers.
There are agreed procedures to regulate the use of mobile phones and cameras in the setting, and the use of social networking sites which form part of the induction process and on-going staff training.
Changes in children’s behaviour/appearance will be followed up with the parents.
If we have a concern about a child we will share information with parents/carers in a confidential manner. However, if sharing information may put the child at risk of significant harm, we will seek advice from Surrey C-SPA 0300 470 9100
All such suspicions will be kept confidential, shared only with those who need to know, usually parents/carers, the member(s) of staff working with the child and the DSL and Deputy DSL.
If there is an allegation of abuse these agencies will be informed without delay:
Surrey C-SPA – call 0300 470 9100
Police – call 999
Surrey County Council’s Local Authority Child Protection Designated Officer (LADO) can offer support
If we feel the child will be at risk of significant harm if allowed to go home with a parent/carer, we will seek advice from C-SPA
If an accusation of abuse is made against a member of staff or a volunteer (whether the allegation relates to serious harm or abuse committed on the premises or elsewhere) or a member of their household, a written record of the allegation will be made and the adult concerned will be told of the nature of the allegation and informed that, in line with Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) Policy, the allegations will be reported within 24 hours to:
Surrey County Council’s Local Authority Child Protection Designated Officer (LADO) – call 0300 123 1650 and then option 3
Children’s Single Point of Access (C-Spa)– call 0300 470 9100
Police – call 999
Ofsted (call 0300 123 1231) should be informed as soon as possible but within 14 days.
The investigation will be carried out in line with SSCP Procedures. Any member of staff who has an allegation of abuse made against them will either only be allowed supervised access to the children or will be suspended from work for the duration of the investigation, as advised by the investigating body.
If 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, a referral will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (telephone 01325 953795 or visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-referrals-form-and-guidancefor guidance)
Records of unfounded allegations of a child protection nature will be kept until the member of staff’s normal retirement age or 10 years after the date of the allegation. Records of allegations found to be malicious will be removed from personnel files and destroyed.
Whenever worrying changes are observed in a child’s behaviour, language, physical condition or appearance, a specific and confidential record will be set up, quite separate from any other records. The record will include the name, age and address of the child; timed and dated observations, describing objectively without comment, the child’s behaviour/appearance; where possible the exact words spoken by the child; the dated name and signature of the recorder.
Such records will be kept securely in a separate file and will not be accessible to people in the playgroup other than the DSL, deputy DSL and the Manager (if different).
The Early Help Assessment (EHA) procedure will be used if we have concerns about a child. This will help us to find out whether the child has additional needs or needs that mean they have been, or are likely to be, significantly harmed.
If a referral is made to the appropriate authorities for investigation Surrey County Council’s multi-agency referral form must be used. Verbal referrals must be confirmed in writing, within 24 hours, using the Multi-Agency Referral Form, including a body map when appropriate. (The form is available on line at: www.surreyscb.org.uk/professionals and click on resources for professionals)
All sensitive information must be sent via a secure email eg Egress
The playgroup operates in accordance with local authority guidelines. Confidential records kept on children about whom the playgroup have concerns will be shared with the Surrey C-SPA if the playgroup feels that adequate explanations for changes in the child’s condition have not been provided.
Information about child protection concerns or cases will need to be passed to a child’s new setting or school and this can be done without permission from the child’s parents/carers. A record will be kept of the information shared, the reason for sharing and who made the decision (always DSL and one other eg Deputy DSL, manager or Surrey Safeguarding Advisor).
Information will be shared following Surrey’s contact Centre. DSL /Deputy DSL/Manager may need to be contacted outside of playgroup hours/term dates on a safeguarding issue and we will do our best to facilitate this (eg by providing manager’s home contact details on all correspondence; checking group’s email account during holiday periods)
If a member of staff is dismissed (or would have been dismissed if person had not left the setting first) because they have caused harm to a child or put a child at risk of harm the playgroup will report this person to the Disclosure and Baring service. Disclosure and Barring Service - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The playgroup will take every step in its power to build up trusting and supportive relationships between families, staff and volunteers in the group.
With the proviso that the care and safety of the child must always be paramount, the confidential records kept on a child will be shared with the child’s parents, and the playgroup will do all in its power to support and work with the child’s family.
Under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism & Security Act 2015, we have due regard for the need to prevent children from being drawn into terrorism which is known as the Prevent Duty. To ensure the Playgroup adheres to and achieves the ‘Prevent Duty’ we will:
- Provide appropriate on-line training for all staff to ensure they are able to identify children who may be at risk of Radicalisation. (Every 3 years)
- We will build the children’s resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British Values and enabling them to challenge extremist views (EYFS statutory Framework – assisting their development in Personal, Social & Emotional development as well as Understanding of the World).
- We will ensure that the staff understand the risks so that they can respond in an appropriate way.
- We will ensure staff are aware of the online risk of radicalisation through Social Media and the Internet.
- As with all other Safeguarding risks, staff will be alert (through appropriate training) to changes in children’s behaviour which could indicate that they may be in need of help or protection. Using the Keyperson approach means we already know our Key Children well and so we will notice any changes in behaviour or personality.
- As with the other Safeguarding risks, we will build up positive relationships with parents/carers and families and work in partnership with the C-SPA.
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. Suitability of New Recruits- Please see Safer Recruiting Policy
. Mobile Phones/Camera’s/ICT - Please see Mobile Phone Policy
The policy was adopted by Laleham Church Playgroup
Signed on behalf of Laleham Church Playgroup............Louise Hawthorn
Contact Numbers and Information:
Telephone 0300 470 9100 between 9am-5pmfrom Monday to Friday
Email: cspa@surreycc.gov.uk
The Emergency Duty Team can be contacted out of hours (between 5pm and 9amand at weekends) on 01483 517898
North East Early Help Co-ordination Hub – 01372 833133
North East Referral hub – 0300123 1610
0300 123 1650 and then option 3
Email address: LADO@surreycc.gov.uk
Information on Surrey’s Multi-Agency Information Sharing Protocol (MAISP)- https://w ww.surreycc.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/23749/MAISP-v5.pdf
· Surrey Safeguarding Advisor for childcare providers – Kerry Batchelor
Telephone - 07977853043 Email:=Estelle.James
Piccadilly Gate
Store Street
Manchester
M1 2WD
Telephone 0300 123 1231 (Early Years Complaints Line)
0300 123 3155 (Whistleblowing hotline or email- whistlblowing@ofsted.gov.uk )
All Saints PCC,
Or c/o The Parish Office
The Broadway
Laleham TW18 1RZ Telephone 07976 967281
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