SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN - POLICY AND PROCEDURES
This setting is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All those who come into contact with children and families in their everyday work, including people who do not have a specific role in relation to child protection, have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Within our setting, our prime responsibility is seen as protecting the safety and well-being of all children in our care.
We have a duty to the children, parents and staff to act quickly and responsibly in any instance that comes to our attention, including the reporting of suspicions of abuse to all relevant people identified by the local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB), including Ofsted. The Children’s Act 1989 places a duty on Local Authorities to investigate such matters. As such we will follow procedures set out in the guidance provided by the local Child Protection Committee and will follow their advice and guidance on any action necessary.
Our staffing arrangements work on a ratio of 1:6 for children aged 3 and above and 1:4 for children over 2 and a half years, to meet the responsibility to protect the safety and well being of all the children in our care.
St. Francis Pre-School Playgroup follows the recognised guidelines provided by Devon Social Services and Ofsted.
Our Safeguarding Officer is Sian Jukes (Pre-school Supervisor). She is available on Monday mornings, all day Tuesdays and Wednesday mornings.
Rowella Brace (Chair) is the Staff Safeguarding Officer
In the event that Social Services need to be involved the Referral Coordinator of the Social Services Department can be contacted at Children’s Service Help Desk based at Parkers Barn, Parkers Way, Totnes - tel. no. 01392 386000. The out-of-hours duty team can be contacted on 0845 6000388. The local area designated officer is 01392 384964.
We intend to create in our pre-school an environment in which children are safe from abuse and in which any suspicion of abuse is promptly and appropriately responded to. In order to achieve this we will:
Exclude known abusers
It will be made clear to applicants for posts within the playgroup that the position is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
All applicants for work within the pre-school, whether voluntary or paid, will be interviewed before an appointment is made and will be asked to provide two references. All such references will be followed up. In the case of applicants with unexplained gaps in their employment history, or who have moved rapidly from one job to another, explanations will be sought.
All applicants will be required to complete the necessary “search” forms issued by Ofsted, to a satisfactory standard. These include personal references, details of any criminal background, health and police checks.
All appointments, both paid and voluntary, will be subject to a probationary period and will not be confirmed unless the pre-school committee is confident that the applicant can be safely entrusted with children.
Staff are aware of their responsibilities and arrangements for monitoring and supervising staff performance are in place (staff appraisals), along with a disciplinary procedure.
Prevent abuse by means of good practice
Adults will not be left alone with individual children or with groups.
Adults who have not been CRB checked will not take children unaccompanied to the toilet.
Children will be encouraged to develop a sense of autonomy and independence through adult support in making choices and in finding names for their own feelings and acceptable ways to express them. This will enable children to have the self-confidence and the vocabulary to resist inappropriate approaches.
The layout of the pre-school will permit constant supervision of all children.
All visitors must sign the Visitors’ book. Any person visiting the provision in an official capacity, not previously known to staff, is required to provide proof of identity.
No child is ever allowed to leave the setting with an adult who is not the normal collector of the child without prior permission being obtained. “Passwords” (chosen by parents) are used when adults unknown to the staff collect children. (See registration Form).
Respond appropriately to suspicions of abuse
Parents/carers will normally be the first point of reference. If staff are not satisfied with their explanation the following procedure would be followed.
Procedure for staff to follow in the event of suspicion or evidence of abuse
If a child appears to reveal physical injury, neglect, emotional or sexual abuse to a member of staff then they must immediately inform the Child Protection Officer.
It is possible if a child has suffered some form of abuse they will want to talk about it. A time and place will need to be arranged for the child to talk as soon as possible after the initial contact. This will either be with the Supervisor or other member of staff. It will be explained to the child that what is revealed may not be kept a secret. The child will be listened to and reassured they are not to blame for the incident.
The member of staff must not press for details.
All information must be kept as strictly confidential and must not be discussed
with any person outside the pre-school. In exceptional circumstances the
evidence of an individual may be required in a court of law.
If a member of staff has talked with the child then what has been revealed must be reported to the Child Protection Officer.
We will seek to discuss any concerns with the child as appropriate to their age and understanding and also with their parents. We will seek the parents agreement on making a referral to children’s social care unless we consider such a discussion would place the child at an increased risk of significant harm. See flow chart on Information Sharing (HM Government 2006).
When we make a referral we will agree with the recipient of the referral what the child and parents will be told , by whom and when.
When a referral is made by telephone, we will confirm in writing within 48 hours.
The Child Protection Officer will then inform Social Services.
Social Services will then proceed with an investigation. It is usual for Social Services to talk with the family.
Social Services will not disclose where the information has come from but parents may guess. If this is the case and the parent becomes distressed and makes a complaint then the Child Protection Officer is the only person to deal with the complaint.
The need to protect the child is always paramount.
(Follow Flow Chart for Referrals and What to do if you‘re worried a child is being abused- Summary)
All staff at St. Francis Pre-School Playgroup receive training about recognising signs of abuse and the procedures to follow in suspected cases. All staff, including students on placements and volunteers, working within the setting have the opportunity to listen carefully to what children say and observe any changes in their appearance and behaviour which may result from abuse or neglect.
Staff are expected to be professional in their behaviour and conduct in respect of children, parents and colleagues. They should show a commitment to the provision and its policies and procedures.
Keep records
Whenever worrying changes are observed in a child’s behaviour, physical condition or appearance, a specific and confidential record will be set up, quite separate from the usual on-going records of children’s progress and development. The record will include, in addition to the name, address and age of the child; timed and dated observations, describing objectively the child’s behaviour/appearance, without comment or interpretation; where possible, the exact words spoken by the child; the dated name and signature of the recorder; accounts of any meetings with parents; any action taken; steps taken to support the child; any lessons learnt; and details of any resulting changes to be made in the settings procedures or practices.
Such records will be kept in a separate file and not be accessible to people in the pre-school other than the supervisor, chair and other members of staff as appropriate.
Procedures following suspected child abuse when abuse is suspected within the setting
If an allegation is made against a member of staff, which could be by a parent or colleague, an immediate and thorough investigation will be conducted by the designated Child Protection Person or committee chair in conjunction with the child’s parents and the pre-school committee.
The staff member against whom the allegations have been made will be suspended pending further investigation.
The matter will be referred to the Referral Coordinator at Parker’s Barn, Totnes and every co-operation afforded to any investigation by the police and social services.
Ofsted will be notified of the allegations and informed of the outcome.
The child’s parents will be kept fully informed throughout.
Staff will need to work with the child and their family to offer them support and rebuild trust.
The staff will be supported throughout by the designated Child Protection Person and the committee.
The setting will check its policies and procedures and review as necessary in light of the allegations and the outcome of any investigation.
Written Report
As a result of the allegation a comprehensive, confidential report will be compiled and circulated to the parents and other interested parties. It will include;
A description of the allegation.
A diary of events.
Accounts of any meetings with parents.
Details of the internal provision’s investigation and the subsequent involvement of any professionals/agencies.
Any action taken.
The steps taken to support the child and family.
Any lessons learnt from the allegation and resulting investigations.
Details of any resulting changes to be made in the group’s procedures/policies.
Protection of Staff from Allegations of Abuse
Staff in the provision are privileged to be able to work closely with children and their families, forming warm and caring relationships. However, because of the nature of their work, staff are also vulnerable to allegations of child abuse.
Staff need to observe the Code of Staff Conduct, particularly ensuring;
The safety and welfare of the child is always paramount.
Staff fulfil their responsibilities and duties towards children by working in partnership with parents.
Their relationships with children and families are conducted in a professional manner at all times.
All of St. Francis Pre-School Playgroup’s policies and procedures are followed. Particular relevance should be placed on Partnerships with Parents, Behaviour Management, Equal Opportunities, Special Needs and Inclusion Policies.
Vigilance in Health and Safety matters, e.g. recording any bruises/marks a child has on arrival in the Incident/Accident Book, with separate pages for each child to ensure confidentiality.
Comprehensive reporting of all children’s accidents is made to parents, for their signature. All written accounts should be witnessed by a second member of staff.
Advice, help and/or support is sought if a child’s behaviour is persistently challenging or difficult to manage.
Liase with other bodies
The pre-school operates in accordance with local authority guidelines. Confidential records kept on children about whom the pre-school is anxious will be shared with the health visitor and Social Services Department (referral coordinator) if the pre-school feels that adequate explanations for changes in the child’s condition have not been provided.
The group will maintain ongoing contact with the registering authority, including names, addresses and telephone numbers of individual social workers, to ensure that it would be easy, in an emergency, for the pre-school and the Social Services Department to work well together. Staff will be supported throughout any investigation by the committee.
Support families
The pre-school will take every step in its power to build up trusting and supportive relationships between families and staff and volunteers in the group.
Where abuse at home is suspected, the pre-school will continue to welcome the child and family while investigations proceed.
With the proviso that the care and safety of the child must always be paramount, the pre-school will do all in its power to support and work with the child’s family.
Phone Policy
All phones must be placed in the container which is placed on the Supervisor’s work station. If you need to use your phone, please ask the Supervisor for permission. Phones should only be used in the main playgroup room or the garden.
