Safeguarding Policy
As an Ofsted regulated nursery, we comply with the local child Safeguarding procedures and it is our duty to record and report any concerns regarding the possible abuse of children in our care (emotional, physical, sexual or neglect). If an allegation is made against a member of staff in the nursery, the correct procedure is followed (see allegation against a member of staff procedure)
Our prime responsibility is the welfare and well-being of children in our care. As such it is our duty to the children, parents/carers, and staff to act quickly and responsibly in any instance that may come to our attention. All staff will work as part of a multi-agency team where needed in the best interest of the child.
The Legal framework for this policy
Children act (2004/1989)
Working together to safeguard children (2018)
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006)
Counter-Terrorism Act and Security Act (2015)
Multi-Agency Practise Guidelines
Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003
Serious Crime Act 2015
Our Aim
It is our aim to ensure that all the children receive the highest level of care, provision and education.
The health, safety and welfare of all our children are of paramount importance to all the adults who work in our nursery. Our children have the right to protection, regardless of age, gender, race, culture, background or disability. Children have the right to be safe within the nursery.
We are committed to:
Building a “culture of safety” in which children are protected from abuse and harm in all areas of its service delivery.
Responding promptly and appropriately to all incidents or concerns of abuse that may occur and to work with statutory agencies in accordance with the procedures that are set down in “what to do if you’re worried a child is being abused”
Promoting awareness of child abuse issues through training and learning programmes for adults
Empowering young children, through early childhood curriculum, promoting their rights to be strong, resilient and listened to.
Ensuring that all staff are alert to the signs and understand what is meant by safeguarding and are aware of the different ways in which children can be harmed
Ensuring a robust training system, in which all staff are confident in the policies and procedures relating to the safeguarding and welfare of the children
It is the policy of the nursery to provide a secure and safe environment for all children from abuse. The nursery will therefore not allow an adult to be left alone who has not received their enhanced DBS check clearance and all our staff will receive updated and relevant safeguarding training as part of their induction.
We abide by Ofsted requirements in respect of references and DBS checks for all staff and volunteers to ensure that disqualified or unsuitable persons do not have any access or contact with the children.
We know how important staff ratios are and ensure that we follow the legal requirements for the minimum numbers of staff present with the children at any time as set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework.
Prevent Duty
In Line with section 26 of the counter-terrorism and security act (2015) we understand the importance of staff members being able to recognise and identify vulnerable children and to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”.
We recognise the importance of protecting children from the risk of radicalisation and promoting British values in the same way we would protect and safeguard children from any other abuse.
We will ensure all staff members are able to notice changes in children’s behaviour as we would do with any kind of safeguarding matter as there is no single way of being able to identify a child who is at risk of being venerable or susceptible to radicalisation/extremism.
Regular reviews on our e-safety policy and use of mobile phones and internet policy are carried out as we recognise the increased risk of online radicalisation.
All staff members are also aware of the appropriate time to make a referral to the appropriate authorities.
Looked after children
Early years settings are committed to providing quality provision based on equality of opportunity for all children and their families. All staff are committed to doing all they can to enable “looked after” children in their care to achieve and reach their full potential.
We recognise that children who are being looked after have often experienced traumatic situations, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect. However, we also recognise that not all looked after children have experienced abuse and that there are a range of reasons for children to be taken into the care of the local authority. Whatever the reason, a child’s separation from their home and family signifies a disruption in their lives that has impact on their emotional well-being.
In our setting, we place emphasis on promoting children’s right to be strong, resilient, and listened to. Our policy and guidelines for looked after children are based on two important concepts; attachment and resilience. The basis of this is to promote secure attachments in children’s lives as the basis for resilience.
What is abuse?
A person may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Staff in the nursery recognise that child abuse can and does happen in all types of families.
The following identifies some possible manifestations of child abuse; however, these lists are not exhaustive.
Neglect– is the persistent failure to meet basic physical and psychological needs, which may result in the serious impairment of the child’s development, medical problems, emaciation or under nourishment. Staff may notice behavioural signs such as a child who always seems hungry, tired, has ill -fitting clothes, poor personal hygiene, e.g. soiled, unchanged nappies, etc.
Procedure:
The concern should be discussed with the parent/carer.
Such discussions will be recorded, and the parent/carer will have access to such records.
If there appears to be any queries regarding the circumstances child protection/MASH team will be contacted for advice.
Physical abuse– physical signs may involve unexplained bruising/marks in unlikely areas, facial bruising, hand/finger marks, bite marks, burns, lacerations or abrasions. Staff may notice several behavioural signs that also indicate physical abuse such as a child that shies away from physical contact, is withdrawn or aggressive towards others or their behaviour changes suddenly.
Procedure:
All signs of marks/injuries noticed on a child will be recorded immediately on an pre-existing injury form and signed by parents
The incident will be discussed parent/carer at the earliest opportunity (when signing form)
If there appears to be any queries or concerns regarding the injury, the child protection/MASH team will be called for advice immediately.
Sexual abuse –physical signs may include bruising consistent with being held firmly, discomfort in walking/sitting, pain or itching in the genital area, discharge or blood on under clothes, or loss of appetite. Behavioural signs may include drawings or play showing indicators of sexual activity, sexual explicit language, and knowledge of adult sexual behaviour, seductive behaviour towards others, poor self-esteem and a child who is withdrawn.
Procedure:
The observed instances will be detailed in a confidential report
The observed instances will be reported immediately to the designated person/nursery manager.
The matter will be referred straight to the child protection team/MASH hub.
Emotional abuse – physical signs of emotional abuse may include a general failure to thrive, not meeting expected developmental milestones and behaviourally a child may be attention seeking, telling lies, have an inability to have fun and join in play, low self-esteem, speech disorders, and be inappropriately affectionate towards others.
Procedure:
The concerns should be discussed with the parent/carer by the designated person/nursery manager.
Such discussions will be recorded and the parent/carer will have access to such records
If there appears to be any queries or ongoing concerns after discussion with parent/carer the child protection team/MASH team will be notified.
Recording suspicions of abuse and disclosures (procedures);
Staff will be objective and record any observation or disclosure and include-
Childs name/address/D.O.B and age
Date, time, location of the observation or disclosure
EXACT words spoken
Name of the person who the concern was reported to with date and time and names of any other person present at the time.
Any discussion held with parents/carer
Name and signature of person completing the report/observation.
However, when identifying any potential instances of abuse, staff must at all times be aware that children may demonstrate individual or combinations of indicators detailed above, but may not be the subject of abuse. Individual or isolated incidents do not necessarily indicate abuse. Staff should always remain vigilant and must NOT ignore warning signs and contact the relevant services at any stage for support.
Female Genital mutilation (FGM)
As our duty of care, we have a statutory obligation under national safeguarding protocols (e.g working together to safeguard children) to protect young girls and women from FGM as it is an illegal, extremely harmful practise and a form of abuse.
It is essential that we work closely together with other agencies if we suspect a child has suffered or is likely to suffer FGM as appropriate safeguarding efforts. This is reflected in the Multi-Agency Practice Guidelines.
If a child in our care shows signs and symptoms (see below) of FGM or we have good reason to suspect the child is at risk of FGM, we MUST refer the child using our existing standard safeguarding procedures as it is a form of child abuse. When a child is identified as “at risk” of FGM, this information MUST be brought to the child’s GP attention and health visitor (as per section 47 of The Children’s Act 1989)
Important Signs & Symptoms to look out for if you suspect the child is “at risk” of FGM
Father comes from a community that is known to practice FGM
Mother/Family may have limited contact with people outside family
It is known that the mother has FGM
Family does not engage with professionals (health, school, other)
Parents say that they or a relative will take the child abroad for a prolonged period of time
Child has spoken about a holiday to her country of origin or another where the procedure is practiced
Child has confided that she is to have a “special procedure” to “become a woman” or to be “more like her mum/sister/aunt” etc
Family/child are already know to social services
Important Signs & Symptoms to look out for if you suspect the child has had FGM
Child regularly attends GP appointments, has frequent Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’S)
Increased emotional and physiological needs e.g withdrawals, depression or significant changes in behaviour.
Child talks about pain/discomfort between legs
Child has difficulty walking, sitting for long periods of time- which wasn’t a problem previously
Significant or Immediate Risk
Child confides in a member of staff/professional that FGM has taken place
Parent or family member discloses to professional/ nursery child has had FGM
Claverdon Village Nursery is committed to safeguarding all children, staff, students and parents.
See also – other policies under the safeguarding umbrella; Child protection policy, Anti-bullying policy, Arrival and departure policy, Equal opportunities policy, Illness, accident and emergencies policy, Medication policy, Missing child procedure, Staff development and training, Staff and employment policy, Student placement policy, Staff rules, Whistleblowing policy, Social networking policy, Mobile phone policy, E-Safety Policy.