2.01 Safeguarding Children and Child Protection

Policy statement

Silver Stars Day Nursery will work with children, parents and the community to ensure the rights and safety of children and to give them the very best start in life. Our Safeguarding Policy is based on latest guidance from the Department for Education.

Procedures

We carry out the following procedures to ensure we meet the requirements of the Department for Education and OFSTED.

We are committed to building a ‘culture of safety’ in which children are protected from abuse and harm in all areas of our service delivery.

Our designated person – Child Protection Officer (a member of staff), who co-ordinates child protection issues is:

Miss Ellie Vardy

Our designated cover members of staff are:

Miss Robyn Lester and Mrs Sally Reynolds

Our designated officer (the Proprietor) who oversees this work is:

Mrs Jenifer Capper

If Miss Ellie Vardy is not on sight, then Mrs Sally Reynolds or Miss Robyn Lester should be reported to. Miss Ellie Vardy can be contacted via video call, phone or email.

Compass are in place to support Early Years Setting. Compass can be contacted via compass@southglos.gov.uk for additional support or advice.

We ensure all staff are trained to understand our safeguarding policies and procedures and that parents are made aware of them too.
All staff have an up-to-date knowledge of any safeguarding issues.
Adequate and appropriate staffing resources are provided to meet the needs of children.
Applicants for posts within Silver Stars Day Nursery are clearly informed that the positions are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Enhanced criminal records and barred lists checks and other suitability checks are carried out for staff and volunteers prior to their post being confirmed to ensure that no disqualified person or unsuitable person works at the school or has access to the children.
Where applications are rejected based on information disclosed, applicants have the right to know and to challenge incorrect information.
Enhanced criminal records and barred lists checks are carried out on anyone living or working on the premises.
Volunteers do not work unsupervised.
Information is recorded about staff qualifications and the identity checks and vetting processes that have been completed including:
the criminal records disclosure reference number;
the date the disclosure was obtained; and
details of who obtained it.
All staff and volunteers are informed that they are expected to disclose any convictions, cautions, court orders or reprimands and warnings which may affect their suitability to work with children (whether received before or during their employment with us)
We check the DBS update service regularly to ensure that we are aware of any changes.
With regards to ‘Disqualification by Association’, the Proprietor, if notified of anything that may affect the suitability of a member of staff, will inform Ofsted as soon as is practically possible. The importance and seriousness of this is explained to new staff at Induction and annually to all staff.
We notify the Disclosure and Barring Service of any person who is dismissed from our employment or resigns in circumstances that would otherwise have led to dismissal for reasons of a child protection concern.
Procedures are in place to record the details of visitors to Silver Stars Day Nursery.
Security steps are taken to ensure that we have control over who comes into the nursery so that no unauthorised person has unsupervised access to the children.
Steps are taken to ensure children are not photographed or filmed on video for any other purpose than to record their development or their participation in events organised by us. Parents sign a consent form and have access to records holding visual images of their child.

We are committed to 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’. Copies of this document are available in the setting. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/419604/What_to_do_if_you_re_worried_a_child_is_being_abused.pdf (HMG 2015).

Responding to suspicions of abuse

We acknowledge that abuse of children can take different forms – physical, emotional, and sexual, as well as neglect.
When children are suffering from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, or experiencing neglect, this may be demonstrated through:
significant changes in their behaviour;
deterioration in their general well-being; their comments which may give cause for concern, or the things they say (direct or indirect disclosure);
changes in their appearance, their behaviour, or their play;
unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect; and
any reason to suspect neglect or abuse outside the setting.
We take into account factors affecting parental capacity, such as social exclusion, domestic violence, parent’s drug or alcohol abuse, mental or physical illness or parent’s learning disability.
We are aware of other factors that affect children’s vulnerability such as, abuse of disabled children and children with SEN; fabricated or induced illness; child abuse linked to beliefs in spirit possession; sexual exploitation of children, such as through internet abuse and grooming; and Female Genital Mutilation; that may affect, or may have affected, children and young people using our provision.
We also make ourselves aware that some children and young people are affected by gang activity, may become victims of child trafficking or are vulnerable to organised networks of criminals seeking to exploit them (country lines), become involved in peer on peer abuse, including sexual violence and sexual harassment between children and may be affected through forced marriage or honour based violence. While this may be less likely to affect young children in our care, we may become aware of any of these factors affecting older children and young people who we may come into contact with.
We are also aware that due to a variety of reasons children may self-harm, in a number of ways including deliberate cutting, bruising and pulling hair out. Refer to 2.10 Self Harm Policy
Where we believe that a child in our care or that is known to us may be affected by any of these factors, we follow the procedures below for reporting child protection concerns.
Where such evidence is apparent, the child’s key person makes a dated record of the details of the concern (record of concern) and discusses what to do with the member of staff who is acting as the ‘designated person’. The information is stored on the child’s personal file, held by the Child Protection Officer.
We refer concerns to the local authority children’s social care department and co-operate fully in any subsequent investigation. NB In some cases this may mean the police or another agency identified by the South Gloucestershire Children’s Partnership.
We take care not to influence the outcome either through the way we speak to children or by asking questions of children.
We take account of the need to protect young people aged 16-19 as defined by the Children Act 1989. This may include students or school children on work placement, young employees or young parents. Where abuse is suspected, we follow the procedure for reporting any other child protection concerns. The views of the young person will always be taken into account but the setting may override the young person’s refusal to consent to share information if it feels that it is necessary to prevent a crime from being committed or intervene where one may have been or to prevent harm to a child or adult. Sharing confidential information without consent is done only where not sharing it could be worse than the outcome of having shared it.
Staff are made aware that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) can have an impact on a child’s wellbeing and their future outcomes. The Designated safeguarding lead is an ACE’s ambassador in order to train and support staff.

Recording suspicions of abuse and disclosures

Where a child makes comments to a member of staff that give cause for concern (disclosure), or a member of staff observes signs or signals that give cause for concern: such as significant changes in behaviour, deterioration in general well-being; unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect, that member of staff:

listens to the child, offers reassurance and gives assurance that she or he will take action;
does not question the child if possible, but if appropriate only uses ‘open’ questioning. E.g. Tell me about, Describe, Explain.
makes a written record (record of concern), that forms an objective record of the observation or disclosure that includes: the date and time of the observation or the disclosure; the exact words spoken by the child as far as possible; the name of the person to whom the concern was reported, with the date and time; and the names of any other person present at the time.
These records are signed and dated and kept in the child’s personal file with the Child Protection Officer, which is kept securely and confidentially.
The files are reviewed regularly with the Safeguarding team and an ongoing monitoring sheet is placed at the front of each file. Should a child have no additional causes for concern for 1 clear academic year their file will be archived.
The member of staff acting as the ‘designated person’ (CPO), is informed of the issue at the earliest opportunity.
Where the South Gloucestershire Children’s Partnership stipulates the process for recording and sharing concerns, we include those procedures alongside this procedure and follow the steps set down by the South Gloucestershire Children’s Partnership.
In line with GDPR records will be archived until the child reaches 25 years of age.

‘All data on the safeguarding file potentially forms part of an important story that may be needed retrospectively for many years. The elements of a pupil file (name, address) that are needed to identify children with certainty are needed to be retained along with those records [until at least 25 years old]’. (Page 61, Data protection: a toolkit for schools)

Responding to suspicions of abuse outside of the setting

Staff are now able to respond and record concerns regarding a child whilst they are outside the setting. Staff are to carry out the same procedure in reporting and recording the concern to their Designated Safeguarding lead. If staff witness incidents with their colleagues outside the setting and they believe a child or children are at risk, they should ring 999 immediately.

Making a referral to the local authority children’s social care team

Support from our allocated Compass worker can be given before making a referral or if the referral does not meet the threshold. Compass can be contacted on compass@southglos.gov.uk. Compass can support Silver Stars with advice on a variety of concerns; safeguarding, behaviour, mental health and development.
All referrals to the Local Authority children’s social care team are made via South Gloucestershire’s ART service.
South Gloucestershire Access and Response Team (ART) 01454 866000 or email accessandresponse@southglos.gov.uk
We would also use the Channel Referral Programme where radicalisation was suspected.

Informing parents

Parents are normally the first point of contact. Concerns are discussed with parents to gain their view of events unless it is felt that this may put the child in greater danger.
Parents are informed when we make a record of concerns in their child’s file and we also make a note of any discussion we have with them regarding a concern.
If a suspicion of abuse warrants a referral to social care, parents are informed at the same time that the referral will be made, except where the guidance of the South Gloucestershire Children’s Partnership does not allow this, for example, where it is believed that the child may be placed in greater danger. This will usually be the case where the parent is the likely abuser. In these cases, the social workers will inform parents.

Liaison with other agencies

We work within the South Gloucestershire Children’s Partnership guidelines.
We have procedures for contacting the local authority regarding child protection issues, including maintaining a list of names and telephone numbers of social workers assigned to any children in our care, to ensure that it is easy, in any emergency, for the school and children’s social care to work well together.
We notify Ofsted of any incident or accident and any changes in our arrangements which may affect the well-being of children or where an allegation of abuse is made against a member of staff (whether the allegations relate to harm or abuse committed on our premises or elsewhere). Notifications to Ofsted are made as soon as is reasonably practicable but at the latest within 14 days of the allegations being made.

Allegations against staff

We ensure that all parents know how to complain about the behaviour or actions of staff or volunteers within the setting or anyone living or working on the premises occupied by the setting which may include an allegation of abuse.
Allegations can be made against staff whilst they are outside the setting and it affects their suitability to work with children.
We respond to any inappropriate behaviour displayed by members of staff, volunteer or any other person living or working on the premises which includes:
inappropriate sexual comments;
excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities, or inappropriate sharing of images.
We follow the guidance of the South Gloucestershire Children’s Partnership when responding to any complaint that a member of staff or volunteer within the setting, or anyone living or working on the premises occupied by the setting has abused a child.
We respond to any disclosure by children or staff that abuse by a member of staff or volunteer within the school, or anyone living or working on the premises occupied by the setting, may have taken, or is taking place, by first recording the details of any such alleged incident.
We refer any such complaint immediately to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) to investigate.
Our LADO is Tina Wilson. To contact her call 01454 868 508
We also report any such alleged incident to Ofsted, as well as what measures we have taken. We are aware that it is an offence not to do this.
We co-operate entirely with any investigation carried out by children’s social care in conjunction with the police.
Where the management team and children’s social care agree it is appropriate in the circumstances, the member of staff or volunteer will be suspended for the duration of the investigation. This is not an indication of admission that the alleged incident has taken place, but is to protect the staff, as well as children and families throughout the process.

Disciplinary action

Where a member of staff or volunteer has been dismissed due to engaging in activities that caused concern for the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults, we will notify the Disclosure and Barring Service of relevant information, so that individuals who pose a threat to children and vulnerable groups can be identified and barred from working with these groups.

We are committed to promoting awareness of child abuse issues throughout our training and learning programmes for adults. We are also committed to empowering young children, through our early childhood curriculum, promoting their right to be strong, resilient and listened to.

Training

Training and update opportunities are provided regularly via quizzes, staff meetings, case studies, online training and face-to-face training carried out by Silver Stars Designated safeguarding leads. All adults involved in the setting will carry out training and updates to ensure that they are able to recognise the signs and signals of possible physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect including other areas of abuse such as FGM, Prevent, CSE, County Lines, Up skirting, Breast Ironing etc. It is also put in place to ensure that they are aware of the local authority guidelines for making referrals.
All Staff receive training in accordance with that recommended by the South Gloucestershire Children’s Partnership.
Staff are given regular safeguarding updates during staff meetings every month.
We ensure that all staff know the procedures for reporting and recording any concerns they may have about the provision.
All visiting staff and volunteers complete an induction, which includes having a sound knowledge of the setting’s safeguarding procedures.

Planning

The layout and staffing of the Early Years department allows for constant supervision. Throughout the setting children are always under the supervision of a member of staff.

Curriculum

We introduce key elements of keeping children safe into our programme to promote the personal, social and emotional development of all children, so that they may grow to be strong, resilient and listened to and so that they develop an understanding of why and how to keep safe.
We create within the setting a culture of value and respect for individuals, having positive regard for children’s heritage arising from their colour, ethnicity, languages spoken at home, cultural and social background.
We ensure that this is carried out in a way that is developmentally appropriate for the children.

Confidentiality

All suspicions and investigations are kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know. Any information is shared under the guidance of the South Gloucestershire Children’s Partnership.

Support to families

We believe in building trusting and supportive relationships with families, staff and volunteers.
We make clear to parents our role and responsibilities in relation to child protection, such as for the reporting of concerns, information sharing, monitoring of the child, and liaising at all times with the local children’s social care team.
We will continue to welcome the child and the family whilst investigations are being made in relation to any alleged abuse.
We follow the Child Protection Plan as set by the child’s social care worker in relation to the school’s designated role and tasks in supporting that child and their family, subsequent to any investigation.
Confidential records kept on a child are shared with the child’s parents or those who have parental responsibility for the child in accordance with our Parent & Carer Access to Confidential Records policy, and only if appropriate under the guidance of the South Gloucestershire Children’s Partnership.
We provide parents with a safeguarding board which holds information regarding all areas of Child protection to give them more knowledge and understanding.

Use of mobile phones and cameras at the setting – please refer to the setting’s Policy

Legal Framework

Primary legislation

Children Act (1989 s47)
Protection of Children Act (1999)
GDPR & Data Protection Act (2018)
The Children Act (Every Child Matters) (2004)
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006)
Counter Terrorism and Security Act (2015)

Secondary legislation

Sexual Offences Act (2003)
Criminal Justice and Court Services Act (2000)
Equalities Act (2010)
GDPR & Data Protection Act (2018) Non Statutory Guidance / GDPR (May 2018)

Further guidance

Keeping Children Safe in Education (Update – January 2021 (Post EU Exit)
Working Together to Safeguard Children (HMG July 2018)
Information Sharing: Guidance for Practitioners and Managers (HMG July 2018)
Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment between Children in Schools & Colleges (DofE May 2018)
What to do if you’re Worried a Child is Being Abused (HMG 2015)
Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (DofH 2000)
The Common Assessment Framework for Children and Young People: A Guide for Practitioners (CWDC 2010)
Statutory guidance on making arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children under section 11 of the Children Act 2004 (HMG 2007)
Prevent Duty Guidance for England and Wales (July 2015)
Disclosure and Barring Service: www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check
Child Abuse and Neglect – NICE Guidance (Oct 2017)
Multi-Agency Statutory Guidance on Female Genital Mutilation (DofE, dfH, Home Office, Apr 2016)
Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment between children in schools and colleges (Dec 2017)
Promoting the education of looked after and previously looked after children (Feb 2018)

Data protection: a toolkit for schools (April 2018)