Child protection policy

Blundeston Preschool

Safeguarding Lead: - Charlotte Clark

Deputy lead: - Debra Everill

Working together to safeguard children 2021 -

Assets.publishing.service.gov.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/942455/Working_together_to_safeguard_children_Statutory_framework_legislation_relevant_to_safeguarding_and_promoting_the_welfare_of_children.pdf

We support the children within our care, protect them from maltreatment and have robust procedures in place to prevent the impairment of children’s health and development. Safeguarding is a much wider subject than the elements covered within this single child protection policy, therefore this. Document should be used in conjunction with the other preschool policies and procedures.

Our preschool will work with children, parents, external agencies, and the community to ensure the welfare and safety of children and to give them the very best start in life. Children have the right to be treated equally with respect and to be safe from any abuse in whatever form.

Policy Intention

To safeguard children and promote their welfare we will:

• Create an environment to encourage children to develop a positive self-image.

• Encourage children to develop a sense of independence and autonomy in a way that is appropriate to their age and stage of development.

• Provide a safe and secure environment for all children.

• Always listen to children.

• Share information with other agencies as appropriate.

Blundeston Preschool has a clear commitment to protecting children and promoting welfare. Should anyone believe that this policy is not being upheld, it is their duty to report the matter to the attention of the preschool manager/chairperson at the earliest opportunity.

The legal framework for this policy is based on:

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006)

Legislation.gov.uk. 2021. Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. [online] Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/47/contents

Working together to safeguard children.

Childrens act 2006

Educators have a duty to protect and promote the welfare of children. Due to the hours of care, we are providing, staff will often be the first people to sense that there is a problem. They may well be the first people in whom children confide in about abuse.

The Preschool has a duty to be aware that abuse does occur in our society.

This statement lays out the procedures that will be followed if we have any reason to believe that a child in our care is subject to welfare issues including physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect.

Our prime responsibility is the welfare and wellbeing of all children in our care. As such we believe we have a duty to the children, parents, and staff to act quickly and responsibly in any instance that may come to our attention. All staff will work as part of a multiagency team where needed in the best interests of the child.

The preschool aims to: Ensure that children are never placed at risk.

Preschool staff will:

• Ensure that confidentiality is always maintained.

• Ensure that all staff are alert to the signs of abuse.

• Understand what is meant by child protection and are aware of the different ways in which children can be harmed including by other children i.e., bullying, discriminatory behaviour.

• Ensure that all staff are familiar and updated regularly with child protection issues and procedures.

• Ensure parents are fully aware of child protection policies and procedures when they register with the preschool and are kept informed of all updates when they occur.

• Keep the child at the centre of all we do.

• Regularly review and update this policy with staff and parents where appropriate.

• Children will be supported by offering reassurance, comfort, and sensitive interactions.

• Activities will be devised according to individual circumstances to enable children to develop confidence within their peer group.

Contact telephone numbers.

Ofsted [0300 123 1231]

Local Authority Designated Officer 0300 123 2044

MASH 0345 6061429

Customer First 0808 800 4005

Types of abuse

The signs and indicators listed below may not necessarily indicate that a child has been abused but will help us to know that something may be wrong, especially if a child shows a number of these symptoms or any of them to a marked degree.

Children and babies may be abused physically through shaking or throwing. Other injuries may include burns or scalds. These are not usual childhood injuries and should always be logged and discussed with the Preschool manager and chairperson.

All signs of marks/injuries to a child when they come into preschool or occur during time at the preschool, will be recorded as soon as noticed by a staff member.

The incident will be discussed with the parent at the earliest opportunity.

Such discussions will be recorded, and the parent will have access to such records.

If there appear to be any queries regarding the injury, the Suffolk Safeguarding partnership (SSP) in the local authority will be able to advise.

https://suffolksp.org.uk/

Fabricated illness

This is also a type of physical abuse. This is where a child is presented with an illness that is fabricated by the adult carer. The carer may seek out unnecessary medical treatment or investigation.

The signs may include a carer exaggerating a real illness or symptoms, complete fabrication of symptoms or inducing physical illness e.g., through poisoning, starvation, inappropriate diet.

This may also be presented through false allegations of abuse or encouraging the child to appear disabled or ill to obtain unnecessary treatment or specialist support. This is also a type of physical abuse. This is where a child is presented with an illness that is fabricated by the adult carer. The carer may seek out unnecessary medical treatment or investigation. The signs may include a carer exaggerating a real illness or symptoms, complete fabrication of symptoms or inducing physical illness e.g., through poisoning, starvation, inappropriate diet. This may also be presented through false allegations of abuse or encouraging the child to appear disabled or ill to obtain unnecessary treatment or specialist support.

Female Genital mutilation

This type of physical abuse is practised as a cultural ritual by certain ethnic groups and there is now more awareness of its prevalence in some communities in England. If there is concern about a child in this area, social services should be contacted, in the same way as other types of physical abuse. This type of physical abuse is practised as a cultural ritual by certain ethnic groups and there is now more awareness of its prevalence in some communities in England. If there is concern about a child in this area, social services should be contacted, in the same way as other types of physical abuse. FGM helpline Tel: 0800 028 3550

GOV.UK. 2021. Female genital mutilation: help and advice. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/female-genital-mutilation-help-advice

Sexual abuse

The adult should reassure the child and listen without interrupting if the child wishes to talk.

The observed instances will be detailed in a confidential report.

The observed instances will be reported to the preschool manager.

The matter will be referred to SSP (Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership).

This may include extremes of discipline where a child is shouted at or put down on a consistent basis, lack of emotional attachment by a parent, or it may include parents or carers placing inappropriate age or developmental expectations upon them.

Emotional abuse

May also be imposed through the child witnessing domestic abuse and alcohol and drug misuse by adults caring for them.

The child is likely to show extremes of emotion with this type of abuse. This may include shying away from an adult who is abusing them, becoming withdrawn, aggressive, or clingy to receive their love and attention. This type of abuse is harder to identify as the child is not likely to show any physical signs.

Procedure:

The concern should be discussed with the manager/chairperson.

The concern will be discussed with the parent.

Such discussions will be recorded, and the parent will have access to such records.

A Common Assessment Framework (CAF) may need to be completed.

If there appear to be any queries regarding the circumstances, the matter will be referred to the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership.

Indicators of child abuse

Failure to thrive and meet developmental milestones.

Fearful or withdrawn tendencies

Aggressive behaviour

Unexplained injuries to a child or conflicting reports from parents or staff

Repeated injuries

Unaddressed illnesses or injuries.

Recording suspicions of abuse and disclosures

Staff should make an objective record (supported by the preschool manager or Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) of any observation or disclosure, these should include.

Child's name

Child's address

Age of the child and date of birth

Date and time of the observation or the disclosure

Exact words spoken by the child.

Exact position and type of injuries or marks seen.

Exact observation of an incident including any other witnesses.

Name of the person to whom the concern was reported, with date and

time; and the names of any other person present at the time.

Any discussion held with the parent(s) (where deemed appropriate).

These records should be signed by the person reporting this and the *manager/*DSL, dated and kept in a separate confidential file.

If a child starts to talk to an adult about potential abuse, it is important not to promise the child complete confidentiality. This promise cannot be kept. It is vital that the child can talk openly, and disclosure is not forced, or words put into the child’s mouth. As soon as possible after the disclosure it is vital details are logged down accurately.

It may be thought necessary that through discussion with all concerned the matter needs to be raised with the SSP and Ofsted and/or a CAF needs to be initiated. Staff involved may be asked to supply details of any information/concerns they have regarding a child. The preschool expects all members of staff to co-operate with the SSP and Ofsted in any way necessary to ensure the safety of the children. Staff must not make any comments either publicly or in private about a parent’s or staffs supposed or actual behaviour.

Staffing and volunteering

It is the policy of the preschool to provide a secure and safe environment for all children. The preschool will therefore not allow an adult to be left alone with a child who has not received their enhanced DBS disclosure clearance. It is the policy of the preschool to provide a secure and safe environment for all children. All staff will attend child protection training within their first six months of employment and receive initial basic training during their induction period. This will include the procedures for spotting signs and behaviours of abuse and abusers, recording and reporting concerns and creating a safe and secure environment for the children in the preschool. All staff have safeguarding training.

Charlotte Clark the preschool DSL undertakes specific training and accesses regular updates to developments within this field. We provide adequate and appropriate staffing resources to meet the needs of children.

Applicants for posts within the preschool are clearly informed that the positions are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Legislation.gov.uk. 2021. Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. [online] Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/53

Candidates are informed of the need to carry out checks before posts can be confirmed. Where applications are rejected because of information that has been disclosed, applicants have the right to know and to challenge incorrect information.

All enhanced dbs. disclosures checks will be updated on a regular basis to ensure the suitability all staff to join the update service of the adults caring for the children.

We abide by Ofsted/CSSIW requirements in respect of references and suitability checks for staff and volunteers, to ensure that no disqualified person or unfit person works at the preschool or has access to the children.

We ensure we receive at least two written references BEFORE a new member of staff commences employment with us.

All students will have enhanced DBS disclosures conducted on them before their placement starts Volunteers, including students, do not work unsupervised.

We abide by the requirements in respect of any person who is dismissed from our employment or resigns in circumstances that would otherwise have led to dismissal for reasons of child protection concern.

We have procedures for recording the details of visitors to the preschool and take security steps to ensure that we have control over who comes into the preschool, so that no unauthorised person has unsupervised access to the children.

All contractors/external workers will be enhanced dbs. checked and the manager will request this before allowing them access to the preschool.

All visitors/contractors will still be accompanied whilst on the premises, especially when in the areas, the children use.

All staff have access to a whistleblowing policy which will enable them to share any concerns that may arise about their colleagues in an appropriate manner.

All staff will receive regular supervision meetings where opportunities will be made available to discuss child protection training and any needs for further support.

The deployment of staff within the nursery allows for constant supervision and support. Where children need to spend time away from the rest of the group, the door will be left ajar or other safeguards will be placed into action to ensure the safety of the child and the adult.

Informing parents

Parents are normally the first point of contact. If a suspicion of abuse is recorded, parents are informed at the same time as the report is made, except where the guidance of the SSP does not allow this. This will usually be the case where the parent or family member is the likely abuser, or where a child may be endangered by this disclosure. In these cases, the investigating officers will inform parents.

Confidentiality

All suspicions, enquiries and external investigations are kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know. Any information is shared under the guidance of the SSP.

Support to families

The preschool takes every step in its power to build up trusting and supportive relations among families, staff, and volunteers within the preschool.

The preschool continues to welcome the child and the family whilst enquiries are being made in relation to abuse in the home situation.

Parents and families will be treated with respect in a non-judgmental manner whilst any external investigations are carried out in the best interests of the child.

Confidential records kept on a child are shared with the child's parents or those who have parental responsibility for the child, only if appropriate under the guidance of the SSP with the provision that the care and safety of the child is paramount. We will do all in our power to support and work with the child's family.

Employees or volunteers

If an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer, we will follow the HM Government guidance in ‘Working together to safeguard children,2018.

The allegation should be reported to the manager. If this person is the subject of the allegation, then this should be reported to the Chairperson/DSL/manager instead.

The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), Ofsted and the SSP will then be informed immediately for this to be investigated by the appropriate bodies promptly:

LADO will be informed immediately for advice and guidance.

A full investigation will be carried out by the appropriate professionals (LADO, Ofsted, SSP) to determine how this will be handled.

The preschool will follow all instructions from the LADO, Ofsted, SSP and asks all staff members to do the same and cooperate where required.

Support will be provided to all those involved in an allegation throughout the external investigation in line with LADO support and advice.

The preschool reserves the right to suspend any member of staff during an investigation

All enquiries/external investigations/interviews will be documented and kept in a locked file.

Unfounded allegations will result in all rights being reinstated.

Founded allegations will be passed on to the relevant organisation (police) and will result in the termination of employment.

Ofsted/CSSIW will be notified immediately of this decision. The preschool is also required to notify the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) to ensure their records are updated.

All records will be kept until the person reaches normal retirement age or for 10 years if that is longer. This will ensure accurate information is available for references and future dbs. checks and avoid any unnecessary reinvestigation.

The preschool retains the right to dismiss any member of staff in connection with founded allegations following an inquiry.

Counselling will be available for any member of the preschool who is affected by an allegation, their colleagues in the preschool and the parents.

Designated Safeguarding Lead – Charlotte Clark

Read and agreed this policy.

Signed

Deputy Safeguarding Lead – Debra Everill

Read and agreed this policy.

Signed

This policy was reviewed January 2023.

Signed on behalf of the committee Jennifer Clark, Chairperson

This policy is to be reviewed annually unless legislation requires before