Safeguarding Policy
As child minders it is our legal duty to protect all children, not just those who attend Little Acorns. We have attended safeguarding training and we keep this up to date. We know what the signs and symptoms of the different kinds of abuse are.
We understand that we have a Prevent Duty and we are clear about the role that we play in safeguarding children from extremist influences and radicalisation, and keeping people and communities safe from the threat of terrorism. Prevent is one of the Governments counter- terrorism strategies. We have both completed training in Prevent, and one of us has also completed Channel Training.
We understand that we have a Prevent Duty and we are clear about the role that we play in safeguarding children from extremist influences and radicalisation, and keeping people and communities safe from the threat of terrorism. Prevent is one of the Governments counter- terrorism strategies. We have both completed training in Prevent, and one of us has also completed Channel Training.
We keep up to date with child protection issues and relevant legislation by taking regular training courses and by reading relevant updates on the SCC website and by taking a refresher training every three years. This helps me be aware of the signs of abuse or neglect and what to do if I have a concern. We understand that child abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, neglect or a mixture of these. We will ensure that records are kept up to date of any concerns that we may have about the children. This may be worries about their presentation, something concerning that they may have shared, or unexplained marks or bruising.
If we have any concerns about the safety or well being of a child we will follow the agreed safeguarding procedure:
- We can contact our Surrey Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and ask for a consultation for further advice. 0300 470 9100
- This number is Children’s Services Referral hub South East Area on 0300 123 1620
- If a referral is to be made will complete a Multi – Agency Referral form (MARF) within 48 hours.
- This could result in an investigation and assessment conducted by Children’s Services, (possibly also by the police.)
- There will be a decision made as to whether the child is considered to be at risk of significant harm.
- Then child may be subject to a Child Protection Plan.
- It may be decided that no further action is required.
- As a last resort the child may be removed from the family temporarily or
- permanently.
If we notice:
We will document our concerns. We will implement the Safeguarding procedures without delay to minimise any risk to the child. We will keep a factual record in our Safeguarding Folder, of the concern/disclosure and will ask the parents for an explanation providing that we consider that it would not put the child at further risk. In this instance we would need to break confidentiality. Child protection concerns that could identify a particular child are kept confidential and only shared with people who need to know this information.
- Significant changes in children’s behaviour
- Unexpected bruising or marks or signs of possible abuse
- Any comments made which give us cause for concern
- Deterioration in general well being which causes concern
- Signs of neglect.
- Incidents of non-attendance at our setting, which could be interpreted as a 'Pattern of Absence',
- A pattern of worrying behaviour, which could be linked to Child Sexual Exploitation.
- Worrying influences from other adults or groups.
- Concerning health issues, and/or unexplained pain or discomfort which could be linked to the signs of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or Breast Ironing.
We will document our concerns. We will implement the Safeguarding procedures without delay to minimise any risk to the child. We will keep a factual record in our Safeguarding Folder, of the concern/disclosure and will ask the parents for an explanation providing that we consider that it would not put the child at further risk. In this instance we would need to break confidentiality. Child protection concerns that could identify a particular child are kept confidential and only shared with people who need to know this information.
If a child tells us that they or another child is being abused (a disclosure), we will:
- Show that we have heard what they are saying, and that we take their allegations seriously. It is our duty of care to believe the child.
- Encourage the child to talk, but we will not prompt them or ask them leading questions. We will not interrupt when a child is recalling significant events.
- Explain what actions we must take, in a way that is appropriate to the age and understanding of the child, without making any promises
- Write down what we have been told using exact words where possible
- Make a note of the date, time, place and people who were present at the discussion.
In all instances I will record:
- the child’s full name and address
- the date and time of the record
- factual details of the concern, for example bruising, what the child said, who was present
- details of any previous concerns
- details of any explanations from the parents
- Any action taken such as speaking to parents.
Parents must notify me of any concerns they have about their child and any accidents, incidents or injuries affecting the child, which will be recorded using a Body Map. If we notice any bruising/marks or injuries on a child we have not been told about and we have a concern we will contact children’s services. If we do not have a concern we will contact the parent for an explanation. This will be documented and parents will be required to sign the account on collection of their child.
It is a requirement that we report any signs of bruising found on children who are not independently mobile.
We support safer working practices and must notify Ofsted within 14 days of any allegations of abuse, which are alleged to have taken place while the child is in our care. We will follow the steps contained in the ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’ booklet.
If an allegation is made against us, or any member of our household, we will report it to Ofsted and children’s services following the Safeguarding procedures, and our Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). We will also contact PACEY on 0300 003 0005 for advice and support.
If an allegation is made against us, or any member of our household, we will report it to Ofsted and children’s services following the Safeguarding procedures, and our Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). We will also contact PACEY on 0300 003 0005 for advice and support.
We have a duty to report the unsafe practice of others:
Any concerns that we have about an adult working with children and also any allegations made against us or another member of our family will be reported to the
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), on
0300 200 1006 – option 4, then option 3, or
0300 123 1650 option 3.
- Whistle blowing as an important aspect of safeguarding whereby staff and volunteers are encouraged to share genuine concerns about a colleagues behaviour
- We have a Whistle blowing policy to support staff and volunteers.
Any concerns that we have about an adult working with children and also any allegations made against us or another member of our family will be reported to the
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), on
0300 200 1006 – option 4, then option 3, or
0300 123 1650 option 3.
We do work in partnership with parents and understand that parents need support from time to time. We are able to offer advice and engage other services for advice wherever we can.
Prevent Duty and promoting British Values.
Prevent is one of the Governments counter-terrorism strategies, it aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
The Prevent strategy:
Most recent documentation includes the new Prevent Duty Guidance which childminder’s must comply with as of July 2015. The document can be found online at www.gov.uk and searching childcare prevent duty.
The Counter Terrorism and Security Act places a duty on Early Years settings to ‘have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’ (The Prevent Duty).
The new documentation will be used and referred to alongside other safeguarding documents such as ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ and information referring to British Values. (See our Different and Belonging Together… Policy)
We are aware of the signs and indicators of extremism or radicalisation and have completed a Government home office online course, ‘Prevent e-learning training course’, (Prevent Agenda). One of us has completed a Channel General Awareness module also with Surrey County Council.
The Department for Education telephone helpline:
020 7340 7264
To raise any concerns relating to extremism directly. Concerns can also be raised by email to:
counter.extremism@education.gov.uk
Prevent is one of the Governments counter-terrorism strategies, it aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
The Prevent strategy:
- Responds to the ideological challenge we face from terrorism and aspects of extremism, and the threat we face from those who promote these views;
- Provides practical help to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure they are given appropriate advice and support; and
- Works with a wide range of sectors (including education, criminal justice, faith, charities, online and health) where there are risks of radicalisation that we need to deal with.
Most recent documentation includes the new Prevent Duty Guidance which childminder’s must comply with as of July 2015. The document can be found online at www.gov.uk and searching childcare prevent duty.
The Counter Terrorism and Security Act places a duty on Early Years settings to ‘have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’ (The Prevent Duty).
The new documentation will be used and referred to alongside other safeguarding documents such as ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ and information referring to British Values. (See our Different and Belonging Together… Policy)
We are aware of the signs and indicators of extremism or radicalisation and have completed a Government home office online course, ‘Prevent e-learning training course’, (Prevent Agenda). One of us has completed a Channel General Awareness module also with Surrey County Council.
The Department for Education telephone helpline:
020 7340 7264
To raise any concerns relating to extremism directly. Concerns can also be raised by email to:
counter.extremism@education.gov.uk
Female Gentile Mutilation (FGM) Breast Ironing, Forced marriage, Honour Based Violence.
There are cultural practices both here and around the world which put vulnerable children in significant harm. We are aware of the signs of these practices and will be alert to the groups of children who could be at risk. Should we have any concerns that these practices have been used, or are about to be used, we will implement our safeguarding procedures without delay.
There are cultural practices both here and around the world which put vulnerable children in significant harm. We are aware of the signs of these practices and will be alert to the groups of children who could be at risk. Should we have any concerns that these practices have been used, or are about to be used, we will implement our safeguarding procedures without delay.
Transition
As part of our commitment to transition and consistency and progression of care, we will share information with other settings and schools as children and families move on, this includes, as our responsibility of duty of care, any other information that will help to keep children safe and inform those providing future care.
As part of our commitment to transition and consistency and progression of care, we will share information with other settings and schools as children and families move on, this includes, as our responsibility of duty of care, any other information that will help to keep children safe and inform those providing future care.
Intimate Care
We are committed to providing a dignified and respectful service for your children, and when providing intimate care we will ensure that the children’s dignity is considered at all times. This might mean changing a nappy in a discrete area of a shared room away from other children, or ensuring some supportive privacy whilst a child learns to use a toilet, or experiments with cleaning themselves. We might stand just outside the door, whilst remaining reassuring and close. We will be positive should a child have a toilet accident.
We are committed to providing a dignified and respectful service for your children, and when providing intimate care we will ensure that the children’s dignity is considered at all times. This might mean changing a nappy in a discrete area of a shared room away from other children, or ensuring some supportive privacy whilst a child learns to use a toilet, or experiments with cleaning themselves. We might stand just outside the door, whilst remaining reassuring and close. We will be positive should a child have a toilet accident.
Positive Handling
There may be a time when physical intervention will be needed, for example if a child’s behaviour is dangerous to others, or themselves. Or maybe a child has become distressed and unable to use self-control. In these instances a ‘positive touch’ approach will be used. A member of staff is trained in Team Teach and also Positive Handling which enables the adult to de-escalate situations and comfort the child whilst also holding them positively and allowing them to be guided to a place of safety. If positive handling has been used this will be recorded in our Safeguarding and Incidents folder, we will also let you know that we have used this practice on your child.
There may be a time when physical intervention will be needed, for example if a child’s behaviour is dangerous to others, or themselves. Or maybe a child has become distressed and unable to use self-control. In these instances a ‘positive touch’ approach will be used. A member of staff is trained in Team Teach and also Positive Handling which enables the adult to de-escalate situations and comfort the child whilst also holding them positively and allowing them to be guided to a place of safety. If positive handling has been used this will be recorded in our Safeguarding and Incidents folder, we will also let you know that we have used this practice on your child.
How we protect ourselves and our family
As part of our safeguarding procedures everyone in the household who is 16 and over has had an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The members include, Mel, Annie, David, Tom, Fred (granddad), and regular visitors e.g. Jess.
We have a visitor book on the premises and visitors to the property will sign this adding the time and the purpose of their visit for everyone’s protection.
All significant incidents will be recorded and documented in our safeguarding the incidents folder.
During their stay in our home the children will be supervised and will be in sight and/or in hearing of the adults at all times in different areas of the house or the outdoors.
We have a visitor book on the premises and visitors to the property will sign this adding the time and the purpose of their visit for everyone’s protection.
All significant incidents will be recorded and documented in our safeguarding the incidents folder.
During their stay in our home the children will be supervised and will be in sight and/or in hearing of the adults at all times in different areas of the house or the outdoors.
As part of our safeguarding procedures everyone in the household who is 16 and over has had an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The members include, Mel, Annie, David, Tom, Fred (granddad), and regular visitors e.g. Jess.
We have a visitor book on the premises and visitors to the property will sign this adding the time and the purpose of their visit for everyone’s protection.
All significant incidents will be recorded and documented in our safeguarding the incidents folder.
During their stay in our home the children will be supervised and will be in sight and/or in hearing of the adults at all times in different areas of the house or the outdoors.
We have a visitor book on the premises and visitors to the property will sign this adding the time and the purpose of their visit for everyone’s protection.
All significant incidents will be recorded and documented in our safeguarding the incidents folder.
During their stay in our home the children will be supervised and will be in sight and/or in hearing of the adults at all times in different areas of the house or the outdoors.
The use of mobile phones and cameras
We understand that mobile phones are an everyday part of life for parents and childminders and with that in mind; we have a clear procedure for their use:
We understand that mobile phones are an everyday part of life for parents and childminders and with that in mind; we have a clear procedure for their use:
- We will ensure our mobile phone is fully charged and with us at all times in case of emergencies
- We have the facility to take photographs on a camera and will seek your permission to take any photographs of your child to record activities and share their progress with you.
- Any photographs taken will be deleted after using them in your child’s learning journey.
- We will not publish any photographs of your child on any social networking sites or share with any other person without your permission.
- If your child has a mobile phone or camera that they wish to bring into the setting please let me know, so that we can work together to ensure the safety of all children in attendance.
- We will work with older children to keep them safe online and have an e-safety policy. Our laptop will be in a shared area and children will only access recommended websites for research/ home learning.
- They will be supervised.
- Wordshark and other support material will be accessed and licensed appropriately.
- Children will not be able to access social networking whilst on the premises.
We have registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) as a data controller.
Date: December 2017
Signed: AOkane Date: 22.12.17
Signed: MOkane Date: 22.12.17
Signed: AOkane Date: 22.12.17
Signed: MOkane Date: 22.12.17