Safeguarding procedures
Should we have a concern about a child, we will implement our safeguarding Procedures without delay. If we feel that discussing our concerns with parents or families will not put the child at further risk, then we shall do so. If we believe that it will put the child at risk, then we shall implement our procedure without consent.
In the event of any Prevent concerns, we will follow the agreed procedure:
In the event of any Prevent concerns, we will follow the agreed procedure:
- Contact ACT anti-terrorism hotline to raise any concerns relating to extremism directly on 0800 789321
- Concerns can be raised by email to: counter.extremism@education.gov.uk
If we have any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child, we will follow the agreed safeguarding procedure:
- We can contact the Children’s Single Point of Access (C-SPA) Mon-Fri 9.00-5.00 on 0300 470 9100
- We can contact Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team on 01483 517898
- For Early Help support we can contact our South-East Team on 0300 123 1620
- If a referral is to be made, we will download and complete a Request for Support Form, from the website cspa@surreycc.gov.uk
- 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 at risk of significant harm.
- The 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.
Signs and indicators of concern include:
- Significant changes in children’s behaviour
- Unexpected bruising or marks or signs of possible abuse
- Repeated injuries that have no plausible explanation
- Patterned bruising
- Any comments made, games played, or words used which give us cause for concern
- Deterioration in general wellbeing or withdrawn presentation which causes concern
- Signs of neglect
- Physical discomfort that is unexplained, preventing sitting, standing, or walking
- Incidents of unpredictable, unexpected non-attendance or travel 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, with expectations that are unhealthy or will impact negatively on a child’s wellbeing or will put them in danger.
- 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 and date 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 if we believe 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.
We will keep a factual record in our Safeguarding Folder, of the concern/disclosure and will ask the parents for an explanation if we believe 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.
Disclosures.
If a child tells us that they or another child is being abused, we will:
If a child tells us that they or another child is being abused, 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 we 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 was 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 us of any concerns they have about their child and any accidents, incidents or injuries affecting the child, which will be recorded using an Existing Injuries Body Map. If we notice any bruising/marks or injuries on a child that 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 signs of bruising 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.
Allegations made against us.
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 the
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) on 0300 123 1650 (option 3). We will also contact,
Morton Michel on 0300 058 9861 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 the
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) on 0300 123 1650 (option 3). We will also contact,
Morton Michel on 0300 058 9861 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 123 1650 – option 3.
- Whistle blowing as an important aspect of safeguarding whereby staff and volunteers are encouraged to share genuine concerns about a colleague’s behaviour.
- We have a Whistle blowing policy.
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 123 1650 – option 3.
We do work in partnership with parents and understand that parents need support from time to time. We can offer advice and engage other services for advice wherever we can. We will use the Surrey CC Levels of Support Guidance to signpost where the most effective and timely support can be reached.
Sharing information
As part of our commitment to transition 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 information that will help to keep children safe and inform those providing future care.
As part of our commitment to transition 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 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 children, and when providing intimate care, we will ensure that the children’s dignity is protected. This might mean changing a nappy in a discrete area of a shared room away from others or ensuring some 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 children, and when providing intimate care, we will ensure that the children’s dignity is protected. This might mean changing a nappy in a discrete area of a shared room away from others or ensuring some 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 has previously been trained in Team Teach and Positive Handling which enables the adult to de-escalate situations and comfort the child whilst also holding them positively, allowing them to be guided to a place of safety. If positive handling has been used it will be recorded in our Safeguarding and Incidents folder, we will also let you know that this has happened.
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 has previously been trained in Team Teach and Positive Handling which enables the adult to de-escalate situations and comfort the child whilst also holding them positively, allowing them to be guided to a place of safety. If positive handling has been used it will be recorded in our Safeguarding and Incidents folder, we will also let you know that this has happened.
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) with checks. The members are, Mel, Annie, David, and Tom.
We have a visitor book on the premises and visitors to the property will sign this, adding the time and purpose of their visit for everyone’s protection, and when they leave.
All significant incidents will be recorded and documented in our safeguarding and incidents folder.
During their stay in our home the children will be supervised and will be in sight, and/or, in hearing distance of the adults always, 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) with checks. The members are, Mel, Annie, David, and Tom.
We have a visitor book on the premises and visitors to the property will sign this, adding the time and purpose of their visit for everyone’s protection, and when they leave.
All significant incidents will be recorded and documented in our safeguarding and incidents folder.
During their stay in our home the children will be supervised and will be in sight, and/or, in hearing distance of the adults always, 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 we follow GDPR legislation through our privacy statement and agreement. We seek permissions to use information, and images as per agreement. With that in mind, we have a procedure for their use:
We understand that mobile phones are an everyday part of life for parents and childminders, and we follow GDPR legislation through our privacy statement and agreement. We seek permissions to use information, and images as per agreement. With that in mind, we have a procedure for their use:
- We will ensure our mobile phone is fully charged, and with us always
- 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 once your child leaves the setting.
- We will not publish any photographs of your child on any social platform.
- Unidentifiable hand shots will be used on our Facebook page, with no names.
- If your child has a mobile phone or camera that they wish to bring into the setting please let us know, so that we can work together to ensure the safety of all children in attendance.
- We will work with parents and older children to keep everyone safe online and have an e-safety policy, and guidance for parents.
- Our laptop will be in a shared area and children will only access recommended websites for research, or the microscope.
- They will be supervised.
- Children will not be able to access social networking whilst on the premises.
- Advice for parents re social networking platforms is shared.
We are registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) as a data controller.
Date: Oct 23
Signed: AOKane Date: 26.10.23
Signed: MOkane Date: 26.10.23
Signed: AOKane Date: 26.10.23
Signed: MOkane Date: 26.10.23