child protection policy


[PDF]child protection policy - Rackcdn.comhttps://5f2fe3253cd1dfa0d089-bf8b2cdb6a1dc2999fecbc372702016c.ssl.cf3.rackcdn...

2 downloads 127 Views 488KB Size

Moor Lane Day Nursery SAFEGUARDING AND CHILD PROTECTION POLICY AND PROCEDURES Moor Lane Safeguarding designated officer: Carol Price Moor Lane Nursery has a statutory responsibility and duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children in our care and to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and to any safeguarding and child protection issues in a child’s live at home or elsewhere. As such we believe we have a duty to the children, parents/main carers and staff to act quickly and responsibly in any instance that may come to our attention. All staff have completed level one safeguarding training. Moor Lane Nursery has a duty to report any suspicions around abuse to the Local Authority. The Children Act 1989 (section 47 [1]) places a duty on the Local Authority to investigate such matters. Moor Lane Nursery has due regard to the Governments’ statutory guidance Working together to Safeguard Children (July 2018). We will follow the procedures set out in the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures and Early Years Foundation Stage 2017 (EYFS) Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements and as such will seek their advice on all steps taken subsequently. Moor Lane Nursery has regard to the Prevent Duty 2015 and are aware of the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism. As part of this we promote fundamental British values by following the EYFS and focusing on children’s personal, social and emotional development ensuring children learn right from wrong, mix and share with others, value others’ view, know about similarity and differences between themselves and others and challenge negative attitudes and stereotypes. We will follow our procedures by contacting SPA (020 8547 5008) if we have any concerns to ensure that children receive effective support and protection. Definition of safeguarding  Protecting children from maltreatment  Preventing impairment of children’s health or development  Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care  Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcome ‘Child protection refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm’ Working Together to Safeguard Children (July 2018)

1

What to do if we have concerns about a child: We may become concerned or worried about a child’s care, behavior, an injury to a child, or the risk they may be being drawn into terrorism, but the child may not have said anything to suggest that they have been abused or in danger of abuse. Every case is individual and decisions to investigate or follow up a concern will be made by SPA or a social worker. SPA can be contacted for initial advice and guidance. Procedure:  In an emergency we will take action to obtain urgent medical attentions for the child, if required, for example 999;  Stop other activity, responding to a suspicion of abuse takes immediate priority;  Refer to the safeguarding processes flowchart;  If there is any reason to believe that a child is subject to physical, emotional, sexual abuse or neglect, we will report these concerns to the SPA team or out of hours emergency duty team;  We will record who we spoke to, any advice given and actions taken;  We will complete a referral form if advised to by SPA;  We will ask the parent/carer about what has been observed, so long as does not put the child at increased risk. (see seeking consent);  If we decide not to discuss our concerns with the child’s parents we will record this and the reason why we made this judgement;  We will record exactly what has been heard or seen, what has been said and was done;  We will use a body map to record injuries but will not take photographs;  We will keep the notes taken at the time, without amendments, omissions or addition, even though subsequent reports may be written (each page will be signed and dated);  We will operate on a need-to-know basis only. We will not discuss the issue with colleagues, friends or family; What to do if a child discloses abuse: To protect children we will:  Ensure the immediate safety of the child;  Stop all other activity and focus on what the child is saying, responding to a suspicion of abuse takes immediate priority;  Seek any necessary medical treatment without delay;  Stay calm and will not express shock or disbelief;  Listen carefully to what is being said, allow the child to continue at their own pace. We will ensure questions are absolutely minimal;  Repeat back to the child (as accurately as possible) what I heard, to check my understand of what the child has told me;  Ask the parent/carer about what has been disclosed, so long as it does not put the child at increased risk. (see seeking consent); 2

  

As soon as possible, record in writing what was said, using the child’s own words. We will note the date, time and names mentioned, and ensure that all records are signed and dated; Note anything the parent/carer tells us; Contact SPA following their advice and then the Early Years Consultant;

Seeking Consent While we would seek to discuss any concerns with the child’s parents/carers and where possible, seek their agreement to make a referral to SPA, there are cases where I must not discuss concerns with them before making a referral. Concerns must not be discussed with parents/carers before referral in the following circumstances:  Where discussion would put a child at risk of significant harm;  Where discussion would impeded a police investigation or social work enquiry;  Where sexual abuse is suspected;  Where female genital mutilation (FGM) is suspected to have been carried out or planned;  Where radicalization or extremism is suspected within the family;  Where organised or multiple abuse is suspected;  Where factitious illness or induced illness is suspected;  Where to contact parents/carers would place you or others at risk; or where it is not possible to contact parents or carers without causing undue delay in making the referral, advice would be sought from SPA. A decision not to seek parental permission before making a referral to SPA will be recorded, and the reasons given. What to do if an allegation of abuse is made against an adult or student in contact with children; To protect children we will:  Treat the matter seriously;  Remove the adult from the situation;  Seek any necessary medical treatment for the child without delay;  Make a written record of the information that includes: when the alleged incident took place (time and date), who was present, and what was said to have happened and who else may have been present.  We will keep an open mind and avoid asking leading questions;  Write down exactly what is said, not what we think they have said, record the person’s actual words. If we are not sure about a word or phrase this will be clearly stated in our notes;  NOT attempt to investigate the matter by interviewing any potential child witnesses or the accused person but simply record the facts and information presented to them; 3



Report the matter immediately to SPA within a maximum of 24 hours for advice and further guidance, who in turn will contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) who will offer advice and guidance;  Cooperate fully with the processes of the SPA team and with any police investigations. If the LADO and police decide an allegation requires further investigation a multi-agency strategy meeting will be held to agree who has responsibility for the actions, their timescales and what records to be made;  Ensure adults involved, including those who may have been suspended, are kept informed and supported throughout the investigation;  Await the outcome of the investigation before taking further action;  Ensure that if the investigation leads to the allegations are substantiated, that disciplinary action will follow, taking legal advice where necessary;  Make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) if the allegation is substantiated and the person concerned is dismissed;  Inform Ofsted as soon as reasonably possible, but at the latest within 14 days If an adult tenders their resignation this must not prevent an allegation being followed up, a formal conclusion reached and action taken. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) FGM is a form of child abuse and there is no justification for it under any circumstances. There is a mandatory duty requiring regulated health and social care professionals and teachers to report known case of FGM in under 18’s. FGM has been illegal in the UK since 1985 and it is also illegal to take a girl abroad to undergo FGM if they are a British citizen or habitually resident in the UK. Any report of a child at risk or has undergone FGM will be treated with confidentially. All cases are child protection issues and require an immediate referral. It will be considered that siblings in the family may also be at risk. Whistle blowing The whistle blowing procedure aims to help and protect both staff, volunteers, students and children. By following the procedure you are acting to:  Prevent a problem getting worse  Safeguard children and young people, and  Reduce the potential risks to others The earlier you raise a concern, the easier and sooner it is possible for the setting to take action. Procedures Procedures for reporting and investigation ‘whistle blowing’ concerns have been developed to ensure that:  Staff, students and volunteers can raise concerns (no matter how small they may appear) internally as a matter of course, and receive feedback on any action taken. 4

    

Concerns are taken seriously and dealt with quickly and appropriately. Staff and volunteers are reassured that they will be protected from reprisals or victimization for whistle blowing in good faith. Staff volunteers can take the matter further if they are dissatisfied with the setting response and seek external advice and guidance. Appropriate records are maintained for monitoring purposes The appropriate person/s will investigate the concerns thoroughly, ensuring that a written response can be provided within 10 working days.

Some concerns may be resolved at this initial stage simply, by agreed action or an explanation regarding the concern, without the need for further investigation. Concerns or allegations that raise issues that fall within the scope of other policies/procedures, will be addressed under those procedures. If you do not feel that the complaint has been dealt with effectively or you still have concerns, you have a right to refer your concerns to Ofsted. Raising a concern Staff, students and volunteers should raise concerns with the manager in the first instance then with Barbara Morton or Elanor Hughes. Concerns should be raised in writing and include:  Reference to the fact that it is a whistle blowing disclosure  The background and history of the concerns  Names, dates and places (where possible)  The reasons why the individual is concerned about the situation Staff who feel unable to put concerns in writing, can telephone or meet the manager, Barbara Morton (07469 100 499) or Elanor Hughes (020 8547 5299). Use of mobile Phones To ensure the safety and welfare of children in our care it is statutory that we operate a personal mobile phone usage which stipulates that personal mobile phones cannot be used when in the presence of children, on the premises or offsite. To protect children we will:  All mobile phones are kept in staff individual lockers throughout contact time with the children  Mobile phone calls may only be taken at staff breaks or in staff members own time  If you have a personal emergency you should use the nurseries telephone  Staff to ensure that managers have up to date contact information and that staff make their families aware of work telephone numbers. This is the responsibility of the individual staff member

5

Cameras: photography and images The vast majority of people who take or view photographs or videos of children do so for entirely innocent, understandable and acceptable reasons. However, due to cases of abuse to children through taking or using images, we must ensure that we have safeguards in place. To protect children we will:  Ensure that only the nurseries designated camera is used for and all photos will be stored securely on the computer  Ensure Moor Lane is registered with the Information Commissioners Officer (ICO), in accordance with data protection laws  Obtain parents/carers consent for photographs to be taken or published (for example on AFC website or in newspapers or publications)  Ensure that children are dressed appropriately and only use the child’s first name with an image  Ensure parents/carers are not permitted to take photographs of the children in the nursery

Key Contacts: Single Point of Access (SPA) Telephone: 020 8547 5008 Hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday) Emergency out of hours contact: 020 8770 5000 For child protection concerns in an emergency outside of office hours, all day Saturday, Sundays and bank holidays OFSTED Telephone: 0300 123 1231 Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB) Kingston and Richmond Local Safeguarding Children Board Telephone: 020 8831 6323 [email protected]

Reviewed in August 2018 Reviewed due in August 2019

6