Peer on Peer Abuse Policy

TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS EARLY YEARS NURSERY

Statement of Intent

At Truly Scrumptious Early Years Nursery, we are committed to safeguarding all children in our care. We follow the principles of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024, which states:

“Governing bodies and proprietors should ensure their child protection policy includes procedures to minimise the risk of peer-on-peer abuse and sets out how allegations of peer-on-peer abuse will be investigated and dealt with.”

We place a strong emphasis on listening to the voice of the child and ensuring their wishes and feelings are central to any action taken or services provided. Children are encouraged to express their views through age-appropriate systems, and these are treated with respect and sensitivity.

Purpose and Aims

Children may harm one another in ways that constitute abuse. The purpose of this policy is to:

  • Define peer-on-peer abuse and the various forms it may take.

  • Ensure a consistent, supportive, and immediate response to incidents.

  • Promote awareness and preventative strategies among staff, children, and parents.

Related Policies

This policy should be read in conjunction with:

  • Child Protection Policy

  • Safeguarding Policy

Legislative Framework

This policy is informed by:

  • Children Act 1989 – The child’s welfare is paramount.

  • Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) – Emphasizes the importance of the child’s voice in assessment.

  • Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024) – Outlines expectations for preventing and responding to peer-on-peer abuse.

Definition and Types of Peer-on-Peer Abuse

Abuse between children should never be dismissed as “just banter” or “part of growing up.” Forms of peer-on-peer abuse may include:

  • Physical Abuse – e.g. hitting, kicking, biting, hair pulling.

  • Sexually Harmful Behaviour – e.g. inappropriate touching, language, or sexual assault.

  • Prejudice-Based Abuse – Linked to race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or social class.

  • Bullying or Repeated Harmful Behaviour – Including exclusion, intimidation, or manipulation.

Staff Response and Expectations

All staff must:

  • Respond immediately and sensitively.

  • Use open-ended, non-leading questions to gather facts.

  • Record observations and evidence (e.g. incident reports, ABC charts, CCTV).

  • Conduct risk assessments and consider intent behind behaviour.

  • Avoid judgmental or dismissive attitudes.

  • Be trained and confident in responding appropriately to these incidents.

Investigating Incidents: Key Steps

1. Gather the Facts:

  • Speak to involved staff and children (as appropriate to age and understanding).

  • Ask open questions: What happened? Who was there? When and where?

2. Review Evidence:

  • Use observations, reports, ABC charts, and CCTV.

3. Consider Intent and Context:

  • Was the behaviour deliberate or reactive?

  • Are there known triggers?

  • Are consistent behaviour strategies in place?

4. Safeguarding Decision:

  • If there is significant harm or risk, refer immediately to Children’s Social Care (and police, if appropriate).

  • If criteria for referral are not met, consider early help or internal resolution.

Informing Parents

  • Parents should be informed face-to-face whenever possible.

  • Share facts without judgment and reassure that appropriate support will be offered.

  • Inform both sets of parents (of the child harmed and the child causing harm) sensitively.

Factors to Consider

  • Age and Understanding – Are the children developmentally capable of understanding their actions?

  • Location of Incident – Was the behaviour visible or hidden? Are there supervision concerns?

  • Child’s Understanding – Do they understand boundaries, consent, and personal space?

  • Repetition – Is this a repeated behaviour? Has it been addressed previously?

Post-Incident Actions

For the Child Displaying Harmful Behaviour:

  • Understand the underlying cause.

  • Seek external support (e.g., GP, Early Help, Strengthening Families).

  • Apply consequences (e.g., restorative conversations, additional supervision).

  • Develop an individual risk assessment if the behaviour poses ongoing risk.

For the Child Who Was Harmed:

  • Provide ongoing emotional support.

  • Monitor for any delayed trauma or emotional effects.

  • Work closely with the family and outside agencies as needed.

Aftercare and Monitoring

Both children involved should receive support after the incident. Emotional responses such as remorse or distress may appear later. All children must feel safe, heard, and supported throughout the process.

Preventative Strategies

We aim to prevent peer-on-peer abuse through:

  • Age-appropriate education on feelings, personal space, and respect.

  • High-quality staff training.

  • Strong supervision and staff ratios.

  • Positive behaviour management strategies.

  • A clear culture of safeguarding-first throughout the setting.

Contract Termination Clause

At Truly Scrumptious Early Years Nursery, we reserve the right to terminate a child’s placement if:

  • Repeated harmful behaviour continues despite all interventions.

  • Parents/carers do not follow advice (e.g., fail to seek support from external agencies).

  • The behaviour causes harm or persistent risk to others and we have exhausted all strategies to prevent it.


Reviewed by: Brittany V. – Manager – 09/06/2025

At Truly Scrumptious Nurseries we recognise that the provision of pets/animals provides a wealth of learning opportunities, we understand that children learn about the natural world, its animals and other living creatures as part of the Early Years Foundation stage (EYFS). It also enables children the chance to learn how to care for living things, what they need to live and thrive.

In the pastwe have had 2 nursery pets at our Romford setting, 2 therapy rabbits called Leroy and Shteve, who are sadly no longer with us.  Occasionally, Barney and Maggie, our managing director’s family boxer dogs may visit the children.

We may also have animal experiences come and visit us at the nursery for different occasions, farmyard animals, or “safari pete” who brings a variety of different species.

Risk Assessment

All parents are notified of the animals at the nursery upon the show around. Any children who have confirmed allergies are taken into consideration.

On the days that the children with allergies attend the nursery, the animals will be kept away from certain areas of the nursery.

Risk assessments are carried out when pets visit the nursery to ensure that all necessary precautions are taken to prevent accident, injury or the spread of infection, including hand washing using sterilising gel and the avoidance of children putting hands and fingers in their mouths.

There is a hand washing station located just outside of the Avery.

Health & Hygiene

Staff are fully aware of the importance of health and hygiene procedures when children are in contact with the animals.

Staff will guide and monitor the children do not put their hands near the animals faces. When they have been in contact with the pets the children are encouraged to wash their hands with antibacterial soap before continuing with normal daily routines to prevent the spread of germs.

Children are never left unsupervised with the animals.

EYFs key themes and commitments

A unique child Positive relationships Enabling environments Learning & Development
1.4 health & well-being 2.3 supporting learning 3.3 the learning environment

4.1 play and exploration

4.4 knowledge and understanding of the world

 

 

Policy written by Hayley Binion- Manager

Reviewed– August 2024

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