SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN POLICY

Truly Scrumptious Early Years Nursery

Safeguarding Policy

Introduction

As an Ofsted regulated nursery, we comply with the local child Safeguarding procedures and it is our duty to record and report to children services any concerns regarding the possible abuse of children in our care (emotional, physical, sexual or neglect). If an allegation is made against a member of staff in the nursery, the correct procedure if followed (see allegation against a member of staff policy & procedure)

Our prime responsibility is the welfare and well-being of children in our care. As such it is our duty to the children, parents/carers and staff to act quickly and responsibly in any instance that may come to our attention. All staff will work as part of a multi-agency team where needed in the best interest of the child.

The Legal framework for this policy

Children act (2004/1989)
Working together to safeguard children (2014)
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006)
Counter-Terrorism Act and Security Act (2015)
Multi-Agency Practise Guidelines
Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003
Serious Crime Act 2015

Prevent Duty ) (All Truly staff in contact with children have received up to date training)

In Line with section 26 of the counter-terrorism and security act (2015) we understand the importance of staff members being able to recognise and identify vulnerable children and to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”.

We recognise the importance of protecting children from the risk of radicalisation and promoting British values in the same way we would protect and safeguard children from any other abuse.

We will ensure all staff members are able to notice changes in children’s behaviour as we would do with any kind of safeguarding matter as there is no single way of being able to identify a child who is at risk of being venerable or susceptible to radicalisation/extremism.

Regular reviews on our e-safety policy and use of mobile phones and internet policy are carried out as we recognise the increased risk of online radicalisation.

All staff members are also aware of the appropriate time to make a referral to the “Channel Programme”.

Our Aim

It is our aim to ensure that all the children receive the highest level of care, provision and education.

The health, safety and welfare of all our children are of paramount importance to all the adults who work in our nursery. Our children have the right to protection, regardless of age, gender, race, culture, background or disability. Children have the right to be safe within the nursery.

We are committed to:

Building a “culture of safety” in which children are protected from abuse and harm in all areas of its service delivery.
Responding promptly and appropriately to all incidents or concerns of abuse that may occur and to work with statutory

agencies in accordance with the procedures that are set down in “what to do if you’re worried a child is being abused”

Promoting awareness of child abuse issues throughout its training and learning programmes for adults
Empowering young children, through early childhood curriculum, promoting their rights to be strong, resilient and listened to.
Ensuring that all staff are alert to the signs and understand what is meant by safeguarding and are aware of the different ways in which children can be harmed
Ensuring all a robust training system, in which all staff are confident in the policies and procedures relating to the safeguarding and welfare of the children

It is the policy of the nursery to provide a secure and safe environment for all children from abuse. The nursery will therefore not allow an adult to be left alone who has not received their enhanced DBS check clearance and all our staff will receive updated and relevant safeguarding training as part of their induction and as refresher training after their 3 month probation.

We abide by Ofsted requirements in respect of references and Disclosure and Baring Services checks for all staff and volunteers to ensure that disqualified person or unsuitable person has any access or contact with the children.

We know how important staff ratios are and ensure that we follow the legal requirements for the minimum numbers of staff present with the children at any time as set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead Officer is PATRICIA TREW and HAYLEY MARSH, who work together and alongside our Deputy Safeguarding Officer DEMI ALLCOCK, BRITTANY VANT and STACEY CARTER to co-ordinate child protection issues and are contactable on

Patricia – 07722 158351 (tricia@trulyscrumptiousnursery.co.uk)

Brittany/Stacey – 01708 766802

Demi – (demi.senco@outlook.com)

Hayley – 01277 368362 (hayley@trulyscrumptiousnursery.co.uk)

Looked after children

Early years settings are committed to providing quality provision based on equality of opportunity for all children and their families. All staffs are committed to doing all they can to enable “looked after” children in their care to achieve and reach their full potential.

We recognise that children who are being looked after have often experienced traumatic situations; emotional or sexual abuse or neglect. However, we also recognise that not all looked after children have experienced abuse and that there are a range of reasons for children to be taken in to the care of the local authority. Whatever the reason, a child’s separation from their home and family signifies a disruption in their lives that has impact on their emotional well-being.

In our setting, we place emphasis on promoting children’s right to be strong, resilient and listened to. Our policy and practise guidelines for looked after children are based on two important concepts, attachment and resilience. The basis of this is to promote secure attachments in children’s lives as the basis for resilience.

What is abuse?

A person may abuse of neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Staff in the nursery recognise that child abuse can and does happen in all types of families.

The following identifies some possible manifestations of child abuse; however these lists are not exhaustive.

Neglect- is the persistent failure to meet basic physical and psychological needs, which may result in the serious impairment of the child’s medical problems, emaciation or under nourishment. Staff may notice behavioural signs such as a child who always seems hungry, tired, has ill -fitting clothes, poor personal hygiene, e.g soiled, unchanged nappies, etc.

Procedure:

The concern should be discussed with the parent/carer.
Such discussions will be recorded and the parent/carer will access to such records.
If there appears to be any queries regarding the circumstances the child protection/MASH team.

Physical abuse- physical signs may involve unexplained bruising/marks in unlikely areas, facial bruising, hand/finger marks, bite marks, burns, lacerations or abrasions. Staff may notice several behavioural signs that also indicate physical abuse such as a child that shy’s away from physical contact, is withdrawn or aggressive towards others or their behaviour changes suddenly.

Procedure:

All signs of marks/injuries noticed on a child will be recorded immediately on an pre-existing injury form and signed by parents
The incident will be discussed parent/carer at the earliest opportunity (when signing form)
If there appears to be any queries or concerns regarding the injury, the child protection/MASH team will be called for advice immediately.

Sexual abuse –physical signs may include bruising consistent with being held firmly, discomfort in walking/sitting, pain or itching in the genital area, discharge or blood on under clothes, or loss of appetite. Behavioural signs may include drawings or play showing indicators of sexual activity, sexual explicit language, and knowledge of adult sexual behaviour, seductive behaviour towards others, poor self-esteem and a child who is withdrawn.

Procedure:

The observed instances will be detailed in a confidential report
The observed instances will be reported immediately to the designated person/nursery manager.
The matter will be referred straight to the child protection team/MASH hub.

Emotional abuse – physical signs of emotional abuse may include a general failure to thrive, not meeting expected developmental milestones and behaviourally a child may be attention seeking, telling lies, have an inability to have fun and join in play, low self-esteem, speech disorders, and be inappropriately affectionate towards others.

Procedure:

The concerns should be discussed with the parent/carer by the designated person/nursery manager.
Such discussions will be recorded and the parent/carer will have access to such records
If there appears to be any queries or ongoing concerns after discussion with parent/carer the child protection team/MASH team will be notified.

Recording suspicions of abuse and disclosures (procedures);

Staff will be an objective record of any observation or disclosure and include-

v Childs name/address/D.O.B and age

v Date, time, location of the observation or disclosure

v EXACT words spoken

v Name of the person who the concern was reported to with date and time and names of any other person present at the time.

v Any discussion held with parents/carer

v Name and signature of person completing the report/observation.

However, when identifying any potential instances of abuse, staff must at all times be aware that children may demonstrate individual or combinations of indicators detailed above, but may not be the subject of abuse. Individual or isolated incidents do not necessarily indicate abuse. Staff should always remain vigilant and must NOT ignore warning signs and contact the relevant services at any stage for support.

Female Genital mutilation (FGM) (All Truly staff in contact with children have received up to date training)

As our duty of care, we have a statutory obligation under national safeguarding protocols (e.g working together to safeguard children) to protect young girls and women from FGM as it is an illegal, extremely harmful practise and a form of abuse.

It is essential that we work closely together with other agencies if we suspect a child has suffered or is likely to suffer FGM as appropriate safeguarding efforts. This is reflected in the Multi-Agency Practise Guidelines.

If a child in our care shows signs and symptoms (see below) of FGM or we have good reason to suspect the child is at risk of FGM, we MUST refer the child using our existing standard safeguarding procedures as it is a form of child abuse. When a child is identified as “at risk” of FGM, this information MUST be brought to the child’s GP attention and health visitor (as per section 47 of The Children’s Act 1989)

Important Signs & Symptoms to look out for if you suspect the child is “at risk” of FGM

Father comes from a community that is known to practice FGM
Mother/Family may have limited contact with people outside family
It is known that the mother has FGM
Family does not engage with professionals (health, school, other)
Parents say that they or a relative will take the child abroad for a prolonged period of time
Childs spoken about a holiday to her country of origin or another where the procedure is practiced
Child has confided that she is to have a “special procedure” to “become a woman” or to be “more like her mum/sister/aunt” etc
Family/child are already know to social services

Important Signs & Symptoms to look out for if you suspect the child has had FGM

Child regularly attends GP appointments, has frequent Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’S)
Increased emotional and physiological needs e.g withdrawals, depression or significant changes in behaviour.
Child talks about pain/discomfort between legs
Child has difficulty walking, sitting for long periods of time- which wasn’t a problem previously
Significant or Immediate Risk
- Child confides in a member of staff/professional that FGM has taken place
- Parent or family member discloses professional/ nursery child has had FGM

PEER ON PEER ABUSE

(Please see Peer on Peer Abuse for detailed information.

Abusive behaviour can happen to children in settings and it is necessary to consider what abuse is and looks like, how it can be managed and what appropriate support and intervention can be put in place to meet the needs of the individual and what preventative strategies may be put in place to reduce further risk of harm. Abuse is abuse and should never be tolerated or passed off as ‘banter’ or ‘part of growing up’.

Types of abuse There are many forms of abuse that may occur between peers and this list is not exhaustive. Each form of abuse or prejudiced behaviour is described in detail followed by advice and support on actions to be taken.

Although the type of abuse may have a varying effect on the victim and initiator of the harm, these simple steps can help clarify the situation and establish the facts before deciding the consequences for those involved in perpetrating harm.

It is important to deal with a situation of peer abuse immediately and sensitively. It is necessary to gather the information as soon as possible to get the true facts around what has occurred as soon after the child(ren) may have forgotten. It is equally important to deal with it sensitively and think about the language used and the impact of that language on both the children and the parents when they become involved.

In all cases of peer on peer abuse it is necessary that all staff are trained in dealing with such incidents, talking to young people and instigating immediate support in a calm and consistent manner. Staff should not be prejudiced, judgemental, dismissive or irresponsible in dealing with such sensitive matters.

Useful contact information

Child Protection Team: 01708 433222 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm)

Out of hours/weekends: 01708 433999

LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer): 01708 434366

Ofsted: 0300 1234 666 / NSPCC/Childline: 0800 1111

Policy written by Hayley Marsh and Patricia Trew

Nursery Managers and Designated Safeguarding Lead Officers

Reviewed January 2017