Child Protection (Safeguarding)

Requirement:

EYFS 2024 > Safeguarding & welfare requirements > 3.1; 3.2; 3.3

EYFS 2024 > Training & skills > 3.26; 3.28

EYFS 2024 > Suitable people > 3.9

EYFS 2024 > Staff qualifications, training, support & skills > 3.23

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024

Harrow LSP

The Children’s Act 2004

The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (this includes the Prevent Duty)

Serious Crime Act 2015 (reference female genital mutilation and domestic violence)

What to do if you are worried a child is being abused 2015

Working together to safeguard children 2023

Our first responsibility and priority is towards the children in our care. If we have any cause for concern we will report it, following the Harrow LSP procedures. The relevant local procedures that are held by us are available on request.

We understand that child abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional and neglectful, or a mixture of these. We must notify Ofsted of any allegations of abuse that are alleged to have taken place while the child is in our care.

Procedure (how we put the policy into practice)

We keep up to date with child protection issues and relevant legislation. We attend regular training courses and read relevant publications such as The Childcare Professional, Early Years Educator and Nursery World. This helps us to be aware of the signs of abuse or neglect and what to do if we have a concern. 

We have copies of, and are familiar with, the Harrow Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Every six months we check that we have the latest version of the relevant procedures (or any documents that may replace them in the future).

We have a copy of the relevant booklets and guidance (as outlined in the PACEY booklet Safeguarding Children: a Guide for Childminders and Nannies). We have read them and understand them. 

If we are concerned about a child’s welfare, we will contact the local authority, the NSPCC, PACEY or other relevant support services for advice. Confidentially will be assured only when it is clear that there is no risk of harm to a child.

Child protection concerns that could identify a particular child are kept confidential and only shared with people who need to know this information.

Parents must notify us of any concerns they have about their child and any accidents, incidents or injuries to the child. We have a form that records existing injuries and one that records any accidents during our care. A copy of these records will be given to parents and one kept in the child’s file at the setting. We will keep records of these (along with our public liability insurance certificate) for a period of 21 years and 3 months.

FGM comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

We will keep all of the children safe from harm. FGM affects girls particularly from north African countries, including Egypt, Sudan, Somalia as well as India and Pakistan.

It is illegal in the UK to allow girls to undergo female genital mutilation either in this country or abroad. People guilty of allowing FGM to take place are punished by fines and up to fourteen years in prison.

We have a duty to report concerns we have about girls at risk of FGM to the police and social services.

We have regard for our responsibilities under The Prevent Duty to help protect the children we look after from being drawn into extremism and terrorism. We actively promote British Values in the setting, to help build the children’s resistance to radicalisation.  

We work together with parents to make sure the care of their child is consistent – please refer to our Working with Parents Policy.

We will implement the Harrow Safeguarding Children Board procedures without delay if we notice:

• Significant changes in children’s behaviour
• Unexpected (or unexplained) bruising or marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect
• Any comments made by a child which give us cause for concern
• Deterioration in general wellbeing which causes concern
• Signs of neglect or abuse outside of the setting
• Inappropriate behaviour displayed by people working with children, for example inappropriate sexual comments or excessive one-to-one comments

We will immediately call the local social services’ duty desk, if it is known that a child is at risk of harm. We will follow it up with a letter within 48 hours. We will keep a factual record of the concern and will ask the parents for an explanation, providing it would not put the child at risk.

The standards for registered nurseries in England require us to let Ofsted know of any concerns that we have reported without delay.

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
• 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 and will not make a child repeat their account
• Explain what actions we must take, in a way that is appropriate to the age and understanding of the child
• 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
• Report our concerns immediately to the duty social worker who has the experience and responsibility to make an assessment of the situation

If an allegation is made against any member of our nursery, we will report it to Ofsted and social services, following the Safeguarding Children Board procedures. We will also contact PACEY’s Information Line on 0300 003 0005 for advice and support.

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 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

It is not our responsibility to attempt to investigate the situation ourselves.

LADO is responsible for the management and oversight of cases when there is an allegation or concern made against any member of the setting or if there is a serious injury to a child. We will therefore also ensure that they are notified (see contact details below).

We have a separate Photographic Policy which details the use of digital camera and smart phone and how images (digital and video) are dealt with. We will not photograph private areas of the child unless advised by LADO.

Useful telephone numbers

Review date: 31 December 2024