Safeguarding

 

Policy intention

 

Everyone who comes into contact with children has a responsibility to safeguard and promote their welfare.

This policy is in place so that we can demonstrate how we do this.

Children must have all of their basic needs met including food, warmth, water, rest, security and safety, in the setting and at home. We have a responsibility to ensure we meet these needs whilst children are in our care.

Children need positive relationships with all the adults that help them to grow, learn and develop.

The physical environment must be safe as well as stimulating to allow children to display high levels of well-being and involvement.

 

Procedure

 

Learning & Development

• We will ensure children develop a broad range of skills, knowledge and attitudes to enhance their learning & development.

 

Safeguarding & Welfare

• Our setting provides a healthy, safe and secure environment where individual needs are met.

• We are alert to any issues of concern in the child's life, at home or elsewhere.

• We only release children to the parent/carer or to someone named and authorised by them. A password will also need to be given.

• We support children to be aware of their own safety and develop strategies to learn about their bodies, give consent and say no.

• Intimate care will be provided. Permission will be asked when necessary and privacy will be considered at all times.

• We will outline all steps to safeguard children, documenting how any cause for concern will be reported to relevant bodies, in line with the Child Protection Policy and in accordance with local safeguarding partners.

• We have a duty to recognise any inappropriate behaviour displayed by other members of staff in line with the Public Interest Disclosure (Whistle blowing) Policy.

• Our staff will record any unexplained bruises, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect at the earliest opportunity in line with the Child Protection Policy.

• Regular emergency evacuation drills are undertaken, and clear procedures are in place to summon help in English.

• We have risk assessments in place to identify hazards that could cause injury or illness.

• We assess how likely it is that a child or adult could be harmed and detail the action to minimise the hazard and control the risk.

• In conjunction with parents/carers, we will establish a sleep and rest routine, ensuring children are settled, checked and kept safe while sleeping.

• We pay due regard to the Prevent Duty guidance and work in partnership with other professionals.

• A named deputy who is capable and qualified will take charge in the absence of the manager.

• We ensure that at least one person who has a current paediatric first aid certificate is on the premises at all times and accompanies children on outings.

• One member of staff is designated as lead practitioner with responsibility to safeguard all children in the setting, see the Child Protection Policy.

• We ensure that all staff maintain confidentially and understand the legal and GDPR requirements that exist to protect information relating to the child in line with Information and Records Policy and Acceptable Use Policy.

Other useful policies:

• Emergency Evacuation

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Child Protection

Policy Intention

 

This policy outlines our responsibility to keep children safe and be alert to any issues of concern in the child’s life, at home, in the setting, or elsewhere.

We must be able to identify and respond to, the needs of a child so they are safeguarded and protected.

Clear systems must be in place so that we can record and take appropriate action to protect a child and then work with others in line with local guidance.

All staff are trained and have a responsibility to identify signs of possible abuse and neglect and record and report appropriately.

Children learn best when they are happy, safe and secure.

 

Procedure

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Safeguarding & Welfare

• We ensure that all staff are trained and knowledgeable in recognising and recording the possible signs of abuse and neglect.

• We follow the guidance and procedures of the relevant local safeguarding partners.

• We have a designated safeguarding lead, who has attended a child protection training course and is able to identify, understand and respond appropriately.

• The designated lead will provide support, advice, and guidance to staff on an ongoing basis.

• We will provide an explanation to parents/carers (except where this may cause further harm to a child) of the action taken when there are safeguarding concerns about a child.

• Any action to be taken in the event of an allegation against a member of staff will be detailed in line with the Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblowing Policy).

 

• We have systems in place to ensure that usage of all recordable devices, such as, mobile phones, smart watches, and cameras, follow the Acceptable Use policy, which outlines online safety.

• The management of information and records ensures that personal details and information of staff, children and families are in line with data protection guidance and our Information and Records Policy.

• We are responsible for following local and national statutory guidance and Prevent Duty Guidance.

• Our staff are recruited and managed to ensure they are and remain safe and suitable to look after children, in line with our Safer Recruitment Policy and Supervision Policy.

• We ensure that we have contacts for and access to local children’s safeguarding partnerships. We will outline all steps to safeguard children, documenting how any cause for concern will be reported to relevant bodies in line with the Safeguarding Policy.

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