Safeguarding Statement
SRC’s Commitment to Child Protection
The SRC Community Nursery staff team aims to promote the health, development, safety, and welfare of all children in our care. We recognise that community of children and families to whom we provide a service to, is diverse in culture, racial background, religion, social class, financial and resources. Whilst family ‘cultural’ differences will be respected, they will not be viewed as valid explanation for clear harm to a child. The child’s welfare shall be of paramount consideration in the implementation of safeguarding in the nursery. (Children’s Act 1989)
When concerns for a child’s protection, welfare or safety arise, SRC Community Nursery will consider making a referral to the Local Authority in all instances. Our first responsibility is towards the child as laid down in the ‘What to do if you’re Worried a Child is being Abused’ Guidance and we will always aim to work closely in partnership with parents.
This Child Protection Statement is supported by our setting child protection policy, which sets out in detail our procedures and practices in managing child protection. Robyn Coulter Manager from 12-11-2018
Working in Partnership with Parents
SRC Community Nursery’s staff team will inform parents of their child protection duties. A meeting with the parents is held during the settling in period, where SRC Community Nursery’s policies and procedures is discussed. A copy of the Child Protection Statement and policy is given to all parents for their own use/reference.
We will also encourage parents to talk about any concerns they might have for either their own child or other children.
When we have concerns for a child’s protection, welfare, or safety our aim will always be to provide on-going support and advice to parents. Wherever possible parents will be contacted before a referral is made to discuss the nature of the concerns. However, if there is an immediate concern about the child’s welfare or safety, or if there is a possibility that the police may need to be involved in an investigation, then we will contact the Local Authority first to decide who is the best person to talk with the parents.
Concerns of a child protection nature will not be made public knowledge within the setting. They will, however, need to be shared on a need to know basis and with other relevant professional services.
SRC Community Nursery staff team receive regular training in child protection and are aware of their child protection responsibilities, including the procedure to be followed should an allegation be made against a member of staff.
Our Key Responsibilities are to:
Be alert to possible signs of abuse, neglect, or concern for a child’s welfare.
Prevent’ awareness’ Compliance include: Risk assessment, working with local partnership with LSCB (Local Safeguarding Children’s Board), The Police, LA (Local Authority) Helpline: Preventing extremism in Schools and Children’s Services: 0207 340 7264 Email to: counter.extremism@education.gsi.gov.uk
To be active and responsive to the signs of Female Genital Mutilation
SRC Community Nursery’s Designated Safeguarding leads (DSL) are Robyn Coulter (Manager), Laura Edgerton (Deputy Manager), and Deana Khodja (Twinkle Room, Team leader). If for any reason you can not or do not wish to inform any of the settings DSL, we strongly advise you to alert a member of our staff team.
Keep clear and accurate records on child protection or welfare concerns (These confidential records should include, clearly signed and dated entries and are stored securely with in the office in a locked cabinet).
Establish and maintain professional relationships with children and their families.
Adopt consistent safe work practices across the whole staff team that reflect a pro-active attitude towards avoiding allegations against staff and promote high standards of childcare and education.
Designated person for child protection
SRC Community Nursery’s Designated Safeguarding leads (DSL) are Robyn Coulter (Manager), Laura Edgerton (Deputy Manager), and Deana Khodja (Twinkle Room, Team leader).
The key responsibilities for the Designated Person are to:
Ensure that the setting Safeguarding, and child protection policy is reviewed and updated annually. All members of staff/volunteers (including new, part-part time and students) should be aware of it and able to implement the procedures. Parents are also given a copy to refer to.
Refer cases of suspect abuse to the relevant agency
Ensure Safeguarding policies and procedures covering the use of mobile phones and cameras are adhered to within the setting.
Ensure that everyone feels able to respond to a disclosure in an appropriate way and that everyone is clear about the need to pass on information.
Keep child welfare records in a locked cabinet, separate from children’s records.
Design contingency plans for times when the lead designated officers are not on the premises
Ensure that safeguarding is a regular agenda item at team meetings and all staff supervisions.
Undertake appropriate discussion with parents prior to involvement of another agency unless the circumstances may put the child at further risk or acute harm. If in any doubt seek advice from social care as required.
Ensure that all parent/carers understand the responsibly placed on the setting and staff for safeguarding and child protection.
Lease with social care and or police (and/or any other appropriate agencies) as necessary to safeguard the welfare of children in the setting.
Understand the role of other agencies, know how to contact them, and be prepared to work in partnership.
Gather information from relevant sources to prepare reports for children who are going to be discussed at a child protection conference or child in need meeting.
Gather information from relevant sources to contribute to an assessment at core group meetings/child in need plan to which has been agreed.
Help staff/volunteers to devise and co-ordinate strategies to support children who are particularly vulnerable.
Ensure that all staff have access to support and supervision, particularly after dealing with a child welfare concern.
Ensure that all staff’s keep up to date with child protection training, Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB) training and other training opportunities.
Ensure Designated Person training is updated every three years and that all other staff’s basic Child Protection training is updated every three years.
Recognising signs of abuse and neglect:
SRC Community Nursery recognises that a concern for a child’s protection, welfare or safety can arise at any time during the day and can come to staff member’s attention through:
A child’s behaviour, including signs of discomfort or distress.
Physical signs of harm or neglect.
What a child or parent might say.
Adult behaviour, which might be signs of abuse and neglect.
Inappropriate use of mobile phones and cameras or any recording equipment e.g. I Pods/ I Pads
Long term sickness (child)
Extremely low attendance
Significant changes in children's behaviour.
Deterioration in children’s general well-being.
Unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect.
Children’s comments which give cause for concern.
Information received from another party.
Having identified the concern for the child, it will be necessary to assess the level of seriousness and consider the most appropriate course of action. Such decisions should be made in consultation with Robyn Coulter – Manager, the designated Person for child protection and/or the Registered/Nominated Person.
In the managers’ absence all reports should be directed to Laura Edgerton Deputy, in the absence of both please report to Deana Khodja.
Details of the concerns for the child and/or their siblings and parents should be noted as soon after the observation was made, as soon as possible. These written records should be signed (with printed name in brackets), dated and stored securely.
Allegations made against a Member of Staff or Volunteer
SRC Community Nursery will always deal with allegation made against a staff member or volunteer as a child protection matter. A referral will be made to the Local Authority Designated officer (LADO) as necessary and SRC Community Nursery will co-operate fully in the investigation process.
Ofsted will be informed of all allegations made against staff members (including agency staff, students and volunteers), by the Designated Person for child protection within 14 days.
Allegations made against staff should NOT be made public knowledge or within the setting, this should be kept confidential on a need to know basis.
Whistle Blowing - Allegations made by a Member of Staff about a colleague or volunteer or Managers.
Any member of staff who has concerns about a colleague, volunteer or manager should feel confident in speaking out. This includes neglect of duties or failing to follow SRC’s policies and procedures. All efforts will be made to keep such matters confidential. However, during any formal enquiry, the identity of the person making the allegation may become public. This should not deter staff members from voicing such concerns, and they should not feel intimidated or be penalised.
Staffing Checks/Suitable People
SRC Community Nursery will always ensure Professional References and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Records Checks (DBS) are made prior to any paid staff member or volunteer starting work. We also put robust systems in place to update DBS Checks every three years this could be earlier if felt necessary. All staff must disclose any convictions, cautions, court orders, reprimands and warnings that may affect their suitability to work with children. This will be carried out in the application form, at interview, and during their existing employment. The nursery will record qualifications, identity checks, and DBS Enhanced Criminal Records checks reference number. The nursery will also meet their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable groups.
Disqualification including by association.
If a member of staff or registered person has been disqualified from working within an early year setting, the nursery will not allow the person to be employed or continue to be employed at the nursery and will inform Ofsted and Southwark Council of the following:
Details of any order, determination, conviction, or other ground for disqualification from registration under regulations made under section 75 of the Childcare Act 2006;
The date of the order, determination or conviction, or the date when the other ground for disqualification arose;
The body or court which made the order, determination or conviction, and the sentence (if any) imposed; an
A certified copy of the relevant order (in relation to an order or conviction).
Report to the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) Vetting and barring board
1 Having certain orders or other restrictions placed upon them.
2. Having committed certain offences
3. Living in the same household as someone who is disqualified by virtue of 1 and 2 above (this is known as disqualified by association)
SRC will inform Ofsted and Southwark Council Safeguarding Team as soon as reasonably possible, but at the latest within 14 days of the date the nursery became aware of the information and reasonable enquiries made.
Child Protection Policy and Procedure
The lead person for Safeguarding children is Robyn Coulter (Manager) second nominated person in the managers’ absence is Laura Edgerton Deputy Manager. In the even that both DSL are not on the premises, the DSL is Deana Khodja. Arrangements will always be made to ensure either Robyn Coulter or Laura Edgerton are contactable.
What is child abuse and neglect?
Children can be abused in many ways, sometimes by a deliberate act and sometimes when adults who should be caring for them neglect their needs.
The four main categories of abuse are:
Physical Abuse
Child Sexual Abuse
Neglect
Emotional Abuse
Abuse and neglect can affect children of any age, class, race, and family background. The effects can be so damaging that an individual may still be suffering in adulthood.
If a child attends Nursery with an injury, staff members ask the parent or carer to write what happened and how the injury occurred on a communication record.
If you have concerns regarding a child because of the change in their behaviour, or type of behaviour that is being displayed and or injuries seen without a consistent explanation, these actions that should be taken:
Consider what you know – what you have seen and what it is about the child that causes you concern.
Write down what it is that concerns you.
Look back at recordings and observations, these can often show patterns.
Supporting a child who disclose or may have experienced abuse:
· Ensure the immediate safety of the child.
· Seek any necessary medical treatment without delay.
· Tell the child that they are not to blame- it’s not their fault.
· Reassure the child that they are being taken seriously- do not express shock or disbelief.
· Explain to the child that they have done the right thing to tell you.
· Do not promise that you will be able to keep secret what the child has told you- be honest and explain that it will be necessary to tell someone else to help them and keep them safe.
· Keep questions to a minimum and ask only open questions. For example: after noticing a mark on a child, ask “How did that happen?” not a leading question.
· Repeat back to the child (as accurately as possible) what you have heard to check your understanding of what the child has told you.
· Ask the child if they have told anyone else.
· A child who can communicate directly, should be asked how they sustained the injury. It is perfectly acceptable to also ask the parent/carer about the injury.
· Tell the child what will happen next and what you intend to do.
· Log what the child has told you as soon as possible.
· Record the child’s own words but you may need to check with the child what they mean if this is unclear (for example, the child may have particular words for parts of the body).
· Ensure that records are recorded factually and signed and dated. They should be passed on as soon as possible to the designated safeguarding officer.
· The Designated safeguarding officers are Robyn Coulter, or Laura Edgerton in her absence. If both Designated Safeguarding officers are not on the premises, concerns must be reported to Deana Khodja. Arrangements will be made to ensure that either Robyn Coulter or Laura Edgerton are contactable.
· If you feel for any reason you can raise concern with the Designated Safeguarding officers contact Southwark’s MASH team on:
020 7525 1921
020 7525 5000 (out of hours)
email: mash@southwark.gov.uk
MASH Team
Sumner House
Sumner Road
London
SE15 5QS
Making a child protection referral
in the first instance the manager or deputy must be informed. In most cases it is the designated safeguarding officer’s responsibility to make the referral to the Child Protection Agencies, MASH- Tel 020 7525 1921
The Social Care Team must see the child as soon as possible and always within 24 hours also Ofsted must be informed within fourteen days. Ofsted information phone number 0300 123 1231 this must always be followed up in writing to; Ofsted the Royal Exchange Building St Anne Square Manchester, M2 7LA registration No: 107458
When making a referral the following details need to be given.
The name, address and date of birth of the child – and whether there are other children in the family.
Names used by the family members.
The name and contact numbers of the parent/carers or the person who has parental responsibility
Name of the Child’s Doctor/GP.
Date and time of your notes
A clear description of the injury/concern, and what prompted your concerns.
Details of any previous concerns
Details of any explanation given by the parent/carers or child.
Any action taken by the nursery e.g. spoken to parents/carers.
Whether the child’s name is on the Child Protection Register. Name of Social Worker if appropriate.
Name and address of establishment making the referral and referrer’s name.
Referral must always be followed up in writing.
Should we talk to the parents first?
Depending on the Child’s age and the nature of the injury and the situation at the time you may ask the child open ended questions, however if you are in any doubt seek advice from a senior worker or manager. In the cases of abuse, you must contact the MASH in the first instance. The nursery must follow the advice of MASH team’s department regarding what is done next. How the parents or carers are contacted will be discussed and decided jointly by MASH Team.
Informing the Management Committee
The Manager/Deputy of the nursery must inform the Management Committee of all child protection referrals. This is a very sensitive issue, and the anonymity of the child/family must remain to ensure confidentiality.
What happens when a referral is made?
The MASH team will decide on what action needs to take place.
The speed at which action takes place depends on the age of the child, the circumstances, and the nature/degree of the injury,
Only in serious cases will a decision be made that a child cannot remain with his/her parents/carers. Social Care would then assess whether there was someone within the extended family who could care safely for the child.
The local authority and partners have been working together to establish a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) in Southwark.
The MASH brings together a team of multi-disciplinary professionals from partner agencies into the same room to deal with all safeguarding concerns, where someone is concerned about the safety or well being of a child.
Within MASH, information from partner agencies is collated to assess risk and decide what action to take. As a result, the agencies will be able to act quickly, in a coordinated and consistent way, ensuring that vulnerable children and families are kept safe from harm.
Allegations of abuse against staff
Following an allegation of suspected abuse, there may be concerns about workers who may have:
· Behaved in a way that has harmed or may have harmed a child
· Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child
· Behaved towards a child, or behaved in other ways that suggests they may be unsuitable to work with children
The following procedures must be followed when an allegation has been made:
The Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) must be informed immediately. SRC nursery’s Designated Safeguarding Officers are Robyn Coulter Manager and Laura Edgerton deputy Manager in her absence. If both DSO are not on the premises, concerns must be reported to Deana Khodja twinkle room.
If Robyn Coulter or Laura Edgerton are off the premises at the same time, arrangements must be put in place to ensure either of them are contactable.
The Designated Safeguarding Officer must make initial enquiries.
The Designated Safeguarding Officer must inform Management Committee.
Designated Safeguarding Officer must contact and inform LADO for support and advice within one working day.
Designated Safeguarding Officer must contact and inform Ofsted within 14 days.
What the LADO does:
LADO will offer an initial discussion of the concern. This might include advice and guidance of the most appropriate way of managing the allegation.
The LADO will
Help establish what the ‘next steps’ should be in terms of investigating the matter further.
Liaise with the police and other agencies and arrange for a strategy meeting to be held if required if the case is complex there may be a series of meetings.
Monitor and maintain an overview of cases to ensure they are dealt with quickly as possible consistent with a thorough and fair process.
Ensure child protection procedures are initiated where the child is at risk of significant harm.
Ensure the appropriate agencies are involved in the investigations.
Ensure issues of sharing information with parents and other relevant individuals are considered.
Assist an employer in decisions about a person’s suitability to remain in the children’s workforce, and whether a referral should be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or the appropriate regulatory or professional body.
In cases where the adult is unaware of the concern or allegation, it may not be appropriate to tell them immediately and may prejudice a potential police investigation. The LADO will provide advice.
The Designated Safeguarding officer will always consider the following:
Supporting documents
Confidentially
Record keeping
Timescale
Initial considerations
Suspension
Action on Conclusion of a Case
Action in Respect of False Allegation
Supporting documentations
Outcome:
The outcomes of a LADO referral may include:
finding that the allegation is malicious
finding that the allegation is unsubstantiated
finding that the allegation is substantiated
finding that the allegation is false
finding that the allegation is unfounded
internal investigation by the employer including consideration of disciplinary procedures
a police investigation
police prosecution
Where the adult is reinstated there may be recommendations in relation to additional support, monitoring or training.
Where an individual is dismissed from their post, a referral must be made to the DBS which makes decisions on whether individuals should be barred from working with children.
Compromise agreements are not an acceptable resolution to a concern, and even if someone resigns it should not prevent a full and thorough investigation into the matter.
Contact the LADO
· Southwark’s Local Authority Designated Officer, Ava Simcock 0207 525 0689
In Southwark, the LADO role is based within the Quality Assurance Unit.
QAU duty number - 020 7525 3297
QAU service manager (LADO) - 020 7525 0689
Head of social work improvement and quality assurance - 020 7525 0387
Detailed procedures and guidance relating to the management of allegations against people who work with children are contained within:
London Safeguarding Children's Board
These procedures are to assist staff in protecting themselves against false allegations:
Parents/carers need to feel confident that their child is safe with those they have entrusted with their child’s care.
Keep records and observations on the children.
Record all accidents and incidents with dates and times. Explanation and whether it happened at the nursery or elsewhere
Ask parents/carers to sign your record to show that they accept what has happened or what you have noticed.
Follow the complaint procedures.
Never put yourself in compromising situations with a child.
Monitor your stress levels and seek help and support from your colleagues/manager/deputy if you find you are losing your temper with a child or finding their behaviour difficult to manage.
Always be open and honest with parents/carers and ensure they know how their child has been during the day and what they have done.
Never leave children unsupervised.
Never be tempted to care for more children than is expected this includes outings no matter how well the children behave.
Prevent Duty
SRC Community nursery is aware that from July 2015, it is statutory requirement, that the ‘Prevent Duty’ is a recognised Safeguarding aspect in place to protect children and their families from radicalisation.
SRC nurseries staff team recognise the importance of promoting children’s Personal Social and Emotional development and Understanding of the world; in order prevent children from being drawn into extremism.
We create an ethos of inclusive practice and tolerance where views, faiths, cultures and races are valued, and children are engaged in the wider community. Children are encouraged to learn about different cultures and ways of life, through numerous activities. For instance, we plan an annual multi-cultural evening where children and their families dress in their traditional clothing and contribute cultural food. Multi-cultural evening provides opportunity for children appreciate and celebrate their own and other cultures.
British values are promoted by ensuring that children learn right from wrong and understand their own and others behaviour and its consequences. Children are encouraged to interact and share with their peers and value others and their views and contributions. Children are encouraged to look at similarities and difference between themselves and others and challenge negative views and stereotypes. We provide opportunity for children to reflect and talk about their feelings through various activities.
These values are demonstrated through the management and implementation of the EYFS, and through policies and procedures relating to equality, behaviour, Safeguarding and British Values.
EYFS 15
3.7 providers must have regard to the government’s statutory guidance ‘working Together to Safeguard Children 2015’ 15 and to the ‘Prevent Duty’ guidance for England and Wales 2015’16. All schools are required to have regard to the government’s ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ statutory guidance, and other childcare providers may also find it helpful to refer to this guidance. If provider’s have concerns about children’s safety or welfare, they must notify agencies with statutory responsibilities without delay. This means the local children’s social care services and in, in emergencies, the police.
We will work in partnership with the local authority with safeguarding aspects as the ‘Prevent Duty’ with the Local Authority Prevent Lead.
Possible sign:
Changes in family behaviour.
Changes in the children’s behaviour, for instance aggression towards others.
Comments made by a child which may concern.
Any other signs that family members maybe showing extremism
Unusual long leave of absence.
Procedures:
Provide staff with sufficient training to be able to recognise ‘radicalisation’ and be aware of what actions to take when concerns are raised.
Staff must share appropriate information with parents and other professionals.
Children’s attendance records are monitored on a termly basis.
Children’s accidents monitored.
Observation record sheets are monitored.
Staff must report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Officer, Robyn Coulter in her absence Laura Edgerton.
The Designated Safeguarding Officer must seek advice from the Local Authority Prevent Lead.
Making referrals:
It is the settings Designated Safeguarding officer’s responsibility to make seek advice from the Local Authority Prevent Lead officer (LAPL)
Investigations are carried out and if appropriate, referrals are made to the channel police for assessment, as part of a multi-agency approach to protecting children and their families who are at risk of being drawn in terrorism.
Important contacts:
Southwark’s MASH-0207 525 1921
Prevent Coordinator- Ben Taylor- 0207 525 1378/ 07766701448
Prevent Lead Police Officer- Grant Bones- 07825366187
Chanel police Practitioner- Russel Gardiner- 07557290418
Russle.gardiner@metpnn.police.uk
Further guidance
Working together to Safeguard Children.
Keeping Children Safe in Education
Information Sharing
London Child Protection Procedures:
Southwark Safeguarding Children.
recognise and Report to the Designated Safeguarding Officer.
(Help Line 0207 340 7264) Email to counter.extremism@education.gsi.gov.uk
FGM - Female Genital Mutilation Risk and Safeguarding
Staff at SRC Community Nursery understand that FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) is an illegal, extremely harmful practise and a form of child abuse and violence against women and girls, and therefore is dealt with as part of existing child and adult safeguarding/protection structure, policies and procedures.
What is FGM?
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a collective term for procedures, which include the removal of part or all the external female genitalia for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons. The practice is medically unnecessary, extremely painful and has serious health consequences, both at the time when the mutilation is carried out and in later life. The procedure is typically performed on girls aged between 4 and 13, but in some cases, it is performed on new-born infants or on young women before marriage or pregnancy.
There are a number of factors in addition to a girl or woman’s community that could increase the risk that she will be subjected to FGM
The position of the family and the level of integration within UK society – it is believed that communities less integrated into British society are more likely to carry out FGM
Any girl born to a woman who has been subjected to FGM must be considered to be at risk, as must other female children in the extended family.
Any girl who has a sister who has already undergone FGM must be considered to be at risk, as must other female children in the extended family.
Any girl withdrawn from personal, social or health education may be at risk as a result of her parents wishing to keep her uninformed about her body and rights.
Possible signs that FGM may be about to take place:
1) Indication that the female child may be taken out of the country for a prolonged period.
2) Practitioners may hear reference to FGM in conversation.
3) Information disclosed by an adult/child.
4) Behaviour may change.
Indicators that a girl has already been subjected to FGM:
1) Difficulty in walking, sitting, or standin
2) Spending longer periods of time in the bathroom due to difficulty urinating
3) Observing physical signs such as Injury to adjacent tissues and infections
4) Practitioners may see signs of FGM when changing a child’s nappy.
Why FGM continues to be practised.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) cites several reasons for the continuation of FGM, such as:
Custom and tradition
A mistaken belief that FGM is a religious requirement.
Preservation of virginity/chastity.
Social acceptance, especially for marriage.
Hygiene and cleanliness.
Increasing sexual pleasure for the male.
Family honour.
A sense of belonging to the group and conversely the fear of social exclusion.
Enhancing fertility.
Consequences of FGM
Depending on the degree of mutilation, FGM can have several short-term health implications:
1. Severe pain and shock
2. Infection
3. Urine retention
4. Injury to adjacent tissues
5. Immediate fatal haemorrhaging
Long-term implications can entail:
1. Extensive damage of the external reproductive system
2. Uterus, vaginal and pelvic infections
3. Cysts and neuroses
4. Increased risk of Vesicle Vaginal Fistula
5. Complications in pregnancy and child birth
6. Psychological damage
7. Sexual dysfunction
8. Difficulties in menstruation
In addition to these health consequences there are considerable psycho-sexual, self-esteem and social consequences of FGM where additional support may need to be provided.
What to do if there is supporting evidence of risk to FGM or where a child has been abused through FGM.
Safeguarding procedures will be carried out without delay:
1) Report to the designated Child Protection/Safeguarding officer – Robyn Coulter in her absence Laura Edgerton. If both DSO are not on the premises concerns should be raised to Deana Khodja. Arrangements are made to ensure either Robyn Coulter or Laura Edgerton is contactable when off the premises.
2) Contact Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) Tel 0207 525 1921 Email: mash@southwark.gov.uk
3)The Police on: 101