Statement of intent

Our setting will work with children, parents and the community to ensure the safety of children and to give them the very best start in life.

The Nursery is committed to responding promptly and appropriately to all incidents or concerns of abuse that may occur and to work with statutory agencies

Guidance

What to do if you are worried a Child is Being Abused (2004)

The Framework for the Assessment of children in Need and Their Families (2000)

Working Together to Safeguard Children (revised 2010)

The Common Assessment Framework 2005

The children act 1989 & 2004 duty to co-operate

Childcare act 2006

We work within the Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Board guidelines. Due to the location of Forton nursery we will also attend training in the areas of Telford & Wrekin and North Shropshire as many of our children attend from these areas and staff need to be aware of the procedures and telephone numbers from each location.

We have a copy of " Notes of guidance for early years providers and other organisations' for parents andstaff (updated 2010) and all staff are familiar with what to do if they have concerns.

We notify the registration authority (Ofsted) of any incident or accident and any changes in our arrangements which may affect the wellbeing of children.

Methods

Staffing and volunteering

Our designated person (a member of staff) who co-ordinates child protection issues is

                   Sophia Murray and in her absence Helen Davies

We provide adequate and appropriate staffing resources to meet the needs of children.

Applicants for posts within the setting are informed of the need to carry out 'enhanced disclosure' checks with the Criminal Records Bureau before posts can be confirmed.

Where applications are rejected because of information that has been disclosed, applicants have the right to know and to challenge incorrect information.

We abide by Ofsted requirements in respect of references and Criminal Record Bureau checks for staff and volunteers, to ensure that no disqualified person or unsuitable person works at the setting or has access to the children.

Volunteers do not work unsupervised.

We abide by the Protection of Children Act requirements in respect of any person who is dismissed from our employment, or resigns in circumstances that would otherwise have lead to dismissal for reasons of child protection concern.

We have procedures for recording the details of visitors to the setting.

We take security steps to ensure that we have control over who comes into the setting so that no unauthorised person has unsupervised access to the children.

Responding to suspicions of abuse

           We acknowledge that abuse of children can take different forms - physical, emotional,sexual, neglect and domestic abuse.

           When children are suffering from or witnessing abuse of any form, this may be demonstrated through the things they say (direct orindirect disclosure) or through changes in their appearance, their behaviour, or their play.

           Where a child makes a disclosure to an adult/volunteer or staff member, they must inform the setting leader or manager who is acting as the designated person without delay. They will be ask to make a written record of the conversation using the exact language that was used in the conversation. The procedure for making a referral is then implemented without delay.

   Children arriving with visible marks that have occurred outside of the nursery or where parents declare that their child has had a "bump, trip or fall etc" are recorded in The injury on arrival book found on the hook by the front door. Information recorded is : Name, Date of Birth, Date of injury, date child first attending nursery after injury (this should be that days date , brief description of injury ( i.e. mark on back/leg) Parents/carers explanation and parents signature, the top copy is retained by the parent and the carbon copy kept in the child's administration folder (NOT PROFILE). Manager's or staff recording this will refer to the child's administration folder to see if a pattern or recurrence is apparent. The setting leader or manager who is acting as the designated person is informed immediately a meeting to discuss this information between key worker manager and designated safeguarding person will take place and appropriate action is taken without delay. 

Visible marks that are noticed during the working session that have not occurred through an accident at nursery are also recorded in the injury on arrival book found on the hook by the front door. Information recorded is : Name, Date of Birth, Date & Time found,  Location on body, brief description of injury (i.e mark on leg/back) Parents/carers will telephoned immediately and the time of the telephone conversation also logged in the injuries on arrival record. Parents/ carers will be asked to sign the record and will retain the top copy the carbon copy will be placed in the child's administration form . Manager's or staff recording this will refer to the previous injury book to see if a pattern or recurrence is apparent. The setting leader or manager who is acting as the designated person are informed and a meeting to discuss this information between key worker manager and designated safeguarding will take place and appropriate action taken without delay. 

Information received from a 3^rdparty will also be recorded in the injury on arrival book found on the hook by the front door .Manager's or staff recording this will refer to the childs administration folder to see if a pattern or recurrence is apparent. The setting leader or manager who is acting as the designated person are informed, a meeting to discuss this information between key worker manager and designated safeguarding will take place and appropriate action taken without delay. Where such evidence is not apparent, the top copy of the injuries on arrival is kept in the child's administration folder.

Disclosures from a child, parent or 3^rdparty or visable marks indicating domestic abuse within the family unit will indicate that a child may be subject to "significant harm" and staff will implecate a referral to the relevant authority.

Due to our continuing relationships as key workers throughout the setting and profiles/observations are updated continually so that, staff and management are then able to identify any changes in any of their key children's behaviour, or deterioration in their general well being or signs of neglect. As part of their role as key worker an individual should have already spoken to the child's parents. If information is given to another member of staff / manager for any reason information can be passed to the child's key worker in the "child related messages" book, to ensure all staff are kept aware of ongoing situations concerning the children in their care.  Ameeting to discuss this information between key worker, manager and designated safeguarding person will take place on the request of the child's key worker and appropriate action taken without delay. 

Should are discussions highlight issues beyond our skills or knowledge area the advice of the appropriate professional agency will be sought.

Staff in the setting take care not to influence the outcome, either through the way they speak to children or by asking questions of children.

It is the responsibility of all staff to safeguard children. If a member of staff is uncertain that SSCB (Staffordshire safeguarding children's board) procedures are not being followed then they have a duty of care to report this to SSCB first response on 08001313126

Disclosures

Where a child makes a disclosure to a member of staff, that member of staff should:

·          Give the child your full attention and listen to their actual words

·          Use questions that are reflective i.e. repeat what they are saying as a question

·          Note the way they tell you through their body language

·          Let them tell you how they are feeling in their own words

·          Be guided by the child and do not press them to talk for longer than they want to

·          Let the child continue to talk - do not stop them, for example, to bring in a colleague

·          Prevent other children from interrupting when a child has chosen a time when they speak without being overheard

·          Control your feelings and how you display them

·          Reasurre the child that they have done the right thing in telling you and you will take the nessecary steps to try to help them

·          Explain as simply as possible why, what and to whom you will need to share information. Never promise not to tell anyone else

Staff will make a written record of the disclosure:The exact words spoken by the child as far as possible;

The name of the person to whom the concern was reported, with date and time; The names of any other person present at the time; where the disclosure took place.

A formal copy of the disclosure will include;

The child's name;

The child's address;

The age of the child;

The date and time of the observation or the disclosure;

An objective record of the observation or disclosure;

The exact words spoken by the child as far as possible;

The name of the person to whom the concern was reported, with date and time; and

The names of any other person present at the time.

These records are signed and dated and kept in a section of the child protection folder in the 3rd draw of the filling cabinet which is locked and only accessible to staff and management these are kept for 3 years after the child leaves.

Procedures for contacting the local authority on child protection issues.

A referral is to be made to the local authority social care and health vulnerable children's services without delay, we determine which local authority we contact dependant on where that child lives.When making a referral the safeguarding officer …Sophia Murray …and in her absence ..Helen Davies… will make the initial phone call.We will follow the advice /guidance withinthe Staffordshire Safeguarding Children board (first response), Safeguarding Advisory service Telford & Wrekin or safeguarding children referrals for Shropshire in deciding whether we must inform the child's parents at the same time.

Children living in the Staffordshire catchment area

The telephone number for first response is 08001313126 they may also be contacted by emailingFirstR@staffordshire.gov.uk. First response is open Monday- Thursdays 8.30-5.00 & Fridays 8.30-4.30.If no response can be ascertained then we may phone the Staffordshire Police child abuse referral team on 03001234455, or the emergency duty service out of hours Stafford 08456042886 (public)

After a referral has been made we will confirm this in writing within 24 hours either by post to : First Response team, Safeguarding children's board, Staffordshire county council, Wedgewood building, Tipping Street, Stafford ST16 2DH. Or by email atFirstR@staffordshire.gov.ukusing the multi agency referral form.

We will also inform Ofsted of these actions by telephone on 08456404040 and then by email or letter within 14 days.

Children living in the Shropshire catchment area

The telephone number for Safe guarding children is 0345 678 9021

If no response can be ascertained then we may phone the Emergency duty team on 0345 678 9040

After a referral has been made we will confirm this in writing within 24 hours either by post or by email.

We will also inform Ofsted of these actions by telephone on 08456404040 and then by email or letter within 14 days.

Children living in the Telford & Wrekin catchment area

The telephone number for safeguarding advisory service isTel: 01952 385678 

After a referral has been made we will confirm this in writing within 24 hours either by post to : 30 West Road, Wellington, Telford & Wrekin council, Tf1 2bb. We will also inform Ofsted of these actions by telephone on 08456404040 and then by email or letter within 14 days.

 Informing parents

Parents are normally the first point of contact.

If a suspicion of abuse is recorded, parents are informed at the same time the report is made, except where the guidance of the local authority were the child residesdoes not allow this.

This will usually be the case where the parent is the likely abuser. In these cases the investigating officers from the safeguarding board will inform parents.

Allegations against staff

We ensure that all parents know how to complain about staff or volunteers action within the setting, which may include an allegation of abuse. By placing information about how to make a complaint in the admission form, on the parental notice board, in the policies for parents folder and memory stick.

We follow the guidance of the Staffordshire Safeguarding Children board when responding to any complaint that a member of staff or volunteer has abused a child.

We respond to any disclosure by children or staff that abuse by a member of staff may have taken, or is taking place. The adult that receives the disclosure from the child will be asked to makea written record of the conversation. The procedure for making a referral is then implemented without delay.All allegations are taken seriously validity of the allegations will be checked. Allegations of abuse of trust (where a member of staff has a sexual relationship with a person known to them through the setting who is over the age of consent but under 18) will also require the staff and management at forton nursery to start the referral process.  

Procedures for contacting the local authority on child protection issues (allegations against staff).

A referral is to be made to the local authority social care and health vulnerable children's services without delay, we will follow the advice /guidance withinthe Staffordshire Safeguarding Children board (first response) in deciding whether we must inform the child's parents at the same time.

The telephone number for first response is 08001313126 they may also be contacted by emailingFirstR@staffordshire.gov.ukIf no response can be ascertained then we may phone the Staffordshire Police child abuse referral team on 03001234455.

We will phone or email Staffordshire first response and follow their advice/guidance even when we know that a child may live in another area.

After a referral has been made we will confirm this in writing within 24 hours either by post to : First Response, Safeguarding children's board, Staffordshire county council, Tipping Street, Stafford. Or by email atFirstR@staffordshire.gov.uk

We will also inform Ofsted of these actions by telephone on 08456404040 and then by email or letter within 14 days.

We will not investigate the allegations but will follow LADO advice.

We co-operate entirely with any investigation carried out by social services in conjunction with the police.

Our policy is to contact ACAS for employment law advice then act on this advice in regards to suspension of a member of staff; this is not an indication of admission that the alleged incident has taken place, but is to protect the staff as well as children and families throughout the process.

Suspension from duty

Any member of staff that has an allegation of abuse made against them, they can take voluntary suspension where they will be paid for their minimum contracted hours whilst the investigation is carried out. Suspension from management would occur in any case where:

·        There is a cause to suspect a child is at risk of significant harm,

·        The allegation warrants investigation by police,

·        Is so serious that it might be grounds for dismissal

Disciplinary action

Where a member of staff or a volunteer is dismissed from the setting or internally disciplined because of misconduct relating to a child, we notify the Department of Health administrators so that the name may be included on the List for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults.

Safeguarding during nursery sessions

The layout of the rooms allows for constant supervision. No child is left alone with staff or volunteers in a one to one situation without being visible to others.

When taking children to the toilet or to change a Nappy staff will ask if any other children need to go so that an adult is never alone with an individual. However if the situation arises then staff are aware to question behaviour different to the norm e.g. How long were they in the toilet? Is the child distressed on return? Is there a valid reason for taking a child to the toilet individually.

Safeguarding children in our care outside of operational hours

As part of the parental contract parents/guardians are asked to inform the nursery if their child will not be attending nursery that day. Staff will try to contact the parent/guardian as stated on their admissions form to assertain why the child is not attending if parents have not already done so. On the 2^ndoccasion of the child not attending and no parental contact can be made then we will contact the emergency contact as stated on the admissions form. We do this to ensure the safety of the children in our care.

The management at Forton nursery understands that some staff have, personal and professional elements of their lives that are difficult to keep separate either by having previous relationships with parents and guardians of children who attend Forton nursery or when their own children socialise with children who also attend Forton nursery. The purpose of this policy is to safeguard the children, staff and nursery from ramifications resulting from allegations made outside of the nursery opening hours.

Training

We seek out training opportunities for all adults involved in the setting to ensure that they are able to recognise the signs and symptoms of possible physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect and so that they are aware of the local authorityguidelines for making referrals.

We ensure that all staff know the procedures for reporting and recording their concernsin the setting.

Curriculum

We introduce key elements of child protection into our programme to promote the personal, social and emotional development of all children, so that they may grow to be 'strong, resilient and listened to' andsothat they develop understanding of why and howto keep safe.

           We create within the setting a culture of value and respect for the individual, having positive regard for children's heritage arising from their colour, ethnicity, languages spoken at home, cultural and social background.

We ensure that this is carried out in a way that is developmental appropriate for the children.

Confidentiality

 All suspicions and investigations are kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know. Any information is shared under the guidance of the Area SafeguardingChildren Committee.

Recognising abuse

This information gives examplesdifferent types of abuse and is too used only as a guide.

Recognising physical abuse

·   Finger tip bruising on the body, arms and legs which may indicate that a child has been gripped hard. Such bruising on the body (front and back) may indicate that the child has been shaken.

·   Bruising which shows the shape of a hand or other object with which the child may have been hit.

·   Bruises of different ages - e.g. variety of colours

·   Any bruising on a baby who is not yet mobile

·   Burns and scalds in unusual places, or with a neatly defined shape(accidental burns and scalds are likely to be of a regular shape)

·   Bruising to the cheeks, particularly in babies, sometimes accompanied by a torn fraenulum - this may indicate that the child has been gripped by the face during force-feeding or attempts to stop the child from crying

·   Small round burns, which may have been caused by a cigarette (accidental cigarette burns tend to be less deep and more 'tadpole' shaped)

·   Multiple cigarette burns

·   It is sometimes possible to see the shape of the heat source in the burn­ e.g. bar of an electric fire

·   The outline of an iron which is pointing down or sideways is not usually accidental because an iron needs to stand on its heel to cool

·   Bite marks - these may be attributed to another child, but it is possible to tell the difference between a child's bite and an adult's bite because of the size

·   Internal injuries which can result in pain, fever, vomiting, restlessness and difficulty with breathing

·   Unlikely or inconsistent explanations for injuries

·   Broken bones may result in the child sitting or standing awkwardly, being unable to move easily, holding a limb in an odd position, and generally seeming to be in pain.

·   Black eyes, particularly when the explanation is inconsistent with the injury - e.g. fall on a flat surface

·   Untreated injuries

·   Head injuries can result in drowsiness, faintness, fits, vomiting, unconsciousness and coma. The child may appear quiet, pale or purplish and generally unwell. The child's eyes may roll up.

·   Shaking a young child can cause severe damage to the membranes between the brain and skull resulting in blood clots that can cause brain damage or death.

Recognising emotional abuse

·   The child may become withdrawn and isolated, not wanting to mix with peers, and wary of adults

·   Disturbances in eating or sleeping patterns

·   Running away or hiding

·   Aggressive and/or attention seeking behaviour - e.g. persistent 'naughtiness', soiling or wetting on purpose, attacking other children

·   Tantrums and outbursts that are inappropriate to the child's age and stage of development

·   Regression, where the child acts and wishes to be treated like a younger child - e.g. bed wetting, requesting a bottle etc.

·   Poor performance at school or in nursery activities

·   Loss of confidence or low self-esteem

·   Psychosomatic illness - i.e. which have no obvious cause

·   Self neglect - e.g. wearing the same clothes continuously, refusing to have hair brushed, refusing to wash etc.

·   Clinging to another adult, with wariness and fear of parent

·   Failure to thrive - e.g. poor levels of growth and development, low weight and height

·   Unhealthy appearance - e.g. pallid complexion through lack of sleep

·   Truanting

·   Drug and alcohol abuse when older

·   Self mutilation - e.g. younger children may bang their head and bite themselves, and older children may cut themselves.

Recognising neglect

·   Poor levels of physical development - e.g. being underweight and short in stature for the child's age

·   The child may appear thin and look generally unhealthy · The child may be listless, pale and unkempt

·   Poor hygiene - e.g. dirty, smelly clothes, unwashed body and hair, persistent nappy rash

·   Lack of interest - e.g. difficult to stimulate

·   Persistent minor illnesses - e.g. cold, coughs, diarrhoea

·   Illnesses and injuries that have not been attended to - e.g. untreated infections

·   Inadequate or unsuitable clothing

·   Hungry, then overeating when food is available

·   Tiredness

·   Persistently late to school or nursery, frequently missing either

·   Older children may hang around before and after school rather than be at home

·   Unresponsive to adults or indiscriminate in seeking attention from other adults

·   Sudden and noticeable improvements in all aspects of the child's behaviour and appearance when there is a change in the care situation ­e.g. in the care of a relative

Recognising sexual abuse

·   Pain or discomfort around the vagina, penis or anus

·   Discomfort or difficulty in walking and/or sitting

·   Pain during urination

·   Discharge or bleeding from the vagina, penis or anus

·   Sexual knowledge and/pr behaviour that seems inappropriate to a child's age and maturity

·   Sexualised play with other children that demonstrates sophisticated knowledge

·   Running away, anxiety, despair

·   Fear of certain adults

·   Withdrawal from other children

·   Acting our sexual scenes through play - with and without other children

·   Drawing with sexual images - e.g. genitalia

·   Regressive behaviour - e.g. thumb-sucking, wetting the bed, fear of the dark

·   Anger, hostility or aggression towards adults and other children

·   Behaviour and achievements in nursery or school deteriorate

·   Sleep disorders - e.g. unable to sleep or requiring excessive amounts of sleep

·   Eating disorders - e.g. refusing to eat or overeating

·   Telling lies - an integral part of sexual abuse - so that lying about anything is seen as acceptable

·   Unexplained or psychosomatic illnesses

·   Persistent masturbation

·   Sexually transmitted diseases

·   Self-dramatizing behaviour - e.g. tantrums, attention-seeking, elaborate fantasies, hysterical attacks, weeping fits

·   Disclosure to an adult, possibly a partial or unconvincing account of the abuse, which may then be retracted

·   Promiscuity and/or pregnancy in older children

1.1.2. Socialising decleration

Statement of intent

The management at Forton nursery understands that some staff have, personal and professional elements of their lives that are difficult to keep separate either by having previous relationships with parents, guardians or relatives of the children who attend Forton nursery or when their own children socialise with children who also attend Forton nursery.

Aim

The purpose of this policy is to safeguard the children, staff and nursery from ramifications resulting from allegations made outside of the nursery opening hours.

Methods

The management at Forton nursery require all staff to remain professional at all times when socialising with children, parents, guardians and relatives who attend Forton nursery.

For the purpose of this document socialising includes any pre arranged or by chance occasions where the staff member comes into contact with a child who attends Forton nursery including

·       Visits to each other’s houses.

·       Parties or celebrations.

·       Play dates at other locations for example Jungle land.

Staff are required to complete a socialising declaration form when they spend time with a child who attends Forton.

Staff do not need to fill in a socialising declaration form should they come into contact with parents, guardians or pupils and not spend time recreationally with them for example by being in the same location but only having a brief conversation with parents, guardians and pupils (school gates, shopping centres).

Staff have free access to blank copies of the declaration forms in the top draw of the filling cabinet.

Staff need to notify management before the pre arranged meeting and must declare coincidental meetings on their first working day after the meeting.

Forms will be filled in the corresponding member of staffs personnel file located in the 3^rddraw of the filling cabinet.

This policy forms part of the staff contract under misconduct and any breach to it will be dealt as per the disciplinary procedures in their employment contract.