Safeguarding Children

A designated member of staff for child protection liaison will take the lead in dealing with any concerns raised initially, and will then decide whether to take advice from outside agencies such as social services, and the police. If it is decided to discuss such issues with the parents/carers of the child this staff member will facilitate the discussions (although no discussions will take place if it is believed this would place the child at risk of significant harm).

An allegation of child abuse or neglect could lead to a criminal investigation so staff will not do anything that may jeopardise a police investigation, for example, ask a child leading questions or attempt to investigate the allegations of abuse.

Social services takes the lead role in enquiring about child protection issues related to the child whilst the employer retains the responsibility for disciplinary actions related to their staff member, volunteer or carer.

1. Physical Abuse

Action will be taken under this heading if the staff have reason to believe that there has been a physical injury to a child, including deliberate poisoning, where there is a definite knowledge, or reasonable suspicion that the injury was inflicted or knowingly not prevented.

Procedure

1. Any sign of a mark/injury to a child when they come into Pre-School/Nursery will be recorded by the designated member of staff for child protection liaison, discussed with the parent, and the parent will be asked to countersign a record.
2. The incident will be discussed with the parent/main carer.
3. Such discussion will be recorded and the parent/main carer will have access to such records.

   (Discussion will take place unless it is believed that this would place the child at risk of significant harm)

4. If there appear to be any queries regarding the injury Social Services and/or the police will be notified

Action will be taken under this heading if the staff team have witnessed occasions where a child indicated sexual activity through words, play, drawing or had an excessive pre-occupation with sexual matters or had an inappropriate knowledge of adult sexual behaviour.

Procedure

1. The observed instances will be reported by the designated member of staff for child protection liaison (Any Team Leader)
2. The matter will be referred to Social Services and /or the police by that staff member

3.  Emotional Abuse

Action will be taken under this heading if the staff team have reason to believe that there is a severe, adverse effect on the behaviour and emotional development of a child caused by persistent or severe ill treatment or rejection.

Procedure

1. The concern will be discussed with the parent/main carer by the designated member of staff for child protection liaison (Any Team Leader)
2. Such discussion will be recorded and the parent/main carer will have access to such records.

   (Discussion will take place unless it is believed that this would place the child at risk of significant harm)

3. If there appear to be any queries regarding the circumstances, the matter will be referred to Social Services and /or the police.

Action will be taken under this heading if the staff team have reason to believe that there has been persistent or severe neglect of a child (for example, by exposure to any kind of danger, including cold and starvation) which results in serious impairment of the child’s health or development, including non-organic failure to thrive.

Procedure

1. The concern will be discussed with the parent/main carer by the designated member of staff for child protection liaison. (Any Team Leader)
2. Such discussion will be recorded and the parent/main carer will have access to such records. (Discussion will take place unless it is believed that this would place the child at risk of significant harm)
3. If there appear to be any queries regarding the circumstances Social Services and /or the police will be notified.

Action will be taken under this heading if allegations of child abuse/neglect are made against a member of staff or volunteer working at the Group.

Procedure

1. The concern will be discussed with the parent/main carer by the designated member of staff (Any Team Leader ) for child protection liaison.
2. Such discussion will be recorded and the parent /main carer will have access to such records.
3. The designated staff member (Any Team Leader) will report the incident to their employer (e.g., committee).
4. The employer will need to decide how far to discuss it with the accused member of staff/volunteer without involving outside agencies, bearing in mind that an allegation of child abuse or neglect could lead to a criminal investigation, so they should not do anything that may jeopardise a police investigation, for example, ask a child leading questions or attempt to investigate the allegations of abuse.
5. The employer may decide to contact Social Services for guidance and follow their

   advice.

6. The employer will need to decide whether to suspend the member of staff/volunteer

7. If there appear to be any issues or concerns regarding the circumstances Social Services and /or the police will be notified. The matter will also be reported to Ofsted and the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

The aim of this childcare setting is to promote an environment of respect with reference to confidential information relating to the children, families or group users and the groups business (please see our confidentiality policy.) However, if it becomes necessary to disclose information concerning a child and/or member of staff (if the allegation is made against a staff member/volunteer) to an outside agency, the following procedure will be followed:

1. the consent of the parent/main carer of that child and/or the consent of the staff member to the disclosure will be sort first (unless it is believed that obtaining such consent would place the child at risk of significant harm).
2. if it is believed that obtaining such consent would place the child at risk of significant harm, the disclosure will be made without obtaining consent (bearing in mind the public interest in safeguarding the child's welfare overrides the need to keep information confidential).

All childminders, staff and volunteers running day nurseries, pre-school groups, crèches, out-of-school clubs and holiday schemes have an important part to play in helping parents care for their children. They can work with parents during times of stress offering support and respite.

Most children are subject to minor accidental injuries, but there may be occasions when you are concerned about the nature or frequency of injury. If you are concerned, you should raise the matter immediately with the designated member of staff for child protection liaison. They will then discuss the concerns with the parents/carers of the child unless it is believed that such discussion would place the child at risk of significant harm.

Any concerns of this nature should be reported by the designated staff member for child protection liaison to the local social services office promptly where staff will advise them and can decide what action, if any, needs to be taken. The information provided by a day carer may be part of a larger picture of abuse or neglect.

Remember that an allegation of child abuse or neglect could lead to a criminal investigation so do not do anything that may jeopardise a police investigation, for example, ask a child leading questions or attempt to investigate the allegations of abuse.

Parents should be aware from your introductory leaflets, letters or posters that you are obliged to inform Social Services of any concern you may have that a child may be at risk or has been abused. The safety of children may include a duty to share confidential information with others involved in protecting children.

It is important that day care workers understand something about child abuse and neglect, and are familiar with the procedures for reporting abuse. Your ChildCare Support Officer can advise you about this, and will be able to tell you about local training opportunities. ( Tel: 0845 0701007)

• Behaviour changes for no obvious reason.
• Bruising in unusual places – arms, stomach, around the mouth, head and back.
• Finger marks – each finger may mark or bruise the skin.
• Bite marks
• Child not using a leg or arm – it may have been broken by a blow
• Inadequate clothing for the time of year.
• Weight loss or an unexplained increase in appetite

However, the most important signs may not be those listed above, but things that you notice about a child that you know well, that make you feel concerned and uneasy. In such cases you should feel confident in the experience you have of working closely with children, and tell the designated staff member for child protection liaison who will then telephone the social services duty social worker.

Take action by telephoning or calling into your local Social Services Office at:

Address: Dorset Social Services, Penny’s Walk, Ferndown BH22 9JY

Tel No: 01202 877445

Your designated staff member for child protection liaison (Any Team Leader) should confirm your referral in writing within 48hours and social services should acknowledge receipt within 1 working day, so if you have not heard within 3 working days you should contact social services again.