SAFEGUARDING POLICY

Hofts Childcare aims to provide an environment in which children and young people will feel safe, secure and cared for, the purpose of this policy is to provide the staff and parents of Hofts Childcare with guidelines and support about child abuse and how they can act to assist in the protection of children and young people in the setting. The policy aims to ensure that all members of staff are informed about child abuse, the forms that it can take, signs and symptoms of possible abuse and the steps that they can take in recognising and preventing children from risk, harm and abuse.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, in relation to this policy is defined as:

1. Protecting children from maltreatment

2. Preventing the impairment of children’s health or development

3. Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care

4. Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

(Definition taken from the HM Government document ‘Working together to safeguard children 2013’)

1. Children Act (1989 s47)

2. Protection of Children Act (1999)

3. Data Protection Act (1998)

4. The Children Act (Every Child Matters) (2004)

5. Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006)

6. Sexual Offences Act (2003)

7. Criminal Justice and Court Services Act (2000)

8. Equalities Act (2010)

9. Data Protection Act (1998) Non Statutory Guidance

10. Working Together to Safeguard Children (2006/2015)

11. Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education (2006)

12. Children Act 2004 ('Every Child Matters)

To work with children, parents, external agencies and the community to ensure the welfare and safety of children and to give them the very best start in life. Children have the right to be treated with respect and to be safe from any abuse in whatever form.

1. Create an environment to encourage children to develop a positive self-image.

2. Encourage children to develop a sense of independence and autonomy in a way that is appropriate to their age and stage of development

3. Provide a safe and secure environment for all children

4. Always listen to children

1. promote safe practice and challenge poor and unsafe practice

2. Identify instances in which there are grounds for concern about a child’s welfare, and initiate or take appropriate action to keep them safe; and contribute to effective partnership working between all those involved with providing services for children and young people

3. Applicants for posts within the setting are clearly informed that the positions are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

4. Candidates are informed of the need to carry out 'enhanced disclosure' checks with the Disclosure & Baring Service (DBS) before posts can be confirmed.

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

6. We inform all staff that they are expected to disclose any convictions, cautions, court orders or reprimands and warnings which may affect their suitability to work with children (whether received before or during their employment with the company).

7. Ensure staff are trained to understand safeguarding policies and procedures and parents are

8. made aware of theses as well

9. All staff have an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues. (annual refresher course)

10. We abide by Ofsted requirements in respect of references and Disclosure & Barring Service checks for staff and volunteers, to ensure that no unsuitable people working with children and young people

11. Volunteers and Students on work placement do not work unsupervised.

12. We abide by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006) requirements in respect of any person who is dismissed from employment, or resigns in circumstances that would otherwise have led to dismissal for reasons of a child protection concern.

13. Follow procedures for recording the details of all visitors to the setting.

14. Take robust security steps to ensure that no unauthorised person has unsupervised access to the children

15. Ensure children are not photographed or filmed on video for any other purpose than to record their development or their participation in events organised by us and we have signed consent form

16. from the parents.

Child abuse is any action by another person – adult or child – that causes significant harm to a child. It can be physical, sexual or emotional, but can just as often be about a lack of love, care and attention. We acknowledge that abuse of children can take different forms - physical, emotional, sexual, as well as neglect and that neglect, whatever form it takes, can be just as damaging to a child as physical abuse.

• We are aware of other factors that affect children’s vulnerability such as, Female Genital Mutilation, sexual exploitation of children, child abuse linked to beliefs in spirit possession, abuse of disabled children, induced or fabricated illness, such as through internet abuse, and that may affect, or may have affected, children and young people using our organisation. We also consider other factors affecting parental capacity, such as parent’s alcohol or drug abuse, domestic violence, physical or mental learning disability or illness of parent’s, social exclusion.

Some children and young people are affected or may be affected by gang activity, through forced marriage or honour based violence, radicalisation or terrorist activities, multiple or organised abuse, or may be victims of child trafficking. We need to be aware of any of these factors affecting children and young people and where we believe that a child in our care or that is known to us may be affected by any of these factors we will follow the procedures below for reporting child protection concerns.

Actual or likely severe adverse effect on the emotional and behavioural development of a child caused by persistent or severe emotional ill-treatment or rejection. All abuse involves some emotional ill-treatment, but this term is used when it is the main form of abuse. May include sarcasm, degrading comments or punishment, threats of withdrawal of love and affection

The following may be indicators of abuse:

1. Disruptive, withdrawn or abusive behaviour

2. telling lies

3. Difficulty with bonding

4. Nervousness, attention seeking or running away

5. Sudden or significant changes in patterns of behaviour or in looks

6. Very low self esteem

7. Statements made, particularly in certain contexts

8. Strange values or morals

9. Recurrent physical symptoms for which there is no clear explanation.

The persistent or severe neglect of a child, or the failure to protect a child from exposure to any kind of danger, including cold and starvation, or extreme failure to carry out important aspects of care, resulting in the significant impairment of the child’s health or development, including non – organic failure to thrive. Include denial of food, medical attention, warmth and shelter and may in some cases include being thrown out of home

The following may be indicators of neglect:

1. being hungry, malnourishment, being small in stature

2. being inappropriately dressed

3. being left alone at home

4. Parent/guardian(s) never being present

5. being dirty, smelly or unkempt

6. being tired or hyperactive

7. truanting from classes

8. A lack of possessions

9. Lack of interest in their birthday or special occasions

10. Recurring or lingering illnesses which are not attended to.

Actual and likely physical injury to a child, or failure to prevent physical injury (or suffering) to a child including deliberate poisoning, suffocation and Munchausen’s syndrome by proxy. Common physical abuse includes punching, kicking, hitting and may even lead to death or serious injury

The following may be indicators of physical abuse:

1. Presence of burns, cuts and bruises, particularly if persistent, on odd places, on the head, lied about or poorly explained

2. Fear of being touched or touching others, particularly of being picked up

3. Unusual, withdrawn, disruptive or abusive behaviour

4. Being scared of going home

5. Hearing information about possible abuse from other people.

Actual or likely sexual exploitation of a child or Adolescent. The child may be dependent and/or developmentally immature. Covers any sexual act in which an adult pressurises or forces a young person to take part and can include kissing, touching of sexual organs or breasts or forcing to touch adult sexual organs; it also includes looking at pornographic materials.

The following may be indicators of sexual abuse:

1.Re-enactment of abusive behaviour

2.Self-mutilation

3.Withdrawal or aggression

4.Pregnancy

5.paying particular attention to adults

6.Early sexual relationships

7.Sore genitals

8.Fear of being touched

9.Actively seeking touch.

Bullying is defined as any form of abuse on a child which is inflicted upon them by their peers, this abuse can be subtle, including, teasing, being ignored or left out, being pushed or pulled about, or having money or possessions taken.

1. belongings getting “lost” or damaged

2. physical injuries such as unexplained bruises

3. being afraid to go to Hofts Childcare, being mysteriously 'ill' each morning, or skipping Hofts Childcare

4. not doing as well at Hofts Childcare

5. asking for, or stealing, money (to give to a bully)

6. being nervous, losing confidence, or becoming distressed and withdrawn

7. problems with eating or sleeping

8. Bullying others.

1. Cyber bullying includes sending or posting harmful or upsetting text, images or other messages, using the internet, mobile phones or other communication technology.

2. It can take many forms, but can go even further than face to face bullying by invading home and personal space and can target one or more people.

3. It can take place across age groups and target Children/young people, staff and others.

4. It can include threats and intimidation, harassment, defamation, exclusion or peer rejection, impersonation and unauthorised publication of private information or images.

5. It can include messages intended as jokes, but which have a harmful or upsetting effect.

1. Threatening, intimidating or upsetting text messages;

2. Threatening or embarrassing pictures and video clips via mobile phone cameras;

3. Silent or abusive phone calls or using the victim’s phone to harass others, to make them think the victim is responsible;

4. Threatening or bullying emails, possibly sent using a pseudonym or someone else’s name;

5. Menacing or upsetting responses to someone in a chat-room;

6. Unpleasant messages sent during instant messaging;

7. Unpleasant or defamatory information posted to blogs, personal websites and social networking sites (e.g. Facebook)

A cyber bullying incident might include features different to other forms of bullying, prompting a particular response. Key differences might be:

1. Impact: possibly extensive scale and scope

2. Location: the anytime and anywhere nature of cyber bullying

3. Anonymity: the person being bullied might not know who the perpetrator is

4. Motivation: the perpetrator might not realise that his/her actions are bullying

5. Evidence: the subject of the bullying will have evidence of what happened

Again, the nature of any investigation will depend on the circumstances. It may include, for example,

1. Review of evidence and advice to preserve it, for example by saving or printing (e.g. phone messages, texts, emails, website pages)

2. Efforts to identify the perpetrator, which may include looking at the media, systems and sites used. Witnesses may have useful information.

3. Contact with the Internet Watch Foundation, the police or the local Safeguarding Children Board Officer if images might be illegal or raise child protection issues

4. Requesting a child/young person to reveal a message or other phone content or confiscating a phone.

5. Staff do not have the authority to search the contents of a phone.

1. Injuries to the child that are not consistent with the normal play activities of a child, either in position or type.

2. Inconsistent or unreasonable explanation of an injury by a child, parent or carer

3. Inconsistent or inappropriate behaviour such as sexually explicit remarks or actions, mood swings, uncharacteristically quiet/aggressive, severe tantrums.

4. Becoming isolated socially

5. Overeating, loss of appetite, weight loss, weight gain.

6. Inappropriately dressed or ill-kept and/or dirty

7. Self-inflicting injury

8. Open distrust of, or discomfort with, parent or carer

9. Delayed social development, poor language and speech

10. Excessively nervous behaviour, such as rocking or hair twisting

11. Low self esteem

Recurring Abdominal Pain

Reluctance to go home

Flinching when approached or touched

Recurring headaches

It is not in the remit of members of staff at Hofts Childcare to identify the specific category of abuse that a child may be experiencing but rather to highlight any causes for concern to the appropriate person and organisations.

The following list although not exhaustive may be indicative of some of the signs and symptoms of child abuse, it should be noted that some children may display some of these signs in times of stress; it does not necessarily mean that they are being abused.

The Designated Senior Persons (DSP) for Safeguarding are the managers of Hofts Childcare. The DSPs’ role is to:-

ensure that the local Area safeguarding Committee’s Safeguarding Procedures are followed in Hofts Childcare

1. ensure that all staff are aware of these procedures

2. ensure that appropriate training and support is provided to all staff

3. develop effective working relationships with other agencies and services

4. decide whether to take further action about specific concerns (e.g. refer to Children Hofts Childcares and Families Referral and Assessment Team)

5. liaise with Social Work Teams over suspected cases of child abuse

6. ensure that accurate records relating to individual children are kept in a secure place and marked ‘Strictly Confidential’

7. submit reports to, and attend, Safeguarding Conferences

8. ensure that Hofts Childcare effectively monitors children who have been identified as ‘at risk’

9. Provide guidance to parents, children and staff about obtaining suitable support.

10. Keep up to date with all relevant procedures and legislations

If a child discloses to you that they have been abused, the member of staff should:

1. Making a referral to the local authority children's social care team

2. The ‘Child Protection Record’ contains procedures for making a referral to the local children's social care team, as well as a template form for recording concerns and making a referral. This is based on ‘What to do if you're worried a child is being abused’

3. We keep a copy of this document alongside the procedures for recording and reporting set down by our Local Safeguarding Children Board

4. We notify the registration authority (Ofsted) of any incident or accident and any changes in our arrangements which may affect the well-being of children or where an allegation of abuse is made against a member of staff (whether the allegations relate to harm or abuse committed on our premises or elsewhere). Notifications to Ofsted are made as soon as is reasonably practicable, but at the latest within 14 days of the allegations being made.

5. Contact details for the local National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

1. Child's name

2. Child's address

3. Age of the child and date of birth

4. Date and time of the observation or the disclosure

5. Exact words spoken by the child

6. Record statements and observations rather than interpretations or assumptions on the incident report form.

7. Complete the diagram with an outline of a body shape, to indicate the position of any bruising or other injury

8. Exact observation of an incident including any other witnesses

9. 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

10. the DSP is required to undertake an annual Safeguarding Checklist

11. Dealing with a disclosure from a child, and a Safeguarding case in general, is likely to be a stressful experience. The member of staff should, therefore, consider seeking support for him/herself and discuss this with the DSP.

12. Any discussion held with the parent(s) (where deemed appropriate)

These records should be signed by the person reporting this and the manager/DSCO/Deputy manager, dated and kept in a separate confidential file.

1. Stay Calm

2. Listen to the child and note down what they say to you in their own words. It is important at this stage that you do not interrupt the child and you do not ask questions or push for more information Inform the child that in order to help them you have to tell your supervisor (make NO PROMISES, NO SECRETS), Responding to a Child who confides in you

3. Offer reassurance and support

4. Immediately tell your supervisor

5. Record the facts and discussion in the child's own words and give a copy to your manager

6. Do not take control of the situation yourself

7. Maintain confidentiality

8. Keep records

9. Report the disclosure to the supervisor or person responsible for child protection in the setting.

10. The member of staff should tell the child who this person is and reassure the child that they can trust them and that they have done the right thing in telling you what has been going on.

11. Explain that they are unable to keep this information confidential, but that only appropriate people will be told.

12. Explain what action the worker will take next and arrange to tell them what happens. Other

13. staffs need to be told there has been a disclosure but not the details of it. The need for confidentiality must be stressed to all staff. Other young people should not be told.

14. Talk to the designated safeguarding Coordinator

15. The DSCO will then contact the relevant agency or the police who will investigate the disclosure.

All Members of Staff Should:

1. Play your part in helping to develop an ethos where all people matter and are treated with equality, and respect and dignity.

2. Always put the care, welfare, and safety needs of a child first.

3. Respect a child's right to be involved in making choices and decisions which directly affect them.

4. Listen attentively to any ideas and views a child wants to share with you.

5. Respect a child's culture (for example, their faith and beliefs)

6. Respect a child's right to privacy and personal space.

7. Respond sensitively to children who seem anxious about participating in certain activities

8. Speak to a member of staff immediately if you suspect that a child is experiencing bullying or harassment.

9. Be aware of the vulnerability of some groups of children to being isolated and hurt.

10. Ensure that when you are working with children you are at least within sight or hearing of other adults.

11. Listen carefully when a child 'tells you' (sometimes through drawings and behaviour as well as words) that they are being harmed and report what you have discovered immediately to your line manager.

12. Report immediately any suspicion that a child may be at risk of harm or abuse.

13. Never dismiss what a child tells you as lies or exaggeration

14. Only restrain a child who is at imminent harm of inflicting harm to themselves or others.

15. Never underestimate the contribution that you can make to the development of safe communities for children.

1. Exaggerate or trivialise another worker concerns about a child or ignore an allegation or suspicion of abuse in the hope that it will either go away or that someone else will deal with it.

2. Discuss personal issues about a child or their family with other people except where it concerns the wellbeing of the child.

3. Be drawn into derogatory remarks or gestures in front of the children or young people.

4. Allow a child or young person to be bullied or harmed by anyone else in the organisation

5. Allow children to swear or use sexualised language unchallenged.

It may be thought necessary that through discussion with all concerned the matter needs to be raised with the LSCB (Local Safeguarding Children Board) and Ofsted. Staff involved may be asked to supply details of any information/concerns they have with regard to a child.

Hofts Childcare expects all members of staff to co-operate with the LSCB and Ofsted in any way necessary to ensure the safety of the children. Staff must not make any comments either publicly or in private about a parent’s or staff’s supposed or actual behaviour.

Remember, whether or not you personally believe what is said, the benefit of the doubt must always be in favour of making the report. You do not personally have to believe the concern to be true to make a referral. This assessment is for children’s services and/or the police to make.

1. Inform parents on how to complain about the behaviour or actions of staff or volunteers within the setting, or anyone living or working on the premises occupied by the setting, which may include an allegation of abuse.

2. We ensure staff behave appropriately and are not made vulnerable to allegations i.e. code of conduct, behaviour management, whistle blowing and complaints procedure.

3. We follow the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board when responding to any complaint that a member of staff or volunteer within the setting, or anyone living or working on the premises occupied by the setting, has abused a child.

4. We respond to any disclosure by children or staff that abuse by a member of staff or

5. volunteer within the setting, or anyone living or working on the premises occupied by the setting, may have taken, or is taking place, by first recording the details of any such alleged incident.

6. We will inform Ofsted of any allegation of serious harm against or abuse of, a child by any person, including volunteers, looking after children on the premises (whether that allegation relates to harm or abuse committed on the premises or elsewhere,) or by the registered person or any

7. person working or employed on the premises, and the action taken in respect of these allegations, as soon as reasonably practicable, but at the latest, within 14 days. Failure to do so without reasonable excuse is a criminal offence.

8. Where the management team and children’s social care agree it is appropriate in the circumstances, the Safegauarding Services Manager will suspend the member of staff on full pay, or the volunteer, for the duration of the investigation. 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

9. All allegations against a member of staff will be handled by the Designated safe guarding coordinator and in a case where the allegation is made about the DSCO the director will handle the allegation.

10. The situation will be dealt with confidentially and information only shared on a need to know

11. basis. Support for children, parents and staff will be carried out sensitively.

12. Information and all communications, and actions taken and the reasons for them will be documented and kept in a separate file in the locked cabinet.

1. Whistleblowing relates to all staff and volunteers who work within the setting, who may from time to time think that they need to raise with someone in confidence certain issues relating to Hofts Childcare. Whistleblowing is separate from the grievance procedures. 

2. All staff are aware of preventing and eliminating wrongdoing within Hofts Childcare and are watchful for illegal, inappropriate, or unethical conduct and report anything of that nature to the managers. Staff understand that any matter raised under this procedure will be investigated thoroughly, promptly, and confidentially, and the outcome of the investigation will be reported back to you.

3. No one will be victimised for raising the matter under this procedure and continued employment and opportunities for future promotion or training will not be prejudiced because of a legitimate concern.

4. Victimisation of an individual for raising a qualified disclosure will be a disciplinary offence.

5. If misconduct is discovered because of any investigation under this procedure Jack in the Box disciplinary procedure will be used, in addition to any appropriate external measures.

6. If a malicious, vexatious or false allegation is made then this will be considered to be a disciplinary offence and disciplinary action will be taken.

7. Any instruction to cover up wrongdoing is itself a disciplinary offence. If you are told not to raise or pursue any concerns, even by a person in authority such as a manager, you should not agree to remain silent. In this event you should report the mater to either [Mr. Majid Khan head of Hofts Childcare]

Whistle blowing helpline: 0300 123 3155 Email: whistleblowing@ofsted.gov.uk

General enquires: 0300 123 1231 (8am-6pm)

Concerns: 0300 123 4666 (8am-6pm)

Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester, M1 2WD

The DSO is designated to take lead responsibility for safeguarding children at Hofts Childcare. The Designated Safeguarding Officer is responsible for liaison with LADO. They provide support, advice and guidance to other colleagues on an on-going basis, and on any specific safeguarding issue as required. The training must be renewed every 2 years. To enable them to identify, understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible abuse and neglect.

All staff are trained to understand this safeguarding policy and the procedures, to ensure that all staff have up to date knowledge of safeguarding issues.

All staff are given a mandatory induction, which includes familiarisation with child protection responsibilities and procedures to be followed if anyone has concerns about a child’s safety or welfare. This must be renewed annually.

We have effective systems in place to ensure that staff, and any other person who is likely to have regular contact with children are suitable

In order to maintain the levels of protection, all persons working with children must have an Enhanced Disclosure (DBS) and have completed an application process, interview and have 2 references.

Parents are normally the first point of contact. If a suspicion of abuse is recorded, parents are informed at the same time as the report is made. Where the parent or family member is the likely abuser, or where a child may be endangered by this disclosure, they must not be informed, and a referral will be made immediately to the local authority children’s social care. In these cases, the investigating officers will inform parents.

We will take every step in its power to build up trusting and supportive relations among families, colleagues, and volunteers within Hofts Childcare

1. Hofts Childcare continues to welcome the child and the family whilst enquiries are being made in relation to abuse in the home situation.

2. We will treat parents and families with respect in a non-judgmental manner whilst any external investigations are carried out in the best interests of the child

3. Confidential child protection records kept on a child should be stored securely and separately from the child’s day-to-day records. These records should only be shared under the direction of the local authority. 

In case of emergency the following contact details for agencies that can support you are listed below:

If children/young people are identified as being vulnerable to radicalisation, further advice and support can be found in The Prevent Duty. Serious concerns should be referred to the below Services:

Anti - Terrorism Hotline (Metropolitan Police Service) Tel: 0800 789 321 (www.met.police.uk/terrorism)

Windsor Rd, Slough SL1 2HH (01865 841148)

In emergency call: 999

Slough Family Information Service

This service continues to provide information, advice and guidance to families via the following options;

Telephone: 01753 476589 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

Email: FIS@slough.gov.uk (Email manned Mondays to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

Online: www.sloughfamilyservices.org,uk (available all day, every day)

National helplines

Childline: 0800 1111
Samaritans: 116 123
Domestic Violence Hotline: 0808 2000 247
Mind: 0300 123 3393
Age UK: 0800 169 6565
La Leche League: 0345 1202918 (for mums struggling to get formula milk)

· Email: LADO@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk

· Phone: 07927 681858 / 01753 690906

020 8733 5139

Above all  phone numbers should be made widely available to staff, volunteers and users of the project, including by signs clearly displayed in offices where young people can see them.