Safeguarding Children policy

Our first responsibility and priority is towards the children in our care. If we have any cause for concern we will report it to the relevant body, following the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

The local procedures that we hold are available for parents to see on request.

We understand that child abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, or a mixture of these, and am aware of the signs and symptoms of these. We must notify Ofsted of any allegations of abuse that are alleged to have taken place while the child is in our care, including any allegations against us, or any members of our family, or other adults or children in our home who have had contact with minded children.

Procedure (how we put the statement into practice)

We keep up to date with child protection issues and relevant legislation by taking regular training courses and by reading relevant publications
e.g.; The Childcare Professional or Nursery World.
We have access to the Thurrock Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Every six months we check that we have the latest version of the relevant procedures (or any documents that may replace them in the future).
We follow the procedures outlined in my confidentiality policy.
We work together with parents to make sure the care of their child is consistent – please refer to our Working with Parents policy.
Children will only be released from our care to the parent/guardian or to someone named and authorised by them. A password might be used to confirm identity if the person collecting the child is not previously known to me.
Parents must notify me of any concerns they have about their child and any accidents, incidents or injuries affecting the child, which we will record and ask parents to sign.
Unless we believe that it would put the child at risk of further harm, we will discuss concerns with a child’s parent if we notice:
1. Significant changes in a child’s behaviour.
2. Bruising or marks not consistent with a reported accident.
3. Any comments made by a child which give me cause for concern.
4. Signs of neglect.
If a child tells us that they or another child is being abused, we will:
1. Show that we have heard what they are saying, and that we take their allegations seriously.
2. Encourage the child to talk, but we will not prompt them or ask them leading questions. We will not interrupt when a child is recalling significant events and will not make a child repeat their account.
3. Explain what actions we must take, in a way that is appropriate to the age and understanding of the child.
4. Record what we have been told using exact words where possible.
5. Make a note of the date, time, place and people who were present at the discussion.
We will call the local social services’ duty desk for advice and an assessment of the situation.
We will follow this phone call up with a letter to the Duty team within 48 hours. We will record the concern and all contact with Children’s Services thereafter.
If an allegation is made against us, any member of our family or any other adult or child in our setting we will report it to Ofsted and social services, following the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. We will also contact PACEY’s Information Line on 0300 003 0005 for advice and support.
In all instances we will record:
1. The child’s full name and address.
2. The date and time of the record.
3. Factual details of the concern, for example bruising, what the child said, who was present.
4. Details of any previous concerns.
5. Details of any explanations from the parents.
6. Any action taken such as speaking to parents.

It is not our responsibility to attempt to investigate the situation ourselves.

The use of mobile phones and cameras

We understand that mobile phones are an everyday part of life for parents and childminders and with that in mind have laid out my procedure for their use:

We will ensure my mobile phone is fully charged and with me at all times in case of emergencies.
We have the facility to take photographs on both my mobile phone and camera and will seek your permission to take any photographs of your child to record activities and share their progress with you.
Any photographs taken will be deleted after either emailing to you or printed for use in your child’s learning journey.
We will not publish any photographs of your child on any social networking sites or share with any other person without your permission.
If your child has a mobile phone or camera that they wish to bring into the setting please let us know, so that we can work together to ensure the safety of all children in attendance.
We have registered with the Information Commissioners Office as a data controller.

If there is anything in this policy that you are unclear about or unhappy with, please email us or contact us