Policy statement

Our setting will work with children, parents and the community to ensure the rights and safety of children and to give them the very best start in life. Our safeguarding children policy is based on the three key commitments.

EYFS key themes and commitments

A Unique Child	Positive Relationships	Enabling Environments	Learning and Development	Procedures
1.3 Keeping safe	2.1 Respecting each other 2.2 Parents as partners	3.4 The wider context	4.4 Personal, social and emotional development

Key commitment 1

Cottis Preschool is committed to building a ‘culture of safety’ in which children are protected from abuse and harm in all areas of its service delivery.

Staff and Volunteers

• We have a designated person who co-ordinates child protect issues and who overseas this work.
• We ensure all staff are made aware of our safeguarding children policy during their induction. A copy of all up to date nursery policies including safeguarding children are available at all times from the Nursery Manager. All policies are reviewed annually, staff are advised to read through amended policies and an amendments sheet is made available outlining any changes.
• For parents our policies are available at their child’s induction as well as loan copies available at all times.
• We provide adequate and appropriate staffing resources to meet the needs of children.
• Applicants for posts within the setting are clearly informed that the positions are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
• Candidates are informed of the need to carry out ‘enhanced disclosure’ checks with the Disclosure and Barring service 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 Disclosure and Barring service checks for staff and volunteers, to ensure that no disqualified person or unsuitable person works at the setting or has access to the children.
• Candidate’s are required to fill in a Staff Suitability Declaration.
• Volunteers do not work unsupervised.
• We abide by the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act requirements in respect of any person who is dismissed from our employment, or resigns in circumstances that would otherwise have led to dismissal for reasons of child protection concern.
• We record all visitors to the setting in our visitor’s book, located in the register. All visitors are made aware of our no mobile phone or cameras policy whilst on the nursery premises.
• Access to Nursery is strictly controlled by the Manager or senior person to ensure no unauthorised person has unsupervised access to the children.

Key commitment 2

Cottis Preschool is committed to responding promptly and appropriately to all incidents or concerns of abuse that may occur and to work with statutory agencies in accordance with the procedures that are set down in ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’ (HMG 2015)

Responding to suspicions of abuse

• We acknowledge that abuse of children can take different forms – physical, emotional, and sexual, and neglect.
• When children are suffering from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, or may be experiencing neglect, this may be demonstrated through the things they say (direct or indirect disclosure) or through changes in their appearance, their behaviour, or their play.
• Where such evidence is apparent, the child’s key person makes a dated record of the details of the concern and discusses what to do with the setting leader or manager who is acting as the ‘designated person’. The information is stored in a confidential file.
• We refer concerns to the local authority children’s social care department and co-operate fully in any subsequent investigation. NB In some cases this may mean the police or another agency identified by the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.
• We take care not to influence the outcome either through the way we speak to children or by asking questions of children.

Recording suspicions of abuse and disclosures

• Where a child makes comments to a member of staff that gives cause for concern (disclosure), observes signs or signals that gives cause for concern, such as significant changes in behaviour; deterioration in general well-being; unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect that member of staff:
• listens to the child, offers reassurance and gives assurance that she or he will take action.
• does not question the child;
• makes a written record that forms an objective record of the observation or disclosure that includes:
  • the child’s name, date of birth and address,
  • the date and time of the observation or the disclosure
  • the exact words spoken by the child as far as possible
  • the exact position and type of injury/mark seen
  • 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 the child’s personal file which is kept securely and confidentially. Any discussions held with parents (where deem appropriate) should also be recorded.

Making a referral to the local authority social care team

• Cottis Preschool follows the procedures outlined in the Government’s statutory guidance “working together to Safeguard Children 2023”, when recording concerns and making a referral.
• We display this document and follow the detailed guidelines given.
• All members of staff are familiar with “what to do if you are worried about a child” and aware of procedures for reporting and recording.

Informing parents

• 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, except where the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board does not allow this.
• This will usually be the case where the parent is the likely abuser. In these cases the investigating officers will inform parents.

Liaison with other agencies

• We work within the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines.
• We have a copy of ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’ for parents and staff and all staff are familiar with what to do if they have concerns.
• We have procedures for contacting the local authority on child protection issues, including maintaining a list of names, addresses and telephone numbers of social workers, to ensure that it is easy, in any emergency, for the setting and social services to work well together.
• We notify the registration authority (Ofsted) of any incident or accident and any changes in our arrangements which may affect the wellbeing of children.
• Contact details for the local National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) are also kept
• If a referral is to be made to the local authority social care department, we act within the area’s Safeguarding Children and Child Protection guidance in deciding whether we must inform the child’s parents at the same time.

Allegations against staff

• All allegations should be reported to the Pre school Manager. If this person is the subject of the allegation this should be reported to the Deputy Manager. All staff have access to the whistleblowing policy which will enable them to share any concerns that may arise about their colleagues in an appropriate manner.
• We ensure that all parents know how to complain about the behaviour or actions of staff or volunteers within the setting.
• 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 has abused a child.
• We respond to any disclosure by children or staff that abuse by a member of staff or 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 in our confidential file.
• We refer any such complaint immediately to the local authority’s social care department to investigate allowing the Lado to make a decision. We also report any such alleged incident to Ofsted and what measures we have taken. We are aware that it is an offence not to do this.
• We co-operate entirely with any investigation carried out by children’s social care in conjunction with the police.
• Where the registered person and children’s social care agree it is appropriate in the circumstances, the registered person 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.
• Staff are all made aware during their induct that the setting has a no cameras or mobile phones policy. Smart watches can be warn if they do not have camera and the Bluetooth is disconnected, so they cannot receive or send messages.
• Allegations may include inappropriate behaviour displayed by other members of staff, or any other person working with the children. For example, inappropriate sexual comments; excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities; or inappropriate sharing of images.
• LADO – Linsey Tunbridge-Adams
• Consultation Contact number 0330 222 3339 (0900- 1700)
• LADO Service Contact Number (through IFD) 01403 229900
• LADO Service email address Lindsey.tunbridge-9adams@westsussex.gov.uk

Disciplinary action

• Where a member of staff or a volunteer is dismissed from the setting because of misconduct relating to a child, we notify the Independent Barring Board administrators so that the name may be included on the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Barred List.

Key commitment 3

Cottis Preschool is committed to promoting awareness of child abuse issues throughout its training and learning programmes for adults. It is also committed to empowering young children, through its early childhood curriculum, promoting their right to be strong, resilient and listened to.

Training

• We provide in house training and seek out training opportunities available for all adults involved in the setting to ensure that they are able to recognise the signs and signals of possible physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect and that they are aware of the local authority guidelines for making referrals.
• We ensure that all staff know the procedures for reporting and recording their concerns in the setting.

Planning

• The layout of the rooms allows for constant supervision. Every effort is made to ensure that no child is left alone with staff or volunteers in a one-to-one situation without being visible to others.

Curriculum

• We introduce key elements of keeping children safe 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 and that they develop an understanding of why and how to 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 developmentally 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 Local Safeguarding Children Board.

Nappy Changing privacy

• We understand the right a child has to privacy whilst having their nappies changed. Nappies are changed in the disabled toilet with the door slightly open to offer the child some privacy from the main room.
• If parents and/or guests are visiting during opening hours, staff should shield children using the main toilets by angling the toilet door, so guests are unable to see in whilst walking past.

Support to families

• We believe in building trusting and supportive relationships with families, staff and volunteers in the group.
• We make clear to parents our role and responsibilities in relation to child protection, such as for the reporting of concerns, providing information, monitoring of the child, and liaising at all times with the local children’s social care team.
• We will continue to welcome the child and the family whilst investigations are being made in relation to any alleged abuse.
• We follow the Child Protection Plan as set by the child’s social care worker in relation to the setting’s designated role and tasks in supporting that child and their family, subsequent to any investigation.
• Confidential records kept on a child are shared with the child’s parents or those who have parental responsibility for the child in accordance with the Confidentiality and Client Access to Records procedure and only if appropriate under the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

The Prevent duty

The counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a duty on early years providers “to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism” this is known as The Prevent Duty.

As an Early year provider, Cottis Pre school already focus on the children’s personal, social and emotional development and follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework enables us to do this in an age appropriate way.

• Through ensuring children learn right from wrong
• Mixing and sharing with other children and valuing others views
• Knowing about and excepting similarities and differences between themselves and others
• Challenging negative attitudes and stereotypes

In this way the children are building resilience and promoting British values

Any concerns regarding the Prevent Duty will be reported following West Sussex Safeguarding Children Board Procedures.

Female Genital Mutilation ( FGM )

FGM, also known as cutting or circumcision, is dangerous to girls’ and women’s health and illegal in the UK. There are several signs that may indicate that a girl is at risk, no single sign should be considered as evidence that a girl is at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) however, a combination of factors may increase a girl’s risk of being subjected to it. Should one or more of the following factors come to staff’s attention they need to seek advice from their safeguarding lead about what action to take and the possibility of making a referral to Children’s Specialist Services. Factors suggesting a girl is at increased risk of FGM include: age of 0 – 14 years old, from a high risk community, being withdrawn from PSHE and/or SRE lessons by parents, parent planning to take the girl out of the country for an extended holiday, having a mother or older sister who has had FGM, mother confiding in a professional that a special ceremony or procedure will take place, requesting help from a professional to avoid FGM. For full  information please look on the Family Information Service (FIS) website. NSPCC FG