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Nursery Safeguarding and Child-Protection Policy

The University of Bradford Nursery Safeguarding and Child-Protection Policy outlines it's commitment to the welfare and safety of children, parents, external agencies, and the community.

Owner University of Bradford Nursery
Author University of Bradford Nursery
Approved by: Rochelle Smith
Date of Approval of this Version November 2022
Next Review Date: November 2023
Version Number: 0.1

This page serves as appendix E of the University Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. Explore further by visiting our Safeguarding section of our website.

Introduction

At the University of Bradford Nursery, we work with children, parents, external agencies, and the community to ensure the welfare and safety of all children. We believe everyone has a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them. Children have the right to be treated with respect, helped to thrive and to be safe from any abuse in whatever form.

Scope

We support the children within our care to protect them from maltreatment and have robust procedures in place to prevent the impairment of children’s health and development. In our setting we strive to protect children from safeguarding, and we promote acceptance and tolerance of other beliefs and cultures. We give equal priority to keeping all children safe regardless of their age, disability, gender, race, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

We will tackle Safeguarding by:

  • Training all staff to understand what is meant by safeguarding.
  • Ensuring staff understand how to recognise early indicators of potential abuse and act on them appropriately in line with national and local procedures.
  • Ensure our nursery is an inclusive environment by tackling inequalities and negative points of view and teaching children about tolerance through British Values.
  • Create an environment to encourage children to develop a positive self-image.
  • Provide positive role models and develop a safe culture where all staff, volunteers and children know how they are expected to behave and feel comfortable about sharing concerns including professional conduct.
  • Support staff to notice the softer signs of abuse and know what action to take.
  • Encourage children to develop a sense of independence and autonomy in a way that is appropriate to their age and stage of development.
  • Provide a safe and secure environment for all children.
  • Promote tolerance and acceptance of different beliefs, cultures, and communities.
  • Help children to understand how they can influence and participate in decision-making and how to promote British Values through play, discussion, and role modelling.
  • Always listen to and respect one another, modelling this to the children through best practice.
  • Provide an environment where practitioners are confident to identify where children and families may need intervention and seek the help, they need including via Early Help methods and early signposting.
  • Share information with other agencies as appropriate.
  • Keep the child at the centre of all we do.
  • Ensure all staff and volunteers are trained from induction to understand the child protection and safeguarding policy and procedures, are alert to identify possible signs of abuse, what is meant by child protection and are aware of the different ways in which children can be harmed, including by other children through bullying or discriminatory behaviour.
  • Be aware of the increased vulnerability of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and other vulnerable or isolated families and children.
  • Ensure that all staff feel confident and supported to act in the best interest of the child, share information and seek the help that the child may need.
  • Ensure that all staff are familiar and updated regularly with child protection training and procedures and kept informed of changes to local/national procedures, including thorough regular safeguarding emails, reading material and updates.
  • Seek advice, support and/or raise a concern about a child or young person in a timely way by contacting Children’s Social Care via the Bradford Children’s Services IFD practitioners’ advice and referral line, sharing any relevant information as necessary in line with procedures set out by Bradford Safeguarding Partnership.
  • Ensure that information is shared only with those people who need to know to protect the child and act in their best interest.
  • Keep the setting safe online using appropriate filters, checks and safeguards, monitoring all access and liaising with the University IT team for any new devices or systems for support and oversight.
  • Ensure that children are never placed at risk while in the care of staff at the University of Bradford Nursery.
  • Identify changes in staff behaviour and act on these as per the Staff Code of Conduct and the Dignity and Respect Policy.
  • Take any appropriate action relating to allegations of serious harm or abuse against any person working with children or on the premises including reporting such allegations to LADO, Ofsted and any other relevant authorities.
  • Ensure parents are fully aware of our safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures when they register with the service and are kept informed of all updates when they occur including what to do if they themselves have a concern.
  • Regularly review and update this policy with staff and parents where appropriate and make sure it complies with any legal requirements and procedures.

We will support children by offering reassurance, comfort, and sensitive interactions. We will devise activities according to individual circumstances to enable children to develop confidence and self-esteem within their peer group and support them to learn how to keep themselves safe.

The Management, Directors and all staff are aware that abuse does occur in our society, and we are vigilant in identifying signs of abuse and reporting concerns. Our staff have a duty to protect and promote the welfare of children. Due to the many hours of care we are providing, staff may often be the first people to identify that there may be a problem. They may well be the first people in whom children confide information that may suggest abuse or to spot changes in a child’s behaviour which may indicate abuse.

Our prime responsibility is the welfare and well-being of each child in our care. As such, we believe we have a duty to the children, parents, and staff to act quickly and responsibly in any instance that may come to our attention. This includes sharing information with any relevant agencies such as local authority services for children’s social care, health professionals or the police. All staff will work with other agencies in the best interest of the child, as part of a multi-agency team, where needed.

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

  • Protecting children from maltreatment
  • Preventing the impairment of children’s health or development
  • Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
  • Acting to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

(Definition taken from the HM Government document ‘Working together to safeguard children 2018).

Indicators

Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by harming them, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused within a family, institution or community setting by those known to them or a stranger. This could be an adult or adults, another child or children.

The signs and indicators listed below may not necessarily indicate that a child has been abused but will help us to recognise that something may be wrong, especially if a child shows a number of these symptoms or any of them to a marked degree. As always, the list is non-exhaustive

Indicators of child abuse

  • Failure to thrive and meet developmental milestones.
  • Fearful or withdrawn tendencies
  • Unexplained injuries to a child or conflicting reports from parents, family members/friends or staff
  • Repeated injuries
  • Unaddressed illnesses or injuries
  • Significant changes to behaviour patterns.

Softer signs of abuse as defined by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) include:

  • Low self-esteem
  • Wetting and soiling
  • Recurrent nightmares
  • Aggressive behaviour
  • Withdrawing communication
  • Habitual body rocking
  • Indiscriminate contact or affection seeking
  • Over-friendliness towards strangers
  • Excessive clinginess
  • Persistently seeking attention.

Injuries and Physical Abuse

Action needs to be taken if staff have reason to believe that there has been a physical injury to a child, including deliberate poisoning, where there is definite knowledge or reasonable suspicion that the injury was inflicted or knowingly not prevented. These symptoms may include bruising or injuries in an area that is not usual for a child, e.g. fleshy parts of the arms and legs, back, wrists, ankles, and face.

Many children will have cuts and grazes from normal childhood injuries. If a staff member notices a mark or injury on a child on arrival at the setting, the staff member should complete a ‘Wellbeing Form’ (detailing the time the injury was noticed). This should be done with the person who has brought the child to the setting whilst they are still present, or as soon as the injury is noticed. The parent/carer must be contacted to inform them of the injury, to inform them that a wellbeing form must be completed and to seek any additional information which may explain how the injury has occurred. The injury should be recorded as described, and the form should be signed by the parent/carer. The staff member should immediately report this to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). The injury should be fully discussed with the parent when they return, with any explanations recorded, and the form signed retrospectively. An ‘Accident Form’ should be filled in and stored in the accident file under the child’s name for any injuries sustained within the setting including reportage and signature of any witnesses’ present.

If the child with an injury has a Social Worker, the injury must be recorded on the appropriate document and the DSL be informed immediately to enable them to make the decision as to whether a notification to the child’s social worker is required. If a notification is required, the DSL must immediately report this (by telephone and then followed up in writing). If the Social Worker is unavailable by telephone, concerns should be discussed with a duty social worker or a team manager. Please note it is not appropriate just to email the social worker in these cases; contact must be made with the social worker/duty worker/team manager by telephone, on the same day.

In all cases of injuries on arrival for all children with or without a social worker, the DSL will use their professional judgement to assess the situation. This may involve seeking advice from Bradford Children’s Services IFD practitioner advice and referral line, depending on the nature of the injury and any history of injuries, in most cases however the DSL would usually ask the child’s keyperson to speak to the child’s parent/carer and ask how the injury occurred. This information given by the parent/carer must be immediately shared with the DSL and accurately recorded. The DSL will then assess using their professional judgement if the explanation is plausible and consistent with the children’s development level or whether it is a potential safeguarding issue.

There are also a number of ways in which children and babies, including immobile babies, may be injured or abused. This could be from a number of ways physically through shaking, throwing, being dropped, rolling off and falling from a piece of furniture or may include burns or scalds. Staff members will be trained in being alert to and aware of all types of injuries which may indicate abuse and will complete specific training in relation to the vulnerability of babies.

Sexual Abuse

Action needs be taken if a staff member has witnessed any occasion(s) where a child has indicated sexual activity through words, play, drawing, had an excessive preoccupation with sexual matters or had an inappropriate knowledge of adult sexual behaviour or language. This may include acting out sexual activity on dolls/toys or in the role play area with their peers, drawing pictures that are inappropriate for a child, talking about sexual activities or using sexual language or words. The child may become worried when their clothes are removed, e.g. for nappy changes.

The physical symptoms may include genital trauma, blood, discharge and bruises between the legs or signs of a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Emotional symptoms could include a distinct change in a child’s behaviour. They may be withdrawn or overly extroverted and outgoing. They may withdraw away from a particular adult and become distressed if they reach out for them, but they may also be particularly clingy to a potential abuser, so all symptoms and signs should be looked at together and assessed as a whole.

Emotional Abuse

Action should be taken if a staff member has 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.

This may include extremes of discipline where a child is shouted at or put down on a consistent basis, lack of emotional attachment by a parent, or it may include parents or carers placing inappropriate age or developmental expectations upon them. Emotional abuse may also be imposed through the child witnessing domestic abuse and alcohol and drug misuse by adults caring for them. Potential signs of persistent blaming, shaming may also be a form of ‘Scapegoating.’

The child is likely to show extremes of emotion with this type of abuse. This may include shying away from an adult who is abusing them, becoming withdrawn, aggressive, or clingy to receive their love and attention. This type of abuse is harder to identify as the child is not likely to show any physical signs

Neglect

Action will be taken if a staff member has reason to believe that there has been any type of neglect of a child (for example, by exposure to any kind of danger, including cold, starvation or failure to seek medical treatment, when required, on behalf of the child), which results in serious impairment of the child's health or development, including failure to thrive.

Signs may include a child persistently arriving at Nursery unwashed or unkempt, wearing clothes that are too small (especially shoes that may restrict the child’s growth or hurt them), or a child having an illness or identified special educational need or disability that is not being addressed by the parent. A child may also be persistently hungry if a parent is withholding food or not providing enough for a child’s needs.
Neglect may also be shown through emotional signs, e.g., a child may not be receiving the attention they need at home and may crave love and support from their tutors. They may be clingy and emotional. In addition, neglect may occur through pregnancy because of maternal substance abuse.

Suspicion of Alcohol or Drug Use

If parent/carer presents at The University of Bradford Nursery and a member of staff feels the parent/carer maybe under the influence of Alcohol or Drugs, the staff member should immediately alert the DSL on site. If it is felt that the parent/carer is impaired to such an extent that they are not able to care for the child and/or letting the child leave the setting with them would potentially put them at risk, the practitioner should ask if there is another family member who could collect and care for the child. If there is no other suitable and responsible adult available, contact would be made with Bradford Children’s Services and if necessary, to prevent the parent/carer from taking the child, the Police. If the parent/carer is not presenting as impaired, the incident should be recorded and any repeat occurrences should be discussed with the parent/carer, including undertaking an Early Help Assessment and signposting to alcohol and substance misuse services where appropriate.

Fabricated Illness

All staff at The University of Bradford Nursery are aware that Fabricated Illness is a type of physical abuse where a child is presented with an illness that is fabricated by the adult carer. The carer may seek out unnecessary medical treatment or investigation. The signs may include a carer exaggerating a real illness or symptoms, complete fabrication of symptoms or inducing physical illness, e.g., through poisoning, starvation, inappropriate diet. This may also be presented through false allegations of abuse or encouraging the child to appear disabled or ill to obtain unnecessary treatment or specialist support. Any signs or symptoms of ‘fabricated illness’ will be recorded and referred as appropriate.

Breast Ironing

Breast ironing also known as "breast flattening" is the process where young girls' breasts are ironed, massaged and/or pounded down using hard or heated objects for the breasts to disappear or delay the development of the breasts entirely. It is believed that by carrying out this act, young girls will be protected from harassment, rape, abduction, and early forced marriage. We will ensure any signs of this in young adults or older children are followed up using the usual safeguarding referral process.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

This type of physical abuse is practised as a cultural ritual by certain ethnic groups and there is now more awareness of its prevalence in some communities in England, including its effect on the child and any other siblings involved. This procedure may be carried out shortly after birth and during childhood as well as adolescence, just before marriage or during a woman’s first pregnancy and varies widely according to the community. Symptoms may include bleeding, painful areas, acute urinary retention, urinary infection, wound infection, septicaemia, incontinence, vaginal and pelvic infections with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder as well as physiological concerns. If you have concerns about a child relating to this area, you should contact Bradford Children’s Services IFD practitioners’ advice and referral line immediately in the same way as other types of physical abuse. There is a mandatory duty to report to police any case where an act of FGM appears to have been carried out on a girl under the age of 18, we will ensure this is followed in our setting

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

Working Together to Safeguard Children defines CSE as “…a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur using technology.”
We will be aware of the possibility of CSE and the signs and symptoms this may manifest as. If we have concerns, we will follow the same procedures as for other concerns and we will record and refer as appropriate.

Extremism/Radicalisation – The Prevent Duty

Under the Counterterrorism and Security Act 2015 we have a duty to refer any concerns of extremism to the police. (In Prevent priority areas the local authority will have a Prevent lead who can also provide support). This may be a cause for concern relating to a change in behaviour of a child or family member, comments causing concern made to a member of the team (or other persons in the setting) or actions that lead staff to be worried about the safety of a child in their care. We have a Prevent Duty and Radicalisation policy in place. Please refer to this for specific details.

Online Safety

We take the safety of our children very seriously and this includes their online safety. Please refer to the Online Safety policy for details on this.

Reporting Procedures

If a child starts to talk openly to a member of staff about abuse which they may be experiencing, the procedure below will be followed:

  • The adult should reassure the child and listen without interrupting.
  • The observed instances will be detailed in a confidential report.
  • The observed instances will be reported to the DSL on site.
  • The matter will be referred to Bradford Children’s Services immediately and advice followed.

All staff have a responsibility to report safeguarding concerns and suspicions of abuse. If a staff member has concerns regarding a child or young person, the following procedures will be followed:

  • Staff will report their concerns to the DSL (in the absence of a DSL they will be reported to a Deputy DSL).
  • Any signs of marks/injuries to a child or information a child have given will be recorded and stored securely.
  • If appropriate, the incident will be discussed with the parent/carer, such discussions will be recorded, and the parent will have access to these records on request.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead will:

  • Contact Bradford Children’s Services IFD practitioner advice and referral line to seek advice and raise a concern (if it is believed a child is in immediate danger, we will contact the police).
  • Inform LADO/Ofsted of any action taken within the relevant timescales.
  • Record the information and action taken relating to the concern raised.
  • Speak to the parents (unless advised not do so).
  • The DSL will follow up with Bradford Children’s Services if they have not contacted the setting within one working day; the timeframe set out in Working Together to Safeguarding Children (2018). We will never assume that action has been taken.

In all circumstances, if staff are concerned about a child and they are not sure whether a child is at risk, they can contact Bradford Children’s Services IFD practitioner advice and referral number to discuss the circumstances. Staff must always ensure that action has been taken regarding a concern and that they follow this up to ensure that the child is safeguarded.

Keeping children safe is our highest priority and if, for whatever reason, staff do not feel able to report concerns to the DSL or Deputy DSL they should contact the DSL or Deputy DSL at The University of Bradford, Bradford Children’s Services or the NSPCC and report their concerns.

Recording Suspicions of Abuse and Disclosures

Staff should make an objective record of any observation or disclosure, supported by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). This record should include:

  • Child's name
  • Child's address
  • Age of the child and date of birth
  • Date and time of the observation or the disclosure
  • Exact words spoken by the child
  • Exact position, size, shape and type of any injuries or marks seen
  • Exact observation of any incident including any concern was reported, with date and time; and the names of any other person present at the time
  • Any discussion held with the parent(s)/carer(s) (where deemed appropriate)

These records should be signed by the person reporting this and the DSL or in their absence, named supervisor, dated and kept in a separate confidential file on the Nursery Management hard drive.

If a child starts to talk to an adult about potential abuse, it is important not to promise the child complete confidentiality. This promise cannot be kept. It is vital that the child can talk openly, and disclosure is not forced, or words put into the child’s mouth. As soon as possible after the disclosure details must be logged accurately.

It may be thought necessary that through discussion with all concerned, the matter needs to be raised with Bradford Children’s Services and/or LADO. Staff involved may be asked to supply details of any information/concerns they have regarding a child. The University of Bradford Nursery expects all members of staff to co-operate with Bradford Children’s Services, the Police, LADO 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 the supposed or actual behaviour of a parent, carer or member of staff.

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 Bradford Children’s Services or Police does not allow this. This will usually be the case where the parent or family member is the likely abuser or where a child may be endangered by this disclosure. In these cases, the investigating officers will inform parents.

Confidentiality

All suspicions, enquiries and external investigations are kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know. Any information is shared in line with guidance from Bradford Safeguarding Partnership and in line with ‘Working together to safeguard children 2015’ and the ‘Data protection act 2018’ legislation.

Staff will continue to welcome the child and the family whilst enquiries are being made in relation to abuse in the home situation. Parents and families will be treated with respect in a non-judgmental manner whilst any external investigations are carried out in the best interest of the child.

Confidential records kept on a child are shared with the child's parents or those who have parental responsibility for the child, only if appropriate in line with guidance of the local authority with the priority being that the care and safety of the child is paramount. We will do all in our power to support and work with the child's family.

Allegations Against Adults Working or Volunteering with Children

If an allegation is made against a member of staff, student or volunteer or any other person who works at The University of Bradford Nursery, we will follow the procedures below.

The allegation should be reported to the DSL and Manager. If this person is the subject of the allegation, then this should be reported to The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and Ofsted will then be informed immediately for this to be investigated by the appropriate bodies promptly.

The following procedures will be followed subsequently to an allegation being made:

The person to whom an allegation or concern is first reported should treat the matter seriously and keep an open mind. They should not:

  • Investigate or ask leading questions if seeking clarification
  • Make assumptions or offer alternative explanations
  • Promise confidentiality but should give assurance that the information will only be shared on a 'need to know' basis.

They should:

  • Make a written record (where possible in the child/adult's own words), including the time, date and place of incident(s), persons present and what was said
  • Sign and date the record
  • Report concerns to the DSL who will consult the LADO.

The DSL will:

  • Inform LADO immediately for advice and guidance
  • Ensure that any advice and/or actions are followed
  • Report to Ofsted if appropriate following on from advice from the LADO
  • Work in partnership with any relevant agencies required including the police, Ofsted and the LA.

Concerns by employers about an adult working in a position of trust with children or young people should be reported to the Bradford Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) who manages allegations against adults working in a position of trust with children.

Employers must inform the local authority designated officer (LADO) within one working day when an allegation is made and prior to any further investigation taking place. If an allegation is substantiated and the person is dismissed or the employer ceases to use the person’s service or the person resigns or otherwise ceases to provide his/her services, the LADO should discuss with the employer whether a referral should be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

If a referral is to be made to the DBS; it should be submitted within one month of the allegation being substantiated.

In all cases, guidance should be followed from West Yorkshire Procedures for any allegations against staff, carers and volunteers. This guidance can be found online via the following weblink:

https://westyorkscb.proceduresonline.com/p_alleg_staff.html

We also have the following guidance/procedures in place:

  • If as an individual, you feel this will not be taken seriously or are worried about the allegation getting back to the person in question then it is your duty to inform the LADO yourself directly.
  • A full investigation will be carried out by the appropriate professionals (Bradford Children’s Services, Police, LADO, Ofsted) to determine how this will be handled.
  • Staff and leaders at the University of Bradford Nursery will follow all instructions from the LADO and Ofsted and ask all staff members to do the same and co-operate where required.
  • Support will be provided to all those involved in an allegation throughout the external investigation in line with LADO support and advice.
  • The University of Bradford Nursery reserves the right to suspend any member of staff during an investigation.
  • All enquiries/external investigations/interviews will be documented and kept in a password protected file on the University hard drive systems for access by the relevant authorities.
  • Unfounded allegations will result in all rights being reinstated.
  • Founded allegations will be passed on to the relevant organisations and where an offence is believed to have been committed, the Police, and will result in the termination of employment. Ofsted will be notified immediately of this decision. The University of Bradford will also notify the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure their records are updated.
  • All records will be kept until the person reaches normal retirement age or for 21 years and 3 months years if that is longer. This will ensure accurate information is available for references and future DBS checks and avoids any unnecessary reinvestigation.
  • The retains the right to dismiss any member of staff in connection with founded allegations following an inquiry.
  • Counselling will be available for any member of the staff team who is affected by an allegation, their colleagues in the company and the parents.

Monitoring children’s attendance

As part of our requirements under the statutory framework and guidance documents we are required to monitor children’s attendance patterns to ensure they are consistent and no cause for concern.

Parents should please inform the Nursery Management prior to their children taking holidays or days off, and all sickness should be called in on the day, so the Management are able to account for a child’s absence.

If a child has not arrived for their ‘normal’ session the parents will be called to ensure the child is safe and healthy.

Where a child is part of a Child in Need (CIN) or Child Protection Plan (CPP), or during a referral process, any absences will be reported to Bradford Children’s Services or to the child’s Social Worker directly to ensure the child remains safeguarded.

Drop off and Collection Procedures

If the child is to be collected by an unknown person, whether that be a parent/carer, relative or family friend at the end of the session, there is an agreed procedure that must be followed to identify the designated person. If the person collecting is a parent or a named person on the collection list but this is the first time that they are collecting the child and/or they are unknown to the setting or the staff member who is passing over, then photo identification and/or a password are also required. Prior notice should always be given to the Nursery Management Team or an Area Lead if it is not the child’s parent or primary carer in all circumstances. Parents/carers are informed about these arrangements and reminded about them regularly. Other than the parent/carer of the child, we do not allow anyone under the age of 18 to collect. If anyone under the age of 18 arrives to collect child, the parent/carer will be contacted.

A full handover must take place at collection, ensuring that all relevant information is communicated such as, the child’s daily activities, food and drink intake, sleep times, accidents, and medication administration.

Looked after children

As part of our safeguarding practice, we will ensure our staff are aware of how to keep looked after children safe. To do this, we ask that we are informed of:

  • The legal status of the child (e.g., whether the child is being looked after under voluntary arrangements with consent of parents or on an interim or full care order).
  • Contact arrangements for the biological parents (or those with parental responsibility).
  • The child’s care arrangements and the levels of authority delegated to the carer by the authority looking after him/her.
  • The details of the child’s social worker and any other support agencies involved.
  • Any child protection plan or care plan in place for the child in question.

Please refer to the Looked After Children policy for further details.

Staffing and volunteering

Our policy is to provide a secure and safe environment for all children. We only allow adults who are employed by the University of Bradford to care for children and be counted within ratio following an enhanced clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

All staff will undertake mandatory training on a yearly basis including, but not exhaustive, Safeguarding, Child Protection, Prevent Duty and British Values, CAF CON and Multi Agency Approach, FGM, Breast Ironing and regular reading material such as 5-minute briefings and ongoing case studies. This will include the procedures for spotting signs and behaviours of abuse and abusers/potential abusers, recording and reporting concerns and creating a safe and secure environment for all children. During induction staff will be given instruction and details for the LADO (local authority designated officer), Bradford Children’s Services and Ofsted to enable them to report any safeguarding concerns, independently, if they feel it necessary to do so.

We have named persons within the Nursery who take lead responsibility for safeguarding and co-ordinate child protection and welfare issues, known as the Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL). These designated persons will receive comprehensive training at least every two years and update their knowledge on an ongoing basis, but at least once a year. The Nursery Manager, alongside the Assistant Manager for Operations are the DSL’s at the Nursery. The Assistant Manager for EYT and each Area Lead will be a Deputy DSL in their absence. We believe this gives us complete oversight across the whole Nursery at all times.

There will always be at least one DSL on duty at all times. This will ensure that prompt action can be taken if concerns are raised.

The Designated Safeguarding Leads are Rochelle Smith (Nursery Manager) and Emma Marwood (Assistant Manager for Operations).

  • We provide adequate and appropriate staffing resource to meet the needs of all children.
  • Applicants for posts within the company are clearly informed that the positions are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Candidates are informed of the need to carry out checks 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 give staff members, volunteers, and students regular opportunities to declare changes that may affect their suitability to care for the children via an ‘Ongoing Suitability Declaration Form’. This includes information about their health, medication or about changes in their home life such as child protection plans for their own children.
  • This information is also stated within every member of staff’s contract.
  • We request enhanced DBS checks on a two-yearly basis, or we use the DBS update service (with staff consent) to re-check staff’s criminal history and suitability to work with children annually.
  • We abide by the requirements of the EYFS and any Ofsted guidance in respect to obtaining references and suitability checks for staff, students, and volunteers, to ensure that all staff, students, and volunteers working in the setting are suitable to do so.
  • We ensure we receive at least two written references before a new member of staff commences employment with us.
  • All students will have enhanced DBS checks conducted on them before their placement starts.
  • Volunteers, including students, do not work unsupervised.
  • We abide by the requirements of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and the Childcare Act 2006 in respect of any person who is disqualified from providing childcare, is dismissed from our employment, or resigns in circumstances that would otherwise have led to dismissal for reasons of child protection concern.
  • We have procedures for recording the details of visitors to the company and 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.
  • All visitors/contractors will be supervised whilst on the premises, especially when in the areas the children use.
  • As a staff team we will be fully aware of how to safeguard the whole environment and be aware of potential dangers on the setting and Nursery boundaries such as drones or strangers lingering. We will ensure the children always remain safe.
  • The University Dignity and Respect Policy sits alongside this policy to enable us to monitor changes in behaviours that may cause concern. All staff sign this policy too to ensure any changes are reported to management, so we can support the individual staff member and ensure the safety and care of the children is not compromised.
  • All staff have access to and comply with the whistleblowing policy which will enable them to share any concerns that may arise about their colleagues in an appropriate manner.
  • Signs of inappropriate staff behaviour may include inappropriate sexual comments; excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities; or inappropriate sharing of images. This is not an exhaustive list, any changes in behaviour must be reported and acted upon immediately.
  • All staff will receive regular supervision meetings where opportunities will be made available to discuss any issues relating to individual children, child protection training and any needs for further support.
  • We use peer on peer and Manager observations in the setting to ensure that the care we provide for children is at the highest level and any areas for staff development are quickly highlighted. Peer observations allow us to share constructive feedback, develop practice and build trust so that staff can share any concerns they may have. Any concerns are raised with the DSL and dealt with in an appropriate and timely manner.
  • The deployment of staff within the setting allows for constant supervision and support.
  • We operate a Mobile Phone and Camera Policy and a Online Safety Policy which states how we will keep children safe from devices whilst within the Nursery.

Contact telephone numbers

Bradford Children’s Services IFD practitioners' advice and referral line

Contact opening times: 08:30-17:00 Monday to Thursday, 08:30-16:30 Friday to Sunday

Emergency Duty Team (EDT)

Telephone: 01274 431010

Contact opening times: 17:00-07:30 Monday to Thursday, 16:30-07:30 Friday, with 24-hour cover at weekends and throughout bank holidays.

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

Contact opening times: 08:00 - 17:00, Monday to Friday.

Other contacts

Definitions

  • EYFS – Early Years Foundation Stage – Sets the standards of learning, development and care for children 0-5 years. It also incorporates the Childcare Act 2006
  • DSL – Designated Safeguarding Lead
  • CIN – Child in Need
  • CPP – Child Protection Plan
  • EDT – Emergency Duty Team
  • LADO – Local Authority Designated Officer
  • LA – Local Authority
  • FGM – Female Genital Mutilation
  • CSE – Child Sexual Exploitation
  • SEND – Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Management Team to ensure that people looking after children are suitable to fulfil the requirements of their roles. As a setting it is our responsibility to have effective systems in place to ensure that practitioners, and any other person who is likely to have regular contact with children (including working on the premises), are suitable.

It is our responsibility to notify LADO & Ofsted of any significant event which is likely to affect the suitability of any person who is in regular contact with children on the premises where childcare is provided. The disqualification of an employee could be an instance of a significant event.

General principles/policy statements

As a setting we aim to safeguard children and promote their welfare. To do this, we will:

  • Create an environment to encourage children to develop a positive self-image.
  • Provide positive role models and develop a safe culture where all staff, volunteers and children know how they are expected to behave and feel comfortable about sharing concerns including professional conduct.
  • Support staff to notice the softer signs of counter terrorism and extremism and know what action to take if they are concerned or suspect a child is at any danger.
  • Encourage children to develop a sense of independence and autonomy in a way that is appropriate to their age and stage of development.
  • Provide a safe and secure environment for all children.
  • Promote tolerance and acceptance of different beliefs, cultures, and communities.
  • Help children to understand how they can influence and participate in decision-making and how to promote British Values through play, discussion, and role modelling.
  • Always listen to and respect children.
  • Provide an environment where practitioners are confident to identify where children and families may need intervention and seek the help.
  • Share information with other agencies as appropriate.

Consequences of non-compliance

If a staff member breaches this Policy, this will be followed by a meeting with the Nursery Manager/Management Team to discuss why they have not been compliant.

4.2 A full investigation will take place.

4.3 The University’s Disciplinary procedure may be followed.

Monitoring and review

The policy will be reviewed on a yearly basis and in line with any updates/changes to legislation.

Related policies and standards/documentation