SAFEGUARDING INFOMATION
Keeping children safe
Safeguarding is defined as using appropriate measures to protect individuals, especially children and young people, from harm such as abuse and neglect. This includes all procedures designed to prevent harm to a child.
Child Protection is part of the safeguarding process, protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. This includes the child protection procedures which detail how to respond to concerns about a child.
Our Policy
SAFEGUARDING OFFICERS
This Policy has been developed in accordance with the principles established by the Children Acts 1989 and 2004 and in line with government publications: “Working Together to Safeguard Children” 2018, “Framework for the assessment of Children in Need and their families” 2000, “What to do if You are worried a Child is being Abused” 2015. The guidance reflects “Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment”.
DaisyChain Pre-School takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; and to work together with other agencies to ensure adequate arrangements within the setting to identify, assess, and support those children who are suffering harm. DaisyChain Pre-School recognises that all adults, including temporary staff and volunteers have a full and active part to play in protecting children from harm, and that the child’s welfare is the paramount concern. All staff believes that the setting should provide a caring, positive, safe and stimulating environment that promotes the social, physical and moral development of the individual child.
Aims:
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To support the child’s development in ways that will foster security, confidence and independence.
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To provide an environment in which children and young people feel safe, secure, valued and respected and feel confident and know how to, approach adults if they are in difficulties, believing they will be effectively listened to.
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To raise the awareness of all staff of the need to safeguard children and of their responsibilities in identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse.
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To provide a systematic means of monitoring children known or thought to be at risk of harm, and ensure the provider contributes to assessments of need and support packages for those children.
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To emphasize the need for good levels of communication between all members of staff.
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To develop a structured procedure within the setting to be followed by all members of the setting in cases of suspected abuse.
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To develop and promote effective working relationships with other agencies, especially the Police and Social Care.
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To ensure that all staff working within the setting who have access to children have been checked as to their suitability, including verification of their identity, qualifications, and a satisfactory DBS check (according to guidance).
Safe Staff and Safe Recruitment ;
DaisyChain Pre-School will ensure that:
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All members of staff understand and fulfil their responsibilities.
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The setting has a designated safeguarding lead who has undertaken minimum Devon children and families partnership Group 3 safeguarding and level 4 safeguarding training.
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Both Directors have undertaken safer recruitment training
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All Staff have an enhanced DBS check prior to starting where possible, if this is not possible then a risk assessment will be carried out prior to them starting.
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- All members of staff are provided with child protection awareness level 2 at induction, including relevant safeguarding Policy, so that they know who to discuss a concern with.
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All other staff have child protection awareness training, to be arranged by Katie Pearce every 3 years, to maintain their understanding of the signs and indicators of abuse.
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All members of staff, volunteers and management know how to respond to a child who discloses abuse through delivery of the awareness raising booklet “What to do if you are worried a child is being abused”.
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All staff understand Local Safeguarding Children’s Board thresholds of significant harm and understand how to access services for families, including for those families who are below the threshold for significant harm.
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All staff understand how to escalate their concerns in the event that they feel either the local authority and/or their own organisation has not acted adequately to safeguard.
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All parents and or carers are made aware of the responsibility of staff members with regard to child protection procedures through publication of the Safeguarding Policy.
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Children have a key person to build a relationship with, and are supported to articulate any worries, concerns or complaints that they may have in an age appropriate way.
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All staff are aware of our low level concern policy and no how to report a low level concern.
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Allegations against adults working in the setting of a child protection type are referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for advice and that any member of staff found not suitable to work with children will be notified to the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) for consideration for barring, following resignation, dismissal or when they cease to be used as a volunteer.
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Procedures will be regularly reviewed and updated.
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All new members of staff will be given a copy of the Safeguarding Policy with the Designated Officer’s name clearly displayed, as part of their induction.
Supporting Children
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Staff recognise that a child who is abused or witnesses violence may feel helpless and humiliated, may blame themselves, and find it difficult to develop and maintain a sense of self worth.
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Staff recognise that the setting may provide the only stability in the lives of children who have been abused or who are at risk of harm.
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Staff accept that research shows that the behaviour of a child in these circumstances may range from that which is perceived to be normal to aggressive or withdrawn.
The setting will support all children by:
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Encouraging self-esteem and self-assertiveness, through the daily activities as well as relationships, whilst not condoning aggression or bullying.
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Promoting a caring, safe and positive environment within the setting.
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Liaising and working together with all other support services and those agencies involved in the safeguarding of children.
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Notifying Social Care as soon as there is significant concern.
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Providing continuing support to a child about whom there have been concerns; who leaves the setting; by ensuring that appropriate information is copied under confidential cover to Children and Young People’s Services-Social Care.
Confidentiality within Safeguarding
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Staff recognise that all matters relating to safeguarding are confidential.
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DaisyChain Pre-School or the Designated Officer will disclose any information about a child to other members of staff on a need to know basis only.
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All staff must be aware that they have a professional responsibility to share information with other agencies in order to safeguard children.
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All staff must be aware that they cannot promise a child to keep secrets which might compromise the child’s safety and wellbeing.
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The setting undertakes to share an intention to refer a child to Social Care with their parents/carers unless to do so could put the child at greater risk of harm, or impede a criminal investigation. If in doubt, the provider or Designated Officer will consult with Social Care at Children and Young People’s Services.