Safeguarding & Child Protection

How we keep children safe and respond to safeguarding concerns.

General Legal Requirement

• Providers must take all necessary steps to keep children safe and well. 
• Providers must: safeguard children; ensure the suitability of adults who have contact with children; promote good health; manage behaviour; and maintain records, policies, and procedures. 

EYFS Framework

Policy Aims

Coltishall and Horstead Preschool is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all those working within our setting, either paid or unpaid, to share this commitment.  We establish positive working relationships with children, parents, and the community to ensure the rights and safety of children and to give them the very best start in life.  

Underpinning this shared commitment are the five principles first outlined in the ‘Every Child Matters’ agenda and we feel are just as important today:

• Being healthy: enjoying good physical and mental health and living a healthy lifestyle

• Staying safe: being protected from harm and neglect and growing up able to look after themselves

• Enjoying and achieving getting the most out of life and developing broad skills for adulthood

• Making a positive contribution: to the community and society and not engaging in anti-social or offending behaviour

• Economic well-being: overcoming socio-economic disadvantages to achieve their full potential in life.

This policy has been written in accordance with the Norfolk Safeguarding Children Board (NSCP) guidance and the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. 

Setting Ethos

We believe that every child should be given a safe, stimulating, and welcoming environment in which they can learn and grow.  We place particular importance on relationships with others and the development of self-esteem, self-awareness, and a thirst for knowledge.  We do this by offering opportunities to play, investigate and explore that challenge, extend, and develop all learning.  In our setting the children are supported, encouraged, and valued by experienced and qualified staff.

(See Charitable Purpose & Terms of Reference for the Committee & Voting Members)

We ensure we achieve our aims by the following practices:

• Developing and maintaining positive working relationships with children, parents, and the community, where communication is a two-way process and children’s welfare is priority.
• Adults within our setting are made aware of our safeguarding practices and further information is made available to all.
• All trustees and staffing members receive training on our safeguarding procedures. Whether this be in-house training, or training sourced from another provider. This training includes information on both whistleblowing and child protection procedures.

Confidentiality

All staff, volunteers, and trustees whether paid or unpaid are required to keep confidential any personal or sensitive information, any actions seen or learnt about any child, parent, staff member, other adult or group as a result of their role within Coltishall and Horstead Preschool.

The only time it is appropriate to break this agreement and pass information on is when it is in connection with safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and on those occasions the settings safeguarding policy and procedure must be followed. Confidentiality extends to the secure storage of records and these documents only being accessible to those that are required to access them in order to protect children.

All staff, volunteers, and trustees whether paid or unpaid are required to read the Safeguarding policy, sign to confirm this and also sign to confirm their understanding of confidentiality requirements. Copies of these declarations are kept in individual’s staffing folder. Upon induction a copy of section A of Keeping Children Safe in Education and a copy of Guidance for Safer Working Practice for those working with children and young people in education settings. 

(See Confidentiality Policy)

Procedures

All staff, students and regular volunteers are provided with Induction training at the start of their time at Coltishall and Horstead Preschool; this will take place before they actively begin in their role. During the Induction Training this Safeguarding Policy and all associated procedures are presented. This is documented in each individual’s staffing folder. Safeguarding procedures are displayed daily on the staff notice board, and the Safeguarding policy is emailed to all staff. A paper copy is given where necessary. Staff Induction Training is usually conducted by the Manager; in their absence the Chair of trustees will conduct this training.

Families are notified of our duty of care in the safeguarding letter and Welcome Pack they receive on tapestry when their child first attends our Preschool. Our Designated Safeguarding Lead Practitioners (Emily and Heidi) and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Emily Buck) are also highlighted to parents in the Welcome Pack and Safeguarding letter. Our Safeguarding procedures are displayed on our staff notice board for their information. Positive working relationships are developed and maintained between staff, families, and other professionals. This is to ensure relevant information is shared, in accordance with information sharing procedures, to support children’s needs during their time at Coltishall and Horstead Preschool.

Roles and Responsibilities

All staff, volunteers, and trustees whether paid or unpaid are required to maintain the following duty of care towards all children and young people. The Duty of care is to: 

• Keep children safe, and protect them from sexual, physical, and emotional harm and neglect
• Treat children with dignity and respect at all times
• Take reasonable steps to ensure children’s safety and wellbeing. 
• Ensure confidential information is only shared when it is in the best interests of the child to do so.

All staff are required to obtain a DBS check, which is initially conducted through Matrix Security Watch Dog. Then complete the yearly update.

Standards of behaviour 

All staff have a responsibility to maintain public confidence in their ability to safeguard the welfare and best interests of children. They should adopt high standards of personal conduct in order to maintain confidence and respect of the general public and those with whom they work at the preschool. 

There may be times where an individual’s actions in their personal life come under scrutiny from the community, the media, or public authorities, including with regard to their own children, or children or adults in the community. Staff should be aware that their behaviour, either in or out of the workplace, could compromise their position within the work setting in relation to the protection of children, loss of trust and confidence, or bringing the employer into disrepute. Such behaviour may also result in a bar from engaging in regulated activity, or action by another relevant regulatory body. 

This means that staff should not: 

• behave in a manner which would lead any reasonable person to question their suitability to work with children or to act as an appropriate role model 
• make, or encourage others to make sexual remarks to, or about, a child
• use inappropriate language to, or in the presence of children.
• discuss their personal or sexual relationships with or in the presence of children 
• make (or encourage others to make) unprofessional personal comments which scapegoat, demean or humiliate, or might be interpreted as such.

All staff are expected to behave appropriately when on the Internet; they must not engage in activities on the Internet which might bring themselves or Coltishall and Horstead Preschool into disrepute.  It is not appropriate to share work-related information whether written or pictorial on social networking sites.

(See Confidentiality and E- Safety Policies)

Dress and appearance 

A person’s dress and appearance are matters of personal choice and self-expression and some individuals will wish to exercise their own cultural customs. However, staff should select a manner of dress and appearance appropriate to their professional role and which may be necessarily different to that adopted in their personal life. Staff should ensure they are dressed decently, safely, and appropriately for the tasks they undertake. Those who dress or appear in a manner which could be viewed as offensive or inappropriate will render themselves vulnerable to criticism or allegation. 

This means that staff should wear clothing which: 

• promotes a positive image 
• is appropriate to their role
• is not likely to be viewed as offensive, revealing, or sexually provocative 
• does not distract, cause embarrassment, or give rise to misunderstanding 
• is absent of any political or otherwise contentious slogans 
• is not considered to be discriminatory. 

Typically, staff will be required to wear the Preschool T-shirt or jumper bearing the preschool logo with a crew collar.  Skirts should be avoided if they could be considered hindering to movement or revealing during low level activities.

We expect all staff to take pride in their appearance and maintain good hygiene.

Parents and Carers

 We aim to establish positive, trusting, and supportive professional relationships with children, parents, and the community to ensure the rights and safety of children and to give them the very best start in life.  

We make clear to families our role and responsibilities in relation to child protection through our duty off care statement in our Welcome Pack. We also issue a letter on tapestry to all families, detailing our safeguarding procedures, including information sharing and record keeping. 

Gifts and rewards

Staff need to take care that they do not accept any gift that might be construed as a bribe by others or lead the giver to expect preferential treatment. 

There are occasions when pupils or parents wish to pass small tokens of appreciation to staff e.g., at Christmas or as a thank-you and this is usually acceptable.  However, it is unacceptable to receive gifts on a regular basis or of any significant value. 

Similarly, it is inadvisable to give such personal gifts to pupils or their families. This could be interpreted as a gesture either to bribe or groom. It might also be perceived that a ‘favour’ of some kind is expected in return. 

This means that staff should: 

• ensure that gifts received or given in situations which may be misconstrued are declared and recorded 
• only give gifts to a child as part of an agreed reward system 
• where giving gifts other than as above, ensure that these are of insignificant value and given to all pupils equally 
• ensure that all selection processes of children are fair, and these are undertaken and agreed by more than one member of staff 
• ensure that they do not behave in a manner which is either favourable or unfavourable to individual pupils 

Social contact outside 

It is acknowledged that staff may have genuine friendships and social contact with parents of pupils, independent of the professional relationship.  Staff should, however, also be aware that professionals who sexually harm children often seek to establish relationships and contact outside of the workplace with both the child and their parents, in order to ‘groom’ the adult and the child and/or create opportunities for sexual abuse.  It is also important to recognise that social contact may provide opportunities for other types of grooming such as for the purpose of sexual exploitation or radicalisation. 

Staff should recognise that some types of social contact with pupils or their families could be perceived as harmful or exerting inappropriate influence on children and may bring the setting into disrepute (e.g., attending a political protest, circulating propaganda). 

If a pupil or parent seeks to establish social contact, or if this occurs coincidentally, the member of staff should exercise her/his professional judgement. This also applies to social contacts made through outside interests or the staff member’s own family. 

Some staff may, as part of their professional role, be required to support a parent or carer. If that person comes to depend upon the staff member or seeks support outside of their professional role this should be discussed with  management and where necessary referrals made to the appropriate support agency. 

This means that staff should: 

• advise the Manager of any regular social contact they have with a child which could give rise to concern 
• refrain from sending personal communication to children or parents unless agreed with the Manager
• inform the Manager or Chairperson of any relationship with a parent where this extends beyond the usual parent/professional relationship. 
• inform the Manager of any requests or arrangements where parents have asked to use their services outside of the workplace e.g., babysitting, tutoring. 

Training

We seek out training opportunities 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 Norfolk guidelines for making referrals. We ensure this knowledge through the Staff Induction Training given.

We ensure staff knowledge is kept up to date, through discussion as part of our regular staff meetings and supervisions. In both staff meetings and supervisions we discuss possible scenarios, old case studies, the reporting and recording process. Ensure all staff members are confident on how to refer and the process.

Staff are expected to maintain essential training and any the Manager feel would be beneficial. All staff have attended, relevant Safeguarding, NGCP, and Prevent training. An training log is kept up to date highlighting all individual staff training that has been attended and when it needs renewing.

We ensure that our Designated Safeguarding Leads receive, and keep up-to-date, training in accordance with that recommended by the Norfolk Safeguarding Children Board (designated safeguarding lead DSL training). All staff attend ‘introduction to safeguarding.’

The DBS service is checked every 6 months by Julie Ward via the SCR.

Staff are involved in developing and updating of policies and are therefore aware of all procedures in place. Staff are able to raise safeguarding concerns at each staff meeting. Updates on legislation and procedures are also shared at staff meetings. During the daily running of the Preschool, there are opportunities to speak to the Designated Safeguarding Lead onsite for issues to be raised and concerns to be addressed immediately.

Staff that are returning to work after a leave of absence will be given further induction training to ensure their knowledge and understanding of our safeguarding policy and procedures is up to date. Regular supervisions are held to identify training needs and safeguarding matters. (See Staffing policy).

Committee members will be expected to attend Roles and Responsibilities and safeguarding for early years committees training.

Absences

• Absences from allocated sessions are constantly monitored through the daily register records. Any child that is absent from their session is followed up with a text/phone call to ask for their reasoning of absence. If we cannot get in contact with anyone regarding absence we will then call emergency contacts. Any causes for concern are highlighted by the manager, and if necessary, a referral to Early help will be made. 

• If we have safeguarding concerns over a child’s absence we call 999 and request a well-fair check.   Communications with the child’s parents or carers regarding the issue of absence will be recorded on a Family Communication form, stored in the master’s folder, and when completed stored in the child’s individual record.

Visitors

We take security steps to ensure that we have control over who comes into the provision so that no unauthorised person has unsupervised access to the children. 

Visitors to Preschool are required to sign themselves in and out of the setting in our visitors’ book. Visitors are advised by a member of staff as to where they are able to place their belongings, including mobile phones or cameras, and where they are allowed to access during their visit. Visitors are given a badge upon arrival; these carry brief safeguarding procedures.

Only adults with Enhanced DBS checks with Child Barring List check will be able to conduct Regulated Activity e.g., supervise children in a separate room or area or be able to deliver personal care. (See Personal care policy, Safer Recruitment Policy)

Operation Encompass 

At Wildflowers – Coltishall and Horstead Preschool we are working in partnership with Norfolk Constabulary and Norfolk Children’s Services to identify and provide appropriate support to children who have experienced domestic violence in their household; this scheme is called Early Years Operation Encompass. In order to achieve this, Early Years Learning and Childcare Staff will share Police information of all domestic incidents where any of our children have been present with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). On receipt of any information, the Designated Safeguarding Lead will decide on the appropriate support the child requires, this could be silent or overt. All information sharing and resulting actions will be undertaken in accordance with the Norfolk Joint Agency Protocol for Domestic Abuse Notifications to Early Years Providers. We will record this information and store this information in accordance with the record keeping procedures outlined in this policy.

Existing Injuries 

When a child sustains an injury away from the Preschool setting this is to be recorded on an ‘Existing Injuries’ form by the person presenting the child at setting. Blank copies of this form are to be found in the checklist folder; a master copy is stored the master’s folder and on the laptop. If an injury is found once the child has arrived at Preschool after drop off – the parent is phoned and asked to explain the injury and to collect and complete an existing injury’s form on collection. 

Once completed the form is filed by the DSL in the confidential folder for monitoring existing injuries, in the locked filing cabinet in the locked cupboard. These forms are monitored half termly by Management so that any patterns or concerns regarding injuries sustained out of setting can be acted upon according to our safeguarding procedures. Only the designated safeguarding leads for the setting have access to the file to ensure confidentiality is strictly maintained.

Confidential records 

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 procedure and only if appropriate under the guidance of the Norfolk Safeguarding Children Board.

 We keep written records of all safeguarding issues raised and subsequent discussions we have with parents regarding a concern. See Appendix 1. The records are documented on the Safeguarding Recording Form, the Master copy is kept in the Child protection file and on the laptop. Once a form has been completed it is kept in the Safeguarding Records folder in the locked file within the locked cupboard; this folder is monitored by Management as Designated Safeguarding Leads. Only the designated safeguarding leads for the setting have access to the file/folder to ensure confidentiality is strictly maintained. 

We will on occasions need to record when there has been an incident, change or significant event, for example a death in the family that has taken place away from the setting involving a child.  This will be recorded on a Family Communication form, stored in the master’s folder, and when completed stored in the child’s individual record. 

What is Abuse or Neglect?

We acknowledge that abuse or neglect of a child can take different forms. The following definitions are taken from the Working Together to Safeguard children.

Children

Anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday. The fact that a child has reached 16 years of age, is living independently or is in further education, is a member of the armed forces, is in hospital or in custody in the secure estate, does not change his/her status or entitlements to services or protection. 

Young carer

A young carer is a person under 18 who provides or intends to provide care for another person (of any age, except generally where that care is provided for payment, pursuant to a contract or as voluntary work).

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children

Defined for the purposes of this guidance as: 

• protecting children from maltreatment. 
• preventing impairment of children’s health or development. 
• ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and 
• taking action to enable all children to have the best life chances.

Child protection

Part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. This refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.

Abuse

A form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others (e.g., via the internet). They may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children.

Physical abuse

Physical abuse is deliberately physically hurting a child. It might take a variety of different forms, including hitting, pinching, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, or scalding, drowning or suffocating a child. Physical abuse can happen in any family, but children may be more at risk if their parents have problems with drugs, alcohol, and mental health or if they live in a home where domestic abuse happens. Babies and disabled children also have a higher risk of suffering physical abuse. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child. Physical abuse can also occur outside of the family environment. 

Some of the following signs may be indicators of physical abuse:

• Children with frequent injuries. 
•  Children with unexplained or unusual fractures or broken bones; and 
• Children with unexplained: 
• bruises or cuts. 
•  burns or scalds; or 
•  bite marks.

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child. It is also sometimes called psychological abuse and it can have severe and persistent adverse effects on a child’s emotional development. Although the effects of emotional abuse might take a long time to be recognisable, practitioners will be in a position to observe it, for example, in the way that a parent interacts with their child. Emotional abuse may involve deliberately telling a child that they are worthless, or unloved and inadequate. It may include not giving a child opportunity to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. Emotional abuse may involve serious bullying – including online bullying through social networks, online games, or mobile phones – by a child’s peers. 

Some of the following signs may be indicators of emotional abuse: 

• Children who are excessively withdrawn, fearful, or anxious about doing something wrong. 
• Parents or carers who withdraw their attention from their child, giving the child the ‘cold shoulder’. 
• Parents or carers blaming their problems on their child; and 
• Parents or carers who humiliate their child, for example, by name-calling or making negative comparisons.

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse is any sexual activity with a child. You should be aware that many children and young people who are victims of sexual abuse do not recognise themselves as such. A child may not understand what is happening and may not even understand that it is wrong. Sexual abuse can have a long-term impact on mental health. Sexual abuse may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing, and touching outside clothing. It may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in the production of sexual images, forcing children to look at sexual images or watch sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children. 

Some of the following signs may be indicators of sexual abuse: 

• Children who display knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to their age.
• Children who use sexual language or have sexual knowledge that you would not expect them to have. 
• Children who ask others to behave sexually or play sexual games; and 
• Children with physical sexual health problems, including soreness in the genital and anal areas, sexually transmitted infections, or underage pregnancy.

Child sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse where children are sexually exploited for money, power, or status. It can involve violent, humiliating and degrading sexual assaults. In some cases, young people are persuaded or forced into exchanging sexual activity for money, drugs, gifts, affection, or status. Consent cannot be given, even where a child may believe they are voluntarily engaging in sexual activity with the person who is exploiting them. Child sexual exploitation doesn’t always involve physical contact and can happen online. A significant number of children who are victims of sexual exploitation go missing from home, care and education at some point. 

Some of the following signs may be indicators of sexual exploitation:

• Children who appear with unexplained gifts or new possessions. 
• Children who associate with other young people involved in exploitation. 
• Children who have older boyfriends or girlfriends. 
• Children who suffer from sexually transmitted infections or become pregnant. 
• Children who suffer from changes in emotional well-being. 
• Children who misuse drugs and alcohol. 
• Children who go missing for periods of time or regularly come home late; and 
• Children who regularly miss school or education or don’t take part in education

Neglect

Neglect is a pattern of failing to provide for a child’s basic needs, whether it be adequate food, clothing, hygiene, supervision, or shelter. It is likely to result in the serious impairment of a child’s health or development. Children who are neglected often also suffer from other types of abuse. It is important that practitioners remain alert and do not miss opportunities to take timely action. However, while you may be concerned about a child, neglect is not always straightforward to identify. Neglect may occur if a parent becomes physically or mentally unable to care for a child. A parent may also have an addiction to alcohol or drugs, which could impair their ability to keep a child safe or result in them prioritising buying drugs, or alcohol, over food, clothing, or warmth for the child. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal drug or alcohol abuse. 

Some of the following signs may be indicators of neglect: 

• Children who are living in a home that is indisputably dirty or unsafe. 
• Children who are left hungry or dirty. 
• Children who are left without adequate clothing, e.g., not having a winter coat. 
• Children who are living in dangerous conditions, i.e., around drugs, alcohol, or violence. 
• Children who are often angry, aggressive, or self-harm. 
• Children who fail to receive basic health care; and 
• Parents who fail to seek medical treatment when their children are ill or are injured

Female Genital Mutilation

 Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a collective term for procedures, which include the removal of part or all the external female genitalia for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons. The practice is medically unnecessary and is an extremely harmful practice which violates basic human rights. FGM is illegal in the UK through The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. UK Communities that are most at risk of FGM include Kenyan, Somali, Sudanese, Serra Leonean, Egyptian, Nigerian, and Eritrean. Non-African communities include Yemeni, Afghani, Kurdish, Indonesia and Pakistani.

At Coltishall and Horstead Preschool we seek training and guidance to ensure staff are fully equipped to recognise the following points that are identified with the potential risk of FGM being an outcome or indeed has already been performed:

• Any girl born to a woman who has been subjected to FGM must be considered to be at risk, as must other female children in the extended family.
• Any girl who has a sister who has already undergone FGM must be considered to be at risk, as must other female children in the extended family.
• A girl or woman may have difficulty walking, sitting, or standing.
• A girl or woman may spend longer than normal in the bathroom or toilet due to difficulties urinating.
• There may be prolonged or repeated absences from preschool.
• A prolonged absence from preschool with noticeable behaviour changes (e.g., withdrawal or depression) on the girl’s return could be an indication that a girl has recently undergone FGM;
• A girl or woman may ask for help but may not be explicit about the problem due to embarrassment or fear.
• The position of the family and the level of integration within UK society – it is believed that communities less integrated into British society are more likely to carry out FGM.

In the event of a concern about someone who is at risk of FGM being raised it must be considered that a child at risk of forced marriage or FGM may also be at risk of honour-based abuse. Extreme caution should be taken in sharing information with any family members or those with influence within the community as this may alert them to your concerns and may place the child in danger. All concerns that a child may be at risk will be shared with the DSL who will then contact the Children’s Advice and Duty Service: 0344 800 8021 and/or Norfolk Constabulary: 101 or in urgent cases dial 999.

Prevent Duty and British Values

 Coltishall and Horstead Preschool works within the strategy outlined by Prevent, that is to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism. The Preschool has appointed Management as DSLs to ensure the Prevent Duty is fully understood and embedded in practice. Through training and regular opportunities to discuss safeguarding, including Prevent Duty concerns, at staff supervisions, staff meetings and through staffs’ knowledge and practice of acting immediately on all safeguarding concerns, the Preschool is able to act in accordance with the Prevent strategy. 

The Government has defined extremism in the Prevent strategy as: “vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces”.

As early years providers Coltishall and Horstead Preschool supports children’s personal, social, and emotional development through the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. This involves planning to ensure children learn right from wrong, mix and share with other children and value other’s views, know about similarities and differences between themselves and others, and challenge negative attitudes and stereotypes (Revised Prevent Duty Guidance, HMG). Through upholding these values and practices we are able to promote community cohesion, thus British Values. (Please refer to the EYFS Framework.)

Coltishall and Horstead Preschool recognises that signs of radicalisation may be difficult to spot in both children and families that use our services. Signs that we look out for include isolating themselves from family and friends, talking as if from a scripted speech, unwillingness, or inability to discuss their views, a sudden disrespectful attitude towards others, increased levels of anger, increased secretiveness. In the event of a concern being raised regarding aspects covered by the Prevent Duty and/or the signs of radicalisation noted here the procedure stated under Recording suspicions of abuse and disclosure, in this policy, will be followed. 

If we have a concern about an adult a referral form on report a concern on Norfolk pcc will be made or 999 will be phoned.

Safer working Practice

All staff, volunteers, and trustees whether paid or unpaid are required to maintain the duty of care towards all children and young people, as described above in this policy. 

All staff, volunteers, and trustees whether paid or unpaid are also required to adhere to the Preschools Staff Code of Conduct that is made available to all onsite. See appendix 2

All staff are required to read and understand the  Guidance for Safer working Practice Document which is a non statutory framework recommended by the Safer Recruitment Consortium 

Our E-Safety Policy is in place to ensure the safeguarding of those within our care. Written consent is obtained for all children registered to attend Coltishall and Horstead Preschool before photographs and videos are taken. Any child that we do not have permission to include in photographs or videos, staff are made aware of so that their rights are protected. Photographs and videos are only to be taken by staff on Preschool owned tablet and mobile phone. Photographic material is taken only for the purpose as stated on the child’s registration form.

 Personal cameras and phones must be locked in designated area (the office desks top draw) during session time. (See E-Safety Policy)

Safer Recruitment 

It is our practice to ensure that people looking after the children in the setting are suitable to fulfil the requirements of their roles. Both DSLs attend safer recruitment training. We follow the safer recruitment advice set out in the Safeguarding in early years and childcare – Guidance for early years and childcare settings in Norfolk and follow our Staffing policy and Safer Recruitment Policy. 

• Applicants for posts within the provision are clearly informed that the positions are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
• Candidates are informed of the need to provide two references, attend an interview; to sign an agreement to carry out Enhanced DBS Check with Child Barring list check with the Disclosure and Barring Service before posts can be confirmed. 
• Students must provide two references and DBS before attending student employment.
• 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 provision or has access to the children. We record all necessary information. (See Safer Recruitment Policy and Retention of Records Policy)
• Staff are to sign an annual renewal that states that they are still suitable to work with children.
• Regular volunteers will undergo the same checks and Induction training as employed members of staff.

Whistle Blowing

Where a member of staff, committee or volunteer are aware, or have evidence of illegal, improper, or abusive behaviour of another member of staff they should report this at the first opportunity to Julie Ward; Chair of Trustees. If such behaviours are known are failed to be reported this may be construed as misconduct and lead to disciplinary action.

(See Safeguarding and Whistle Blowing Policy) 

Allegations Against Adults

We respond to all disclosures by children or staff that abuse by a member of staff or another adult within the setting, or anyone working on the premises, may have taken, or is taking place, by first recording the details of any such alleged incident. We follow the guidance of the Norfolk Safeguarding Children Board when responding to any complaint that a member of staff, or another adult within the provision, or working on the premises, has abused a child. 

We respond to all inappropriate behaviour displayed by members of staff, or any other adult working with the children. Inappropriate behaviours include:

• inappropriate sexual comments.

• excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities, or

• Inappropriate sharing of images.

Parents wishing to make concerns known to the setting should first talk to the Preschool Manager. A copy of the full Comments and Complaints Policy and Procedure can be accessed when requested. 

We refer any such safeguarding complaint immediately to LADO to investigate. 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 LADO in conjunction with the police. (See page 9 for contact details)

In cases where an allegation has been made against a member of staff Julie Ward, the Chair of Committee and the Manager will investigate the allegation and follow necessary protocols.  

Where a member of staff or volunteer has been dismissed due to engaging in activities that caused concern for the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults, we will notify the Disclosure and Barring Service of relevant information so that individuals who pose a threat to children (and vulnerable groups), can be identified, and barred from working with these groups. We abide by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act, also Working together to safeguard children and Protecting Vulnerable Children and families: information sharing 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.

The process for requesting a consultation with the Local Area Designated Officer (LADO) regarding allegations made against an adult in setting or to make a LADO referral or consultation is to complete the necessary form online. These can be found on the NSCB website www.norfolklscb.org under “People working with children” then click on “How to raise a concern” and follow the instructions given. All queries relating to the LADO should follow these procedures and be sent to LADO@norfolk.gov.uk . The duty LADO will contact the person making the concern once they have read the completed form. 

Safeguarding Procedures

Children may be abused in a family or in an institution or community setting.  By those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger for example via the internet.  They may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children.

When children are suffering from physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, or may be experiencing neglect, this may be demonstrated through:

• significant changes in their behaviour.

• deterioration in their general well-being.

• their comments which may give cause for concern, or the things they say (direct or indirect disclosure).

• changes in their appearance, their behaviour, or their play.

• unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect; and

• any reason to suspect neglect or abuse outside the setting.

At our Preschool we keep an ongoing record of observations of significant changes in children’s behaviour or appearance as detailed below. These records are stored confidentially in the locked file in the cupboard, preventing general access.

•  Should a child demonstrate a significant change in behaviour or display inappropriate or hurtful behaviour (at a level that is considered not to be within the expected range of behaviours for the age and stage of development for that child) at Preschool this will in the first instance be discussed with the child’s parents or carers and documented on a Family Communication form, and when completed stored in the child’s individual record. 
•  These incidents are monitored by the manager, to identify and act upon any occurring patterns.  This will lead to further communication with parents and seeking advice from other professionals when considered necessary. If necessary, a referral to Early help or Children’s Advice and Duty Service (CADS) will be made.

Recording suspicions of abuse and disclosures

When a child makes comments to a member of staff or another adult in Preschool that gives cause for concern (disclosure), or that person 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 or other adult is required to:

• listen to the child, offers reassurance, and gives assurance that she or he will take action.

• does not promise to keep the information secret.

• does not question the child.

• makes a written record that forms an objective record of the observation or disclosure that includes:

• the date and time of the observation or the disclosure.

• the exact words spoken by the child as far as possible.

• 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 safeguarding file which is kept securely and confidentially in the locked file in the locked cupboard. Only Management DSL’s can access the locked file or the Chair . In the absence of the Manager, the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead is informed immediately. 

The Designated Safeguarding Lead will look at the evidence in the Safeguarding file, and any other evidence from the Behaviour incident file and family communication forms to establish a level of concern.  If a formal referral is necessary, the leading safeguarding professional will contact the Early help or Children’s Advice and Duty Service (CADS). If any member of staff is still concerned about the protection of a child, they understand that they can make a referral themselves.

To make a referral to Early help the DSL must complete the online form. Parental consent must be obtained.

The referral form must Include clear, detailed, and relevant information: 

• The child’s lived experience and voice are clearly represented.
• All relevant background, concerns, and context.
• Any previous or current interventions are noted. 
• The desired outcomes and level of support required are specified.

To make a referral to CADS an online form must be complete with all the details you know about the child (DOB, address, contact details, family composition including siblings, extended family members/anyone important in the child’s life) The nature of the concern and worries, history of the family (including significant events). Any work/support you have provided to the child or family and where the child is now. 

The DSL will need to prepare all this information prior to making the phone call to CADS.

Call on 0344 800 8021 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Choose from the following options: 

• Option 1 -the child or young person is currently being supported by a Social Worker or Family Practitioner. 
• Option 2 -your call relates to Child Exploitation. 
• Option 3 -your call relates to Domestic Abuse.

Cads will ask whether parents have been informed of the concern. You need parental consent to contact CADS unless one of these exceptions apply: 

• If doing so would place the child, or another child, or someone else, or the referrer, at increased risk of harm.
• If it might undermine the investigation into a serious crime. 
• If a child tells you they have been physically harmed, sexually abused or this is suspected,

and the alleged abuser is a family member or living in the household. 

• Suspected forced marriage and/or honour-based abuse. 
• Organised or multiple abuse is suspected. 
• Fabricated or induced illness is suspected.

The Preschool will 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 within14 days of the allegations being made. Ofsted will be contacted by either the manager or chairperson of the trustees.

When a child with child protection concerns leaves either unexpectedly or to go to school, the Preschools DSL will follow the Transferring Safeguarding document procedures (See appendix 5), notify CADS if necessary and store documents securely and confidentially in the Preschool locked file, for the appropriate amount of time (See Retention of Documents Policy.)