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Safeguarding

Key Safeguarding Roles:

Charrissa Jones: Manager, Deputy Safeguarding Lead, SENDCO & Deputy Health & Safety Lead

Laura Skinner: Deputy Manager, Designated Safeguarding Lead & Health & Safety Lead

Definitions of safeguarding / child protection:

Safeguarding means protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of children, enabling them to live safely, free from abuse and neglect.

Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.

Staff should be alert to the potential need for early help for the following vulnerable groups:

• looked after children

• children who are disabled or have special educational needs or are young carers

• showing signs of engaging in anti-social or criminal behaviour

• are in a family presenting challenges such as adult mental health issues or substance abuse.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and is defined in ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ as:

• protecting children from maltreatment

• preventing impairment of children’s health and development

• ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care

• acting to enable all children to have the best life chances

Child Protection:

All members of staff and volunteers have a duty to safeguard our children’s welfare and must become familiar and comply with this policy.  Safeguarding incidents can happen at any time and anywhere so staff know they are to be vigilant and are required to be alert to any possible concerns. It also needs to be understood that safeguarding issues are not often a stand-alone event; multiple issues can overlap with one another.

Although referrals for Child Protection are usually passed to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, all members of the nursery are aware that anyone can refer a child to the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) if necessary.

If a child arrives at the nursery with an injury such as bruise, mark, swelling etc then parents are asked to share the cause of the injury and send this to us via WhatsApp.  This information will be shared with the team so they know this didn’t occur at the nursery and to observe for any additional changes to the injury.  Depending on the injury this may be on a need-to-know basis.  Incidences that raise concerns will be logged on the chronological record sheet.

Staff are to be aware of any physical changes in a child’s appearance or emotional behaviour which needs to be raised with the DSL, all staff must be vigilant to any changes with all of the children.

Signs and symptoms of abuse:

There are 4 main types of abuse – physical, emotional, neglect and sexual. Everyone at CJ’s Little Pickles must also have an awareness and knowledge of domestic and financial abuse as these can also have a detrimental effect on children.

The manager and deputy manager at the nursery have both completed the encompass training with Essex Police in support of Domestic Abuse.

All staff must complete the level 2 safeguarding training which is also followed up with in-house staff training.

MASH:

At CJ’s Little Pickles we refer to Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Board for support and guidance.  If we believe a child is at risk of harm, we will complete a MASH referral. This will be carried out by Laura Skinner, the DSL for the nursery.  However, all team members are aware they can also make a referral themselves if needed.

MASH contact details Thurrock Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

Telephone: 01375 652802

Email: thurrockmash@thurrock.gov.uk

We require all of our families to be upfront and honest with us, so if their child encounters a bump or injury when away from the nursery then they must share details of it with us via WhatsApp.  Accidents and injuries obtained when at nursery are logged on each child’s individual Parenta platform.

The whole team at CJ’s Little Pickles are vigilant practitioners who know the children well; if they notice any changes in children then they will share their observations/concerns with the nursery’s DSL.

If a parent/carer as concerns about the safety of a child at the setting or any other child, for example a neighbour, we encourage you to come in and speak to the DSL. They will listen to your concerns and if they feel necessarily will direct you to the MASH team to complete a referral.

Allegations of abuse against a parent or carer:

If a child makes a disclosure to a member of staff that suggests abuse may be taking place, then it is the duty of the staff member to report this to the DSL. We refer to Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Board for support and guidance and where we believe a child is at risk of harm, we will complete a MASH referral

When a referral is made; the procedure our team will follow is; listen and be precise when recording exactly what has been said, ask for another supporting adult if possible, ensure the child knows their disclosure cannot be kept a secret, no leading questions will be asked and the report must be immediately shared with our DSL.

Allegations of abuse against a member of staff:

If there is a disclosure made regarding alleged abuse from a member of staff, it is the duty of the DSL to conduct a full investigation and refer to LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) within 1 working day.

Where the allegation is against the DSLs, the Deputy DSL will need to conduct a full investigation with support from LADO. If the allegation concerns a member of staff, a volunteer, or a student they would normally be informed as soon as possible after the result of any initial investigation authorised or conducted by the LADO. However, advice will always be sought from the LADO before this happens.

If the LADO or any of the statutory child protection authorities decide to take the case further, any staff member concerned may be suspended if this is felt appropriate. The reasons and justification for suspension will be recorded and the staff member informed of them.

In the case of staff, the matter will be dealt with in accordance with the nursery’s Disciplinary Procedure. We will inform Ofsted within 14 days of any allegations of serious harm or abuse by any person living, working, or looking after children at the premises (whether that allegation relates to harm or abuse committed on the premises or elsewhere) or any other abuse which is alleged to have taken place on the premises, and of the action taken in respect of these allegations. During the investigation the nursery, in consultation with the LADO, will decide what information should be given to parents and staff and how press enquiries are to be dealt with.

LADO details:

Telephone: 01375 652921

Email: lado@thurrock.gov.uk

Attendance:

At CJ’s Little Pickles we have a duty of care to monitor the attendance of every child on roll, we ask every family to notify us either the night before or morning of absence.  If we haven’t been notified within an hour of the child’s contracted start time we will WhatsApp first and if we don’t get a response, we will ring to find out the reason for non-attendance.  If a child has been absent with no contact for a period of 10 or more days, then we have a duty of care under safeguarding so a referral will be made.

It is understood that a child going missing from nursery is a potential indicator of abuse, neglect, FGM or radicalisation which is why we follow the procedure outlined above.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is the intentional alteration, injury or removal of part or all of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It is a form of child abuse and violence against women and girls, is illegal in the UK, and can cause serious physical and emotional harm. Any concerns that a child may be at risk of, or has undergone, FGM must be treated as a safeguarding concern and managed in line with the nursery’s safeguarding procedures and local safeguarding partnership guidance

All staff have completed FGM training so are fully aware of identifying and acting regarding concerns in relation to this form of abuse.  Failure to report will face disciplinary sanctions.

Breast Ironing: is the practice of pressing, massaging or flattening a girl’s developing breasts using hard or heated objects in an attempt to delay breast development. It is a form of child abuse that can cause significant physical and emotional harm.

Possible signs that may raise concern include:

  • A child or young person discloses that their breasts have been pressed, flattened or treated with hot or heavy objects.
  • Pain, tenderness or injuries to the chest or breast area.
  • Burns, bruising, swelling or scarring on the chest.
  • Reluctance to participate in activities such as PE or changing clothes where the chest area may be visible.
  • Wearing unusually loose or multiple layers of clothing to hide the chest, particularly in warm weather.
  • Frequent complaints of chest pain without a clear medical explanation.
  • Signs of anxiety, fear or distress relating to puberty or body changes.
  • A parent or family member expressing beliefs that breast development should be stopped or delayed.

Breast ironing most commonly affects girls approaching or going through puberty, so it is unlikely to be encountered in a day nursery, where children are typically under five years old. However, awareness is still important as:

  • Older siblings of children attending the nursery may be at risk.
  • Concerns disclosed by parents, siblings or other family members should be taken seriously.

Witchcraft:

Abuse linked to faith or belief occurs when a child is harmed because they are believed to be possessed by evil spirits, accused of witchcraft, or blamed for causing misfortune. This abuse may include physical, emotional or psychological abuse, neglect, isolation or other forms of significant harm.

All staff have a responsibility to remain vigilant for signs of abuse, listen to and take any concerns or disclosures seriously, record concerns accurately, and report them immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

County Lines:

County lines is a form of child criminal exploitation where children are groomed and exploited by criminal networks to transport, store or sell drugs and money between different areas. Although children of nursery age are highly unlikely to be directly involved, they may be affected by criminal exploitation within their family or community.

All staff will remain vigilant to any safeguarding concerns, including signs that a child may be living in an environment where criminal exploitation is taking place. Any concerns must be recorded and reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), who will follow the nursery’s safeguarding procedures and make the necessary referrals.

British Values: We are committed to promoting the fundamental British Values as part of our commitment to safeguarding, equality, inclusion and the personal development of every child. We recognise that promoting these values helps children to develop confidence, respect, kindness and an understanding of the world around them.

British Values are embedded throughout our daily practice, routines and interactions in ways that are appropriate to the age and stage of development of the children in our care.

Democracy: Children are encouraged to make choices and express their views and preferences. We listen to children’s voices and value their opinions through everyday experiences such as:

  • Choosing activities and resources.
  • Taking turns to share ideas during circle time.
  • Voting for stories, songs or activities.
  • Encouraging children to express their feelings and preferences.
  • Supporting children to understand that everyone’s views are important.

Rule of Law: Children learn that rules help to keep everyone safe, happy and respected. We promote this by:

  • Establishing clear and consistent boundaries.
  • Encouraging positive behaviour and kindness.
  • Helping children understand expectations through routines.
  • Supporting children to understand the consequences of their actions.
  • Praising positive behaviour and good choices.

Individual Liberty: We encourage children to develop independence, confidence and self-esteem by:

  • Supporting children to make safe choices.
  • Encouraging children to try new experiences.
  • Promoting independence in self-care and play.
  • Helping children to recognise and communicate their feelings.
  • Providing opportunities for children to explore their own interests within a safe environment.

Mutual Respect: Respect is embedded throughout nursery life. Children are encouraged to:

  • Be kind and considerate to others.
  • Share and take turns.
  • Celebrate each other’s achievements.
  • Care for resources and the environment.
  • Value similarities and differences.

Staff model respectful relationships through positive interactions with children, families and colleagues.

ICO registration:

The nursery is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). We keep children’s, families’ and staff’s personal information safe, secure and confidential and only share information when it is necessary, lawful or required to safeguard a child.

The following policies are available on our website:

  • Whistleblowing Policy
  • Prevent Duty & Radicalisation policy
  • Online Safety
  • Equal Opportunities
  • Safer Recruitment
  • Confidentiality
  • Uncollected Child
  • Missing Child
  • Medication
  • Infection Control
  • Nappy changing

This policy has been read by all staff; it is accessible to parents and outside agencies via our website.  We review on a yearly basis or when we feel it is required.