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Child Protection Policy

 

Child protection Policy


This policy has been devised to meet the National Standards set by Ofsted and conforms
with the guidance set by the London Borough of Waltham Forest and the Local
Safeguarding Children Board.
Introduction
The managers and staff of Sunbeams and Sunshine Day Nurseries fully recognise the
contribution it makes to safeguarding children. We recognize that all staff including
volunteers have a full and active part to play in protecting our children from harm.
The managers and staff believe that our nurseries should provide a caring, positive, safe and stimulating environment which promotes the social, physical and moral development of each individual child.
The aim of the policy: Is to define the meaning of abuse or neglect, identify the possible signs and indicators and inform all users of the nursery what the procedure is in dealing with suspected cases.
As a childcare provider, we have a responsibility to ensure that all persons caring for the children in our nursery are able to confidently put the procedures into practice.
The nursery has a named designated Child Protection Officer as well as a Deputy CPO who will take responsibility for any decisions to be made regarding a suspected child
protection issue. This can be found on the parents? notice board in the downstairs hallway. All other staff are made aware of the possible indicators of abuse or neglect and whom they should report any suspicions to.
Regular training will be offered to all staff in order to keep them updated with current procedures. (In accordance with the DIES, this is every 3 years and every 2 years for the designated member of staff)
Sunbeams and Sunshine Day Nurseries will make available it?s policy and procedure on Child Protection to staff students, volunteers and families when they join the nursery. Any amendments to the policy will be passed on to them immediately.
Defining Abuse
Child abuse is to cause harm to a child or fail to take action to prevent harm.
Categories of abuse

  • Physical abuse
  • Emotional abuse
  • Sexual abuse 
  •  Neglect
    Possible signs or indicators
  • Physical abuse - unexplained bruising or repeated incidences of injury, burns, bite marks on unexposed areas of the body.
    Emotional abuse - sudden changes in their behaviour causing them to be withdrawn, tearful, feeling worthless, appearing afraid to leave nursery, failure to thrive
  • Sexual abuse - observation of age inappropriate actions or language during play or through conversation with the child, they may disclose details which alert you to a possible dangerous situation for them e.g. a TV programme or video they may have been forced to watch. 
  •  Neglect - general lack of care and hygiene, failing to thrive, failure to meet their basic physical or physiological needs, lack of medical care, failing to protect them from physical harm or danger, poor shelter, inadequate food.
    What the nursery?s responsibilities are in dealing with suspected cases.
  • Ensuring the child?s welfare, safety and protection is paramount. 
  •  We will act in the best interests of the child at all times.
  • The designated Child Protection Officer will immediately contact the First Response Team in the event of a disclosure either from a child, another member of staff, parent or user of the nursery.
  • We will treat all parties involved with respect and not pass judgement or make assumptions and will offer support to those involved. 
  •  We will respect confidentiality
  • To work co-operatively with all outside agencies.
  • To notify Ofsted in cases of a member of staff being involved in a child protection issue.
  • To work in accordance with the National Standards relating to Child Protection. 
  •  To maintain written records of all concerns even if there is no need to make an immediate referral. This could include the completion of a ?body map showing exact size, colour and place of injury and must include the date and name of person recording injury. All records will be locked away with only those persons with authority having access to them.
  •  In the instance of a child currently on the Child Protection register being absent without explanation for two days, Social Services must be immediately informed.
    What happens when an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer {This could be from a child, another member of staff, a parent or other user of the nursery.] 
  •  All members of staff regardless of their position within the nursery, are treated fairly and equally and in accordance with the set guidance.
  •  Any allegation will be taken seriously.
  • In accordance with the National Standards, the designated Child Protection Officer will act on the information given. This may mean informing the First Response Team of the allegation. Their advice will be followed. 
  •  This could, if deemed necessary, result in immediately removing the member of staff from directly caring for the children whilst the allegation is investigated.
  • The member of staff will be generally be notified by letter of the details of the accusation and the action the nursery is taking.

If the allegation is made against a volunteer or student, their college, school or agency will be informed immediately.
Whistleblowing
All staff must be aware of their duty to raise concerns, where they exist, about the attitude or actions of colleagues.
We recognize that children cannot be expected to raise concerns in an environment where staff fail to do so.
What happens when an allegation is made against a parent or carer from a child. This is referred to as a disclosure.

  • The child will be comforted and reassured that the person they are telling believes them.
  • No promises are made to the child to keep their disclosure a secret, but they are gently told who else must be told and that they will tell them what will happen next.
  • The child may be asked some gentle open-ended questions in order to ascertain more information.
  • Notes will be written as soon as possible after the disclosure with the exact language the child used. Any questions asked will be noted with the responses given by the child. 
  •  Any witnesses to the conversation will be named. 
  •  The date, time and place of the disclosure will be noted. 
  •  The named Child Protection officer will be informed immediately. It is then their responsibility to pass the information shared on to Social Services. 
  •  Wherever possible, we would want to discuss our concern with the parent! guardian, however, there may be times when our concerns are such that we are obliged to follow the procedures laid down by the Local Safeguarding Children Board.
    Where to contact in the event of a suspicion of abuse
    First Response Team
    Police Child Protection Team  Woodford
    Leyton police station
    0208 496 2311/2316
    0208 345 3670
    0208 5568855