Child Protection Policy

• create an environment in our pre-school which encourages children to develop a positive self image, regardless of race, language, religion, culture or home background;
• help children to establish and sustain satisfying relationships within their families, with peers, and with other adults;
• encourage children to develop a sense of autonomy and independence;
• work with parents to build their understanding of and commitment to the welfare of all our children.

• We work within the Local Safe Guarding Children Board* guidelines.
• We notify the registration authority (Ofsted) of any incident or accident and any changes in our arrangements which affect the wellbeing of children.
• We have procedures for contacting the local authority on child protection issues, to ensure that it is easy, in any emergency, for the preschool and social services to work well together. Sometimes the police, the NSPCC or health visitor may be the first point of reference. If any of the above professionals advise that a referral for suspected child abuse be made, then we will follow the agreed procedures. Dealing with concerns appropriately may prevent child abuse.
• If a report is to be made to the authorities, we act within the Area Child Protection guidance in deciding whether we must inform the child's parents at the same time.

Methods
Staffing and volunteering:

• Our named person (a member of staff or a committee member) who coordinates child protection issues is Tracie Devereux. We provide adequate and appropriate staffing resources to meet the needs of children.
• Applicants for posts within the pre-school 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 abide by Ofsted requirements in respect of references and Criminal Records Bureau checks for staff and volunteers, to ensure that no disqualified person or unfit person works at the pre-school or has access to the children. Anyone who has not completed these checks will not be left alone with a child/children whilst at the pre-school.
• Volunteers do not work unsupervised.
• We abide by the Protection of Children Act requirements in respect of any person who is dismissed from our employment, or resigns in circumstances that would otherwise have lead to dismissal for reasons of child protection concern.
• We have procedures for recording the details of visitors to the preschool.
• We take security steps to ensure that we have control over who comes into the pre-school so that no unauthorised person has unsupervised access to the children.

* We continue to follow the previous Area Child Protection Committee procedures until new procedures ore available from the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

Training:

We seek out training opportunities for all adults involved in the pre-school and provide literature for all staff to ensure that they are able to recognise the signs and symptoms of possible physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect and so that they are aware of the local authority guidelines for making referrals. We ensure that all staff know the procedures for reporting and recording their concerns in the pre-school.

Planning:

The layout of the room allows for constant supervision.

Curriculum:

• We introduce key elements of child protection into our foundation stage curriculum, so that children can develop understanding of why and how to keep safe.
• We create within the preschool a culture of value and respect for the individual.
• We ensure that this is carried out in a way that is appropriate for the ages and stages of our children.

Complaints:

• It is essential that all parents know how to complain about staff or volunteer action within the preschool which may include an allegation of abuse. A copy of the Child Protection Policy is enclosed in the welcome pack issued on registration.
• We follow the guidance of the Local Safe Guarding Children Board* when investigating any complaint that a member of staff or volunteer has abused a child:
  1. Suspend staff (full pay) until an inquiry can be completed.
  2. Contact Local Authority/Ofsted
  3. Obtain written individual statements from all relevant people (e.g. staff present)
  4. Maintain confidentiality on a need to know basis.
  5. Keep all documents securely stored.
• We follow all the disclosure and recording procedures when investigating an allegation that a member of staff or volunteer has abused a child as if it were an allegation of abuse by any other person.

Responding to suspicions of abuse:

• We acknowledge that abuse of children can take different forms physical, emotional, sexual and neglect.
• When children are suffering from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, this may be demonstrated through changes in their behaviour, or in their play. Where such changes in behaviour occur, or where children’s play gives cause for concern, the pre-school investigates.
• We allow investigation to be carried out with sensitivity. Staff in the pre-school take care not to influence the outcome either through the way they speak to children or ask questions of children.
• Where a child shows signs and symptoms of ‘failure to thrive’ or neglect, we make appropriate referrals.
• One of the preschool managers may wish to make non-urgent contact with the Child Protection team for advice. The name of the child or family will be withheld at this stage, unless the Child Protection team insists on it .

Disclosures:

• Where a child makes a disclosure to a member of staff, that member of staff:
  offers reassurance to the child and believes the child;
• listens to the child without pressing for information or asking leading questions;
• stays calm
• gives reassurance that she or he will take action.

Recording suspicions of abuse and disclosures:

Staff make a record of:

• The child ‘s name;
  The child’s address;
  The age of the child;
  The date and time of the observation or the disclosure;
  An objective record of the observation or disclosure;
  The exact words spoken by the child;
  The name of the person to whom the concern was reported, with date and time;
  The names of any other person present at the time.

These records are signed and dated and kept in a separate confidential file. All members of staff know the procedures for recording and reporting.

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 the Local Safe Guarding Children Board* does not allow this. This will usually be the case where the parent is the likely abuser. In these cases the investigating officers will inform parents.

Confidentiality:

All suspicions and investigations are kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know. Any information is shared under the guidance of the Local Safe Guarding Children Board*.

Support to families:

• With the proviso that the care and safety of the child is paramount the pre-school takes every step in its power to support and work with the child’s family building up trusting relations.
• The pre-school continues to welcome the child and the family whilst investigations are being made in relationto abuse in the home situation.
• 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 under the guidance of the Local Safe Guarding Children Board*.