SCOUT HALL PRESCHOOL LIMITED

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN – CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURES AND POLICY

Our setting will work with children, parents and the community to ensure the rights and safety of children and give them the
best start in life. We intend to create in our Pre-School an environment in which children are safe from abuse and harm and
where any suspicion of abuse is promptly and appropriately responded to and where the awareness of child abuse issues is
promoted through ongoing training.

Liaison with Other Bodies

We work within the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines.
We follow statutory guidance given in the document “Working together to Safeguard Children (2018)” and also follow advice
given in the document “What to do if you are Worried a Child is Being Abused (2015)”. Staff are trained to understand what
to do if they have concerns.
We have procedures for contacting the Local Authority on Child Protection issues including a contact telephone number for
early help and advice.
We will notify OFSTED of any incident, accident or changes which may affect children’s wellbeing.
If a referral is made to the Social Care Department we will follow child protection guidelines when deciding whether to
inform the child’s parents at the same time.

Protecting Children
Our designated safeguarding lead is the Pre-school Manager, Estelle Dolling. In her absence Anne Mardon, Deputy Manager
is trained to undertake this role.

 All staff and parents are made aware of our Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.

 Applicants for posts within the Pre-School are clearly informed that the position is exempt from the provisions of the
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and that they will be subject to an “Enhanced Disclosure Check” with the
Disclosure & Barring Service before posts can be confirmed. Where applications are rejected because of information
that has been disclosed applicants have the right to know and challenge incorrect information.

 All applicants for work within the Pre-School will be interviewed before an appointment is made and will be asked to
provide two references. All such references will be followed up. In the case of applicants with unexplained gaps in
their employment history, or who have moved rapidly from one job to another, explanations will be sought.

 All appointments will be subject to a probationary period and will not be confirmed unless the Pre-School is confident
that the applicant, either paid or voluntary, can be safely entrusted with the children.

 Staff will not be left alone for long periods with individual children or with small groups.

 Adults who have not been registered as ‘fit’ persons i.e. new Staff, Students or volunteers, will not take children
unaccompanied to the toilet or be left unsupervised with children.

 All staff are informed that they are expected to disclose any convictions, cautions or court orders received by
themselves or a member of their immediate family which may affect their suitability to work with children. This
applies throughout their employment with the Pre-school and forms part of the Staff Appraisal.

 We abide by the Protection of Vulnerable Groups 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 keep a record of all visitors to the Pre-School and have control over who comes into our Pre-School, so that no
unauthorised person has unsupervised access to the children.

 Early help services will be accessed where the welfare of a child and/or their family may benefit from targeted
support. An assessment will be made with the agreement of the child’s family.

Prevent duty
We comply with the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998.

Scout Hall Pre-School Ltd Policy and Procedures – Revised 21/07/2022

The fundamental British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance with those with
different faiths and beliefs are embedded in the Early Years Foundation Stage. It is however recognised that even very young
children may be vulnerable to radicalisation by others, either within the family or other influential persons in the child’s life.
This could include discriminatory and/or extremist discussions between parents, family and/or staff members.

Our staff are alert to any changes in a child’s behaviour and will take action when they observe behaviour which causes us
concern by contacting one of the following:
Children’s Social Care 0300 555 1384,  101, the Police 999, the Hampshire Anti Terrorist Hotline  0800 789 321, the
Department of Education telephone 020 7340 7264

Responding to Suspicions of Abuse

 We recognise that abuse of children can take different forms. Children suffering from physical, sexual or emotional
abuse, or who may be experiencing neglect, may demonstrate this through the things they say (direct or indirect
disclosure); through significant changes in their appearance such as unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible
abuse; their behaviour; their play; a deterioration in their general well-being; any reasons to suspect neglect or abuse
outside the setting, e.g. in the child’s home or that a girl has been subjected to (or is at risk of) female genital
mutilation and/or inappropriate behaviour displayed by other members of staff or any other person working with the
child (e.g. inappropriate sexual comments, excessive one to one attention or inappropriate sharing of images).

 We are aware of the “hidden harm” agenda concerning parents with drug and alcohol problems and consider other
factors affecting parental capacity and risk, such as social exclusion, domestic violence, radicalisation, mental or
physical illness and parent’s learning disability. We are aware that the most vulnerable children are those living in a
family where domestic and/or sexual abuse, substance abuse and mental health problems are all present – known as
“The Toxic Trio”.

 We are prepared to take action if we have concerns about a child who does not arrive for a session as expected. We
will contact the child’s parents to seek an explanation for the child’s absence and be assured that the child is safe and
well. If the child has current involvement with social care the Social Worker will be notified on the same day.

 Where such evidence is apparent the child’s keyperson will make a dated record of the details of the concern and
discuss what to do with the Pre-School Manager. We will follow the procedure set down in “What to do if you are
worried a child is being abused (2015).” The information will be kept as a separate confidential record.

 We refer concerns to the Local Authority Children’s Social Care Department and co-operate fully in any subsequent
investigation.

 Our staff will take care not to influence the outcome either through the way they speak to children or by asking
questions of children.

Recording Suspicions of Abuse and Disclosures

Where a child makes comments to a member of staff that gives cause for concern (disclosure) or where staff observe signs or
signals that give cause for concern, that member of staff:

 Will listen to the child, may repeat what has been said, will offer reassurance and give reassurance that he/she will
take action.

 May ask the child “what happened” but will not ask any other questions.

 Will make a written objective record of the observation or disclosure that includes the time and date of the
observation or disclosure; as far as possible the exact words spoken by the child; the name, time and date and
signature of the person to whom the concern was reported and the name of any other person present at the time.

 Such records will be signed and dated and kept in a separate confidential file.

 In the event of any criminal proceedings we will disclose any record made by the Pre-School to the Prosecuting
Authority.

Scout Hall Pre-School Ltd Policy and Procedures – Revised 21/07/2022

Informing Parents
Parents will normally be the first point of contact. If a suspicion of abuse is recorded, parents will be informed at the same
time as the report is made, except where the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board does not allow this. This
would usually be the case where the parent is the likely abuser – in this case an investigating officer will inform parents.

Allegations Against Staff.

 All parents are made aware of how to complain about staff or volunteers at the Pre-School which may include an
allegation of abuse.

 We will follow the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board when responding to a complaint that a
member of staff or volunteer has abused a child.

 Any disclosure by children or staff that abuse by a member of staff may have taken, or is taking place, will be
responded to by first recording the details of any such alleged incident.

‘An allegation may relate to a person who works with children who has: • behaved in a way that has harmed a child,
or may have harmed a child • possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child • behaved towards a
child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children • behaved or may have behaved in a
way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children’ (Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2018)

 We will refer any such complaint within 1 working day to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)  01962
876364 to investigate. We will co-operate entirely with any investigation carried out by the LADO in conjunction with
the Police.

 We will report any such alleged incident to OFSTED and what measures we have taken within 14 days. We are aware
that it is an offence not to do this.

 If a member of staff or volunteer is accused of any form of child abuse, they may be interviewed, subject to LADO
advice, by the Pre-school Manager. The accused person may choose to attend the interview with a friend or
colleague. The interview will usually be with the Pre-school Manager and one Deputy however if the allegation is
against the Pre-school Manager the interview will be conducted by two Deputies.

 The member of staff accused may be suspended on full pay throughout the investigation where this is considered
appropriate by the Pre-school and LADO. This is to protect staff as well as children and families throughout the
process.

 Where a member of staff or volunteer is dismissed from the Pre-school because of misconduct relating to a child we
will notify the Independent Barring Board administrators so that their name may be included in the Protection of
Children and Vulnerable Adults register.

Promoting Awareness of Child Abuse Is Achieved Through:

Training
 We will seek out training opportunities for all adults involved in the group to ensure that they recognise the
symptoms of possible physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse and sexual abuse and so that they are aware of local
authority guidelines for making referrals.

 All staff including the designated person receives and renews their training in accordance with local Safeguarding
regulations.

 We ensure that all of the staff team understands the procedures for reporting and recording their concerns in the
setting.

Planning
 The layout of the playroom allows for constant supervision of all children.

Curriculum
 We promote the personal, social and emotional development of children through developmentally appropriate
planned activities, creating within the Pre-School a culture of value and respect for the individual.
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  Children are encouraged to develop a sense of autonomy and independence through adult support in making choices
and in finding names for their own feelings and acceptable ways to express them, so that they may grow to be strong,
resilient and listened to.

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 Safeguarding Children Board.

Support to Families
 The Pre-School will take all possible steps to build trusting and supporting relationships between families and staff in
the group.

 The Pre-School will make clear its duty under Child Protection to report concerns, provide information, monitor
children and liaise at all times with the local Children’s Social Care team.

 Where abuse is suspected the Pre-School will continue to welcome the child and family while investigations proceed.

 Subsequent to any investigation we will follow the Child Protection plan as set by the child’s Social Care worker to
provide support for the child and family

 Confidential records kept on a child will be shared with the child’s parents or those who have parental responsibility
for the child in accordance with the confidentiality and client access to records procedure and only if appropriate
under the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.

Scout Hall Pre-School Ltd Policy and Procedures – Revised 21/07/2022