Safeguarding Policies & Procedures
Safeguarding Policy
While your children are in my care it is my responsibility to keep them safe from harm, and to ensure their safety and welfare in line with the procedures laid out by my local Safeguarding Children’s Board.
Safeguarding refers to the procedures which I follow to keep children safe from harm, and what I would do if I considered a child may be considered at risk of harm - be it physical, sexual, emotional or neglect.
It is my duty to report any unacceptable behaviour by other childminders, parents, members of the public, childcare workers or professionals working with children. I will report any behaviour that I have witnessed that I believe is detrimental to children, is placing children at risk, that has caused actual harm to a child or that is illegal.
My husband and I have both completed DBS (Disclosure and Barring service) checks. I have also undergone extensive child protection training which I update regularly.
I have a duty to protect all children, not just those in my care so if I have reason to believe that any child is being abused in any way I will report the matter to the IOW Child protection Team. Under these circumstances, if it concerns your child, I will not be able to keep information relating to your child confidential, but will need to share it with OFSTED, Social Services and the Police if requested.
If you yourself are worried about the welfare of a child then you must contact the local Child Protection team on 0300 300 0117 (24 hours)
We cannot hurt a child by raising concerns, and agencies involved in child protection work together with families to help make a brighter future for children.
Prevent Duty Policy
I have an obligation under “Prevent Duty 2015” to report and refer individuals who I suspect may be at risk of being drawn into terrorism. I have undertaken Channel training to raise my awareness of signs that someone is at risk and I am aware of the steps for reporting such incidences.
British Values Policy
The “Prevent Duty Guidance” requires all early year providers to “Have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism” and to promote British Values into our settings.
There are five 'British Values' that I am required to promote in age appropriate ways. These include -
I teach British Values by -
FGM Policy
Female Genital Mutilation is a form of child abuse and is illegal in this country. I have updated my knowledge via on-line courses and I am aware of the signs and symptoms. If I have reason to suspect that a family or child may be at risk or involved in this I will report immediately to the police and LSCB
Confidentiality Policy
Any information regarding your child or family, either verbally or in writing, shall be treated as confidential. Parent's shall have access to their own child's records, but not to others. All documentation relating to your child is stored in a file unavailable to anyone else. I shall not discuss your child with anyone else, unless I have your permission to do so, such as with your child's Health Visitor. I will, however, divulge details to OFSTED or the Social Services if I have any concerns. Please see the above policy.
You shall also find out information about my family and me during the course of our working relationship. I ask that you too will respect my confidentiality and not discuss what you may have been told to other parties.
Use of Photographic Equipment
I am registered with the Information Commissioners Office as a data hander.
I shall obtain written permission before taking any photographs of your child. It shall also be discussed why I will take photo's and how they shall be used. I shall endeavour to keep your child out of photo's being taken while in public places e.g. at the children's centre. If ever I am concerned that a stranger is taking photographs of your child I shall call the police in order to safeguard the child.
Photographs shall only be taken by me, via the mobile phone kept for my childminding business. They shall be uploaded to the computer for printing on the same day they are taken, and then deleted from the phone and from the computer.
Photo's of your child will not be shared on Facebook or any other website unless I have been given permission to do so. I will never take photo's of your child while they are undressed, in swimming costumes etc.
I will request that no visitors, including parents, use their mobile phone while in the presence of children in my care. Older children are not permitted to bring a mobile phone or any other device with photographic abilities with them.
Lost Child Procedure
While your child is my responsibility, their care is paramount. I will always try to ensure that they are with me and kept safe. My front door is locked and keys are kept high and out of reach. I have procedures in place to keep your child safe while outside the property. If you wish to see any copies of the risk assessments I have concerning the safety of children on outings please ask.
Unfortunately sometimes children can become ”lost” in busy places. Therefore as a responsible childminder this is the procedure that will be carried out in the unlikely event of this occurring.
Visitor Policy
Although children need to mix with other children and adults it is my responsibility to ensure the suitability of those that they may come into contact with during minded hours. The following policy regards the visitors to my setting while your child is in attendance.
Allegations of Abuse Procedure
Working alone I am more vulnerable to allegations of abuse being made against my family or me. I take precautions to protect myself from this happening by:
However, sometimes allegations are made and this unfortunate situation cannot be avoided. I shall then follow the procedure detailed below, in order to gain professional advice and support
If you have any concerns or questions regarding this policy please discuss them with me. If you have any concerns regarding the safety and welfare of a child please contact the child protection team on 0300 300 0117
While your children are in my care it is my responsibility to keep them safe from harm, and to ensure their safety and welfare in line with the procedures laid out by my local Safeguarding Children’s Board.
Safeguarding refers to the procedures which I follow to keep children safe from harm, and what I would do if I considered a child may be considered at risk of harm - be it physical, sexual, emotional or neglect.
It is my duty to report any unacceptable behaviour by other childminders, parents, members of the public, childcare workers or professionals working with children. I will report any behaviour that I have witnessed that I believe is detrimental to children, is placing children at risk, that has caused actual harm to a child or that is illegal.
My husband and I have both completed DBS (Disclosure and Barring service) checks. I have also undergone extensive child protection training which I update regularly.
I have a duty to protect all children, not just those in my care so if I have reason to believe that any child is being abused in any way I will report the matter to the IOW Child protection Team. Under these circumstances, if it concerns your child, I will not be able to keep information relating to your child confidential, but will need to share it with OFSTED, Social Services and the Police if requested.
If you yourself are worried about the welfare of a child then you must contact the local Child Protection team on 0300 300 0117 (24 hours)
We cannot hurt a child by raising concerns, and agencies involved in child protection work together with families to help make a brighter future for children.
Prevent Duty Policy
I have an obligation under “Prevent Duty 2015” to report and refer individuals who I suspect may be at risk of being drawn into terrorism. I have undertaken Channel training to raise my awareness of signs that someone is at risk and I am aware of the steps for reporting such incidences.
British Values Policy
The “Prevent Duty Guidance” requires all early year providers to “Have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism” and to promote British Values into our settings.
There are five 'British Values' that I am required to promote in age appropriate ways. These include -
- Democracy – Making decisions together
- Rule of Law – Understanding rules
- Individual Liberty – Freedom for all
- Mutual Respect – Treat each other as you want to be treated
- Tolerance for those of different faiths & beliefs
I teach British Values by -
- Listening to your child and encouraging them to have a voice
- Allowing your child to make choices within safe and secure boundaries
- Ensuring your child follows my house rules
- Teaching your child about 'people who help us' such as the police, to help them develop a respect for the law and to uphold it
- Encouraging tolerance and respect of each other
- Teaching your child about the world around them so they learn to respect people, communities and the natural world
FGM Policy
Female Genital Mutilation is a form of child abuse and is illegal in this country. I have updated my knowledge via on-line courses and I am aware of the signs and symptoms. If I have reason to suspect that a family or child may be at risk or involved in this I will report immediately to the police and LSCB
Confidentiality Policy
Any information regarding your child or family, either verbally or in writing, shall be treated as confidential. Parent's shall have access to their own child's records, but not to others. All documentation relating to your child is stored in a file unavailable to anyone else. I shall not discuss your child with anyone else, unless I have your permission to do so, such as with your child's Health Visitor. I will, however, divulge details to OFSTED or the Social Services if I have any concerns. Please see the above policy.
You shall also find out information about my family and me during the course of our working relationship. I ask that you too will respect my confidentiality and not discuss what you may have been told to other parties.
Use of Photographic Equipment
I am registered with the Information Commissioners Office as a data hander.
I shall obtain written permission before taking any photographs of your child. It shall also be discussed why I will take photo's and how they shall be used. I shall endeavour to keep your child out of photo's being taken while in public places e.g. at the children's centre. If ever I am concerned that a stranger is taking photographs of your child I shall call the police in order to safeguard the child.
Photographs shall only be taken by me, via the mobile phone kept for my childminding business. They shall be uploaded to the computer for printing on the same day they are taken, and then deleted from the phone and from the computer.
Photo's of your child will not be shared on Facebook or any other website unless I have been given permission to do so. I will never take photo's of your child while they are undressed, in swimming costumes etc.
I will request that no visitors, including parents, use their mobile phone while in the presence of children in my care. Older children are not permitted to bring a mobile phone or any other device with photographic abilities with them.
Lost Child Procedure
While your child is my responsibility, their care is paramount. I will always try to ensure that they are with me and kept safe. My front door is locked and keys are kept high and out of reach. I have procedures in place to keep your child safe while outside the property. If you wish to see any copies of the risk assessments I have concerning the safety of children on outings please ask.
Unfortunately sometimes children can become ”lost” in busy places. Therefore as a responsible childminder this is the procedure that will be carried out in the unlikely event of this occurring.
- I shall immediately raise the alarm of a lost child
- If it is a secure area such as a large supermarket, I shall alert the security staff so that they can seal the exits and monitor the situation on CCTV
- I will ensure everyone involved in the search has a description of the missing child.
- If I have any other children with me, they will be reassured as they may be distressed
- I shall then alert the police and provide full details and a description
- Then, I will alert the parents of the situation
- Attempt to avoid overcrowded places
- Ensure children are suitably restrained, or that they maintain hold of my hand or the pushchair while out and about
- 'Stranger Danger' is taught to all children in my care, and reiterated before every outing.
Visitor Policy
Although children need to mix with other children and adults it is my responsibility to ensure the suitability of those that they may come into contact with during minded hours. The following policy regards the visitors to my setting while your child is in attendance.
- I shall not leave a minded child in a room alone with a visitor
- I will not allow any visitors to take my minded children to the toilet or change their nappies
- I will request ID from all visitors not known to me and shall refuse entry if I am unsure about them
- I shall endeavour, where possible, to arrange any maintenance work to my property to be carried out during non-minding hours
- A visitors book shall be kept which is available for you to look at
- Visitors are not permitted to smoke on the premises
- Visitors are not permitted to use their mobile phone around the children
Allegations of Abuse Procedure
Working alone I am more vulnerable to allegations of abuse being made against my family or me. I take precautions to protect myself from this happening by:
- Ensuring all household members over 16 have current DBS checks
- Ensuring all visitors to the property are signed into the visitors book, and they have no unsupervised access to the children under any circumstances
- Ensuring, where possible, that no workmen are on the property during minded hours. Unless it is to repair an emergency service or for Health and Safety purposes. They will never be left alone with any children
- I document every accident or incident that occurs while children are in my care, informing parents and requesting them to sign my records
- Noting any marks on the children when they arrive and asking parents to inform me of any accidents that have occurred while outside of my care
- Ensuring children are always supervised
- Maintaining accurate records on each child and writing a daily diary
However, sometimes allegations are made and this unfortunate situation cannot be avoided. I shall then follow the procedure detailed below, in order to gain professional advice and support
- I shall contact OFSTED and My Insurance Company
- I will write a detailed record of all related incidents, what was said and by whom, with the times and dates.
- If there are any witnesses I will also ask them to write detailed statements regarding the incident they witnessed and giving their contact details in case it needs to be followed up by authorities
If you have any concerns or questions regarding this policy please discuss them with me. If you have any concerns regarding the safety and welfare of a child please contact the child protection team on 0300 300 0117