Ilana Hill :: Welcome - Safeguarding Children Policy

Safeguarding Children Policy

Including handout on bruising in children who are not independently mobile,

The Prevent Duty and Female Genital Mutilation

Although my first responsibility and priority is towards the children in my care, I also have a legal duty to protect ALL children. I have current enhanced Police Check and take every precaution to make sure that the children are safe from harm whilst in my care. My daughter, Zoë Hill (who lives at my childminding address) also has an enhanced DBS and is on the update service. The children are always in sight and/or hearing, and they are never left unsupervised.

I never leave the children in the care of anyone else. I adhere to the section 47 of the Children Act 1989 and the Childcare Act of 2006 and if I have any cause for concern I will report to the relevant body.

I understand that child abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, neglect or a mixture of these, and I understand that domestic abuse can fall into all these categories. I am aware of the signs and symptoms of these. I must notify our local authority and Ofsted of any allegations of abuse that are alleged to have taken place while the child is in my care, including any allegations against myself, or any members of my family, or other adults or children in my home who have had contact with minded children. Please refer to my Toileting and Nappy Change Policy which outlines how I undertake intimate care of the children when they are with me.

From 1 July 2015 all schools, registered early years childcare providers and registered later years childcare providers are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counterterrorism and Security Act 2015, in the exercise of our functions, to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. This duty is known as the Prevent duty. I have undertaken relevant training. Prevent Duty was updated in December 2023.

Procedure

The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework for Childminders 2024 section 3.3 states that “providers must take all necessary steps to keep children safe and well”. I keep up to date with child protection issues and relevant legislation by taking regular training courses namely, Safeguarding Children for Home-based Childcarers including designated safeguarding lead (updated every year) and Working Together to Safeguard Children. I have a copy of and follow guidance in the “Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)” and the HM Government’s booklet “What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused - Advice for practitioners” published in March 2015.

I regularly familiarise myself with Surrey’s Safeguarding Children Partnership Continuum of Support and I read relevant publications like Surrey County Council’s e-bulletin, local and national news. I am also updated automatically by Ofsted on any issues relating to home-based childcare and I receive automatic updates from Surrey’s Safeguarding Children Partnership.

I follow the procedures outlined in my confidentiality/data protection policy and I work with parents to make sure the care of their child is consistent - please refer to my Working with Parents policy. I make sure that I always have a working telephone on the premises. I have a fully charged working mobile phone on me, which I never use whilst driving. Please refer to my Mobile Phone, camera and Internet Policy.

Non-attendance, lost or missing children

Children will only be released from my care to the parent/carer or to someone named and authorised by them (aged 18 or over). I will ask to meet anyone who may collect the child or see a photograph in advance. A password might be used to confirm identity of the person collecting the child if not previously known to me. If children have regular absences that I become concerned about I will contact Surrey Children’s Single Point of Access on 0300 4709100 or the emergency team out of hours on 01483 517898. If a child goes missing whilst in my care, I will contact the police using 999 immediately. I will inform the family and follow my “Safety on outings, including lost or missing children Policy”.

Parents must notify me of any concerns they have about their child and any accidents, incidents or injuries affecting the child. I record these in my accident book and ask parents to sign. This includes any existing injuries that the child arrives at my setting with. It is a legal requirement that I report any signs of bruising found on children who are not independently mobile to Surrey’s Children Single Point of Access (C-Spa) on 0300 4709100. Please see the separate “Bruising in children who are not independently mobile”.

If a child does not arrive or is not collected at the agreed time I will: -

Allow a reasonable amount of time for delays such as traffic (about 20 minutes).
Reassure the child
Call the parent/carer to find out if there has been an incident which is delaying them. If there has, I will try to find out how long they may be, if I should hold on to the child or contact the emergency contact.
If I cannot get hold of the parent/carer I will call the emergency contact and ask them to collect the child.
If for any reason no contact can be gained from either the parent/carer or emergency contact, I will contact Surrey Children Services (North West Hub) on 0300 1231630 and follow their advice.
I will keep notes in my incident folder and look out for persistent patterns which may highlight a safeguarding issue relating to patterns of attendance.
If children services or the police have been called, I also have to write to Ofsted advising them of the situation, follow their advice and let them know the outcome.

Early Help

Unless I believe that it would put the child at risk of further harm, I will discuss concerns with a child’s parent/carer. If I feel that the child is not in immediate danger and the family could benefit from other forms of help from outside agencies, I will contact Surrey’s Early Help team in the North West of Surrey on 0300 1231630.

Making a referral

If a child tells me that they or another child is being abused, I will call the Surrey Children’s Single Point of Access (C-SPA) on 0300 4709100 for advice and for an assessment of the situation. Over the weekends there is an emergency duty team available on 01483 517898. It is not my responsibility to attempt to investigate the situation myself. I will constantly update myself on the requirement to inform Ofsted.

Female Genital Mutilation, Honour Based Violence, Forced Marriage and Breast Ironing are forms of physical abuse and illegal in the UK. I will notify the police and make a referral to Surrey County Council if I am concerned that anyone may be subject to this form of abuse. Disguised compliance involves parents/carers giving the appearance of co-operating with child welfare agencies to avoid suspicions and concerns. In line with legislation, I will keep notes of any concerns that I have, and any action taken by parents/carers. If I discover these actions were not taken, I will make a referral to the C-Spa on 0300 4709100 and notify the police immediately.

Information Sharing

With parents’ permission, I share information between other settings that the child may attend and pass such information to their school when they move up; to provide continuity of care.

Prevent Duty

Under the Prevent Duty umbrella it is essential that I can identify children who may be vulnerable to radicalisation and know what to do when they are identified. I have completed the online “Channel General Awareness module” from the College of Policing. I build pupil resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British values and enabling everyone to challenge extremist views.

Complaints

If an allegation is made against me, any member of my famil or any other adult (16 or over) in my setting I will inform Surrey’s Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) on 0300 1231650 (option 3) immediately and Ofsted in writing within 14 days of the allegation being made. I will follow Surrey’s Safeguarding Children partnership procedures. Please refer to my Complaints Policy.

Surrey FaST Resolution Process

Sometimes, we may not all agree on the best way forward. Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership have a resolution process called FaST that can help. The primary aim of the Surrey FaST resolution process is that professional disagreements are resolved at the lowest possible level, by those working directly with children and families. More information can be found here 7.2 The Surrey FaST Resolution Process | Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership (procedures.org.uk)

I will contact the FaST service if: -

I am concerned about a decision or practice related to a child or young person that I am working with.
The child or young person is being put “at risk” of harm as a result
I have already raised a concern through the normal channels (e.g. C-Spa referral or child protection team) but not achieved the resolution we wanted for the child

Whistle Blowing

It is also my duty to make sure that other professionals are not covering up inappropriate practices which could affect the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. If I become aware of such a situation, I will immediately report it to Surrey’s Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) on 0300 1231650 and to Ofsted or seek advice from the Ofsted Whistle blowing Hotline on 0300 123 3155.

Data Protection

I am registered with the Information Commissioners Office as a Data Controllers, registration number is Z6917502. This means that I may keep confidential information (including photographs) about the children and their families that I look after on my computer in a confidential and safe way.

Useful contacts

Children’s Single Point of Access (cspa@surreycc.gov.uk)

Schools and Early Years Child Protection Consultation Line

open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday 0300 470 9100

Out of hours (emergency duty team) 01483 517898

Local Area Contact (North West Surrey – includes Addlestone) 0300 123 1630

Surrey Safeguarding Partnership

Homepage - Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership (surreyscp.org.uk)

Surrey leaflet on bruising in children who are not independently mobile

SSCP-Bruising-in-Children-who-are-not-independently-mobile-LEAFLET-1.pdf (surreyscp.org.uk)

Surrey safeguarding children partnership, website with information and processes to follow for the continuum of support

4.2 Continuum of Support for children and families living in Surrey | Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership (procedures.org.uk)

Education Safeguarding Team Mon-Fri 9-5 (email education.safeguarding@surreycc.gov.uk)

Education Safeguarding Team | Surrey Education Services (surreycc.gov.uk) 01483 517008

Child Death Report to CDOP Co-ordinator (CDOP@surreycc.gov.uk) 01372 833319

Addlestone police station Addlestone Town | Police.uk (www.police.uk) 999

Or non-emergency police 101

Ofsted (to report an allegation against member of staff or volunteer) www.ofsted.gov.uk 0300 1233155

Ofsted Whistleblowing Hotline Reporting concerns and whistleblowing about children’s social care services - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Ofsted Early Years and Childcare Enforcement Policy

Early years and childcare enforcement policy - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

NSPCC Whistleblowing helpline = help@nspcc.org.uk 0800 0280285

Whistleblowing Advice Line | NSPCC

Anti-terrorist Hotline (to report suspicions of terrorist grooming etc) 0800 789321

NSPCC FGM helpline fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk 0800 0283550

Domestic Abuse helpline for Surrey 9am to 9pm 7 days per week 01483 776822

Respect phone Line – confidential line offering support to help you stop being violent and abusive to a partner – 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday 0808 8024040

Prevent information from the Government

Get help for radicalisation concerns - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

To make a referral about someone you are worried about ACT Early | Prevent radicalisation

Disclosure and Barring Service www.gov.uk/dbs 03000 200190

Information Commissioners Office www.ico.gov.uk 03031 231113

NSPCC www.nspcc.org.uk 0808 8005000

Surrey early years team education.safeguarding@surreycc.gov.uk

One minute guides to Surrey’s Early Help and Children Services

One minute guides to Early Help and Children's Services - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)

Surrey FaST Resolution Process (partnership.escalation@surreycc.gov.uk)

Or (fast.signposting@surreycc.gov.uk) if unsure who to direct query to

7.2 The Surrey FaST Resolution Process | Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership (procedures.org.uk)