Microsoft Word - Safeguarding



South Brent Breakfast & After School ClubSafeguarding (Child Protection) Policy South Brent Breakfast and After School Club is committed to building a ‘culture of safety’ in which the children in our care are protected from abuse, harm and radicalisation. The Club will respond promptly and appropriately to all incidents or concerns regarding the safety of a child that may occur. The Club’s child protection procedures comply with all relevant legislation and with guidance issued by the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). There will be a Child Protection Officer (CPO) available at all times while the Club is in session. The CPO coordinates child protection issues and liaises with external agencies (eg Social Care, the LSCB and Ofsted). The Club’s designated CPO is Claire Bitner. Ethos ‘Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enable them to fulfil their potential.. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right.’ Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)Safeguarding at the Breakfast and After School Club is considered everyone’s responsibility and as such our setting aims to create the safest environment within which every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. The club will respond promptly and appropriately to all incidents or concerns regarding the safety of a child that may occur. South Brent Breakfast and After School Club recognizes the contribution it can make in ensuring that all children registered or who use our setting feel that they will be listened to and appropriate action taken. We will do this by working in partnership with other agencies in accordance with Working Together to Safeguard Children March 2018 and seeking to establish effective working relationships with parents, carers and other colleagues to develop and provide activities and opportunities that will help to equip our children with the skills they need. This will include materials and learning experiences that will encourage our children to develop essential life skills and protective behaviours.Child abuse and neglect Child abuse is any form of physical, emotional or sexual mistreatment or lack of care that leads to injury or harm. An individual may abuse or neglect a child directly, or by failing to protect them from harm. Some forms of child abuse and neglect are listed below. Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child so as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve making the child feel that they are worthless, unloved, or inadequate. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone. Physical abuse can involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may be also caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes, ill health to a child. Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. This can involve physical contact, or non-contact activities such as showing children sexual activities or encouraging them to behave in sexually inappropriate ways. Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and emotional needs. It can involve a failure to provide adequate food, clothing and shelter, to protect a child from physical and emotional harm, to ensure adequate supervision or to allow access to medical treatment. Signs of child abuse and neglect Signs of possible abuse and neglect may include: significant changes in a child's behaviourdeterioration in a child’s general well-being unexplained bruising or marks comments made by a child which give cause for concern inappropriate behaviour displayed by a member of staff, or any other person. For example, inappropriate sexual comments, excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their role, or inappropriate sharing of images. If abuse is suspected or disclosed When a child makes a disclosure to a member of staff, that member of staff will: reassure the child that they were not to blame and were right to speak out - listen to the child but not question them give reassurance that the staff member will take action record the incident as soon as possible (see Logging an incident below). If a member of staff witnesses or suspects abuse, they will record the matter straightaway using the Logging a concern form. If a third party expresses concern that a child is being abused, we will encourage them to contact Social Care directly. If they will not do so, we will explain that the Club is obliged to and the incident will be logged accordingly. Peer-on-peer abuse Children are vulnerable to abuse by their peers. Peer-on-peer abuse is taken seriously by staff and will be subject to the same child protection procedures as other forms of abuse. Staff are aware of the potential uses of information technology for bullying and abusive behaviour between young people. Staff will not dismiss abusive behaviour as normal between young people. The presence of one or more of the following in relationships between children should always trigger concern about the possibility of peer-on-peer abuse: Sexual activity (in primary school-aged children) of any kind, including sexting One of the children is significantly more dominant than the other (eg much older) One of the children is significantly more vulnerable than the other (eg in terms of disability, confidence, physical strength) There has been some use of threats, bribes or coercion to ensure compliance or secrecy. If peer-on-peer abuse is suspected or disclosed We will follow the same procedures as set out above for responding to child abuse. Extremism and radicalisation In relation to radicalisation and extremism, we follow the Prevent Duty guidance for England and Wales published by the Home Office and LSCB procedures on responding to radicalisation.The designated person completes online Channel training, online Prevent training and attends local WRAP training where available to ensure they are familiar with the local protocol and procedures for responding to concerns about radicalisation.All childcare settings have a legal duty to protect children from the risk of radicalisation and being drawn into extremism. There are many reasons why a child might be vulnerable to radicalisation, eg: feeling alienated or alone seeking a sense of identity or individuality suffering from mental health issues such as depression desire for adventure or wanting to be part of a larger cause associating with others who hold extremist beliefs Signs of radicalisation Signs that a child might be at risk of radicalisation include: changes in behaviour, for example becoming withdrawn or aggressive changes in play – acting out violencecomments they makeclaiming that terrorist attacks and violence are justified viewing violent extremist material online possessing or sharing violent extremist material If a member of staff suspects that a child is at risk of becoming radicalised, they will record any relevant information or observations on a Logging a concern form, and refer the matter to the CPO. Logging a concern All information about the suspected abuse or disclosure, or concern about radicalisation, will be recorded on the Logging a concern form as soon as possible after the event. The record should include: date of the disclosure, or the incident, or the observation causing concern date and time at which the record was made name and date of birth of the child involved a factual report of what happened. If recording a disclosure, you must use the child’s own words - name, signature and job title of the person making the record. The record will be given to the Club’s CPO who will decide on the appropriate course of action. For concerns about child abuse, the CPO will contact Social Care. The CPO will follow up all referrals to Social Care in writing within 48 hours. If a member of staff thinks that the incident has not been dealt with properly, they may contact Social Care directly. For minor concerns regarding radicalisation, the CPO will contact the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). For more serious concerns the CPO will contact the Police on the non-emergency number (101), or the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321. For urgent concerns the CPO will contact the Police using 999. Allegations against staff If anyone makes an allegation of child abuse against a member of staff: The allegation will be recorded on an Incident record form. Any witnesses to the incident should sign and date the entry to confirm it. The allegation must be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and to Ofsted. The LADO will advise if other agencies (eg police) should be informed, and the Club will act upon their advice. Any telephone reports to the LADO will be followed up in writing within 48 hours. Following advice from the LADO, it may be necessary to suspend the member of staff pending full investigation of the allegation. This is not an indication of admission that the alleged incident has taken place, but is to protect the staff, as well as children and families, throughout the process.Where a member of staff or volunteer has been dismissed due to engaging in activities that caused concern for the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults, we will notify the Disclosure and Barring Service of relevant information, so that individuals who pose a threat to children and vulnerable groups can be identified and barred from working with these groups.We have a whistleblowing policy in place.Staff/volunteers know they can contact the organisation Public Concern at Work for advice relating to whistleblowing; if they feel that the organisation has not acted adequately in relation to safeguarding they can contact the NSPCC whistleblowing rming parentsParents are normally the first point of contact. Concerns are discussed with parents to gain their view of events, unless it is felt that this may put the child at risk, or interfere with the course of a police investigation. Advice will be sought from social care if necessary.Parents are informed when we make a record of concerns in their child’s file and that we also make a note of any discussion we have with them regarding a concern.If a suspicion of abuse warrants referral to social care, parents are informed at the same time that the referral will be made, except where the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board does not allow this, for example, where it is believed that the child may be placed at risk. This will usually be the case where the parent is the likely abuser.If there is a possibility that advising a parent beforehand may place a child at greater risk (or interfere with a police response) the designated person should seek advice from children’s social care, about whether or not to advise parents beforehand, and should record and follow the advice given.Liaison with other agenciesWe work within the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines.The current version of ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’ is available for parents and staff and all staff are familiar with what they need to do if they have concerns.We have procedures for contacting the local authority regarding child protection issues, including maintaining a list of names, addresses and telephone numbers of social workers, to ensure that it is easy, in any emergency, for the setting and children's social care to work well together.We notify Ofsted of any incident or accident and any changes in our arrangements which may affect the well-being of children or where an allegation of abuse is made against a member of staff (whether the allegations relate to harm or abuse committed on our premises or elsewhere). Notifications to Ofsted are made as soon as is reasonably practicable, but at the latest within 14 days of the allegations being made.Contact details for the local National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) are also kept.Promoting awareness among staff The Club promotes awareness of child abuse and the risk of radicalisation through its staff training. The Club ensures that: the designated CPO has relevant experience and receives appropriate training in safeguarding and the Prevent Duty, and is aware of the Channel Programme and how to access it safe recruitment practices are followed for all new staff all staff have a copy of this Safeguarding (Child Protection) policy, understand its contents and are vigilant to signs of abuse, neglect or radicalisation all staff are aware of their statutory duties with regard to the disclosure or discovery of child abuse, and concerns about radicalisation all staff receive basic safeguarding training, and safeguarding is a permanent agenda item at all staff meetings all staff receive basic training in the Prevent Duty staff are familiar with the Safeguarding File which is kept in a locked cabinet in Room 1 the Club’s procedures are in line with the guidance in ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)’ and staff are familiar with the guidance in ‘What To Do If You’re Worried A Child Is Being Abused (2015)’. Training opportunities are sought for all adults involved in the setting to ensure that they are able to recognise the signs and signals of possible physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse (including child sexual exploitation) and neglect and that they are aware of the local authority guidelines for making referrals.Designated persons receive appropriate training, as recommended by the Local Safeguarding Children Board, every two years and refresh their knowledge and skills at least annually. We ensure that all staff know the procedures for reporting and recording any concerns they may have about the provision.We ensure that all staff receive updates on safeguarding via emails, newsletters, online training and/or discussion at staff meetings at least once a year.Use of mobile phones and cameras Photographs will only be taken of children with their parents’ permission. Only the club camera will be used to take photographs of children at the Club, except with the express permission of the manager. Neither staff nor children nor visitors may use their mobile phones to take photographs at the Club. For more details see our Mobile Phone Policy. Our Trustees will have access to safeguarding training and our Named Trustee for Safeguarding will also undertake additional awareness training at least every three years. They will also be advised to undertake additional training to support their employers’ role in Handling Allegations against adults who work with children and young people, including our staff and volunteers.Our safeguarding arrangements are reported on an annual basis to our Trustees and our Safeguarding policy is reviewed annually, in order to keep it updated in line with local and national guidance/legislation.We will include our Safeguarding Policy in our settings prospectus/website and have a hard copy in our policy file which parents are able to view on request. Related Setting PoliciesSafeguarding covers more than the contribution made to child protection in relation to individual children. It also encompasses issues such as child health and safety, bullying and a range of other issues, for example, arrangements for meeting the medical needs of children, providing first aid, setting security, drugs and substance misuse, etc. Legislation relating to this policy:Children Act 1989, 2004Education Act 1996, 2002 (Section 175)School Standards and Framework act 1998Keeping Children Safe in Education 2015Every Child Matters 2003Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage 2017Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 Manuals kept in setting:What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused 2015Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018Prevent Duty 2015 This policy was adopted by: South Brent Breakfast and After School ClubDate:To be reviewed: Signed: Written in accordance with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2017): Safeguarding and Welfare requirements: Child Protection [3.4-3.8] and Suitable People [3.9-3.13]. For further information regarding any child protection procedure, please consult .ukUseful Contacts: Devon Safeguarding Childrens Board South West Child Protection Procedures .ukDevon Early Years and Childcare Service .uk/eycs Child Exploitation and Online Protection Agency .ukNSPCC Safe (Safe Activities for Everyone) Network .ukCYPS area contact numbers:(9am - 5pm Monday to Thursday, 9am – 4pm Friday)Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) 0345 155 1071 email: mashsecure@devon..ukMASH Consultation Line 0345 155 1071 (ask for Consultation Line)Early Help co-ordination centre 0345 155 1071 (ask for Early Help)Out of hours for CYPS (Social Care): 5pm -9am and at weekends and public holidays, please contact:Emergency Duty Service 0845 6000 388 (low-rate call)Police Central Referral Unit: 0845 605 116EYCS Consultation Service: If you have concerns about a child but are unsure whether to make a Social Care referral. The numbers are: Nikki Phillips – Locality Manager for Exeter, East and Mid Devon 01392 383000Melissa Filby – Locality Manager for Northern Devon 01392 383000Susan Bolt - Locality Manager for South West Devon 01392 383000DSCBHead of Safeguarding: 01392 386091DSCB Office: Christina Ashforth 01392 383000Child Protection Chairs and Local Authority Designated Officers for managing allegations against staff:Allegations against staff Referral Co-ordinator01392 384964Devon’s Domestic Abuse Helpline 0345 155 1074Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub – MASHManages contacts and referrals received from any source (usually CYPS and Police 121A reports)Develops a document recording the concern information and all other available information in the Hubs within agreed timescales and an Early Years and Families manager makes an informed decision using all of the available information.Develops concern information into an Early Years and Families referral if services are required under section 17 or section 47 of The Children Act 1989Liaises with the Early Response Service for children and young people who need services but do not meet The Children Act 1989 thresholdProvides consultation to agency referrers about thresholds, appropriate action to be undertaken and services.The Hub contributes to improved outcomes for safeguarding children because it has the ability to swiftly collate and share information held by the various agencies and to provide a multi-agency risk assessment of each case for ‘actual or likely harm’.A copy of the MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) Factsheet for Parentsavailable for you to look at OR please go to . pdf for a copy of the MASH Factsheet for Parents”The above list is not exhaustive and as new policy guidance and legislation develops within the remit of Safeguarding we will review and update our policies and procedures as appropriate and in line with the Devon Safeguarding Children Board and Local Authority.Current Safeguarding Issues (This section highlights optional extras that Settings may consider adopting to accompany their Safeguarding policy)(The following Safeguarding issues are all considered to be child Protection issues and should be referred immediately to the most relevant agency. The issues featured below are linked to guidance and local procedures which can be found on the South West Child Protection Procedures at .uk (Direct links to the policies listed below are included where available). Some members of our communities hold beliefs that may be common within particular cultures but which are against the law of England. South Brent Breakfast and After school Club does not condone practices that are illegal and which are harmful to children. Examples of particular practices are:Child Exploitation and E-Safety Children and young people can be exploited and suffer bullying through their use of modern technology such as the internet, mobile phones and social networking sites. In order to minimize the risks to our children and young people South Brent Breakfast and After School Club will ensure that we have in place appropriate measures such as security filtering, and an acceptable use policy linked to our E-Safety policy. We will ensure that staff are aware of how not to compromise their position of trust in or outside of the setting and are aware of the dangers associated with social networking sites.Our E-safety policy will clearly state that mobile phone, camera or electronic communications with a child at our setting is not acceptable other than for approved setting business. Where it is suspected that a child is at risk from internet abuse or cyber bullying we will report our concerns to the appropriate agency. Forced MarriageSouth Brent Breakfast and After School Club does not support the idea of forcing someone to marry without their consent.Under-age Marriage In England, a young person cannot legally marry until they are 16 years old (without the consent of their parents or carers) nor have sexual relationships.Genital mutilation/female circumcision This is against the law, yet for some communities it is considered a religious act and cultural requirement. It is illegal for someone to arrange for a child to go abroad with the intention of having her circumcised. If any of the above areas of concern is brought to the attention of South Brent Breakfast and After School Club we will report those concerns to the appropriate agency in order to prevent this form of abuse taking place. Staff will have some training on FGM.Ritualistic Abuse Some faiths believe that spirits and demons can possess people (including children). What should never be considered is the use of any physical or psychological violence to get rid of the possessing spirit. This is abusive and will result in the criminal conviction of those using this form of abuse even if the intention is to help the child.Sexually Active under Eighteen years old It is acknowledged by those working with young people that most young people under the age of 18 will have an interest in sex and sexual relationships. The Protocol for Sexually Active Young People under 18 years old has been designed to assist those working with children and young people to identify where these relationships may be abusive, and the children and young people may need the provision of protection or additional services. Safeguarding Disabled Children Disabled children have exactly the same human rights to be safe from abuse and neglect, to be protected from harm and achieve the Every Child Matters outcomes as non-disabled children.Disabled children do however require additional action. This is because they experience greater risks and ‘created vulnerability’ as a result of negative attitudes about disabled children and unequal access to services and resources, and because they may have additional needs relating to physical, sensory, cognitive and/ or communication impairment (Safeguarding Children, DCSF, July 2009) South Brent Breakfast and After School Club will ensure that our disabled children are listened to and responded to appropriately where they have concerns regarding abuse. In order to do this we will ensure that our staff and volunteers receive the relevant training to raise awareness and have access to specialist staff in the event they have concerns regarding abuse of a child.Safer Recruitment and Selection It is a requirement for all agencies to ensure that all staff recruited to work with children and young people are properly selected and checked. At South Brent Breakfast and After School Club we will ensure that we have a member on every recruitment panel who has received the appropriate recruitment and selection training. That all of our staff are appropriately qualified and have the relevant employment history and checks to ensure they are safe to work with children in compliance with the Key Safeguarding Employment Standards.Trafficked Children Child trafficking involves moving children across or within national or international borders for the purposes of exploitation. Exploitation includes children being used for sex work, domestic work, restaurant/ sweatshop, drug dealing, shoplifting and benefit fraud. Where South Brent Breakfast and After School Club is made aware of a child is suspected of or actually being trafficked/exploited we will report our concerns to the appropriate agency.Domestic Abuse The Government defines domestic abuse as “Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality”. Staff need to understand what is required of them if children are members of the household where domestic abuse is known or suspected to be taking place. Our policy includes action to be taken regarding referrals to the Police and Children and Young People’s Services and any action to be taken where a member of staff is the alleged perpetrator or victim of domestic abuse. At South Brent Breakfast and After School Club we will follow our safeguarding policy and report any suspected concerns regarding Domestic Abuse to the relevant agency.Private Fostering Private fostering is an arrangement made between the parent and the private foster carer, who then becomes responsible for caring for the child in such a way as to safeguard and promote his/her welfare.A privately fostered child means a child under the age of 16 (18 if a disabled child) who is cared for and provided with accommodation by someone other than:A parent. A person who is not a parent but has parental responsibility. A close relative. A Local Authority. ?for more than 28 days and where the care is intended to continue. It is a statutory duty for us at South Brent Breakfast and After School Club to inform the Local Authority via MASH where we are made aware of a child or young person who may be subject to private fostering arrangements. ................
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