Child Protection Policy

Aims

Legal Framework

Staffing

Curriculum

Complaints

Responding to Suspicions of Abuse

Disclosures

Recording Suspicions of Abuse and Disclosures

Informing Parents

Support to Families

Aims

Our Pre-school wants to work with children, parents and the community to ensure the safety of children and to give them the very best start in life.

Our aims are:

To 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;

To help children to establish and sustain satisfying relationships within their families, with peers and other adults;

To encourage children to develop a sense of autonomy and independence;

To enable children to have the self confidence and the vocabulary to resist inappropriate approaches; Back to top

Legal Framework

The legal framework for this work is:

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act

The Children Act 1989

Human Right Act 1998

Data Protection Act 1984

The Protection of Children Act 1999

The Children [NI] Order

The Children [Scotland] Order

We work within the Area Child Protection Committee guidelines.

We have a copy of the guidelines available for staff and parents to see.

We notify Ofsted of any incident or accident and any changes in our arrangements which affect the wellbeing of children

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. Back to top

Staffing

We provide adequate and appropriate staff to meet the needs of the children.

We abide by Ofsted requirements in respect of references and police checks for staff , to ensure that no disqualified person or unfit person works at the pre-school or has access to the children.

Volunteers do not work unsupervised.

We have procedures for recording the details of visitors to the pre-school.

We take steps to ensure that we have control over who comes into the pre-school so that no unauthorized person has access to the children.

If a member of staff is dismissed or internally disciplined because of misconduct relating to a child, we would notify the Department of Health. Back to top

Curriculum

We introduce key elements of child protection into our curriculum, so the children can develop an understanding of why and how to keep safe.

We try to create 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. Back to top

Complaints

We ensure that all parents know how to complain about staff or volunteer action within the pre-school, which may include an allegation of abuse.

We follow the guidance of the Area Child Protection Committee when investigating any complaint that a member of staff or volunteer has abused a child.

We follow all the disclosure and recording procedures when investigating an allegation of abuse. Back to top

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 abuse, this may be demonstrated through changes in their behaviour, or in their play. Where such changes occur or gives cause for concern, the pre-school will investigate.

We allow the investigation to be carried out with sensitivity. Staff take care not to influence the outcome through the way they speak to or question the children.

Where a child shows signs or symptoms of ?failure to thrive? or neglect, we make appropriate referrals. Back to top

Disclosures

Where a child makes a disclosure to a member of staff, that member of staff:

Offers reassurance to the child;
Listens to the child; and gives reassurance that she will take action.
The member of staff does not question the child. Back to top

Recording Suspicions of Abuse and Disclosures

Staff make a record of:

The child?s name, address and age.

The date and time of the observation or disclosure;

An objective record of the observation or disclosure, with the exact words spoken by the child;

The name of the person to whom the concern was reported, with the date and time; and 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. Back to top

Informing Parents

Parents are normally the first point of contact. If a suspicion of abuse is recorded, parents are informed at the same time, except where the guidance of the local Area Child Protection Committee 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 the parents.

All suspicions and investigations are kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know. Back to top

Support to Families

The pre-school takes every step in its power to build up a trusting and supportive relationship with families, staff and volunteers in the group.

The pre-school continues to welcome the child and family whilst investigations are being made.

With the proviso that the care and safety of the child is paramount, we do all in our power to support and work with the child?s family. Back to top