STATEMENT
Children have a right to protection from being hurt and from violence, abuse and neglect (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 19)
Most injuries to children are accidental and can be simply explained. Bruises, scrapes and cuts are part of the normal rough and tumble of a young child’s life.
There are, however, some children who suffer injuries that are not accidental. The nursery staff have a duty to report any serious concerns they may have about a child to Oxfordshire’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). Staff are aware of the sensitivity of this issue and of the confidentiality involved.
The nursery staff’s duty must be to support the family but above all, to ensure the protection of the child at all times.
The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub supplies support for families whose children are in need of safeguarding to promote their welfare and upbringing.
All staff should be aware of the possible indications of abuse and neglect and the procedure for dealing with suspected cases. Training is reviewed regularly to support this.
REFERRALS OF CHILD ABUSE
If a child arrives at nursery with injuries the staff should:
- Ensure immediate medical attention, if necessary
- Ask the parent/carer how the injuries occurred (explanations, however puzzling, should be accepted and accusations must not be made)
- Make a written record by completing a home incident form, including diagrams of observations and explanations given – have a witness wherever possible. This recording of information is to ensure that reasonably full and clear information is obtained in order to be able to make an appropriate referral if necessary.
- If there is a real concern that the injuries have been caused by assault or a failure to protect the child, the manager or person in charge must be notified immediately. The person in charge will then contact
Oxfordshire’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub on 0845 050 7666
SUSPICION OF ABUSE
If through conversation or other contact with a child, a staff member has reason to suspect physical, sexual or emotional abuse or neglect, they should do the following:
- Listen to what the child says. Be comforting and sympathetic. Ensure that the child feels as little responsibility as possible.
- It is particularly important not to make any suggestions to the child regarding how the incident may have happened, therefore do not question the child, except to clarify what he/she is saying.
- Write down exactly what the child says, what actions concern you and what you have said in response. Sign and date it.
- Do not make assumptions about what the allegations might concern. If a member of staff is involved, appropriate steps must be taken to ensure the safety of the child and other children.
- Inform the manager, or person in charge, of your suspicions so that, if deemed appropriate, they can contact Oxfordshire’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub on 0845 050 7666
- Once a child is referred an assessment will be made of the child’s needs.
If a staff member has reported a concern about a child who the management team decide not to refer at this stage, it is the responsibility of any member of staff unhappy with this decision to make their own referral.
ALLEGATIONS AGAINST A MEMBER OF STAFF
To protect the children, all staff who work in the nursery are required to have completed a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS). It is our practice for those staff waiting for their check to clear and other visitors/helpers to always be supervised and never left alone with the children.
If a member of staff suspects a colleague of abusing a child they must report it to the manager or person in charge immediately. The member of staff concerned would be suspended from duties immediately, pending a full enquiry.
Any member of staff who has had an allegation made against them should be aware that they can contact Ofsted – tel: 0300 123 1231, who will be able to offer them support and advice.
SUBSEQUENT ACTION
Following any referral of abuse, enquiries will be undertaken by Social Services and possibly the Police. Staff may be required to provide statements and attend an initial Child Protection Conference.
Ofsted would be informed of any action taken.
PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH IRATE PARENTS
In the unlikely event that a parent starts to act in an aggressive or abusive way at the nursery, the member of staff should direct the parent away from the children and into a private area such as the office. If the area is out of view, a second member of staff should be in attendance. The staff should act in a calm and professional way and ask the parent to calm down, whilst making it clear that we cannot tolerate aggressive or abusive language or behaviour. Once the parent calms down, the member of staff should then listen to their concerns and respond appropriately.
CONFIDENTIALITY
The nursery has a right to share any information regarding child protection with other childcare professionals. All information will be kept confidential.
MOBILE PHONES AND CAMERAS
Mobile phones are strictly prohibited from the children’s rooms and garden. Staff and visitors are required to keep their phones in their bags or lockers upstairs in the staff areas. Parents are not permitted to use mobiles in nursery. Photographs can only be taken by nursery cameras and be used for displays or the children’s profiles.
NAMED SAFEGUARDING CO-ORDINATORS
We have two named people for safeguarding children in the nursery and they will attend all training and relevant meetings available to gain information with regard to up-to-date issues. This information will be used to support the nursery team.
The designated named people for safeguarding are : Louise Brooks (lead); Julie Marshall (second); Jenny Millard (third)
WELFARE AND CARE OF YOUNG CHILDREN SAFEGUARDING
At the nursery,the Safeguarding of children is paramount and every adult’s responsibility, it underpins everything the Nursery hopes to achieve. In every case the legal rights of the child will be our first consideration regardless of the social, ideological or cultural views of their carers. The nursery is committed to working with Parents/Carers in an open, honest, and trusting way, and we strive to support families at an early stage before any difficulties being experienced reach crisis level. Any concerns about a child will be discussed with the parent/carer will be treated sensitively and in confidence. We acknowledge that the child’s parents/carers provide ongoing care for the child, and we will always work in partnership for the benefit of the child. We recognise that adults within the Nursery may be the first to become aware that there are safeguarding concerns regarding a child in their care.
All staff, students and volunteers are given written and verbal information on child protection procedures in the form of Nursery policy, and the Department of Education’s “Keeping children safe in education” (March 2015). Nursery staff will also have regular supervision sessions with their line managers where any concerns regarding the care of any child can be raised and/or training needs will be discussed, however staff have a duty to raise concerns as soon as this can be done confidentially. The Nursery has a Designated Child Protection Person (DCPP) who will be responsible for the overseeing safeguarding within the Nursery. In addition there is also a named “back up” to this role in case of absence.
This person’s role is to:
• Work closely with, and discuss any concerns with the nursery manager to ensure that all children are cared for in a safe and stimulating environment.
• Attend regular enhanced safeguarding training to stay up to date with best practice and any legislative changes. They will also ensure all staff is inducted in the nursery’s safeguarding procedure, receive training and understand how to raise a concern.
• Where appropriate liaise with Oxfordshire Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
•Liaise and be understanding if a member of staff or parent wants to approach them with any concerns, and assist in the completion of a “Keeping children safe” record if required.
• Attend child protection conferences if one is called by the local authority.
• Carefully monitor the attendance and well being of any child subject to a child protection plan and inform the child protection line immediately of any further concerns.
• Feedback to staff team on any training given or changes in guidelines/procedures.
• Ensure that all staff are made aware of the importance of confidentiality.
• Ensure that if the Nursery does allow internet or other media access to the children that it is age appropriate and safeguards have been taken.
Definitions of abuse:
Physical abuse: Physical abuse is deliberately hurting a child causing injuries such as bruises, broken bones, burns or cuts. It isn’t accidental – children who are physically abused suffer violence such as being hit, kicked, being thrown or having objects thrown at them, poisoned, burning or scalding, slapped, drowning, suffocating. Shaking or hitting young children can cause non-accidental head injuries (NAHI). Sometimes parents or carers will make up or cause the symptoms of illness in their child, perhaps giving them medicine they don’t need and making the child unwell – this is known as fabricated or induced illness (FII).
Emotional abuse: Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment or emotional neglect of a child. It’s sometimes called psychological abuse and can seriously damage a child’s emotional health and development. Emotional abuse can involve deliberately trying to scare or to silence a child. Humiliate a child of what they say or how they communicate. Isolating or ignoring them, making them feel worthless, unloved and inadequate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations imposed on children such as interactions that are beyond the child’s developmental capability and overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve serious bullying (including cyberbullying), causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, thought it may occur alone.
Domestic abuse: Domestic abuse is any type of controlling, bullying, threatening or violent behavior between people in all sorts of relationships, across all communities, faiths and cultures, committed by men, women and children. It isn’t just physical violence, and includes any emotional, physical, sexual, financial or psychological abuse. Witnessing domestic abuse is child abuse and it can have a very serious impact on a child’s behavior and wellbeing, even if they are not directly harmed themselves. A child witnessing domestic violence is recognized as ‘significant harm’ in law. Domestic violence can seriously harm children and young people and they can be at risk of other types of abuse too. Children can experience domestic abuse or violence in lots of different ways. They may see the abuse, hear it from another room, see a parent’s injuries and become distressed afterwards, be hurt by being nearby or trying to stop the abuse.
Sexual abuse: A child is sexually abused when they are forced or enticed to take part in sexual activity. This doesn’t have to be physical contact, and it can happen online. Sometimes the child won’t understand that what’s happening to them is abuse. They may not even understand that it’s wrong. Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children. The activities may involve sexual touching of any part of the body, clothed or unclothed, including using an object, assault by penetration, including rape or penetration of the mouth with an object or part of the body, kissing, encouraging a child to engage in sexual activity or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, sexual acts with someone else or making a child strip or masturbate, intentionally engaging in sexual activity in front of a child, not taking proper measures to prevent a child being exposed to sexual activities by others, meeting a child following sexual grooming with the intent of abusing them, taking, making, allowing someone to take, distributing, showing or advertising indecent images of children, paying for the sexual services of a child, encouraging a child into prostitution or pornography, showing a child images of sexual activity, including photographs, videos or via webcams.
There are two different types of child sexual abuse. These are called contact abuse and non-contact abuse.
Contact abuse is where an abuser makes physical contact with a child, including penetration. Non-contact abuse covers other acts where the abuser doesn’t touch the child, such as grooming, exploitation, persuading children to perform sexual acts over the internet and flashing.
Neglect: Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Sometimes this is because the Parent/Carer does not have the skills or support needed, and sometimes it’s due to other problems such as mental health issues, drug and alcohol problems or poverty. They may not get the love, care and attention they need from their primary carers. A child who’s neglected will often suffer from other abuse as well. Neglect is dangerous and can cause serious, long-term damage, even death.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) FGM: Is the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It’s also known as female circumcision, cutting or sunna. There are four types which are all are illegal and have serious health risks. It is nearly always carried out on minors (between infancy and age 15). Religious, social or cultural reasons are sometimes given for FGM. However, FGM is child abuse. It’s dangerous and a criminal offence. There are no medical reasons to carry out FGM. It doesn’t enhance fertility and it doesn’t make childbirth safer. It is used to control female sexuality and can cause severe and long-lasting damage to physical and emotional health. FGM has been a criminal offence in the UK since 1985. In 2003 it also became a criminal offence for UK nationals or permanent UK residents to take their child abroad to have female genital mutilation.
Forced marriage: A forced marriage is where one or both people do not (or in cases of people with learning disabilities, cannot) consent to the marriage and pressure or abuse is used. It is recognized in the UK as a form of violence against women and men, domestic and child abuse and a serious abuse of human rights. The pressure put on people to marry against their will can be physical (including threats, actual physical violence and sexual violence) or emotional and psychological (for example, when someone is made to feel like they’re bringing shame on their family).
Children who are suffering one type of abuse are usually suffering another type of abuse or neglect at the same time but this isn’t always the case. There’s no excuse for abusing a child. It causes serious, and often long-lasting, harm – and in severe cases, death. Nursery staff must be alert to the signs of child abuse and aware of factors they may make abuse more likely, although they must not engage in stereotypical or judgemental behaviour. Staff should be observant of:
• The relationship between the child and his/her Parent/Carer.
• The child’s reaction to other people.
• Any comments made by the child and/or Parents/Carers which cause concern.
This may include any views that may be considered extremist (Prevent strategy) and may result in radicalisation of vulnerable people.
• Any changes to the appearance, health, or behaviour of the child.
• Injuries that immediately arouse suspicion that they of a non-accidental nature.
• Inappropriate behaviour displayed by other members of staff.
• The emotional effect of adult’s language, tone of voice etc. on a child.
• Presence of mental health, drug/alcohol dependency or domestic abuse in the family setting. These are referred to as the “toxic trio” and any one of these factors increases the chances of abuse, the presence of all three is a major cause for concern.
• A knowledge that a child has a history of “looked after” by the state (fostered, adopted etc).
• Any additional needs the child may have that may make them more venerable to abuse. • Age inappropriate reference made by the child to websites, films, T.V, magazines etc.
• Inconsistency between information provided by different carers and the child.
• The fact that they may be working with parents, students or colleagues under the age of 18 and that they have a duty towards the safeguarding of these people as well as the children who attend the Nursery.
• Their own promotion of the ethos of the Nursery and “British” values as described by the Department of Education including the right of the individual regardless of age. The Nursery will request on the child information record if the family is involved with social services, this is to better support the family and allow “joined up” care for the child.
We ask that parents/carers inform us of any injury that their child receives outside the nursery, and staff will inform parents of any injury that their child receives while in our care. In both cases an accident/incident form must completed by staff, and the parent/carer asked to sign it.
If a member of staff notices an injury after the parent/carer has left the child, they should ask the child (if s/he is able to verbally communicate) how the injury occurred and make a careful note of the explanation. Do not ask the child any leading questions or investigate the allegations yourself.
It may be necessary to contact the parent/carer to ask them how the injury occurred and make a note of the explanation. Staff will then be supported by the DCPP in the completion of a “Keeping children safe” record which goes onto the child’s secure file. This concern alone may not indicate abuse, and may not warrant referral to a child protection agency. However, single issues when seen in a cumulative way over a period of time or with other professionals may support a referral. Staff will always speak to Parents/Carers about concerns, which are being noted and record their response, unless it would place the child in significant harm. If concerns about an injury are raised after a Parent/Carer has left the child, the childcare worker should ask the child gently and sensitively how the injury happened.
Judgement must then be made on whether or not the injury fits the explanation and, if it does, is the cause within normal acceptable limits of behaviour.
There are child protection concerns:
• If the explanation from the Parent/Carer is not consistent with the injury.
• If the child discloses something of concern.
• If there is concern for the health, safety, and well being of the child.
Disclosure of abuse by a child.
If through conversation with the child you have cause to suspect abuse you should:
• Remain calm.
• Listen to what the child says, in a comforting and sympathetic way.
• Ensure that the child feels as little responsibility as possible.
• It is particularly important not to make suggestions to the child about how the incident may have happened.
• Only ask questions to clarify something they have said-do not ask leading questions.
• Do not make assumptions about who the allegation may concern and do not attempt to investigate the concern yourself.
• Write down exactly what the child says and how you responded.
Sign and date this record. All information must be recorded without opinion by the member of staff who highlighted the cause for concern.
Suspicion of abuse and neglect:
If through other contact/observation you have cause to suspect abuse/neglect you should:
• Bring it to the attention of the DCPP, who will in turn report to the manager.
• Continue to undertake systematic observation of the child’s behaviour.
• Write down what concerns you and why using the “cause for concern” form.
• All information must be recorded by the member of staff who highlighted the cause for concern within 24 hours. The Nursery may conduct home visits prior to a child starting at the Nursery with consent of the family. Two members of staff (usually the keyperson and the deputy manager/DCPP) must go on these visits and if any safeguarding concerns arise during the visit, the LADO must be consulted as soon as possible. A decision must be made by the DCPP in conjunction with the manager, about how to deal with the concerns. A written Common Assessment Framework (CAF) record of the decision must be made, and be held in the child’s file. Whilst it is necessary for the DCPP to notify the manager that there is a child protection concern, they do not have to wait for a response from the manager to take action, particularly if there are major concerns that threaten the immediate health and well being of the child. The childcare staff must continue to care for the child in the usual way. Staff members caring for the child must be made aware of the situation as far as is necessary, and must receive clear guidance from the DCPP as to what their actions should be. Where possible the Parent/Carer must be provided by the DCPP with a careful explanation about our concerns, our duty to meet the needs of the child, and our responsibility to act within safeguarding of children guidelines. Another staff member must accompany the DCPP during these discussions. The Parent/Carer will be clearly advised of what action will be taken, but not if staff feels that to advise the Parent/Carer of concerns will put the child or themselves at any risk. If a referral is to be made to the MASH or LADO the DCPP (or their backup) must do this. They should be supported in making such a referral by the Manager. The LADO of the child’s home local authority should be contacted (details in their file). A written record must be made of everything, including our concern/observations, the Parent/Carers’ response (where appropriate), the contact with the child protection agency, and the action which will follow. This will need to be shared with child’s LADO, Oxford County Council MASH and the Police. Close staff co-operation with the child protection agency is essential during this procedure, and any subsequent actions. Throughout the procedure support should be offered to the family where appropriate, and managers need to be aware of the support needed by staff who may have initiated the process. When a child moves onto school or a new setting, any safeguarding concerns -The Nursery has a duty to share any information regarding child protection with other statutory children’s services and the police. All information will be kept confidential. If an allegation is made against a member of staff, student or volunteer it is the Nursery manager’s role to inform the Oxford County Council MASH and Ofsted within 14 days. The Nursery manager will then contact their line manager and inform them of the allegations. The manager will then conduct a fact finding exercise, whilst fact finding takes place the member of staff accused will be suspended until a report has been concluded. Confidentiality will be maintained at all times and the staff team, parents/carers will not be told why the member of staff is suspended. If allegations are found to be true this will result in instant dismissal, and the police informed. It is the DCPP’s responsibility to report any individual to the Disclosure and Barring Service if they (or anyone they live with) are found unsuitable to be working with children for any reason. If an allegation is made against the Nursery manager, their line manager must be informed immediately and will deal with the allegation in the same way as above.
Contact Numbers: