Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

At Little Explorers Nursery School, all staff are aware that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.  In order to promote children’s wellbeing, we work in partnership with families, as well other agencies, such as health visitors, where appropriate.  We ensure that the child’s wellbeing is always our main focus.

 

Safeguarding means:

protecting children from maltreatment;

preventing impairment of children’s health and development;

ensuring children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care;

taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

 

Child protection is the process of protecting a child identified as suffering from, or potentially suffering from, significant harm as a result of abuse or neglect.

 

The children in our care are our first priority.  If we have any cause for concern, we will telephone the Children’s Reception Team on 01329 225379 or 0300 555 1373 (out of hours), and fill in an interagency form, in accordance with Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership procedures. If we believe a child is at immediate risk, we will call 999.

 

United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child (UNCRC)

At Little Explorers Nursery School, we recognise our role in protecting the following children’s rights, as set out in the UNCRC:

Article 19 (protection from violence, abuse and neglect)

Governments must do all they can to ensure that children are protected from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and bad treatment by their parents or anyone else who looks after them

Article 33 (drug abuse)

Governments must protect children from the illegal use of drugs and from being involved in the production or distribution of drugs

Article 34 (sexual exploitation)

Governments must protect children from all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation

Article 35 (abduction, sale and trafficking)

Governments must protect children from being abducted, sold or moved illegally to a different place in or outside their country for the purpose of exploitation

Article 39 (recovery from trauma and reintegration)

Children who have experienced neglect, abuse, exploitation, torture or who are victims of war must receive special support to help them recover their health, dignity, self-respect and social life.

 

Abuse

Staff at Little Explorers Nursery School are aware of the signs and symptoms of child abuse, including physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect, domestic abuse and bullying, including female genital mutilation (FGM), breast ironing, online abuse, county lines and upskirting.

 

We recognise that children can abuse other children (child-on-child abuse).  We regularly observe children’s interactions and aim to form secure relationships with children, so they will speak to us if they are concerned about any aspects of their relationships with others.  We encourage families to contact us if they have any concerns.

​

Protected Characteristics

All staff are aware of the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act (2010):

age;  

gender reassignment; 

being married or in a civil partnership; 

being pregnant or on maternity leave; 

disability; 

race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin); 

religion or belief; 

sex; and  

sexual orientation.

 

At Little Explorers Nursery School, we are committed to valuing diversity and providing equitable opportunities for all children and their families (please refer to our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion policy). We are aware that children with protected characteristics may be at greater risk of harm, for example children with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) may be particularly vulnerable.  We recognise the additional barriers that may exist in identifying abuse and neglect of children with SEND.

​

Prevent Duty

Staff at Little Explorers Nursery School are aware that children are vulnerable to radicalisation, extremism and terrorism.  We are aware of the signs in both adults and children.  If we have any cause for concern, we will contact the Children’s Reception Team on 01329 225 379 or Hampshire Adult Services on 0300 555 1386, or 0300 555 1373 (out of hours). If we believe anyone is at immediate risk, we will call 999.

 

Online Safety

Children do not have unsupervised access to any devices connected to the internet at Little Explorers Nursery School. All staff are aware of how to keep children safe online through supervised access to the internet. We share advice with parents on how to ensure online safety outside the setting.

 

Procedures

Little Explorers Nursery School uses the following procedures to assist in safeguarding children.

 

Families must inform Little Explorers Nursery School, in advance, of any absences.  All uninformed absences will be followed up.  All reasons for absence will be recorded on our daily children’s register.

 

If children are not collected within 10 minutes of the agreed collection time and we have not received telephone contact from the family, we will call the provided contact numbers, including the emergency contact numbers, if necessary, and will continue to call these until we make contact.  If we are not able to make contact after a responsible amount of time (approximately 90 minutes from the original agreed collection time), then we will contact the local Safeguarding Team on 0300 555 1384.  If necessary, we will contact the police.

 

Children will only be released from our care to parent(s)/carer(s) with legal parental responsibility or to an adult named and authorised by them. Photographic identification and/or a password may be requested, so collecting adults should bring this with them. The security of the premises ensures that children cannot leave unsupervised.  If we know or suspect that adults collecting children are under the influence of alcohol or other substances, we will contact alternative authorised adults to collect children instead. Children arriving or departing nursery in a vehicle should be seated in a child car seat, in accordance with the law:  https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules

If we have any concerns, we will discuss these with families in the first instance, unless we suspect this may place children at risk of further harm.  Concern may arise from:

- significant changes in children’s behaviour;

- deterioration in children’s general wellbeing;

- unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect;

- children’s verbalisations;

- any reasons to suspect neglect or abuse (including domestic abuse) outside the setting, for example in children’s homes;

- inappropriate behaviour displayed by other members of staff or any other person working with the children (for example, inappropriate sexual comments, excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities, or inappropriate sharing of images).  

 

Where there is a concern, we will record the following information on a ‘Record of Concern’ form:

- the name of the subject of concern

- the date and time of the concern arising

- the name of the staff member making the record

- the name of any others present

- factual details of the concern, for example details of physical injuries and details of any information/explanation given by families

- details of action taken, such as discussions with families.

Where there are concerns, we may use the Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership’s Threshold Charts to guide our response. Copies of these are in the entrance hall for viewing at any time, by family members or staff.

 

Families must notify us of:        

- any concerns they have about children that could affect their behaviour or general wellbeing;

- all accidents, incidents or injuries affecting children.  Major events must be notified immediately in writing (WhatsApp message, text message or email).  Minor events must be notified at the start of the child’s next nursery session, using a ‘Pre-Existing Injuries Form’, if appropriate.

 

If children disclose to us that they are, or anyone else is, being abused, we will:

- show that we have heard what they are saying and that we take their allegations seriously;

- allow children to talk, without prompting or asking leading questions;

- not interrupt when children are recalling significant events;

- not make children repeat their accounts;

- explain what actions we must take, in a way that is developmentally appropriate;

- report to the Children’s Reception Team on 01329 225 379 or Hampshire Adult Services on 0300 555 1386, or 0300 555 1373 (out of hours). If we believe anyone is at immediate risk, we will call 999.

 

Where there is a disclosure, we will record the following information on a ‘Record of Disclosure’ form:

- the name of the individual making the disclosure

- the date and time of the disclosure

- the name of the staff member making the record

- details of any others present during the disclosure

- factual details of the disclosure, using the child’s exact words where possible.

- details of action taken.

 

If we suspect any professional, including a colleague, of abusing a child, we will not hesitate to whistleblow by informing the Local Area Designated Officer (by telephone on 01962 876 364, by email on child.protection@hants.gov.uk or using the LADO Notification form) and Ofsted (using the Serious Childcare Incident form). If we believe a child is at immediate risk, we will call 999. Staff are aware that anyone can abuse a child and are aware of how to whistleblow.  If a member of staff leaves the setting and we deem them no longer suitable to look after children, we will inform the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

 

In order to protect Little Explorers Nursery School, including all persons on the premises, from allegations, we will:

- ensure all members of staff have an enhanced DBS check;

- ensure staff do not use personal mobile phones unsupervised in the presence of children in the setting;

- ensure staff attend safeguarding and child protection training at least annually, as well as undertaking continuous professional development, including reviewing Serious Case Reviews;

- appoint a level 4 trained Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to ensure best practice in the setting;

- ensure staff do not give guarantees of confidentiality or secrecy to children or adults;

- ensure staff do not use inappropriate language or actions when speaking with children or families;

- ensure staff dress suitably for working with children;

- ensure staff only use physical restraint when deemed necessary, in accordance with our ‘Creating Supportive Environments’ policy, subsequently informing families and asking them to sign records (or recording if someone refuses to sign a record);

- inform families that physical contact, for example offering hugs to upset children, is an essential element of providing high quality care;

- ensure that any person under the 18 years of age, for example work experience students, are always supervised with children;

- ensure we check photographic identification for visitors, where appropriate;

- ensure all visitors read the ‘Information for Visitors’ and confirm this by signing the visitors’ book;

- ensure visitors do not have unsupervised access to the children under any circumstances;

- ensure visitors do not use mobile phones unsupervised in the presence of children in the setting;

- ensure that when visitors are working in the setting, children play in a separate area, where appropriate;

- document every accident, injury and incident that occurs whilst children are in our care, subsequently informing families and asking them to sign records (or recording if someone refuses to sign a record);

- note any marks on children when they arrive on a ‘Pre-Existing Injury Form’;

- ask parents to inform us of any accidents, injuries or incidents that have occurred whilst outside the setting;

- ask parents to inform us of any medication children have taken prior to attending each nursery session;

- keep accurate records for each child;

- teach children self-help skills to promote independence and confidence.  

 

In the event of an allegation against Little Explorers Nursery School, including any person on the premises, we will inform the Local Area Designated Officer (on 01962 876 364 or using the LADO Notification form) and Ofsted (using the Serious Childcare Incident form). We will also inform our insurance company.

 

Little Explorers Nursery School may not investigate any safeguarding concerns.  Our role is to make appropriate referrals and co-operate fully with any investigations.

 

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.  Anyone can use the contact details below to report concerns.

 

Contact phone numbers

Hampshire Children’s Services: 0300 555 1384 or 0300 555 1373 (out of hours)

Hampshire Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO): 01962 876 364

Hampshire Adult Services: 0300 555 1386 or 0300 555 1373 (out of hours)

Hampshire Police: 0845 045 4545

National Police: 101 (non-emergency) or 999 (emergency)

National Prevent Advice Line: 0800 011 3764

National Anti-Terrorist Hotline (immediate threat to life or property): 0800 789 321

Ofsted: 0300 123 1231

 

Please do not hesitate to ask any questions about our policies and procedures.

 

References

Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)

Early years foundation stage statutory framework (2024)

Keeping children safe in education (2024)

Children and Families Act (2014)

Children Act (1989; 2004)

Education inspection framework (2023)

Prevent duty guidance: for England and Wales (2023)

Equality Act (2010)

​

Reviewed September 2024