Safeguarding

If you believe that a child is in immediate danger or at risk of harm, a referral should be made to the

MASH 0345 0507666 and/or the 

Police 101/999 immediately

If you believe that an adult who works with children is causing concern, and you are unable to contact a school DSL, a referral should be made to the the

LADO 01865 810603 or email

lado.safeguardingchildren@oxfordshire.gov.uk

What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding is the action that is taken to ensure a child’s welfare and protection from harm.

To safeguard children means to:

·         protecting them from abuse and maltreatment

·         preventing harm to their health or development

·         ensuring they grow up with the provision of safe and effective care

·         taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes

Child protection is part of the safeguarding process, focusing on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. This includes child protection procedures which detail how to respond to concerns about a child.  (REF NSPCC)

Safeguarding children and child protection guidance and legislation applies to all children up to the age of 18.

How We Safeguard Children in our Care

We carry out important procedures to ensure we meet our Safeguarding Obligations. 

·         Key Commitment 1

We are committed to building a 'culture of safety' in which children are protected from abuse and harm in all areas of our service delivery. 

·         Key Commitment 2

We are committed to responding promptly and appropriately to all incidents, allegations or concerns of abuse that may occur and to work with statutory agencies in accordance with the procedures that are set down in 'What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused' (HMG, 2015). 

·         Key Commitment 3

We are committed to promoting awareness of child abuse issues throughout our training and learning programmes for adults. We are also committed to empowering young children, through our early childhood curriculum, promoting their right to be strong, resilient and listened to.

Key Commitment 4

We are committed to identifying at an early stage children and families who will benefit from Early Help processes, ensuring a timely and appropriate action is taken.  DSL's liaise with the Local Safeguarding Partnership (LSP) to share knowledge of  the children's experiences with local leaders.

Staff Training & Understanding

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 Safeguarding Leads receive appropriate training, as recommended by the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB), every two years.  All staff undertake the Generalist Safeguarding Training every three years along with Prevent Training, and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).  Staff receive in-house training during the termly staff meetings.

 We ensure that all staff know the procedures for reporting and recording any concerns they may have about the provision and receive updates on safeguarding via emails, newsletters, online training and/or discussion at termly staff meetings.

Staff will demonstrate professional curiosity when speaking with the children and their families.

Supporting our Families

We believe in building trusting and supportive relationships with families, staff and volunteers. We also make  it clear to parents our role and responsibilities in relation to child protection, such as the reporting of concerns, information sharing, monitoring of the child and liaising at all times with the local children’s social care team. 

We will continue to welcome the child and the family whilst investigations are being made in relation to any alleged abuse and follow the Child Protection Plan as set by the child’s social care worker in relation to the setting's designated role and tasks in supporting that child and their family, subsequent to any investigation. 

Confidential records kept on a child are shared with the child's parents or those who have parental responsibility for the child in accordance with the Confidentiality and Client Access to Records procedure and only if appropriate under the guidance of the LSCB

To find out more you can download our up to date safeguarding policy here.