It is our policy to provide a secure and safe environment for all children
Aims
. We aim to:
1. Ensure children are never placed at risk whilst in the care of staff.
2. Ensure that confidentiality, with regard to all forms of records kept and progress discussions held, is maintained at all times.
3. Ensure staff are aware of child protection issues.
4. Ensure staff are familiar with the Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures and ensure that these procedures are followed.
Procedures
With regard to staff and students
The recommended employment procedures are followed, suitability checks carried out and references sought. All staff and students must have Enhanced Criminal Record Bureau clearances. While these checks are being carried out they are supervised by fully cleared staff at all times.
All staff are given induction training in safeguarding issues. It is expected all staff will attend a formal ‘Basic Safeguarding’ course if at all possible. All keyworker staff are expected to attend ‘Safeguarding for Practitioners. ’The person responsible for Safeguarding Children is the Kindergarten Head, Mrs. Harris and she has attended ‘Safeguarding for Managers’.
If a complaint is made about behaviour of any staff or student with regard to the welfare of a child a full investigation will be carried out by the Kindergarten Head. Complainants will be notified of the outcome within 28 days. A record of complaints is kept and appropriate information will be shared with parents on request. Depending on the circumstances and having obtained advice from Ofsted, the person about whom the complaint has been made will either be suspended or will only work under supervision until the investigation is complete.
Any person found to be guilty of any kind of abuse will be instantly dismissed.
With regard to parents and parers
Any observations on children made by staff, which are of concern will be reported the Kindergarten Head, recorded in the Kindergarten Incident Book and discussed with the child’s parents.
If the Kindergarten Head or any other member of staff considers a child is at risk from physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect this will be reported to Bedfordshire Children’s Services (Social Services) as required by the Children’s Act. Supporting evidence will be given to them and to parents.
With regard to other children
Bullying or aggressive behaviour is considered totally unacceptable. If any child is bullying, or is aggressive towards other children, the procedures in our Behaviour Management Policy will be followed. If the behaviour continues, despite additional input from staff and parents, and/or no support is received from the parents towards eliminating such behaviour it may be necessary to exclude the child either temporally or permanently from the Kindergarten in order to protect other children.