Safeguarding Children Policy

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). Oxford Brookes University Nursery takes seriously its responsibility under Section 11 of the Children Act 1989 and duties under Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 to promote the welfare of children. Also, to work together with other agencies to ensure adequate arrangements exist within our setting to identify and support those children who are suffering harm or are likely to suffer harm.

The role of staff

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 and give rise to concerns. Our staff are particularly important as they are in a position to identify concerns early, provide help for children and prevent concerns from escalating.

  • Our setting has a trained Safeguarding Lead Professional (Shane Page) who will provide support to staff to carry out their safeguarding duties and who will liaise closely with other services such as children’s social care.
  • In addition to the Lead Professional we also have 5 other members of staff who all attended the Specialist Safeguarding training and can take on the role of Designated Lead in Shane’s absence. These staff are: Sarah Hinkin, Gemma Buy, Bernie Gaughan, Megan Hale and Vikki Millar.
  • The Lead Professional and additional Designated Leads are most likely to have a complete safeguarding picture and be the most appropriate people to advise on the response to safeguarding concerns.
  • All staff should be prepared to identify children who may benefit from early help. Early help means providing support as soon as a problem emerges at any point in a child’s life.
  • Any staff member who has a concern about a children’s welfare should follow the referral processes as detailed at the end of this policy. Staff should expect to support Social Workers and other agencies following any referral.
  • Staff should understand that their responsibility to safeguard children requires that we all appropriately share any concerns that we may have about children.
  • Staff should support the child’s development in ways that will foster security, confidence and resilience.
  • Staff should provide an environment in which children feel safe, secure, valued and respected and feel confident about approaching adults if they are in difficulties.
  • Staff should provide a systematic means of monitoring children known or thought to be at risk of harm and ensure they contribute to assessments of need and support plans for those children where appropriate.
  • Staff should ensure that detailed and accurate written records of concerns about a child are kept even if there is no need to make an immediate referral.  

This policy was reviewed and amended in November 2021.

Appendix 1: Types and definitions of abuse

Abuse is a form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others. They may be abused by an adult or adults or another child or children.

There are many forms of abuse and the following list is by no means exhaustive:

Appendix 2: Making a safeguarding referral

Step 1: Seek advice from the Lead Professional or one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads.

Step 2: Discuss concerns with child’s family/carer as appropriate.

Step 3: If further action deemed necessary, either:

  • Contact LCSS for advice and guidance - 0345 241 2705
  • Contact MASH if immediate safeguarding concern - 0845 050 7666

Step 4: Complete EHA/TAF or MASH referral.

Step 5: Appropriate action taken.