Safeguarding – Corby Glen Preschool

Safeguarding Children Policy

In accordance with the reformed EYFS 2021, Corby Glen Preschool will have regard to the Government’s Statutory Guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’. If our staff has concerns about children’s safety or welfare the setting will notify agencies with statutory responsibilities without delay. This means the local children’s social care services and in emergencies, the police.

Corby Glen Preschool fully recognises that it has a responsibility for safeguarding children. This policy applies to all staff, management and volunteers working in the setting, and the families accessing the setting.

The welfare of the children attending this setting is paramount and concerns about child abuse are taken seriously.
Recruitment procedures ensure the suitability of staff and volunteers working with children and will follow EYFS welfare requirements with regard to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and references.
Where there is a delay in obtaining the enhanced DBS check, staff will not have unsupervised contact with children.
All staff are expected to disclose any convictions, cautions, court orders, reprimands and warnings which may affect their suitability to work with children whether received before or during their employment at the setting. There is a process in place that provides staff with opportunities to share such information.
All staff are trained in the setting’s safeguarding policy and procedures within the first week of employment and will be required to attend safeguarding training regularly.
All staff are made aware of possible indicators of child abuse and the procedures for recording and reporting, through staff training both internal and external.
The staff will be made aware of the importance of recognising reporting 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 (see whistle blowing policy) through staff training, both internal and external.
Procedures are implemented for identifying, recording and reporting concerns.
The setting provides a safe environment in which children feel valued, can learn and develop, feel secure and are encouraged to talk and be listened to.
We work within the guidelines set out by the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children’s Board which are underpinned by the statutory document entitled ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ (refer to procedure).
A practitioner has been designated to take lead responsibility for safeguarding and liaising with local statutory children’s services and with by the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children’s Board
The designated lead practitioner is Catherine Earth.
The lead practitioner will provide support, advice, and guidance to any other staff on an on-going basis, and on any specific safeguarding issues as required.
The designated lead practitioner has accessed a level 2 taught course in safeguarding.
The use of mobile phones and cameras in the setting is covered in our safeguarding procedure and Data Protection policy/guidance.
The setting has a clear procedure that will be implemented when an allegation has been made against a member of staff. The settings disciplinary procedure will inform any action in the event of an allegation.
As a registered provider we will inform Ofsted of any allegations of serious harm or abuse by any person living, working or looking after the children at the premises (whether the allegations relate to harm or abuse committed on the premises or elsewhere).
The setting will also notify Ofsted of the action taken in respect of the allegations.
Where an allegation is upheld the setting will make a referral to the DBS, in accordance with our responsibilities under the Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Where there is an indication or evidence to suggest that a member of staff failed to execute their duty to safeguard a child/(ren) at the setting or elsewhere he/she will be subjected to the settings safeguarding and/or disciplinary procedure.
This policy will be implemented in conjunction with the safeguarding children procedure
Safeguarding children (child protection) concerns will be confidential and shared only on a need to know basis.
Information collected and stored will be done so in accordance to Data Protection Act 1998 and GDPR May 2018.

Advice and concerns regarding safeguarding children will be directed to:

Lincolnshire County Council Children Services Customer Service Centre (CSC): Office Hours: Tel. 01522 782111 or out of hours: Tel. 01522 782333
Lincolnshire Police – 0300 111 0300
Ofsted: Tel. 0300 123 1231

This policy has been adopted by Corby Glen Preschool.