Child Protection

 It is part of the Head Start philosophy to create a caring and secure environment where children are safe from abuse and in which any suspicion of abuse is responded to promptly and efficiently. The designated person for ensuring this is the Head Teacher.

All applicants for work within Head Start, whether voluntary or paid, will need to complete an application form and be interviewed by the Head teacher and Head Nursery Nurse. On appointment references will be sought and the necessary Criminal Records Board checks carried out. References cannot be photocopies or a testimonial from a previous employer. Appointments will be subject to a probationary period and only confirmed by the Head Teacher when the appropriate information has been obtained. As from September 2009, it will also be the responsibility of the successful applicant to register with the Vetting and Barring Scheme in order to work at the setting.

All staff are involved in recognising the symptoms of possible neglect and physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Training opportunities will be offered whenever available.

The design of the premises permits the constant supervision of the children. No member of staff will be left alone for long periods with individual children or with a small group. If a staff member needs to accompany a child out of the main area, doors will be left ajar or another staff member will assist.

Through personal and social development, children will be encouraged to develop the self-confidence and independence to make choices and resist inappropriate behaviour.

Enquiries will be made if there is a change in the behaviour/appearance of a child. Explanations will be sought if or when a child arrives at the school with an injury. The parents will naturally be the first point of reference, but not in all cases. In the event that the Head Teacher has further cause for concern, the necessary advice would be sought from the Named Nurse/Health Visitor Child Protection or the North West Cambridgeshire Children and Families Team, contact information held with this policy.

Confidentiality on all occasions is paramount but the primary responsibility is the safety of the child. Cambridgeshire Local Safeguarding Children Board has procedures laid down to follow in the case of suspected abuse and the Head Teacher has a duty to inform Social Services. They in turn are legally required to investigate.

If an allegation is made against an adult at Head Start, the provider in the first instance will ensure that the child is safe and will document everything. Advice may be sought from a support officer but contact will be made with the Local Authority Designated Officer on 01223 727967 who will notify Ofsted. The provider will not personally investigate and will consider suspending the member of staff. The LADO will decide whether it is a child protection case. If it considers it to be so, the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures will be applied and the LADO will gather information and consult with relevant professionals. A complex strategy meeting will be arranged which is a multi agency meeting chaired by the LADO to exchange information and decide on formal investigation process, which may include a police investigation.

If the LADO decides that there is no child protection case it will not take any further action. The childcare provider will investigate the allegation as part of the disciplinary procedure. Support for this is available from the Childcare Business and Employer Support Team who will feed back the results to the Local Authority Designated Officer.