CHILD PROTECTION

GUIDANCE for POLICY and PROCEDURE

CHILD PROTECTION IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERYONE!

Child protection begins by safeguarding the well-being of children. We aim to create an environment in which children are safe from harm and abuse.

In order to do this the provision will:

Exclude known abusers

Ensure good practice

Provide training

Support families

Keep accurate records

Respond appropriately to suspicion of abuse

Liaise with other agencies

Ensure safeguarding training to meet individual roles within the childcare and play work sector are maintained.

Have regard for the following legislation:

Safeguarding Children: Working Together To Safeguard Children (2018) under the Children Act 2004 (www.wales.gov.uk) and ‘What to do if your worried if a child is being abused (2015)’

Social Services and Well-being Act 2014

Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Act 2020

The welfare of the children is paramount and any suspicion of abuse must be responded to promptly and appropriately. We ensure that the two key principles of safeguarding and protecting children is everybody’s responsibility and a child centered approach.

Powys, along with Carmarthen, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire have now joined together to form Mid and West Wales Safeguarding Board.

CYSUR regions have formed a Local Operational sub group which has been named PLOG (Powys Local Operational Group).

Powys is now part of the ERW consortium.

Exclude known abusers

Successful applicants will only start employment subject to two references, one of which has to be from last employer and a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) has been checked and verified.

In addition, all volunteers helping in the session will be subject to the same checks as paid staff.

Anybody who has access to children and/or records will be subject to a DBS check this includes: Playgroup Governors, staff, and volunteers (including parent/guardian helpers).

Warning:

The above-mentioned DBSs are subject to change at any given time.

Ensure good practice

The designate Child Protection officer of the school is Mr Simon Hosking. (Head Teacher/RI)

The deputy Child Protection officer of the school is Mr Adam Wright

The Safeguarding Governor of the school is Mr Richard Walters.

The settings Child Protection Officer (person in charge of the setting) is Miss Claire Parsons

Contact Details as follows:

Ysgol Y Cribarth

School Road

Abercraf

Swansea

SA91XD

01639731500

The person in charge of the service (Miss Claire Parsons) is responsible for Child Protection within the setting and will ensure all information is referred to the Child Protection officer or deputy: Mr S Hosking/Mr A Wright.

If the Child Protection officers are unavailable, then the person in charge is to contact Social Services.

The Local Authority Officer and relevant CIW Inspector will be informed of all allegations that come to our settings attention.

All applicants applying for work within the provision, both paid and unpaid, will be interviewed before appointment and asked to provide two references. All references must be followed up.

Children will be supervised at all times by a responsible DBS checked adult.

All adults, both paid and unpaid, will be subject to a probationary period and will not be confirmed in post until the provision is confident the applicant can be safely entrusted with children.

There are no circumstances in which children will be punished by smacking, slapping, shaking or any other means. Humiliating or frightening methods of punishment will also not be used.

All visitors will sign in and out on arrival and people must state the purpose for visiting. Children will not be left alone with visitors in the provision.

Students will be closely supervised at all times by a responsible DBS checked adult.

Children will only be collected from the provision by an authorised adult known to the provision, which is clearly stated on a child’s collection form and in our HomeLink file. Unless otherwise arranged with the setting manager.

The person in charge (Miss C Parsons) will ensure all staff and volunteers have knowledge of, access to, and are informed of any amendments to the WALES SAFEGUARDING Procedures` www.safeguarding.wales and have regard to Safeguarding Children: Working Together under the Children Act 2004. Staff will be encouraged to download the app to their mobile devices for instant support and updates.

Children will be accompanied at all times by authorised adults when taking part in the provision’s external activities, e.g., walks, visit to the local shops etc.

We will complete an annual self-evaluation audit (see safeguarding/child protection audit form) to identify good practice and areas of development.

Training

All staff and volunteers will be required to attend the appropriate child protection training under CIW NMS.

All Staff have recently attended Child Protection training. Training is reviewed every 3 years.

On-going training PREVENT and FMG is completed annually.

The designated member of staff in the provision will ensure all staff and volunteers have awareness of, and access to, local authority Child Protection courses; or any other appropriate courses.

Staff will be made aware of and have access to all information, policies and procedures relating to the safeguarding of children including categories of abuse: physical, emotional, sexual and neglect.

Physical abuse can be defined as any intentional act causing injury or trauma to another person by way of bodily contact. In most cases, children are the victims of physical abuse, but adults can also be victims, as in cases of domestic violence or workplace aggression.

Emotional abuse is the ongoing emotional maltreatment or emotional neglect of a child. It's sometimes called psychological abuse and can seriously damage a child's emotional health and development. Emotional abuse can involve deliberately trying to scare, humiliate a child, isolating, or ignoring them.

Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is usually undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or (often pejoratively) molester.

Neglect is the ongoing failure to meet a child's basic needs and is the most common form of child abuse. A child may be left hungry or dirty, without adequate clothing, shelter, supervision, medical or health care. A child may be put in danger or not protected from physical or emotional harm.

Supporting families

The provision will endeavour to build trusting and supportive relationships between families, staff and volunteers.

The provision believes the care and safety of the child is paramount and will do all it can to support and work with the child's family.

Where abuse is suspected at home or elsewhere, the provision will continue to support the child and family whilst investigations proceed.

Confidential records on a child will be shared with the child's parents, except in cases in which parents are implicated and evidence gives rise for concern.

If practitioners/volunteers or parents feel that concerns have not been dealt with to their sanctification, then they should follow the complaints procedure which is available on our website or at the provision.

Keep accurate records

Whenever worrying changes are observed in a child's behaviour or physical condition, or if there is an injury, a confidential record is set up. Known in the setting as the ‘Concerns record’.

The record will include (in addition to the child's name, address, age and date) observations of the child's behavior/appearance, without comment or interpretation.

Exact words spoken by the child may also be recorded, timed, dated, and signed by the recorder.

Such records must be kept confidential and should not be accessible to anyone in the provision other than the designated member of staff who will inform the registered person/responsible individual person as appropriate. The records are filed away and the cupboard is locked.

Respond appropriately to suspicion of abuse

All adults have a duty of care to safeguard children and respond appropriately to any situation where they feel the child’s welfare is at risk.

Changes in a child's behavior or injuries will be monitored and recorded and action taken when appropriate.

Disclosure of abuse by a child:

Whilst this can be an alarming situation. It is very important that you know what to do in such an eventuality and for you to be able to stay calm and controlled.

Listen to what is being said without displaying shock or disbelief. Accept what is being said.

Allow the child to talk freely, listen rather than ask direct questions.

Re-assure the child, but do not make promises that might not be possible to keep.

Do no promise confidentiality but explain to the child that you have to tell the person in charge in order for you to help them (Miss Claire Parsons-Setting Manager & Child Protection Officer)/ head teacher (Mr. Simon Hosking-School/RI Child Protection Officer)

Do not interrogate the child or ask leading questions.

Reassure the child that it is not their fault.

Stress that it was right to tell.

Make them aware that their disclosure will be reported only to those what need to know and can help.

Record details of the disclosure immediately, using the record of concerns, including wherever possible the exact words or phrases used by the child. Sign and date the record.

Report you concerns and give your written record to the Child Protection officer to enable the matter to be dealt with in the most appropriate way.

Be aware of your own feelings about abuse and find someone you can share your feelings with once the procedures have been completed.

It is important to remember the children’s details, names must remain confidential, and any discussion that you may feel you need to undertake does not allow the child to be identified to anyone else.

Parents will normally be the first point of contact, unless it is deemed that the child would be at risk.

The designated person can refer to the child protection officer, NSPCC, Social Services duty team (Front door Powys) or the police for guidance.

If an allegation of child abuse is made against a member of staff/adult/volunteer, it is essential that procedures are followed and the complaint investigated by social services immediately.

Powys front door telephone number: 01597827666

It is essential that the investigation carried out by social services be dealt with without discrimination.

If there are grounds for suspecting abuse, these will be referred to the Social Services, CIW and the Local Authority Officer: Mr. Michael Gedrim.

All reported suspicions and referrals to Social Services will be kept confidential and provision will be guided by Social Services.

If the accusation is in relation to a member of staff, they will be suspended on full pay until the investigation by social services is complete. CIW should be informed if there is a breach of regulations and the police/social services informed where the complaint appears to be upheld.

If the accusation is in relation to a volunteer, they will be excluded from the provision until the investigation carried out by social services is complete.

Further advice can be taken from the Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB) and advice on employment can be sought from ACAS (The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) on 0300 123 1100

ACAS

(Acas) is a Crown non-departmental public body of the Government of the United Kingdom. Its purpose is to improve organisations and working life through the promotion and facilitation of strong industrial relations practice.

Thousands of employers call the Helpline every week for free advice about issues in the workplace. Helpline 0300 123 1100 Many of them want to make sure that they are correctly following employment law and working in line with best practice.

Knowledgeable advisers are here to help within the hours below:

Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

To speak to us in another language, call the helpline on 0300 123 1100 and ask for an interpreter. We can provide one straight away.

If you cannot hear or speak on the phone, you can contact us using Relay UK text relay: 18001 0300 123 1100.

Whistle blowing

If a member of staff/volunteer/adult is suspected, seen or known to abuse a child at any time and in any way child protection referral procedures must be followed and CIW informed.

Failure to report suspected abuse will result in disciplinary action being taken.

Anyone suspected of abuse will be suspended pending an investigation by social services. However, in some circumstances where it is clear that gross misconduct in relation to Child Protection Procedures is evident, then the employee will be dismissed under disciplinary and dismissal procedures.

The Person in Charge must refer any concerns to the social services intake and assessment team. The manager or the responsible/registered person will be willing to attend a child protection case conference if a meeting is called at the request of the Social Services Child Protection Coordinator.

LIAISE WITH OTHER BODIES

The provision will operate within WALES SAFEGUARDING Procedures and local authority guidelines.

Confidential records on children about whom there is a concern, should be shared with the Social Services, and any other relevant service such as CIW and the police, whilst careful consideration is taking into account to protect the identify of those not involved.

SOCIAL SERVICES INTAKE AND ASSESSMENT TEAM

Contact details are: -

Hendre Ladus, Social Services, Ystradgynlais

Telephone number:

01639 844595

Out of Hours Telephone number:

08450 544 847

CIW

Contact details are: -

Elin Davies

elin.davies2@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Alternatively:

South West Wales – Carmarthen

Telephone: 0300 7900 126

Fax: 0872 437 7303

ciw.southwest@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Government Buildings
Picton Terrace
Carmarthen
SA31 3BT

LOCAL AUTHORITY

Contact details are: -

Powys County Hall
Spa Road East
Llandrindod Wells
Powys
LD1 5LG

Email: customer@powys.gov.uk

General enquiries:

01597 826000

Powys front door

01597 827666

Phone - 01597 827666 (Option 1, Option 1) to speak to a member of staff.

Police

Emergency999

Call 999 in emergency situation

Hearing or speech impairments: If you have a hearing or speech impairment and you’ve pre-registered with the emergency SMS service, you can use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999.

If you're a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can call 999 BSL to use a remote BSL interpreter.

Non-emergency101

Call 101 for non-emergency enquiries.

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18001 101.

SignLive

If you use British Sign Language (BSL) you can contact 101 using a Video Relay Service provided by SignLive.

Signed……………………………………. Date………………….

June 2024