Safeguarding Children An overview.

Who is responsible? Do I have a safeguarding responsibility in my setting/placement? Discuss in groups of 4 or 5

Responsibility Safeguarding children - the action we take to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm - is everyone's responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play. (Working Together to Safeguard Children Department for Education Statutory Guidance 2015)

Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2014) Providers must take all necessary steps to keep children safe and well. The Safeguarding and welfare requirements are mandatory for all Early Years settings and explain what early years providers must do to: safeguard children; ensure the suitability of adults who have contact with children; promote good health; manage behaviour; and maintain records, policies and procedures. In your groups spend 10 mins listing some of the ways Early Years settings ensure the safeguarding of children.

Policies and Procedures Child Protection: Providers must be alert to any issues for concern in the child’s life at home or elsewhere. Providers must have and implement a policy, and procedures, to safeguard children. These should be in line with the guidance and procedures of the relevant Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). The safeguarding policy and procedures must include an explanation of the action to be taken in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff, and cover the use of mobile phones and cameras in the setting. More recently addition of Social Media Policy

Designated Safeguarding Officer A practitioner must be designated to take lead responsibility for safeguarding children in every setting. Childminders must take the lead responsibility themselves. The lead practitioner is responsible for liaison with local statutory children's services agencies, and with the LSCB. They must provide support, advice and guidance to any other staff on an ongoing basis, and on any specific safeguarding issue as required. The lead practitioner must attend a child protection training course that enables them to identify, understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible abuse and neglect.

Signs and Symptoms of Abuse Join with another group and list 8 signs/ symptoms which would give you cause for concern.

Training. Providers must train all staff to understand their safeguarding policy and procedures, and ensure that all staff have up to date knowledge of safeguarding issues. Training made available by the provider must enable staff to identify signs of possible abuse and neglect at the earliest opportunity, and to respond in a timely and appropriate way. These may include: significant changes in children's behaviour; deterioration in children’s general well-being; unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect; children’s comments which give cause for concern; any reasons to suspect neglect or abuse outside the setting, for example in the child’s home; and/or 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.

Providers Role. Providers must have regard to the Government's statutory guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015’. If providers have concerns about children's safety or welfare, they must notify agencies with statutory responsibilities without delay. This means the local children's social care services and, in emergencies, the police.

Child Sexual Exploitation CSE is a form of sexual abuse involving the manipulation and/or coercion of young people under the age of 18 into sexual activity in exchange for things e.g money, gifts, affection. Children are often befriended over a period of time and outsiders may often perceive the abuse to be consensual. No child under the age of 18 can ever consent to being abused or exploited.(Barnardos 2012)

Domestic Abuse Revised Definition- Domestic abuse is any incident or pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. Abuse can encompass, but is not limited to: psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional.

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme Claire’s Law: Rolled out across the U.K form March 2014 The right to ask and the right to know – police will be able to accept enquiries and disclose information relating to previous violent offences.

Female Genital Mutilation Physical abuse involves FGM by way of female circumcision, excision or infibulation. Causes long term mental and physical suffering, difficulty in giving birth, infertility and even death. Best estimates suggest around 74,000 women in the U.K have undergone the procedure and Up to 24,000 girls under 15 are at risk in the U.K

FGM – Duty to Report Serious Crime Act a duty to report known cases of FGM to Police, this may include, children, parents, staff members. Failure to report could impact on your own DBS. Forced Marriage and FGM helpline number:

Prevent Duty Extremism, Counter Terrorism and Security Act (2015) Requirement to promote British values in EY settings. Activity – in groups of 4-5 consider ways in which your setting might already promote British values.

EYFS Safeguarding Requirements Areas covered include :- Staffing (including qualifications and ratios) Health including medication Food and Drink Accident/ Injury Record keeping – including periods of absence. Behaviour Management Safety and suitability of premises, environment and equipment

Your Safeguarding Responsibilities in your setting/placement. Be familiar with and adhere to all safeguarding policies and procedures in the setting at all times.

Confidentiality Ensure that appropriate confidentiality is maintained at all times. ( Remember we must never promise to keep a secret)

Recording concerns. Document all concerns in an appropriate and timely manner. (Use exact language not own words) Use a body map to record injuries.

What is an allegation? Any concern that a person who works with children has: behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child, or possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child, or behaved towards a child/ren in a way that indicates unsuitability to work with children

Allegations Process. Immediately discuss the allegation with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). There may be situations when the manager will want to involve police immediately i.e. immediate risk/ criminal offence..If not first speak to LADO

Reporting concerns. Report any concerns directly and immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Officer in the setting.

Information Sharing Consider – is there a clear and legitimate purpose to share? Does the information enable an individual to be identified? Is the information confidential? Do you have consent? Is there another reason to share (i.e. To fullfill a public function or protect vital interests of subject.) Information Sharing HM Government March 2015

Information Sharing (contd.) Intrinsic part of practitioners role when working with children and young people, Fears about sharing information cannot be allowed to stand in the way of the need to safeguard and promote welfare of children at risk of abuse and neglect. No practitioner should assume that someone else will pass on information which may be critical to keeping a child safe. Information Sharing HM Government March 2015 When in doubt, seek advice

A few do’s and don’ts Always close gates and doors behind you. Never allow access to the setting by another adult (unless authorised to do so.) Always follow setting protocols with regard to the taking and use of photographs. Conduct a risk assessment for any activity or resource you introduce to the setting (pay due regard to possible allergies) Maintain appropriate confidentiality at all times.

Do’s & Don’ts continued… Do not administer First aid or medication. (unless you have appropriate training and it is part of your role) Never ever physically discipline a child

Questions. ?

References.. Barnardo’s Annual Report (2012). ‘Extremism Counter Terrorism and Security Act’ (2015). Information Sharing HM Government March ‘Serious Crime Act’ (2015).‘Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage’ (2014) Department for Education..‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ (2015) Department for Education.