Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Safeguarding is promoting the welfare of children and preventing them from harm.

We need to ensure children make the best progress in our care.

If a child tells us of any abuse, we will:
- Take their allegation seriously.
- Not prompt the children with any leading questions
- Listen carefully
- We will keep a record of the causes of concern
- Record what we have been told using the child’s exact words.
- Make a note of the time, date, place and people who were present during the discussion

We will keep a record of the causes of concern of any child abuse and pass to the DSL

Notify OFSTED for all concerns - 0300 123 1231

If a child is immediate danger ring the Police - 999

Ring 101 if there is no immediate danger

Ring First Response Children’s Duty Team on 0116 305 0005 if we think a child is being abused

We report adult/staff allegations to LADO - 0116 305 4141

We understand the Prevent Duty and how to report -
- Police 101 extension 6770 or 0116 222 2222 or National Prevent Duty Line 0800 011 3764,

We understand FGM/Breast Ironing/Sexual Exploitation/criminal Exploitation/Gangs/Drugs/All other indirect bullying

We will undertake Safeguarding training ensuring we keep up to date with child protection issues and relevant legislation.

We must keep a record of all visitors into the setting using a visitor book.

Children must only be collected by authorised people. If the person collecting is unknown a password must be asked for.

Offer Early Help to support families in need.

Examples of Physical Abuse

Indicators of Physical Abuse

Hitting
Shaking
Throwing
Poisoning
Burning/scalding
Drowning
Suffocating
Fabricating the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child.

Unexplained bruising, marks or injuries on any part of the body
Multiple bruises often on the upper arm, outside of the thigh.
Cigarette burns
Human bite marks
Broken bones
Scalds.
Multiple burns

Changes in behaviour that can also indicate physical abuse:

Fear of parents being approached for an explanation
Aggressive behaviour or severe temper outbursts
Flinching when approached or touched
Reluctance to get changed, for example in hot weather
Depression
Withdrawn behaviour

Examples of emotional abuse

Indicators of Emotional Abuse

Conveying to children that they are worthless/ unloved/inadequate
Not giving children opportunities to express their views
Deliberately silencing or ‘making fun’ of what children say.
Placing inappropriate expectations on children.
Overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning

Neurotic behaviour e.g. sulking, hair twisting, rocking
Being unable to play
Fear of making mistakes
Sudden speech disorders
Self-harm
Fear of parent being approached regarding their behaviour
Developmental delay in terms of emotional progress.

Examples of sexual abuse

Indicators of sexual abuse

Forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities
Physical contact
Non contact (looking at images/videos/making children behave in a sexual way)
Grooming a child in preparation for abuse.

Pain or itching in the genital area
Bruising or bleeding near genital area
Sexually transmitted disease
Vaginal discharge or infection
Stomach pains
Discomfort when walking or sitting down
Pregnancy.

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate sexual abuse include:

Sudden or unexplained changes in behaviour e.g. becoming aggressive or withdrawn
Fear of being left with a specific person or group of people
Having nightmares
Running away from home
Sexual knowledge which is beyond their age, or developmental level
Sexual drawings or language
Bedwetting
Eating problems such as overeating or anorexia
Self-harm or mutilation, sometimes leading to suicide attempts
Saying they have secrets they cannot tell anyone about
Substance or drug abuse
Suddenly having unexplained sources of money
Not allowed to have friends (particularly in adolescence)
Acting in a sexually explicit way towards adults.

Examples of neglect

Indicators of neglect

Failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs,
Not providing adequate food, clothing and shelter.
Not providing adequate supervision.
Not seeking medical care.

Being constantly dirty or ‘smelly’.
Constant hunger, sometimes stealing food from other children.
Losing weight, or being constantly underweight.
Inappropriate or dirty clothing.

Neglect may be indicated by changes in behaviour which may include:

Mentioning being left alone or unsupervised.
Not having many friends.
Complaining of being tired all the time.
Not requesting medical assistance and/or failing to attend appointments.

WIDER AREAS OF SAFEGUARDING

There are specific areas of safeguarding where we will endeavour to ensure their staff, are familiar with and having processes in place to identify, report, monitor and which are included here: