Child Protection. We have duty by law to express our concerns over any suspected child abuse. In such circumstances a strict procedure is followed by the Senior Management Team (Nursery Manager and Director), that comply with the procedures approved by the Area Child Protection Committee. The appropriate body from Nottinghamshire Social Services OFSTED will be informed. We intend to create in our Nursery environment in which children are safe from abuse and in which suspicion of abuse is promptly and appropriately responded to. In order to do this the Nursery will: o Exclude known abusers It will be clear to applicants for posts within the Nursery that the position is exempt for the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All applicants for work within the Nursery, whether voluntary or paid, will be interviewed before an appointment is made and will be asked to provide at least one reference. All such references will be followed up. In the case of applicants with unexplained gaps in their employment history, or who have moved rapidly from one jobs to another, explanations will be sought. All appointments, both paid and voluntary, will be subject to a probationary period and will not be confirmed unless the Nursery is confident that the applicant can be safely entrusted with children. o Seek and supply training
The Nursery will seek out training opportunities for all staff involved in the Nursery to ensure that they recognise the symptoms of possible physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse and sexual abuse. o Prevent abuse by means of good practice
Staff will not be left alone for long periods with individual children or with small groups. An adult who needs to take a child aside – for example, for time out after behaviour which needs improvement –will leave the door ajar. Staff who have not been registered as ‘fit’ persons will not take children unaccompanied to the toilet. Children will be encouraged to develop a sense of autonomy and independence through adult staff support in making choices and in finding names for their own feelings and acceptable ways to express them. This will enable children to have self-confidence and the vocabulary to resist inappropriate approaches.
o Respond appropriately to suspicions of abuse
The first concern will be the child. Children whose condition or behaviour has given cause will be listened to, reassured and helped to understand that they themselves are valued and respected and have not been at fault. Changes in children's behaviour/appearance will be investigated.
Parents will normally be the first point of reference, but if they are not in a position to allay any legitimate anxieties, the matter will also be taken up with the Social Services Department. In exceptional circumstances, the Social Services Department may be the first point of reference. All such suspicions and investigations will be kept confidential, shared only with those who need to know. The people most commonly involved will be the member of staff/key worker, the Nursery Manager/Director.
 If a staff member is accused of any form of child abuse, s/he will be interviewed immediately by the Nursery Director(s). The person accused may choose to attend the interview accompanied by a colleague and to seek advice from a union representative. The interview will be with the Nursery Director(s).
The person against whom the allegation is made will be informed of the allegation and will immediately be suspended on basic pay while and investigation is made. Investigation will be in line with Area Child Protection Committee procedures and conducted in conjunction with the Area Child Protection Committee. Confidential records will be kept of the allegation and of all subsequent proceedings.
o Keep Records
Whenever worrying changes are observed in a child’s behaviour, physical condition or appearance, a specific and confidential record will be set up, separate from usual developmental progress records. The record will include, in addition to the name, address and age of the child; timed and dated observations, describing objectively the child’s behaviour/appearance, without comment or interpretation; where possible, the exact words spoken by the child; be dated and the name and signature of the recorder. Such records will be kept in a separate file and will not be accessible to people other than the Nursery Manager/Director or other member of staff as appropriate. o Liaise with other bodies
The Nursery operates in accordance with guidelines laid down by the registering authority (OFSTED). Confidential records kept on children about whom the Nursery is anxious will be shared with the Social Services Department if the Nursery feels that adequate explanations for changes in the child’s condition have not been provided. The Nursery will maintain ongoing contact with OFSTED, together with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of individual social workers, to ensure ease of communication between the Nursery and Social Services Department in an emergency. Records will be also be kept of the local NSPCC contact, or other contact(s) as appropriate. o Support Families
The Nursery will take every step in it’s power to build up trusting and supportive relationships between families and staff and volunteers in the Nursery. Where abuse at home is suspected, the Nursery will continue to welcome the child and family while investigations proceed. Confidential records kept on a child will be shared with parents/carers. With the proviso that the care and safety of the must always be paramount, the Nursery will do all it can to support and work with the child’s family. - We are also bound to hold an Accident Book. Parents/carers must inform Nursery Staff of any child coming into the Nursery with marks from accidents in the home and have it entered in the book. All accidents that happen in the Nursery or evidence of accidents from home, not mentioned by the parent/carer are logged in the Accident Book. Parents/carers in both instances will be shown this and asked to countersign the book the sane day as the accident occurs before leaving the Nursery.
- Although qualified first aiders are present in the Nursery they may only administer basic first aid in the following manner. Cold compress for bumps. Warm water and a sterile dressing for bathing cuts and grazes. Staff are not allowed to place plasters on children in case of allergies, attempt to remove splinters or cut finger or toe nails in case of further damage. If Senior Staff feel that further first aid is needed the parent will be contacted to take the child for further medical attention themselves or in emergencies, Nursery staff will transport the child to a doctor/hospital as stated above in the Sickness/Medical Policy.
- All persons employed in any capacity at the Nursery will be subject to Social Services, Medical and Police Checks through the Criminal Records Bureau.
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