Purpose and Aims
The purpose of Soundart Radio safeguarding and child protection policy is to provide a secure framework for the workforce in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of those children/young people who attend our setting. The policy aims to ensure that:
All our children are safe and protected from harm.
Other elements of provision and policies are in place to enable children to feel safe and adopt safe practices;
Staff, children, directors, visitors, volunteers and parents are aware of the expected behaviours’ and the setting's legal responsibilities in relation to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of our children.
Ethos
‘Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right.’ Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Safeguarding at Soundart Radio is considered everyone’s responsibility and our setting aims to create the safest environment within which every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Soundart Radio recognises the contribution it can make in ensuring that all children registered or who use our setting have trusted workers with whom they feel safe and that they will be listened to and appropriate action taken. We recognise that this is especially important for children who are unable to communicate e.g. babies and very young children that they have strong attachment to their caregivers. We will work to ensure children’s safety by working in partnership with other agencies i.e. Early Help, MASH, Police and Social care as well as seeking to establish effective working relationships with parents, carers and other colleagues to develop and provide activities and opportunities that will help to equip our children with the skills they need. This will include materials and learning experiences that will encourage our children to develop essential life skills and protective behaviours.
This policy has been developed in accordance with the principles established by the Children Act 1989; and in line with the following:
Responsibilities and expectations
Soundart Radio takes seriously its responsibility under section 11 of the Children Act and duties under “working together” to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; to work together with other agencies to ensure adequate arrangements exist within our setting to identify, and support those children who are suffering harm or are likely to suffer significant
harm. We recognise that all staff and management have a full and active part to play in protecting our children from harm, and that the child’s welfare is our paramount concern.
The proprietor/trustees/committee should also ensure the following:-
That the safeguarding and child protection policy is made available to parents and carers.
That all staff and volunteers are properly checked to make sure they are safe to work with the children who attend our setting.
That the setting has procedures for handling allegations of abuse made against members of staff (including the Playleader/Manager) or volunteers.
The safe and appropriate use of cameras, mobile phones, technology and online equipment within the setting.
The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 which places a duty on early years and childcare providers “to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism” (The Prevent Duty) is implemented, taking into account the Local authorities ‘Prevent’ policies, protocols and procedures and ensuring the Fundamental British Values are implemented as stated in the EYFS.
A Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is appointed who has lead responsibility for dealing with all safeguarding issues in our setting.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Lucinda Guy. If they are not available, then contact
The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead is Shelley Hodgson. (This person can also be contacted with any safeguarding concerns).
Our procedures will be annually reviewed and updated.
The responsibilities for the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) are:-
To ensure that all safeguarding issues raised in the setting are effectively responded to, recorded and referred to the appropriate agency.
To ensure all adults are alert to circumstances when a child and family may need access to early help
All adults, (including volunteers) new to our setting will be made aware of this policy and the procedures for child protection, the name and contact details of the DSL and have these explained, as part of their induction into the setting.
Be responsible for arranging the settings safeguarding training for all staff and volunteers who work with the children and young people. The DSL must ensure that the safeguarding training takes place at least every three years for all with regular updates during this period; which they can deliver in-house provided they are linked into the support and quality assurance process offered by the Local Authority and the Devon Children and Families Partnership.
To attend or ensure that a senior member of staff who has the relevant training and access to appropriate supervision, attends where appropriate, all child protection case conferences, reviews, core groups, or meetings where it concerns a child in our care and to contribute to multi-agency strategy discussions to safeguard and promote the child’s welfare.
For ensuring the acceptable, safe use and storage of all camera technology, images, and mobile phones through the implementation, monitoring and reviewing of the appropriate policies and procedures. This includes the on-line Safety Policy which includes Camera & Image Policy, Mobile Phone Policy, Acceptable Use Policy.
Implementing the Fundamental British Values.
To ensure allegations regarding adults in the setting are effectively responded to and referred to the appropriate agency.
All Child Protection concerns need to be acted on immediately. If you are concerned that a child may be at risk or is actually suffering abuse, you must tell the DSL.
All Adults, including the DSL, have a duty to refer all known or suspected cases of abuse to the relevant agency including MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub), Children and Young Peoples Service (CYPS) – Social Care, or the Police. Where a disclosure is made to a visiting staff member from a different agency, e.g. Early Years Consultants, Health Visitors, it is the responsibility of that agency staff to formally report the referral to the Setting’s DSL in the first instance and to follow their organisations procedures. Any records made should be kept securely on the Child’s Protection file.
Recognising concerns, signs and indicators of abuse
Safeguarding is not just about protecting children from significant harm or likely significant harm. For our setting it includes such things as child safety, bullying, racist abuse and harassment, visits, intimate care, and internet safety etc. ‘Safeguarding children and protecting professionals in early years settings: Online Safety Considerations document identify the responsibilities for our setting with regards to online safety for the children
‘You play an essential role in helping young children learn the foundations of safe online behaviour. Even if children don’t have access to technology within your setting, they may be using it at home, with their friends or in other public spaces. Children are naturally curious in understanding the world we live in; it is our responsibility to enable them to do so, including helping them to recognise the value of technology and use it safely. Role modelling safe use of the internet should become part of our everyday practice’. (2019)
As it is not the technology itself that will present the greatest risk, but the behaviours of individuals using such equipment will. The witnessing of abuse can have a damaging effect on those who are party to it, as well as the child/adult subjected to the actual abuse, and in itself will have a significant impact on the health and emotional well-being of the child.
The four main categories of abuse as defined by the Department of Health ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ document 2018. Adults should be aware that the possible indicators are not a definitive list although children’s poor behaviour may be a sign that they are suffering harm or that they have been traumatised by abuse, some children may present these behaviours for reasons other than abuse. All staff, volunteers at Soundart Radio are aware of the indicators of abuse and have up to date knowledge of safeguarding issues. They will be alert to the need to consult further if they suspect neglect or abuse of a child or children. As a setting we understand that children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others.
Neglect The persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairments of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:
Provide food, clothing and shelter
Protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger
Ensure adequate supervision
Ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.
Possible indicators of Neglect Obvious signs of lack of care including:
Problems with personal hygiene, constant hunger, inadequate clothing, emaciation, lateness or non-attendance at the setting, poor relationship with peers, untreated medical problems, compulsive stealing and scavenging, rocking, hair twisting, thumb sucking, running away, low self-esteem, etc.
Physical Abuse
May involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces illness in a child.
Possible Indicators Physical signs that do not tally with the given account of occurrence conflicting or unrealistic explanations of cause repeated injuries delay in reporting or seeking medical advice.
Sexual Abuse
Forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, penetrative or non-penetrative acts and also includes involving children in watching pornographic material or watching sexual acts.
Possible indicators of Sexual Abuse Sudden changes in behaviour, displays of affection which are sexual and age inappropriate, tendency to cling or need constant reassurance,
Tendency to cry easily, regression to younger behaviour – e.g. thumb sucking, acting like a baby, unexplained gifts or money, depression and withdrawal, wetting/soiling day or night, fear of undressing for PE etc.
Emotional Abuse
The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person.
Possible Indicators of Emotional Abuse Rejection, isolation, child being blamed for actions of adults, child being used as carer for younger siblings, affection and basic emotional care giving/warmth, persistently absent or withheld.
Children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities
All children have the right to be safe, yet research shows that disabled children are three times more likely to be abused. A number of factors have been identified as to reasons why these children are more at risk (see bullet points) and as a setting we are aware of these and endeavour to protect all our children.
A general reluctance of people to believe that disabled children are abused
Limited opportunities to seek help from someone else
A skills gap between disability and child protection workers
Inadequate teaching about personal safety skills e.g. NSPCC pants campaign
Issues relating to the child’s specific disability or special educational need, e.g. difficulties in communicating or an inability to understand what is happening
Prevent
The Counter Terrorism & Security Act 2015
The Act places a Prevent duty on settings to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”.
Settings subject to the Prevent Duty will be expected to demonstrate activity in the following areas
Assessing the risk of children being drawn into terrorism
Demonstrate that they are protecting children and young people from being drawn into terrorism by having robust safeguarding policies.
Ensure that their safeguarding arrangements take into account the policies and procedures of the Devon Children and Families Partnership.
Make sure that staff have training that gives them the knowledge and confidence to identify children and families at risk of being drawn into terrorism, and to challenge extremist ideas which can be used to legitimise terrorism
Expected to ensure children are safe from terrorist and extremist material when accessing the internet in the setting
What to do if you are concerned
If a child makes a disclosure or allegation of abuse against an adult or other child or young person, it is important that you:
Stay calm and listen carefully.
Reassure them that they have done the right thing in telling you.
Do not investigate or ask leading questions instead ask clarifying questions tell me, explain to me, describe to me (TED)
Let them know that you will need to tell someone else.
Do not promise to keep what they have told you a secret.
Inform your Safeguarding Designated Lead as soon as possible.
Make a written record of the allegation, disclosure or incident which you must sign, date and record your position using the setting safeguarding record log forms.
If you are concerned that a member of staff or adult in a position of trust poses a danger to a child or young person or that they might be abusing a child or young person you should report your concerns to the DSL. Where those concerns relate to the DSL however, this should be reported to the Chair of Trustees/Committee/Proprietor using the settings ‘Whistle blowing’ policy.
Whistleblowing
We recognise that children cannot be expected to raise concerns in an environment where staff fail to do so. All staff should be aware of their duty to raise concerns about the attitude or actions of colleagues via our whistleblowing and complaints policies and appropriate advice will be sought from the LADO or Safeguarding Team where necessary.
Managing Allegations
We are aware of the possibility of allegations being made against members of staff or volunteers that are working or may come into contact with children and young people whilst in our setting. An allegation is when it appears that the professional, staff member, volunteer, has:
Behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child
Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child
Behaved in an inappropriate way towards a child which may indicate that he or she is unsuitable to work with children
If there are concerns about the person’s behaviour towards their own children
Children unrelated to their employment or voluntary work, and there has been a recommendation from a strategy discussion that consideration should be given to the risk posed to children they work with
An allegation has been made about abuse that took place some time ago and the accused person may still be working with or having contact with children
We are aware of the possibility of allegations being made against members of staff or volunteers that are working or may come into contact with children and young people whilst in our setting. Allegations will usually be that some kind of abuse has taken place such as inappropriate behaviour displayed, inappropriate sexual comments, excessive one to one attention beyond the requirements of their role and responsibilities, inappropriate sharing or images. Allegations are made for a variety of reasons:
Abuse has actually taken place.
Something has happened to the child that reminds them of a past event – the child is unable to recognize that the situation and people are different; Children can misinterpret your language or your actions.
Some children recognise that allegations can be powerful and if they are angry with you about something, they can make an allegation as a way of hitting out.
An allegation can be a way of seeking attention.
If an allegation is made against an adult in a position of trust whether they be members of staff or volunteers this should be brought to the immediate attention of the DSL who will advise the Chair of Trustees/Committee/Proprietor. In the case of the allegation being made against the DSL this will be brought to the immediate attention of the Chair of Trustees/Committees/Proprietor. The DSL/Chair of Trustees/Committees/Proprietor will need to discuss with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) the nature of the allegations made against the adult, in order for the appropriate action to be taken. This may constitute an initial evaluation meeting or strategy discussion depending on the allegation being made. All allegations must be taken seriously and objectively and dealt with in a timely manner, in the case of an allegation the DSL/Chair of Trustees/committees/Proprietor will need to:
Refer to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) guidance Managing allegations - Devon Childrens' and Families Partnership (dcfp.org.uk) and submit the LADO notification form.
Consider safeguarding arrangements of the child or young person to ensure they are away from the alleged abuser.
Contact the parents or carers of the child/young person if advised to do so by the LADO.
Consider the rights of the staff member for a fair and equal process of investigation.
Advise Ofsted of allegation within 14 days of the allegation
Ensure that the appropriate disciplinary procedures are followed including suspending a member of staff from work until the outcome of any investigation if this is deemed necessary.
Act on any decision made in any strategy meeting.
Advise the Disclosure and Barring Service where a member of staff has been removed, dismissed or would have been removed had they a result of the allegations being founded.
A copy of What to do if you are worried a Child is being Abused booklet is kept with this policy. This sets out the guidelines on dealing with incidents, disclosures and the procedures that must be followed.
Confidentiality
We recognise that all matters relating to child protection are confidential.
The DSL will disclose personal information about a child or young person to other members of staff on a need to know basis only.
However, all staff must be aware that they have a professional responsibility to share information with other agencies in order to safeguard children.
All staff must be aware that they cannot promise a child to keep secrets which might compromise the child’s safety or well-being or that of another.
We will always undertake to share our concerns with parents and guardians and their consent is sought in accordance with Early help and MASH procedures unless doing so would increase the risk of harm to the child. If in doubt regarding sharing information with parents and guardians, we will consult with the MASH consultation team.
Training
All members of staff and volunteers will have access to safeguarding training at least every three years in line with Devon Children and Families Partnership (DCFP). We will also, as
part of our induction, issue information in relation to our Safeguarding policy as well as any policies related to safeguarding and promoting our children/young people’s welfare to all newly appointed staff and volunteers. There will also regular safeguarding updates at (insert when updates such as staff meetings, supervisions, in staff bulletins)
Our Board of Directors will have access to safeguarding training and our Named Safeguarding lead will also undertake additional awareness training at least every three years. They will also be advised to undertake additional training to support their employers’ role in Handling Allegations against adults who work with children and young people, including our staff and volunteers.
Our safeguarding arrangements are reported on an annual basis to our Board of Directors and our Safeguarding policy is reviewed annually, in order to keep it updated in line with local and national guidance/legislation.
We will include our Safeguarding Policy in our settings prospectus/website and will post copies of our policy throughout the setting. We are also able to arrange for our policy to be made available to parents whose first language is not English, on request.
Media and connective technologies
During Soundart Radio activities for young people staff, volunteers and visitors must not use their own mobile phones. These should be switched off and kept out of sight. Instead they will have a specific mobile phone just for contacting parents, and parents will be provided with that contact number.
Computers and any other connective devices available in childcare settings will be restricted to suitable content only. Children and young people may use computers and other technology at times for supervised arts and media production, including research, editing and design, but not for social media use or generalised browsing.
In advance of all childcare sessions, families are informed that young people cannot bring their own mobile phones or other connected devices into the setting.
Unconnected cameras are made available for creative use of young people, and for staff and volunteers to take photographs for documentation. Photos of young people that clearly show their identity, e.g. faces, will not be stored or published, but may be printed for their own records, for example in a scrapbook of their own work. Other photos, e.g. that show a child’s hands, may be archived and used online if permissions are in place to do so. Permission forms are circulated to families in advance of sessions.
During radio programmes and features, on air and online, children’s full identities are not revealed. Children and young people are requested to use first names only, and never reveal their contact details. This is further explored in our media permissions forms for families, and our on air policies.
Related Setting Policies
‘Safeguarding' covers more than the contribution made to child protection in relation to individual children. It also encompasses issues such as child health and safety, bullying and a range of other issues, for example, arrangements for meeting the medical needs of children, providing first aid, setting security, drugs and substance misuse, etc.
Working with children guidelines
Media consent and confidentiality
Complaints procedure
Health and safety
Equality and diversity
Safer recruitment
The above list is not exhaustive and as new policy, guidance and legislation develops within the remit of Safeguarding we will review and update our policies and procedures as appropriate and in line with the Devon Children Families Partnership and Local Authority.
Useful Contacts:
Devon Children and Families Partnerships
South West Child Protection Procedures
Devon Early Years and Childcare Service
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Agency
CHILDWISE - a leading specialist in research with children and young people - ABOUT
Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) 0345 155 1071
email: mashsecure@devon.gov.uk
MASH Consultation Line 0345 155 1071 (ask for Consultation Line)
Early Help co-ordination centre 0345 155 1071 (ask for Early Help)
Out of hours for CYPS (Social Care):
5pm -9am and at weekends and public holidays, please contact:
Emergency Duty Service 0845 6000 388 (low-rate call)
Police Central Referral Unit: 0845 605 116
EYCS Consultation Service:
If you have concerns about a child but are unsure whether to make a MASH enquiry. The numbers are:
Nikki Phillips – Locality Manager for Exeter and East Devon 01392 383000
Melissa Filby – Locality Manager for Northern and Mid Devon 01392 383000
Susan Bolt - Locality Manager for South West Devon 01392 383000
DCFP
DCFP Office: 01392 383000
Child Protection Chairs and Local Authority Designated Officers for managing allegations against staff:
Allegations against staff LADO Referral Co-ordinator 01392 384964
Training and Resources on managing allegations
Devon’s Domestic Abuse Helpline 0345 155 1074
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub – MASH
MASH contributes to improved outcomes for safeguarding children because it has the ability to swiftly collate and share information held by the various agencies and to provide a multi-agency risk assessment of each case for ‘actual or likely harm’.
Manages contacts and enquiries received from any source (usually CYPS and Police VIST vulnerable incident screening tool)
Develops a document recording the concern information and all other agencies information available within agreed timescales and a social worker manager makes an informed decision using all of the available information.
Develops concern information into a social care referral if services are required under section 17 or section 47 of The Children Act 1989
Liaises with the Early Help for children and young people who need services but do not meet The Children Act 1989 threshold
Provides consultation line to agency enquirers about thresholds, appropriate action to be undertaken and services.
