Concerns about a child

Responding to disclosure

  • When children suffer from any form of abuse, signs may be demonstrated through the things children say (direct or indirect disclosure) or through changes in their appearance, their behaviour, or their play.
  • Where such evidence is apparent, the child's key person or any other staff involved with the Childs day to day activities, records the details of the concern and discusses it with the setting DSL 'Designated Safe Guarding Lead' which will be Devinderjit Ahluwalia (nursery manager) and in her absence the Deputy Manager. The information is stored on the child's personal file. Staff is informed to closely monitor the child.
  • Where a child makes comments to a member of staff that gives series cause for concern (disclosure), observes that gives cause for concern, such as significant changes in behaviour; deterioration in general well-being; unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect that member of staff:
  • Listens to the child, offers reassurance and gives assurance that she or he will take action;
  • Does not question the child;
  • Makes a written record that forms an objective record of the observation or disclosure that includes:
  • The date and time of the observation or the disclosure;
  • The statement has to be recorded in the exact word as the child speaks\spoke.
  • The name of the person to whom the concern was reported, with date and time; and
  • The names of any other person present at the time.
  • These records are signed and dated and kept in the child's personal file which is kept securely and confidentially.
  • We refer concerns about the safety & welfare of a child telephone the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 0121 303 1888 or email Mash@birmingham.gov.uk. Outside the normal office hours please call 0121 675 4806 for the Emergency Duty Team. The nursery will fully co-operate in any subsequent investigation. Records will be kept of all communication between local authority and nursery during investigation.

Other factors to safe guard children

Children may be at a greater risk of harm or be in need of additional help in families where the adult have mental health problems, substance misuse or alcohol, in a Domestic violent relationship or have complex needs or learning difficulties. We also have a duty to inform the MASH where we acknowledge facts as above or/and a member of staff / student parent/carer whom have young children, disclose the fact were they are in an abusive relationship.

We will also inform MASH ;

  • When a child is not picked up from the nursery for more than half an hour of nursery closing and no contacts with the parents / carers or with the person authorized by the parents to be contacted in case of emergencies is made.
  • When siblings or any other person coming in to collect a child whom may be under the age of 18 will not be authorised to take the child from the nursery.
  • If any parent/carer or any person authorised to collect a child and we acknowledge they may be under influence of any form of alcohol or substances misuse. We will refuse to release the child.