Procedures

Staff and volunteers

Our Nursery DSL designated senior person will be Devinderjit Ahluwalia (nursery manager)and in her absence the Deputy Manager.

  • We ensure all staff and parents are made aware of our safeguarding policies and procedures we ensure this by introducing all new staff and parents to them when they start at the setting.
  • We provide adequate and appropriate staffing resources to meet the needs of children.
  • Applicants for posts within the setting are clearly informed that the positions are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
  • We follow the steps set out in our recruitment policy.
  • Candidates are informed of the need to carry out 'enhanced disclosure' checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service
  • All staff students and volunteers will have to undergo an enhanced DBS disclosure check the position will be made available on the conditions of the clear DBS and two satisfactory references. Staff waiting for their DBS and references will never be left alone or be allowed to take children to toilets at this stage they will be on a short trial basis which upon clear documentation and satisfactory performance will roll on to a three month probation period.
  • Where applications are rejected because of information that has been disclosed, applicants have the right to know and to challenge incorrect information.
  • We abide with the early years welfare requirements, in respect of references and Disclosure and Barring Service checks for staff and volunteers to ensure suitability of all people working at the setting or have access to children.
  • Volunteers are never left alone and are supervised and mentored by qualified member of staff at all times.
  • Visitors are asked to show identification and sign in and out using the visitors' book located in the main room in the nursery. No unauthorised person has unsupervised access to the children / nursery.

Making a referral to the local authority social care team

  • All referrals are to be made through a call to MASH team on 0121 303 1888 the number then an online form will be sent to us to be completed and sent back Concerns and reports 0121 303 1888.
  • Outside of office hours reports are made to the Emergency Duty Team 0121 675 4806

Police can be contacted on 0345 113 5000 or in an emergency contact 999.

Informing parents

If a suspicion of abuse is recorded, parents are informed at the same time as the report is made, except where the Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board does not allow this as this may be putting the child at further risk.

Training

  • An induction is delivered by the nursery manager to all new members of staff/trainees/volunteers where they are informed of safeguarding and child protection guidelines and procedures. Whilst waiting for training we deliver in house training on safeguarding. Documentation will be expected to be filled in by new staff on induction.
  • We continually seek out training opportunities provided by the Learning and Development team birmingham Council, for all staff involved in the setting to ensure that they are always updated with relevant information and are able to recognise the signs and signals of possible all forms of abuse and that they are aware of the local authority guidelines for effective understanding of safeguarding and promoting welfare for children making referrals.
  • We ensure that all staff are aware of the procedures for reporting and recording their concerns in the setting.
  • Safeguarding and child protection will always be on the meeting agenda and guidelines are regularly discussed in staff meetings and during staff supervisions.

Confidentiality

  • All suspicions and investigations are kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know. Any information is shared under the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.
  • All confidential information is stored securely in a locked cabinet in the nursery office.

Support to families

  • We believe in building trusting and supportive relationships with families, staff and volunteers in the group. We make clear to parents our role and responsibilities in relation to child protection, such as for the reporting of concerns, providing information, monitoring of the child, and liaising at all times with the local children's social care team.
  • We will continue to welcome the child and the family whilst investigations are being made in relation to any alleged abuse.
  • We follow the Child Protection Plan as set by the MASH team in relation to the setting's designated role and tasks in supporting that child and their family, subsequent to any investigation.