Safeguarding Policy at Our Montessori


Policy statement

Our setting will work with children, young people and vulnerable adults, parents, and the community to ensure the rights and safety of children and to give them the very best start in life.

Procedures

We carry out the following procedures to ensure we meet our commitments and duty of care, which incorporates responding to child protection concerns.

When the setting is open, but the designated person is not on site, a suitably trained deputy is available at all times for staff to discuss safeguarding concerns.

  • The designated person and officer and the suitably trained deputy ensure they have links with statutory and voluntary organisations with regard to safeguarding.
  • The designated person (and the person who deputises for them) understands either Hillingdon Safeguarding Children Partnership Safeguarding Procedures or Ealing Safeguarding Children Partnership safeguarding procedures, attends relevant training at least every two years and refreshes their knowledge of safeguarding at least annually.
  • We ensure all staff are trained to understand our safeguarding policies and procedures and that parents are made aware of them too.
  • All staff understand that safeguarding is their responsibility.
  • All staff have an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues, are alert to the signs and symptoms of abuse, and understand their professional duty to ensure safeguarding concerns are reported to the local authority children's social work team.
  • All staff are confident to ask questions in relation to any safeguarding concerns and know not to just take things at face value but can be respectfully sceptical.
  • All staff understand the principles of Early Help (as defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2024 and are able to identify those children and families who may be in need of early help and enable them to access it.
  • All staff understand the thresholds of significant harm and understand how to access services for families, including for those families who are below the threshold for significant harm, according to arrangements published by understands either Hillingdon Safeguarding Children Partnership or Ealing Safeguarding Children Partnership.
  • All staff understand their responsibilities under the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK-GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, and understand relevant safeguarding legislation, statutory requirements and local safeguarding partner requirements and ensure that any information they may share about parents and their children with other agencies is shared appropriately and lawfully.
  • We will support families to receive appropriate early help by sharing information with other agencies in accordance with statutory requirements and legislation.
  • We will share information lawfully with either Hillingdon Safeguarding Children Partnership or Ealing safeguarding Children Partnership as safeguarding partners and other agencies where there are safeguarding concerns.
  • We will be transparent about how we lawfully process data.
  • All staff understand how to escalate their concerns in the event that they feel either the local authority and/or their own organisation has not acted adequately to safeguard and know how to follow local safeguarding procedures to resolve professional disputes between staff and organisations.
  • All staff understand what the organisation expects of them in terms of their required behaviour and conduct, and follow our policies and procedures on positive behaviour, online safety (including use of cameras, trackers, and mobile phones), whistleblowing and dignity at work.
  • Children have a key person to build a relationship with, and are supported to articulate any worries, concerns, or complaints that they may have in an age-appropriate way.
  • All staff understand our policy on promoting positive behaviour and follow it in relation to children showing aggression towards other children.
  • Adequate and appropriate staffing resources are provided 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.
  • Enhanced criminal records and barred lists checks and other suitability checks are carried out for staff and volunteers prior to their post being confirmed, to ensure that no disqualified person or unsuitable person works at the setting or has access to the children.
  • Where applications are rejected based on information disclosed, applicants have the right to know and to challenge incorrect information.
  • Enhanced criminal records and barred lists checks are carried out on anyone living or working on the premises. A criminal record check is needed for someone living on the premises unless there is no access to the part of the premises when and where children are cared for.
  • Volunteers must
  • Be aged 17 or over
  • be considered competent and responsible
  • complete and job application form as per our safer recruitment protocols
  • receive a robust induction and regular supervisory meetings
  • be familiar with all the settings policies and procedures
  • be fully checked for suitability if they are to have unsupervised access to the children at any time.
  • Information is recorded about staff qualifications, and the identity checks and vetting processes that have been completed including:
  • the criminal records disclosure reference number
  • the date the disclosure was obtained; and
  • details of who obtained it.
  • All staff and volunteers are informed that they are expected to disclose any convictions, cautions, court orders or reprimands and warnings that are not eligible for 'filtering' by the disclosure and baring service (DBS), which may affect their suitability to work with children (whether received before or during their employment with us).
  • Staff and volunteers receive regular supervision, which includes discussion of any safeguarding issues, and their performance and learning needs are reviewed regularly.
  • In addition to induction and supervision, staff are provided with clear expectations in relation to their behaviour outlined in the employee handbook.
  • We notify the Disclosure and Barring Service of any person who is dismissed from our employment or resigns in circumstances that would otherwise have led to dismissal for reasons of a child protection concern.
  • Procedures are in place to record the details of visitors to the setting.
  • Security steps are taken to ensure that we have control over who comes into the setting so that no unauthorised person has unsupervised access to the children.
  • Steps are taken to ensure children are not photographed or filmed on video for any other purpose than to record their development or their participation in events organised by us. Parents sign a consent form and have access to records holding visual images of their child. Any images of children are held securely and in a locked filing cabinet when not in use. Staff do not use personal cameras or filming equipment to record images.
  • Personal mobile phones are not used where children are present.
  • The designated person in the setting has responsibility for ensuring that there is an adequate online policy in place
  • We keep a written record of all complaints and concerns including details of how they were responded to.
  • We ensure that robust risk assessments are completed, that they are seen and signed by all relevant staff and that they are regularly reviewed and updated, in line with our health and safety policy.
  • The designated officer will support the deputy designated person to undertake their role adequately and offer advice, guidance, supervision, and support.
  • The designated person will inform the designated officer at the first opportunity of every significant safeguarding concern; however, this should not delay any referrals being made to the children's social care, or where appropriate the LADO, Ofsted or RIDDOR.

Key commitment 2

We are committed to responding promptly and appropriately to all incidents or concerns of abuse that may occur and to work with statutory agencies in accordance with the procedures that are set down in 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused' (HMG 2015) and the Care Act 2014.

Responding to suspicions of abuse and disclosures

  • We acknowledge that abuse of children can take different forms - physical, emotional, and sexual, as well as neglect.
  • We ensure that all staff have an understanding of the additional vulnerabilities that arise from inequalities of race, gender, disability, language, religion, sexual orientation, or culture and that these receive full consideration in relation to child, young person, or vulnerable adult protection.
  • When children are suffering from physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, or experiencing neglect, this may be demonstrated through:
  • significant changes in their behaviour;
  • deterioration in their general well-being;
  • their comments which may give cause for concern, or the things they say (direct or indirect disclosure);
  • changes in their appearance, their behaviour, or their play;
  • unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect; and
  • any reason to suspect neglect or abuse outside the setting – contextualised safeguarding.
  • We understand our responsibilities for identifying and acting on emerging needs and early help needs and how to access services for them.
  • We understand how to identify children who may be in need of early help, how to access services for them.
  • We understand that we should refer a child who meets the S17 Children Act 1989 child in need definition to local authority children's social work services.
  • We understand that we should refer any child who may be at risk of significant harm to local authority children's social work services.
  • We are aware of the 'hidden harm' agenda concerning parents with drug and alcohol problems and consider other factors affecting parental capacity and risk, such as social exclusion, domestic violence, radicalisation, mental or physical illness and parent's learning disability.
  • We are aware that children's vulnerability is potentially increased when they are privately fostered and when we know that a child is being cared for under a private fostering arrangement, we inform our local authority children's social care team.
  • We are prepared to take action if we have concerns about the welfare of a child who fails to arrive at a session when expected. The designated person will take immediate action to contact the child's parent to seek an explanation for the child's absence and be assured that the child is safe and well. If no contact is made with the child's parents and the designated person has reason to believe that the child is at risk of significant harm, the relevant professionals are contacted immediately and LSCB procedures are followed. If the child has current involvement with social care the social worker is notified on the day of the unexplained absence.
  • We are aware of other factors that affect children's vulnerability that may affect, or may have affected, children and young people using our provision, such as abuse of children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities; fabricated or induced illness; child abuse linked to beliefs in spirit possession; sexual exploitation of children, including through internet abuse; Breast Ironing, Female Genital Mutilation and radicalisation or extremism.
  • In relation to radicalisation and extremism, we follow the Prevent Duty guidance for England and Wales published by the Home Office and LSCB procedures on responding to radicalisation.
  • The designated person completes online Channel training, online Prevent training, and attends local WRAP training (Workshop to Raise, Awareness to Prevent) where available to ensure they are familiar with the local protocol and procedures for responding to concerns about radicalisation.
  • We are aware of the mandatory duty that applies to teachers, and health workers to report cases of Female Genital Mutilation to the police. We are also aware that early years educators should follow local authority published safeguarding procedures to respond to FGM and other safeguarding issues, which involves contacting police if a crime of FGM has been or may be about to be committed.
  • If we become concerned that a child may be a victim of modern slavery or human trafficking, we will refer to the National Referral Mechanism, as soon as possible and refer and/or seek advice to the local authority children's social work service and/or police.
  • We will be alert to the threat's children may face from outside their families, such as that posed by organised crime groups such as county lines and child sexual exploitation, (CSE), children at risk of exploitation (CRE), online use and from within peer groups and the wider community.
  • Where we believe that a child in our care or that is known to us may be affected by any of these factors, we follow the procedures below for reporting child protection and child in need concerns which may include a referral to the police and follow either the Hillingdon or Ealing Safeguarding Children Partnership procedures
  • Where such indicators are apparent, the child's key person makes a dated record of the details of the concern and discusses what to do with the member of staff who is acting as the designated person. The information is stored on the child's personal file.
  • In the event that a staff member or volunteer is unhappy with the decision made of the designated person in relation to whether to make a safeguarding referral they must follow escalation procedures.
  • We refer concerns about children's welfare to the local authority children's social care team and co-operate fully in any subsequent investigation. NB In some cases this may mean the police or another agency identified by either Hillingdon Safeguarding Children Partnership or Ealing Safeguarding Children Partnership.
  • All staff know that they can contact the NSPCC whistleblowing helpline if they feel that or organisation and the local authority have not taken appropriate action to safeguard a child and this has not been addressed satisfactorily through organisational escalation and professional challenge procedures.
  • We have a whistleblowing policy in place.
  • Staff/volunteers know they can contact the organisation Public Concern at Work for advice relating to whistleblowing dilemmas.
  • We take into account factors affecting parental capacity, such as social exclusion, domestic violence, radicalisation, parent's drug, or alcohol abuse, mental or physical illness or parent's learning disability.
  • We also make ourselves aware that some children and young people are affected by gang activity, by complex, multiple or organised abuse, through forced marriage or honour-based violence or may be victims of child trafficking. While this may be less likely to affect young children in our care, we may become aware of any of these factors affecting older children and young people who we may come into contact with.
  • Where we believe that a child in our care or that is known to us may be affected by any of these factors, we follow the procedures below for reporting child protection concerns.
  • Where such evidence is apparent, the child's key person makes a dated record of the details of the concern and discusses what to do with the member of staff who is acting as the 'designated person'. The information is stored on the child's personal file.
  • We respond to any disclosures sensitively and appropriately and take care not to influence the outcome either through the way We speak to children or by asking questions of children (although we may check out/clarify the details with them of what we think they have told us).
  • We take account of the need to protect young people aged 16-19 as defined by the Children Act 1989. This may include students or school children on work placement, young employees, or young parents. Where abuse or neglect is suspected we follow the procedure for reporting any other child protection concerns. The views of the young person will always be taken into account, in an age/stage appropriate way, but the setting may override the young person's refusal to consent to share information if it feels that it is necessary to prevent a crime from being committed or intervene where one may have been, or to prevent harm to a child or adult. Sharing confidential information without consent is done only where not sharing it could be worse than the outcome of having shared it.
  • All staff are also aware that adults can also be vulnerable and know how to refer adults who are in need of community care services.

Recording suspicions of abuse and disclosures

  • Where a child makes comments to a member of staff that give cause for concern (disclosure), or a member of staff observes signs or signals that give 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, although it is acceptable to ask questions for the purpose of clarification.
  • 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 exact words spoken by the child as far as possible; the name of the person to whom the concern was reported, with the 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.
  • The member of staff acting as the 'designated person' is informed of the issue at the earliest opportunity (within 1 working day)
  • Where either Hillingdon Safeguarding Children Partnership procedures or Ealing safeguarding Children Partnership procedures stipulates the process for recording and sharing concerns. We include those procedures alongside this procedure and follow the steps set down by either Hillingdon Safeguarding Children Partnership procedures or Ealing safeguarding Children Partnership.

Key commitment 3

We are committed to promoting awareness of child abuse issues throughout our training and learning programmes for adults. We are also committed to empowering young children, through our early childhood curriculum, promoting their right to be strong, resilient, and listened to.

  • Training opportunities are sought for all adults involved in the setting to ensure that they are able to recognise the signs and signals of possible physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, including child sexual exploitation and neglect and that they are aware of the local authority guidelines for making referrals. Training opportunities should also cover extra familial threats such as online risks, radicalisation, and grooming, and how to identify and respond to families who may be in need of early help, and organisational safeguarding procedures.
  • Designated persons receive training in accordance with that recommended by Hillingdon and Ealing Safeguarding Children Partnership, every two years and refresh their knowledge and skills at least annually.
  • We ensure that all staff know the procedures for reporting and recording any concerns they may have about the provision.
  • We ensure that all staff receive updates on safeguarding via emails, newsletters, online training, and/or discussion at staff meetings at least once a year.
  • We incorporate the signs of abuse and specific safeguarding issues, that are pertinent to and current for our community and families, into briefings, staff Induction training, and ongoing development training for all Staff.
  • The layout of the rooms allows for constant supervision. No child is left alone with staff or volunteers in a one-to-one situation without being visible to others.
  • We introduce key elements of keeping children safe into our programme to promote the personal, social, and emotional development of all children, so that they may grow to be strong, resilient, and listened to and so that they develop an understanding of why and how to keep safe.
  • We create within the setting a culture of value and respect for individuals, having positive regard for children's heritage arising from their colour, ethnicity, languages spoken at home, cultural and social background.
  • We ensure that this is carried out in a way that is developmentally appropriate for the children.
  • All suspicions and investigations are kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know. Any information is shared under the guidance of either Hillingdon or Ealing Safeguarding Children Partnership and in line with the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK-GDPR), Data Protection Act 2018, and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2022.
  • All staff are aware of the GDPR 2018 regulations and do not use that as a reason not to share information about the welfare, health, or safety of a child.
  • We believe in building trusting and supportive relationships with families, staff, and volunteers.
  • We make clear to parents our role and responsibilities in relation to child protection, such as for the reporting of concerns, information sharing, 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 child's social care worker in relation to the setting's designated role and tasks in supporting that child and their family, subsequent to any investigation.
  • If any child with a known child protection plan at the setting has a safeguarding concern raised or is absent without explanation, this will be referred to their Social Worker with urgency and as soon as possible.
  • We will engage with any child in need plan or early help plan as agreed.
  • Confidential records kept on a child are shared with the child's parents or those who have parental responsibility for the child in accordance with the Confidentiality and Client Access to Records procedure and only if appropriate under the guidance of the Hillingdon and Ealing Safeguarding Children Partnership.
  • Our 'Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults' policy is available to parents and carers as appropriate, including displaying on the early years and childcare setting website (if applicable).

If you have any questions regarding our safeguarding policy, please contact us at info@littleinventorsmontessori.co.uk

For accessing our full safeguarding policy, please click here.

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