Safeguarding Children Policy and Child Protection

Children have the right to be protected from being hurt or mistreated in body and mind. It is part of our registration requirement that we have a policy to protect children. Unfortunately child abuse does take place. It is important that we are aware of this and understand that we have a responsibility towards the welfare of the children we care for and to try to protect them from harm or potential harm.

If your child has any marks or injuries we will discuss them with you and will also mention any concerns we have regarding the Childs behaviour. You must let us know if your child has had an accident or has any bruising or injuries before leaving your child with us. We may ask you to sign ‘an existing injury form‘, for our records.

Please let us know if any thing has happened at home or of any circumstances or situations which may be upsetting your child, for example a bereavement. This will help us to understand any changes in your child’s behaviour and help us to give the appropriate care.

The borough of Bexley expects us to report to them, any suspicions we may have that a child is being abused. This could be Physical Abuse, Sexual, Emotional or Neglect. If a situation arises where we are worried about the well being of a child in our care we are obligated to report this. If we have any cause for concern we will report this by following the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. We can let you see a copy of these procedures if you request this.

There are set procedures which have been approved by the Area Child Protection Committee which we must follow. The Children’s Act 1989 states that the Local Authority must investigate any reports that we may make. There are childminders, child protection guidelines we must follow as well as a document from the Department of Health “What to do if you are worried a child is being abused”. We keep up to date with child protection issues and relevant legislation by taking regular training courses and by reading relevant publications such as ‘Working together to safeguard children’. This helps us to be aware of the signs of abuse or neglect and what to do if we have a concern.

We may seek advice from support services regarding your child’s welfare if we are at all concerned. This may be due to one of the following reasons:

1. Your child’s behaviour has changed considerably

2. Your child is showing signs of neglect or we are concerned about their general wellbeing

3. Your child has unexplained marks to the body that could be a sign of abuse

4. Your child’s comments or actions have caused concern

This information will be kept confidential if it is clear that your child is not at risk. Child protection concerns that could identify a particular child are kept confidential and only shared with people who need to know this information.

If we are concerned that a child is at risk we will follow the Local Safeguarding Children Board’s procedures and we will call the local social services’ duty desk immediately. They will be able to make an assessment of the situation.

We will keep accurate accounts of any incidents and disclosures. Parents will be asked for an explanation if we feel the child will not be put at risk from doing this.

If a child gives us a disclosure of abuse we will adopt the following procedures:

1. We will listen carefully and encourage the child to talk.

2. We will not interrupt or prompt them.

3. We will not ask leading questions.

4. We will make sure that we listen carefully.

5. We will not ask the child to repeat the disclosure.

6. We will take what they say seriously and let them know that we have heard what they are saying.