Childminding Policies

My first concern will always be the welfare of your child. As a care provider for your child, I am required to follow the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board procedures. As a carer for your child, I will at all times try to share with you any concerns that I may have about your child. However, there may be times when I have to talk to social care before I talk to you.

Aims

To recognise all types of abuse: emotional, physical, sexual, neglect.

The welfare of the child is paramount.

To meet the welfare requirement ‘safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare’, I am required to take the necessary steps to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within my care.

Objective

To keep the child safe.

To provide strategies for each child to protect themselves from abuse.

Operating Policy

I keep up to date with the safeguarding of children by attending training and accessing and reading relevant information that will help me to be aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse.

I have copies of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board procedures and follow these at all times. I have read them and understand them. I ensure that I have the most recent copy of relevant procedures.

I will encourage children to recognise: 

• that their bodies are their own, they can select who they want to kiss and hug them; 
• they have rights to say no if someone tries to touch them or make them do something which frightens them or they don’t like;
• That they will be listened to and taken seriously, they will be helped if they express fear and feelings. Any concerns that I may have in connection to safeguarding will be reported to Social Care.
• Within the Early Years Category I will assist children in cleaning themselves of Feces after using the toilet.  I will ask the child’s permission before I do this.  Any child who is older than this i.e., not in the Early Years Category should be fully toilet trained and should be able to clean themselves>the toilet.      If an older child has any particular need, which prevents them from doing this, I will require permission from the parent/carer in writing to assist in this process.

I have undertaken relevant safeguarding children training.

I ask that parents and carer’s inform me if their child has had and accidents or injuries before attending my setting or of any concerns that they might have about their children. I am required to make a record of this information.

If I notice a significant change in the behavior of a child, hear any comments that concern me, see unexpected bruises, injuries or marks or even if the general wellbeing of the child becomes worse, I will carry out my duties as stated in the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.

I will contact the Local Social Care and follow this up in writing within 48 hours.

I will make a factual record of my concerns and will ask the parent / carer for an explanation providing this would not put the child in imminent danger.

If a child tells me that they are being abused or that another child is being abused, I will:

• listen to them and take their allegation seriously
• support them whilst they are talking, however, I will not ask leading questions or prompt them in any way
• never promise to keep the allegation secret
• explain what course of action I am required to take in an appropriate manner that will suit the child’s stage of development
• make a factual record of what I have seen or heard, using the exact words used by the child (if applicable)
• record the date, time, location and state who was present at the time
• immediately report my concerns to Social Care

If an allegation is made against me or a member of my family, I will invite the parent or carer to follow my complaints procedure. I will also inform Ofsted and report the allegation to Social Care following the procedures set in place by the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board. The Local Authority Social Care Child Protection Team can be contacted on 0113 2478653/2478457

In all instances that concerns are raised about the welfare of a child I will record:

• The child’s name, date of birth and address
• The time and date of the record
• Factual details about the concerns I have
• Whether I have spoken to the parent and if so, what their response was

I understand that it is not my duty to investigate any allegation of abuse or concern about a child, any concerns will be passed on to Social Care.

In Leeds, the contact details for Social Care are:

0113 2224403 – Local Authority call centre

0113 2409536 – Out of hours number

If I made any referral to Social Care, I would in form Ofsted in writing as this is a significant event. The contact details I would use are:

Ofsted Early Years

Piccadilly Gate

Store Street

Manchester

M1 2WD

0300 123 123

If any allegations are made towards me I will contact (The Local Authority} Social Care Child Protection Team can be contacted on 0113 2224403) straight away. Ill also contact Ofsted within 14 days and give a written account of activities/incidents that day.  My certificates are available to see displaying my Ofsted number.  I make all parents aware that my Ofsted number is on the contract which they sign and receive a copy of.