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All action is taken in line with the following guidance;

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a)  Thurrock local safeguarding children board ( LSCB.thurrock.gov.uk) Guidelines, the SET (Southend, Essex and Thurrock) Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures, October 2022 a copy of which is available online on set-procedures-may2022.pdf (escb.co.uk)

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b)  “Keeping Children Safe in Education” (DFE, Sept 2016)

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c)  “Working Together to Safeguard Children” (DFE, March 2023) Keeping children safe in education 2023 (publishing.service.gov.uk)

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Staff are kept informed about child protection responsibilities and procedures through induction, briefings and awareness training. There may be other adults in the nursery who rarely work unsupervised, more usually working alongside members of the nursery staff. However the Childcare Manager will ensure they are aware of the nursery’s policy and the identity of the Designated Child Protection Co-ordinator.

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 Any member of staff, volunteer or visitor to the nursery who receives a disclosure of abuse, an allegation or suspects that abuse may have occurred must report it immediately to the Designated Child Protection Co-ordinator (see Key Contacts) or in their absence, the Deputy Designated Child Protection Coordinator (see Key Contacts). In the absence of either of the above, the matter should be brought to the attention of the most senior member of staff.

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The Designated Child Protection Co-ordinator or their Deputy will immediately refer cases of suspected abuse or allegations to Thurrock Social Care by telephone and in accordance with the procedures outlined within module 6 of the SET procedures. For the full SET Procedures May 2022 click here www.thurrocklscp.org.uk/assets/1/set-procedures-may2022.pdf

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The telephone referral to Thurrock Social Care Direct will be confirmed in writing, as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours. Essential information will include the pupil’s name, address, date of birth, family composition, the reason for the referral, whether the child’s parents are aware of the referral, the name of person who initially received the disclosure plus any advice given. This written confirmation must be signed and dated by the referrer.

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 The nursery will always undertake to share our intention to refer a child to Social Care Services with the parents or carers unless to do so could place the child at greater risk of harm or impede a criminal investigation. If there is any doubt about whether to inform parents advice will be taken from the Local authority designated officer (LADO), Thurrock Social Care Services or Police (see Key Contacts).

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A statement on the nursery website will inform parents and carers about our nursery’s duties and responsibilities under child protection procedures. Parents can obtain a copy of the child protection policy on request.

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 A statement containing a summary of the nursery’s policy and procedures is signed by all staff and regular volunteers to the nursery

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All staff understand their mandatory duty to report to police any case where an act of female genital mutilation appears to have been carried out on a girl under the age of 18 (Mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation: procedural information, Home Office and DfE, 2015;

 

www.gov.uk/government/publications/mandatory-reporting-of-female-genital-mutilation-procedural-information) (also see SET procedures, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Part B3, chapter 20)

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Rose Buddies Childcare have a duty to report parents for any child failing to attend their provision if there is reason to believe the child is at risk and / or no valid reason is provided from the parent (see attendance policy).

 

Thurrock Threshold Document

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Thurrock LSCP are pleased to announce the publication of the refreshed Pathway to Serviced and Threshold Intervention document.  This guidance has been written with multi-agency involvement and consultation.

Working Together 2018 highlights at page 16:

‘The safeguarding partners should publish a threshold document, which sets out the local criteria for action in a way that is transparent, accessible and easily understood.’

This document is for everyone who works with children and young people and their families in Thurrock.  It is about the way we can work together, share information, and put the child, young person and their family at the centre of our practice, providing effective support to help them solve problems and find solutions at an early stage to prevent problems escalating.  It sets out how we approach the difficult task of keeping children and young people safe and protected from harm.

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To view the refreshed document, please click on the link to the Threshold document www.thurrocklscp.org.uk/assets/1/threshold_doc_-_updated_08.02.23.pdf 

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With reference to the two documents referred to within this document - please see the links below.

SET Police Protection Protocol = www.thurrocklscp.org.uk/assets/1/set_police_protection_protocol_july_2017.pdf

 

Thurrock LSCP Escalation Policy = www.thurrocklscp.org.uk/assets/1/thurrock_lscp_-_escalation_policy_-_2020_-_pdf.pdf

 

The Childcare Manager and all other staff who work with children will undertake appropriate child protection awareness training to equip them to carry out their responsibilities for child protection effectively, that is kept up to date by training at two yearly intervals as well as refresher training annually as set out in ‘Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years and Skills Setting’ (Dfes, 2016). Staff new to the nursery are put on external Safeguarding training with NSPCC at the next available course. All staff receives Safeguarding training on induction. The Safeguarding Officer undertakes regular training of CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) and staff have access to CEOP’s online training course ‘Keeping children safe online’ (https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/get-expert-training/keeping-children-safe-online-course/) Further training resources can be obtained from https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/Teachers/Resources/ and https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/Teachers/Portal/

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The nursery will ensure that the Designated Child Protection Co-ordinator also undertakes training in inter-agency working that is provided by the Education Safeguarding Service and refresher training at two yearly intervals to keep knowledge and skills up to date. Temporary staff and volunteers who work with children in the nursery will be made aware of the nursery’s arrangements for child protection and their responsibilities (DfES 0027/2004).

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Support will be available for staff from the Childcare Manager in the first instance, and from members of the senior leadership team where there are concerns about queries about child protection.

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All staff should have access to advice and guidance on the boundaries of appropriate behaviour and conduct. These matters form part of staff induction and are referred to in the staff handbook.

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 Categories and Definitions of Abuse

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Physical

Actual or likely physical abuse to child, or failure to prevent physical injury to a child. This includes hitting, punching and burning.

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Emotional

Actual or severe adverse effect on the emotional or behavioural development of a child caused by persistent emotional ill treatment. This can mean constantly threatening or putting a child or young person down so that they feel unloved and worthless.

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Neglect

The persistent or severe neglect of a child, or failure to protect a child from exposure to any kind of danger. This can be not providing enough food, clothing, shelter, medical care or education. It can also mean leaving a child alone and at risk.

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Sexual

Actual or likely sexual exploitation of a child. This is forcing or persuading a child or young person to take part in any kind of sexual activity. It can include inappropriate touching, kissing or sexual intercourse. It can also involve looking at, or being involved in pornographic material or videos.

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Domestic

The persistent or severe exposure to domestic violence within the home or other regular environments of the child. This can be through witnessing domestic violence or persistently over hearing it. This kind of trauma and exposure can lead to ACES that have ongoing effects later in life.

 

When to be concerned:

The following list is not exhaustive but may be a useful reference point if a member of staff has concerns.

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Staff should be concerned about a child if he/she: -

• Has an injury which is not typical of the bumps and scrapes normally associated with children’s injuries

• Regularly has unexplained injuries

• Frequently has injuries (even when apparently reasonable explanations are given)

• Confused or conflicting explanations are given on how injuries were sustained

• Exhibits significant changes in behaviour which is unusually explicit and/or inappropriate to his/her age

• Discloses an experience in which he/she may have been significantly harmed

• Is reluctant to get changed in front of others

 

Dealing with disclosures

Where a pupil actually discloses that he/she has been abused the following guidelines must be followed:

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RECIEVE

• If a child wants to talk to you, never ask them to come back later. Ask them what they want to talk to you about and, if you are concerned about their welfare, give them the time to speak to you.

• Never promise confidentiality, inform the child that you are happy to talk to them but if they tell you anything that you believe may be putting them at harm that you will have to talk to someone.

• Listen carefully to the child. Do not stop a child who is freely recalling information.

• Where a child is visibly upset or has an obvious injury, It is good practice to ask a child why they are upset or how an injury was caused, or respond to a child wanting to talk to you to help clarify vague concerns and result in the right action being taken.

 

REACT

• If you need to clarify information ask open-ended questions e.g.” Is there anything you'd like to tell me?", “Can you explain to me...” Can you describe to me....”

• Never ask leading or suggestive questions e.g. 'Did he/she do anything that they shouldn't have done?'

• Never ask 'accusing' questions e.g.” Why didn't you tell someone earlier?"

• Never criticise the alleged perpetrator, it may be someone that they will continue to live with.

• Never ask the child to repeat their disclosure for any other member of staff; it is your responsibility to share the information

 

REASSURE

• Ensure that the child is aware that they have done the right thing in talking to you and that they have not done anything wrong.

•  If you have any concerns that the child has been, or is at risk of harm, you must tell them that you will speak to someone to get help.

 

RECORD

• Make notes as soon as possible afterwards using the words that the child has used or complete a Logging a Concern Form

• Do not record your assumptions and interpretations, just what you heard and saw.

• Do not destroy original notes even if you later write things up more neatly and fully.

• Record the date, time and place of the disclosure.

• Sign any written records and identify your position in the school setting.

• Do not ask a child to write an account or sign any of your documentation as this may compromise enquiries that need to be made later by children’s social care or Police.

 

REFER

• Immediately inform the Designated Person for Child Protection or a Deputy Designated Person for Child Protection who will be responsible for following the appropriate procedures.

• To consult with your Designated Person for child protection does not mean a referral has been made. This decision is the responsibility of the Designated Person for Child Protection who will contact the appropriate agency as and when required.

• If you are unhappy about the response you receive from your Designated Person for Child Protection contact MASH / LADO yourself directly using the contacts on page1.

 

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU LEAVE WORK WITHOUT DISCUSSING YOUR CONCERNS WITH A DESIGNATED CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER.

 

Remember:

• Listen to what is being said without displaying shock or disbelief

• Accept what is being said

• Allow the child to talk freely

• Re-assure the child but do not make promises which might not be possible to keep

• Not promise confidentiality –it might be necessary to refer to Social Services

• Re-assure him/her that what might happen is not his/her fault

• Stress that it was the right thing to tell

• Avoid asking direct questions, particularly leading questions as these may jeopardise any future investigation

• Not criticize the alleged perpetrator

• If necessary, explain what has to be done next and you may have to tell someone

Avoid making assumptions about what the child is saying or make interruptions.