Safeguarding Policy
My responsibility as a childminder is to ensure the safety and welfare of all the children in my care in line with the procedures laid out by my local Safeguarding Children’s Board. I have received training on Safeguarding Children (Child Protection) and I am aware of the signs and symptoms of child abuse, physical, emotional and sexual, and those of neglect. If I have reason to believe that any child in my care is being abused in any way I will report the matter to the Sefton Social Care Customer Access Team – Phone Number 0151 934 3737; Out of hours phone number 0151 920 8234 and follow their advice and guidance. I will then inform Ofsted of this action on 0300 123 1231.
I will use my professional judgment to decide whether to raise concerns with the parents or guardians of the child. All records will be stored and kept confidential and information will only be shared with agencies working with child protection only. If I have any concerns about the safety of the child in my care this will override my confidential policy. Under no circumstances will I investigate this matter myself. As a Childminder working alone I am more vulnerable to allegations of abuse being made against my family or me. I will take precautions to protect myself from this happening by:
- Ensuring all household members over 16 are CRB cleared
- Ensuring all visitors to the house sign the visitors book and do not have unsupervised access to the children under any circumstances
- Ensuring, where possible, that no workmen are in the house during minded hours, unless it is to repair an emergency service or for Health and Safety Reasons.
- Document every accident and incident that occurs whilst in my care, informing parents and requesting them to sign my records
- Noting any marks on the children when they arrive and asking parents to inform me of any accidents that have occurred whilst outside my care
- Ensuring the children are supervised at all times
- Keeping accurate records on each child and writing a daily diary
However sometimes allegations are made and this unfortunate situation cannot be avoided. I will then inform Sefton Social Care Customer Access Team – Phone Number 0151 934b3737; Out of hours phone number 0151 920 8234 and I will inform Ofsted and complete the relevant Ofsted complaint documentation. I will write a detailed record of all related incidents, including what was said and by whom, with times and dates. I will ask any witnesses (if there were any) to also write a statement detailing the incident they witnessed and giving their contact details in case it needs to be followed up by the authorities. If you have any concerns regarding this procedure please do discuss them with me.