Safeguarding children

– Explain the policies, procedures and practices for safe working with children and young people. All adults who come into contact with children and young people in their work have a duty of care to safeguard and promote their welfare. The Children Act 2004, through the Stay Safe outcome of the Every Child Matters Change for Children programme, places a duty on organisations to safeguard and promote the well-being of children and young people. This includes the need to ensure that all adults who work with or on behalf of children and young people in the organisations are competent, confident and safe to do so.

It is my role and duty as registered manager to have competent and thorough policies, procedures and practices in place and that my staff are made aware and reminded regularly about these.

In my company we aim to provide care for children so I ensure that all of my staff cover our safeguarding policy, procedure and practice in training, meetings and I will ensure that they have regular appropriate paperwork (legislation, procedures, advice and signs to look for if they have concerns etc) available and routinely offered and discussed.

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As registered manager I will be committed to the following principles within my organisation regarding child protection: It is recognised that abuse can and does occur in society, and that this may take the following forms:

●verbal abuse / threats
●racial / sectarian abuse
●emotional abuse
●sexual abuse
●physical abuse
●psychological abuse

It is a fundamental responsibility of myself and the Management to ensure the welfare and protection of any child in our care, and THAT EVERY CHILD IN OUR CARE HAS THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM FROM ABUSE.

It is therefore Management policy that any staff member who does not possess a valid and current DBS Disclosure is never left alone with a child. All staff will receive appropriate training at the Induction stage in abuse of the child. This training will focus upon the types of abuse, the signs and symptoms involved, and the appropriate action to be taken. With respect to sources of abuse, I will ensure that my staff and company recognise the following:

My companys procedures and arrangements are designed so that all possible measures are taken to ensure that abuse of a child does not occur as a result, either directly or indirectly, of any of the Care Services provided by the my company and team. Our procedures and arrangements are designed so that all possible measures are taken to ensure that abuse of a child does not occur as a result, either directly or indirectly, of any of the Care Services provided by our company.

2.1 - Describe the possible signs, symptoms, indicators and behaviours that may cause concern in the context of safeguarding. For the purposes of our Policy’s, and in line with Local Authority Policies, abuse is classified into the following 4 categories:

●physical injury
●sexual abuse
●emotional abuse
●neglect
Physical Injury:
Signs and symptoms will include:
●scratches / cuts / bite marks / pinch marks inconsistent with normal leisure activities
●burns / scalds inconsistent with explanations offered
●bruises in body areas not usually harmed through normal leisure activities
●bruises indicative of slaps, punches, being squeezed or violently shaken
●bruises suggesting the use of straps or sticks
●nervous / fearful watchfulness; fear of physical contact by adults
●unexplained fractures
Action to be taken:
Any sign of a mark or injury noticed on the child will be recorded, and discussed with the main parent / guardian / carer. These discussions will also be recorded, ensuring that the parent / guardian / carer is provided access to these records. If explanations are judged to be unsatisfactory, the Local Authority Child Protection Officer will be informed.

Sexual Abuse:

Signs and symptoms will include:
●scratching / soreness / unexplained rashes in the genital areas
●stained / bloodstained underclothes
●bruises on inner thighs and buttocks
●discomfort when sitting or walking
●constant wetting or soiling of clothing
●suggestion of undue sexual awareness through play, drawings or the use of inappropriate words

Action to be taken:
All observations will be reported immediately to the Local Authority Child Protection Officer. Emotional Abuse:
Signs and symptoms will include:
●undue aggression or withdrawal
●constant wetting or soiling of clothing
●poor language development / speech disorders such as stammering or stuttering
●inability to relate to adults and other children
●telling lies
●tantrums beyond the age where they would be expected as normal development Action to be taken:
Any concerns will be discussed with the main parent / guardian / carer. These discussions will be recorded, ensuring that the parent / guardian / carer is provided access to these records. If explanations are judged to be unsatisfactory, the Local Authority Child Protection Officer will be informed. Neglect:

Signs and symptoms will include:
●inappropriate or inadequate clothing
●poor standards of personal hygiene / unwashed, dirty clothing
●constant hunger
●underweight for their age / emaciation
●constant tiredness / listlessness
●untreated medical conditions
●BABIES: constant soreness / rash from infrequent changing of nappies

Action to be taken:
Any concerns will be discussed with the main parent / guardian / carer. These discussions will be recorded, ensuring that the parent / guardian / carer is provided access to these records. If explanations are judged to be unsatisfactory, the Local Authority Child Protection Officer will be informed.

2.2 – Describe the actions to take if a child or young person alleges harm or abuse in line with policies and procedures of your setting. Where it is suspected that a child has suffered abuse at the hands of a third party the Organisation has a duty to report these suspicions to the Local Authority, and will follow procedures set down in the Local Authority Child Protection Policies. It is the underlying policy of my company that the safety, well-being and protection of the child is paramount. Where there is serious concern, for example where abuse is suspected, this will be reported immediately to myself, I will then review the evidence and take the appropriate action. Such action may include the involvement of the Social Services Child Protection Team, and in all cases issues and concerns are dealt with in the strictest confidence.

Where suspected abuse is linked with allegations of malpractice by a staff member, the Whistle-blowing Policy No 1103 will be invoked. It is the policy of my Company to involve the child’s family / guardians / carers at all stages unless it is considered, at the discretion of myself, that this is not in the child’s best interests and the child could be exposed to further risk. It is my responsibility within my role as registered manager to take appropriate action if harm/abuse is alleged/suspected in line with my company’s policies.

Staff may be made aware of a full disclosure or a partial disclosure from a child or young person, it is paramount that my staff are trained in the best actions to take in these situations and that they follow our procedures and policies in order to give appropriate support and action my staff are trained take notice of hints, marks, document behavior and changes etc. if a child discloses an allegation or a hint my staff will -Stay calm

-Reassure the child and show concern
-Believe them
-Listen carefully
-Do not interrupt or ask leading questions
-Do not promise to keep anything a secret.

Staff are encouraged and guided in their body language and reactions such as -Not to let the child/young person see you are shocked, as it might stop them talking and add to any shame they feel Also do not confront an alleged abuser. Another Scenario might be witnessing something of concern that needs further investigation. When making a professional judgment, staff are trained and supported to assess areas such as basic care and safety needs, emotional warmth, stimulation, appropriate boundaries and stability. if a staff member is made aware of potential or actual abuse, they to report to me instantly and I will follow the procedures and legislation stated above. 2.3 – Explain the rights that children, young people and their families have in situations where harm or abuse is suspected or alleged. The UN Convention on the Rights of a child (1989) states that children’s views should be sought in all matters affecting them and given due weight in a sensitive and age appropriate way.

Although the government has made a commitment to this, it is not as yet part of UK law as it is in Wales via The Rights of Children and Young People (Wales) Measure. However the Human Rights Act 1998 incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law, and children are considered ‘persons’ in the eye of the law. Rights of children include being protected from abuse and being able to express their views and be listened to. However, when a child is at significant risk of harm then the paramount concern is to make them safe and ensure their best interests are met. Parents and carers have a right to be kept informed of any allegation of abuse. The Data Protection Act (1985) does not apply in cases of child abuse, and information can be shared across relevant agencies if required. Every effort should be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned. Information should be handled and disseminated on a need to know basis only, i.e.

Designated Person, Social Services, or Police. It is extremely important that allegations or concerns are not discussed, as any breach of confidentiality could be damaging to the child or young person, their family, those who are the subject of allegations and any child protection investigations that may follow. Informing the parents of a child or young person of concerns you may have should be done in consultation with Social Services. Parents will not be informed if they are the subject of the allegation. Any individual against whom an allegation has been made has the right to be notified about the cause for concern. This should be done in joint consultation with Social Services and the Police. It is important that the timing of this does not prejudice the investigation. Recorded information should be stored in a secure place with limited access to Designated Persons, in line with data protection laws (e.g. that information is accurate, regularly updated, relevant and secure). If enquiries arise from the public or any branch of the media, it is vital that all staff, senior team members are briefed so that they do not make any comments regarding the situation.