In Practice
Childminders can be vulnerable when it comes to safeguarding children and themselves as they normally work alone. It is therefore vital that they have policies and procedures in place that protect themselves and their family from allegations of abuse as well as ensuring the safeguarding of children in their care.
We recommend that Childminders regularly update their Safeguarding Children training on a regular basis just as they do First Aid. The NSPCC offer a distance learning programme, further details are available from www.nspcc.org.uk
Under premises and security (page 24) the statutory guidance states ‘the use of a system to verify the identity of any visitors, record their names, the purpose of the visit, and the details of arrival and departure times.’ For childminders it is very important to keep this type of record as it may be required as evidence in the event of an allegation of abuse. You can download our guest book sheet, or use an exercise book with ruled lines and mark in columns with the appropriate headings.
Ensure that you have telephone numbers of your Local Safeguarding Children’s Board
readily available (this may be your local duty social worker) in the event of an
emergency referral. You should also have a copy of the ‘what to do..’ summary and
flow chart. The NCMA have also produced a booklet ‘Safeguarding Children-
Childminders working with assistants must make sure that they know about safeguarding children and are aware of the policies and procedures that are in place.
The provider must
take necessary steps
to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
.
SAFEGUARDING Safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare
Specific legal requirements
An effective safeguarding children policy and procedure must be implemented. Providers must refer to paragraphs 3.8 – 3.9 of this document for details of how to record and make available all of their policies and procedures. All providers must inform Ofsted, without delay, of any allegations of serious harm or abuse by any person living, working, or looking after children at the premises (whether that allegation relates to harm or abuse committed on the premises or elsewhere), or any other abuse which is alleged to have taken place on the premises, and of the action taken in respect of these allegations. An early years
provider who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with this requirement, commits an offence. Providers must also notify any child protection agency (usually local children’s services or the police) previously identified by the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB), without delay, of allegations of abuse as above. Providers must ensure that they keep their concerns confidential. The provider must ensure that all members of staff understand the procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff. In group provision, a practitioner must be designated to take lead responsibility for safeguarding children within the setting, attend a child protection training course, and to liaise with local statutory children’s services agencies as appropriate.
Statutory guidance
to which providers should have regard
All practitioners should have an up-
- significant changes in children’s behaviour;
- deterioration in their general well-
being; - unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse;
- neglect;
- the comments children make which give cause for concern.
Downloads
Local Safeguarding Children’s Board Contacts
What to do if you are worried
a child is being abused Summary booklet
