SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
“Safeguarding in Early Years and Childcare – Version 7 Self Audit Tool”
This “Self Audit Tool” has been designed to help you ensure that the service and your own professional practice are compliant with
current legislation (Children Act 1989 & 2004) and best practice as set out in national guidance Working Together to Safeguard
Children 2015 and the Early Years Foundation Stage, Welfare Requirements. Common Inspection Framework, Early Years
Inspection handbook and Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, Education and Skills Settings.
This audit tool should help you to become knowledgeable and more confident in applying safeguarding.
Whilst it is essential to have child protection policies and procedures in place, safeguarding children goes beyond this. It is about a
system of preventative measures that all involved in childcare and education should adopt to ensure the safety and well-being of
any child with whom they are working. The system itself must also promote equality and diversity throughout the completion of the
document.
This document should be completed by senior managers and practitioners with designated responsibility for child protection and
safeguarding along with whole team involvement. For childminders this can be completed individually. Support and guidance for
completing this document is available from Dudley Childcare Strategy Team. The audit tool will be available on the Dudley website
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/early-years/safeguarding-and-child-protection/
“A child is not a vase to be filled, but a candle to be lit” François Rabelais
Disclaimer: Dudley Council believes that all information provided in this document is correct at the time of publication but takes no responsibility
for accuracy of information published. Interested parties may copy the content of the audit tool and documentation, however Dudley Council
should be acknowledged as the source of the material.
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Foreword
Whether you are an owner, manager or a worker in a setting
‘Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility’ you also know that children learn and develop best when they are safe, happy and
healthy and therefore this must be your first and foremost consideration. Indeed, Ofsted expect to find that the mandatory
safeguarding and welfare requirements around children’s safety, security, health and ensuring suitability of staff and volunteers are
paramount in any setting.
The legal requirements are separated from the guidance in order to give clarity so that everyone working with young children knows
what they are required to do in order to improve children’s safety and well being, by being aware of the warning signs and alert to
acting on any concerns.
Furthermore, in a world where technology is part of children’s everyday life, we need to be more secure in our understanding of how
this technology can pose risks for them and indeed ourselves. We all agree that children need to understand and experience risk
and so our role as carers is to ensure that we take a balanced approach and minimise this risk to keep them safe from harm.
This Safeguarding ‘self – audit’ toolkit has been developed by the Childcare Strategy Team in partnership with our colleagues in
Safeguarding and Review Service to support you to ensure that you and staff in your setting are confident in your responsibilities to
keep all children safe.
Donna Farnell – Childcare Strategy Manager
“When the lives and the rights of children are at stake, there must be no silent witnesses”
Carol Bellamy- President of UNICEF
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Definition of Safeguarding
In accordance with Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015 (DfE) guidance, safeguarding can be summarised as:
Key principles for a child centred and coordinated approach to safeguarding






Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility: for services to be effective each professional and organisation should play their full
part; and
A child centred approach: for services to be effective they should be based on a clear understanding of the needs and views
of children.
protecting children from maltreatment;
preventing impairment of children's health or development;
ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
taking action to enable all children to have the best life chances.
Services can be judged in how effective they are in taking reasonable steps to ensure that children not only are safe, but also feel
safe. Safeguarding therefore include not only protecting children who are likely to, or who have experienced harm, but also involves
the promoting the safety and well-being of all children in order that they are prevented from harm.
Anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday. The fact that a child has reached 16 years of age, is living independently or is
in further education, is a member of the armed forces, is in hospital or in custody in the secure estate, does not change his/her
status or entitlements to services or protection.
“Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility”
“Everyone who works with children - including teachers, GPs, nurses, midwives, health visitors, early years professionals, youth
workers, police, Accident and Emergency staff, paediatricians, voluntary and community workers and social workers - has a
responsibility for keeping them safe.
No single professional can have a full picture of a child’s needs and circumstances and, if children and families are to receive
the right help at the right time, everyone who comes into contact with them has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing
information and taking prompt action.’’
Abuse is defined as…
“A form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm.
Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others
(e.g. via the internet). They may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children’’
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“Significant Harm is any Physical, Sexual, or Emotional Abuse, Neglect, accident or injury that is sufficiently serious to adversely
affect progress and enjoyment of life. Harm is defined as the ill treatment or impairment of health and development.’’
Early Years and Childcare
Early years providers have a duty under section 40 of the Childcare Act 2006 to comply with the welfare requirements of the Early
Years Foundation Stage. Early years providers should ensure that:


staff complete safeguarding training that enables them to recognise signs of potential abuse and neglect; and
they have a practitioner who is designated to take lead responsibility for safeguarding children within each early years
setting and who should liaise with local statutory children’s services agencies as appropriate. This lead should also
complete child protection training.
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015
Early Years Foundation Stage and Safeguarding
Purpose and aims of the Early Years Foundation Stage
1. Every child deserves the best possible start in life and support to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early
years and a child’s experiences between birth and five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and
happy childhood is important in its own right. Good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation
children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.
2. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children
learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. It promotes teaching and learning to ensure children’s ‘school
readiness’ and gives children the broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for good future
progress through school and life
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The Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements (EYFS)
Introduction
3.1 Children learn best when they are healthy, safe and secure, when their individual needs are met, and when they have positive
relationships with the adults caring for them. The safeguarding and welfare requirements, specified in this section, are designed to
help providers create high quality settings which are welcoming, safe and stimulating, and where children are able to enjoy learning
and grow in confidence.
3.2 Providers must take all necessary steps to keep children safe and well. The requirements in this section explain what early years
providers must do to: safeguard children; ensure the suitability of adults who have contact with children; promote good health;
manage behaviour; and maintain records, policies and procedures.
3.3 Schools are not required to have separate policies to cover EYFS requirements provided the requirements are already met
through an existing policy. Where providers other than childminders are required to have policies and procedures as specified
below, these policies and procedures should be recorded in writing. Childminders are not required to have written policies and
procedures. However, they must be able to explain their policies and procedures to parents, carers, and others (for example Ofsted
inspectors or the childminder agency with which they are registered) and ensure any assistants follow them.
Child Protection
3.4 Providers must be alert to any issues for concern in the child’s life at home or elsewhere. Providers must have and implement a
policy, and procedures, to safeguard children. These should be in line with the guidance and procedures of the relevant Local
Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). The safeguarding policy and procedures must include an explanation of the action to be taken
in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff, and cover the use of mobile phones and cameras in the setting.
3.5 A practitioner must be designated to take lead responsibility for safeguarding children in every setting. Childminders must take
the lead responsibility themselves. The lead practitioner is responsible for liaison with local statutory children's services agencies,
and with the LSCB. They must provide support, advice and guidance to any other staff on an ongoing basis, and on any specific
safeguarding issue as required. The lead practitioner must attend a child protection training course * that enables them to identify,
understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible abuse and neglect (as described at paragraph 3.6).
* Taking account of any advice from LSCB or Local Authority on appropriate training courses.
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3.6 Providers must train all staff to understand their safeguarding policy and procedures, and ensure that all staff have up to date
knowledge of safeguarding issues. Training made available by the provider must enable staff to identify signs of possible abuse and
neglect at the earliest opportunity, and to respond in a timely and appropriate way.
These may include:
• significant changes in children's behaviour;
• deterioration in children’s general well-being;
• unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect;
• children’s comments which give cause for concern;
• any reasons to suspect neglect or abuse outside the setting, for example in the child’s home; and/or
• inappropriate behaviour displayed by other members of staff, or any other person working with the children. For example,
inappropriate sexual comments; excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities;
or inappropriate sharing of images.
3.7 Providers must have regard to the Government's statutory guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’. If providers have
concerns about children's safety or welfare, they must notify agencies with statutory responsibilities without delay. This means the
local children's social care services and, in emergencies, the police.
3.8 Registered providers must inform Ofsted or their childminder agency of any allegations of serious harm or abuse by any person
living, working, or looking after children at the premises (whether the allegations relate to harm or abuse committed on the premises
or elsewhere). Registered providers must also notify Ofsted or their childminder agency of the action taken in respect of the
allegations. These notifications must be made as soon as is reasonably practicable, but at the latest within 14 days of the
allegations being made. A registered provider who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with this requirement, commits an
offence.
Suitable People
3.9 Providers must ensure that people looking after children are suitable to fulfil the requirements of their roles. Providers must have
effective systems in place to ensure that practitioners, and any other person who is likely to have regular contact with children
(including those living or working on the premises), are suitable12.
3.10 Ofsted or the agency with which the childminder is registered is responsible for checking the suitability of childminders and of
persons living or working on a childminder’s premises, including obtaining enhanced criminal records checks and barred list checks.
Providers other than childminders must obtain an enhanced criminal records disclosure in respect of every person aged 16 and over
who13:
• works directly with children;
• lives on the premises on which the childcare is provided; and/or
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• works on the premises on which the childcare is provided (unless they do not work on the part of the premises where the
childcare takes place, or do not work there at times when children are present).
3.11 Providers must tell staff that they are expected to disclose any convictions, cautions, court orders, reprimands and warnings
which may affect their suitability to work with children (whether received before or during their employment at the setting). Providers
must not allow people whose suitability has not been checked, including through a criminal records check, to have unsupervised
contact with children being cared for.
3.12 Providers other than childminders must record information about staff qualifications and the identity checks and vetting
processes that have been completed (including the criminal records disclosure, reference number, the date a disclosure was
obtained and details of who obtained it). For childminders the relevant information will be kept by Ofsted or the agency with which
the childminder is registered.
3.13 Providers must also meet their responsibilities under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, which includes a duty to
make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service where a member of staff is dismissed (or would have been, had the person
not left the setting first) because they have harmed a child or put a child at risk of harm 14.
12 To allow Ofsted or the relevant childminder agency to make these checks, childminders are required to supply information to Ofsted or the relevant childminder agency, as
set out in Schedule 1, Part 2 of the Childcare (Early Years Register) Regulations 2008, amended by the Childcare (Early Years Register) (Amendment) Regulations 2012. The
requirements relating to people who live and work on childminder premises are in Schedule 1, Part 1.
13 The requirement for a criminal records check will be deemed to have been met in respect of all people living or working in childcare settings, whose suitability was checked
by Ofsted or their local authority before October 2005.
14 Section 35 of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
Ofsted website
www.ofsted.gov.uk
Department for Education website http://www.education.gov.uk
Time scales and how to complete
It is envisaged completion will run alongside the Ofsted Inspection cycle. This should be reviewed and updated annually ensuring
safeguarding and good practice is ongoing, monitored and maintained.
This working audit tool is designed to be user friendly and completed by senior staff, in consultation with all staff, within the setting or
childminder.
The document layout is in a simple section format under headings relating to safeguarding and the welfare of children (see contents
list for full details)
Completion of the audit tool is self explanatory with questions requiring yes / no answers and comments. Each section has
supportive links which are live when completing electronically.
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“Things should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler” Albert Einstein
Tickell Report 2011
Contents
Section 1
Information about your provision
9
Section 2
What you should know
10
Section 3
What you should have in place
16
Section 4
Complimentary policies and procedures
20
Section 5
Recruitment and suitable selection of staff
23
Section 6
Management of Allegations Procedures
26
Section 7
Record keeping, confidentiality and
27
information sharing
Section 8
Safe environment
29
Section 9
Appendices
31
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Section 1
Information about your provision
Name of Organisation/ Setting/ Group/
Childminder:
Setting Address:
Owner:
Manager:
Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Name of person/s completing this form
including job title:
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9
Section 2
Are you
aware of:
What you should know
Yes
No
If no, the action I will
take
If yes, please give
details
Key
Information
Where to find Information
Visit or call: http://safeguardingchildren.dudley.gov.uk/
(1) The Role
and Remit of
Dudley
Safeguarding
Children
Board?
Regulatory
body for
children’s
services across
Dudley.
(DSCB)
Safeguarding and Review Service – Corbyn Road, Dudley
DY1 2JZ Tel: 01384 813061
For further Safeguarding information –
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/early-years/
Dudley Childcare Strategy Team – Our new offices are
located at: 2nd floor, 3-5 St James Road, Dudley, DY1 1HY
Tel: 01384 814291
All postal correspondence should be sent to:
Dudley MBC, FAO: Early Years and Childcare Strategy
Team, Council House, Priory Road, Dudley, DY1 1HF
(2) DSCB’s
Inter-Agency
Safeguarding
Procedures?
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Local Authority
procedures for
safeguarding
children &
young people
http://safeguardingchildren.dudley.gov.uk/information-forprofessionals/safeguarding-children-procedures
(follow the link and click on ‘For children and young people’ from
the top headings click ‘I work with children’ then from the drop
down menu click ‘safeguarding children procedures’)
10
Action
by &
date
Section 2
Are you aware
of: (continued)
What you should know
Yes
(3) Your Roles and
Responsibilities
under:
No
If no, the action I
will take
If yes, please give
details
Key
Information
Where to find Information
Statutory
Duties
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/earlyyears/safeguarding-and-child-protection/
(a) Children Act
(1989 & 2004)?
www.legislation.gov.uk
(b) Childcare Act
2006?
(c) Working
Together to
Safeguard
Children 2015?
(d) Early Years
Foundation
Stage:
Safeguarding
and Welfare
Requirements?
(e) Common
Inspection
Framework
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Statutory
Best Practice
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa
ds/attachment_data/file/419595/Working_Together_to
_Safeguard_Children.pdf
Documents referred to as A, B, C, E, F, G are for reference
only – copies are not required
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk
Safeguarding
and Welfare
Requirements
11
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commoninspection-framework-education-skills-and-earlyyears-from-september-2015
Action
by &
date
Section 2
Are you aware of:
(continued)
What you should know
Yes
No
If no, the action I
will take
If yes, please give
details
Key
Information
Where to find Information
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/earlyyears-inspection-handbook-from-september-2015
(f) Early Years
Inspection handbook
September 2015
(g) Inspecting
safeguarding in early
years, education and
skills settings
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inspectin
g-safeguarding-in-early-years-education-and-skillsfrom-september-2015
(h) Early Help?
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/carehealth/children-and-family-care/common-assessmentframework/
(g) Dudley
Thresholds
Framework
Document
http://www.proceduresonline.com/dudley/scb/files/safe
guarding_children_threshold.pdf
(4) (a) Dudley
Safeguarding
Children Early Years
procedures*
Downloadable from following sources:
http://safeguardingchildren.dudley.gov.uk/
(b) “Your Role &
Responsibility in
Child Protection”
updated version 9
Spring 2017*
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http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/earlyyears/safeguarding-and-child-protection/
12
Action
by &
date
Section 2
Are you aware of:
What you should know
Yes
(continued)
No
If no, the action I
will take
If yes, please give
details
Key
Information
(c) Are these two
documents on
display in your
provision?*
* There is no legal requirement for these documents
to be displayed. Good practice to have available
(d) Where are
they located in
your provision and
do staff, students
and volunteers
have access to
these?
(e) Are they
available for
parents/carers?
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Where to find Information
13
Action
by &
date
Section 2
Are you aware of:
What you should know
Yes
(continued)
No
If no, the action I
will take
If yes, please give
details
Key
Information
(5) (a) How to
Where to find Information
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/early-years/forproviders/training-programme/
access
Safeguarding
training for your
provision?
Childcare Training Brochure
[email protected]
Caroline Mills – Training Officer 01384 81 3359 –
[email protected]
(b) Do you and all
your staff hold a
current
Foundation Child
Protection training
certificate?
Child Protection Foundation
Note: Foundation
Child Protection
training for all
practitioners should
be completed every
3 years.
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14
Action
by &
date
Section 2
Are you aware of:
What you should know
Yes
(continued)
No
If no, the action I
will take
If yes, please give
details
Key
Information
(c) Please
Where to find Information
Please complete the additional training update
form and include any safeguarding workshops or
briefings that have been attended.
complete the
additional training
update form at the
end of this
document
Once completed please forward a copy to
[email protected]
http://safeguarding.dudley.gov.uk/child/work-withchildren-young-people/
Appendix 6
(training update
form) please
record any on-line
child protection
training completed
(d) Are you aware
DSCB On-line training is available on above link.
This can be accessed as a 3 year refresher
following attendance of a face to face session.
The module required to be completed is titled
‘Core’
of DSCB
Safeguarding
Training?
This training is
available to all
Early Years and
Childcare
practitioners.
Please note: Safeguarding/Child Protection training records are held by Dudley Childcare Strategy Team.
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15
Action
by &
date
Section 3
Safeguarding/Child
Protection
Procedures
What you should have in place
Yes
No
If no, the action I will take
What to Include:
If yes, please give details
(1) Do you have a
A Safeguarding/Child Protection Policy should be
clear and to the point. It should consist of a series
of brief statements about how your provision aims
to protect children from harm and promote their
welfare.
Safeguarding/child
protection policy that
is accessible for:
If a written policy is available this needs to be
accessible to everyone and as good practice be
displayed.
(a) Staff/Volunteers/
Students?
(2)
(b) Parents/Carers
Consideration should be given to take account of
children and young people’s views and feelings
on staying safe. (Are they aware of whom they
can contact or talk to?)
(2) (a) Do you have
written procedures
that tell you what you
should do if
concerned about a
child?
Clear step-by step guidance on what to do, who
to go to and how to act on concerns about a
child’s safety/welfare.
Guidance. What to do if you’re worried a child is
being abused
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-todo-if-youre-worried-a-child-is-being-abused--2
(b) Are you aware
that if a child/ren are
living in a household
where there is
domestic abuse a
call must be made to
Children’s Social
Care?
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Guidance on how to recognise the indicators of
domestic abuse can be found in the Your Roles
and Responsibilities booklet
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/earlyyears/safeguarding-and-child-protection/
16
Action
by &
date
Section 3
Safeguarding/Child
Protection
Procedures
(continued)
What you should have in place
Yes
No
What to Include:
If no, the action I will take
If yes, please give details
CHILDCARE ON
NON-DOMESTIC
PREMISES (if you are
Reference documents on links below:
EYFS Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements
a childminder please go
to question 4, page 19)
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk
(3)
Your Role and Responsibility (purple book)
(a) Is your
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/earlyyears/safeguarding-and-child-protection/
safeguarding/child
protection policy part
of your parent/carer
information?
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015
What to do if?
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-to-doif-youre-worried-a-child-is-being-abused--2
(b) Does your
For further support and advice contact your Dudley
Childcare Support Officer or Childminding Quality
Support Officer
Safeguarding/child
protection policy
form part of your
induction process for
new staff and
volunteers?
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01384 818126
17
Action
by &
date
Section 3
Safeguarding/Child
Protection
Procedures
What you should have in place
Yes
No
What to Include:
If no, the action I will take
If yes, please give details
(continued)
(c) Do staff and
volunteers sign to say
they have read and
understood their
responsibilities under
these procedures?
(d) Do you have a
designated
safeguarding lead
(DSL) that is
responsible for dealing
with Child Protection
concerns?
This person should have:


(Does this person’s job
description outline the
duties of the DSL?)
Please note that Child protection training is not
progressional. Foundation training is a DSCB
mandatory requirement for all staff.
(e) Has the DSL
completed Foundation
and Working Together
to Safeguard training
within the last 3 years?
(f) Has the DSL
completed specific
DSL training within the
last 2 years?
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A current basic awareness child protection
training certificate
A trained deputy/senior practitioner
available in their absence
18
Action
by &
date
Section 3
Safeguarding/Child
Protection
Procedures
What you should have in place
Yes
No
What to Include:
If no, the action I will take
If yes, please give details
(continued)
CHILDCARE ON
DOMESTIC
PREMISES
(4) Do you have a
Safeguarding/ Child
protection policy?
EYFS 3.3 states ‘Childminders are not required to
have written policies and procedures. However, they
must be able to explain their policies and procedures
to parents, carers and others e.g Ofsted Inspectors
and ensure assistants follow them.’
Is this:
(a) Verbal
A written policy is good practice.
(b) Written
http://www.pacey.org.uk/
Arrangements for safeguarding children Outline n
CR2.1 – CR2.8
(5) Are you aware of
the factsheet
Childcare Register
Requirements:
childminders and
home childcarers?
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http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/factsheetchildcare-childcare-register-requirementschildminders-and-home-childcarers
19
Action
by &
date
Section 4
Safeguarding
Policy
Complimentary Policies and Procedures
Yes No
If no, the action I will take
What to include:
If yes, please give details
This is not one procedure but a collection of procedures
as below:
(1) Do you have a set
First aid and medication
of safeguarding
procedures/ policies
as outlined in the
adjacent list?
Late non collection
Accident/incident recording
Health & Safety
Safer Recruitment and managing staff including
supervision/ safer working practice guidance
Management of Allegations
Reviewing and Appraising
Behaviour Policy (Codes of conduct)
Compliments and Complaints
Capturing images, social networking sites and learning
journeys (consents)
Working in partnership with parents (does this include
information about who has legal contact with the child
and who has parental responsibility for the child?)
Prevent Duty
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/early-years/forproviders/safeguarding-and-child-protection/safeguardingsupporting-documents/
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20
Action
by &
date
Section 4
Safeguarding
Policy
Complimentary Policies and Procedures
Yes
No
What to Include:
If no, the action I will take
If yes, please give details
(continued)
(2) Are you aware
that you must notify
Ofsted and Dudley
Children’s Social
Care of any serious
accident or injury to
or death of any child
in your care and
must act on any
advice from those
agencies?
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notifyofsted-of-serious-childcare-incident-form-for-localauthorities
Refer to EYFS 3.50 and 3.51
(3) Are you aware of
the Serious Case
Review process and
your responsibility to
contribute to this if
required?
http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/
safeguardingchildren/reviews/a0068869/scrs
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa
ds/attachment_data/file/439598/prevent-dutydepartmental-advice-v6.pdf
(4) Are you aware of
the Prevent Duty?
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21
Action
by &
date
Section 4
Safeguarding Policy
(continued)
Complimentary Policies and Procedures
Yes
No
If no, the action I will take
What to include:
If yes, please give details
(5) (a) Do you have
Please refer to EYFS 3.52 and 3.53
and implement a
behaviour
management policy
and procedure?
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa
ds/attachment_data/file/335504/EYFS_framework_fro
m_1_September_2014__with_clarification_note.pdf
(b) Do you have a
named practitioner
responsible for
behaviour
management?
(c) Does your setting
have a physical
intervention
procedure?
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/early-years/forproviders/safeguarding-and-child-protection/
(d) Do you keep a
record of any
occasion where
physical intervention
is used?
(e) Do you inform
parents/carers the
same day when a
physical intervention
incident has
occurred?
Version 7 – Spring 2017
22
Action
by &
date
Section 5
Recruitment and
selection of
suitable staff
Recruitment and Suitable Selection of Staff
Yes
No
If no, the action I will take
What to include:
If yes, please give details
Safer
Recruitment
(1)
(a) Do you have
https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/helpingemployers-make-safer-recruiting-decisions
procedures in
place to promote
safer recruitment?
Disclosure & Barring Service.
(including
childminders who
employ assistants)
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/discl
osure-and-barring-service/about
(b) Have you or
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/early-years/forproviders/training-programme/
any staff attended
Safer Recruitment
training?
Version 7 – Spring 2017
http://safeguardingchildren.dudley.gov.uk/
23
Action
by &
date
Section 5
Recruitment and
selection of
suitable staff
Recruitment and Suitable Selection of Staff
Yes
No
If no, the action I will take
What to include:
If yes, please give details
(continued)
DBS
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbsapplication-forms-guide-for-applicants
(2) (a) Do you and
all staff hold a
current enhanced
DBS?
(b) Do you keep a
record of DBS date
of issue details?
(c) Do you keep a
Single Central
Record (SCR)?
Refer to EYFS 3.13, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16 and 3.17
(3) Are you aware in
the event of
disqualification you
must notify Ofsted?
Version 7 – Spring 2017
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/u
ploads/attachment_data/file/249436/dbsfactsheet--when-to-refer.pdf
24
Action
by &
date
Section 5
Recruitment and
selection of
suitable staff
Recruitment and Suitable Selection of Staff
Yes
No
If no, the action I will take
What to include:
If yes, please give details
(continued)
(4) Are you aware of
the EYFS
requirement in
relation to Staff
taking
medication/other
substances?
Use above link referring to 3.19
Refer to EYFS 3.56
(5) Do you have a no
smoking policy?
(6) Are you and
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/early-years/forproviders/safeguarding-and-childprotection/safeguarding-supporting-documents/
other staff aware of
this document?
‘Safer Working
Practice
Guidance for
Adults who work
with Children’
Version 7 – Spring 2017
For advice and support contact Local Authority
Designated Officer (LADO) 01384 813110
25
Action
by &
date
Section 6
Management of
Allegations
Procedures
Management of Allegations Procedures
Yes
No
If no, the action I will take
What to include:
If yes, please give details
(1) Are you aware
Dudley Safeguarding & Review Service - Corbyn
of the Dudley
Management of
Allegations
Procedures?
Road, Dudley DY1 2JZ
01384 813061
[email protected]
(2) Do you know
You can also refer to Roles and Responsibilities
(purple) booklet through the link below
what to do in the
event of an
allegations being
made against
yourself or
member of staff?
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/earlyyears/safeguarding-and-child-protection/
http://safeguarding.dudley.gov.uk/child/work-withchildren-young-people/management-of-allegations/
(3) Are you aware
of Ofsted’s
Whistleblowing/
hotline procedure?
Ofsted hotline is 0300 123 3155. Their email is
[email protected]
Or you can write to WBHL
Ofsted, Piccadilly Gate, Store Street
Manchester M1 2WD
(4) Are you aware
of Ofsted’s
Complaints and
Enforcement
Department?
A clear process for reporting and recording concerns
and information on how this will be managed/shared
0300 123 4666
https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-school
Version 7 – Spring 2017
26
Action
by &
date
Section 7
Information
Sharing
Record Keeping, Confidentiality and Information Sharing
Yes
No
If no, the action I will take
What to include:
If yes, please give details
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa
ds/attachment_data/file/419628/Information_sharing_
advice_safeguarding_practitioners.pdf
(1) Are you aware
of the Information
Sharing Guidance
2015?
(2) (a) Do you
Please see appendix 1 of the Roles and
Responsibilities Booklet Version 9 for the Multiagency referral form (MARF)
record
safeguarding/ child
protection
concerns?
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/early-years/forproviders/safeguarding-and-child-protection/
(b) Are these
records signed and
dated?
(c) Are the records
up to date and
complete?
DCSF-
Version 7 – Spring 2017
27
Action
by &
date
Section 7
Information
Sharing
Record Keeping, Confidentiality and Information Sharing
Yes
No
If no, the action I will take
What to include:
If yes, please give details
(continued)
(d) Do the records
indicate
appropriate action
is taken in
response to
concerns and
allegations in a
timely manner?
(e) Do the records
show evidence of
following up
concerns with
relevant agencies?
(f) Are your
records stored
securely?
(g) Do you ensure
confidentiality is
maintained at all
times?
Version 7 – Spring 2017
28
Action
by &
date
Section 8
Safe Environment Yes
Safe Environment
No
If no, the action I will take
What to include:
If yes, please give details
(1) (a) Does your
http://safeguarding.dudley.gov.uk/child/work-withchildren-young-people/e-safety-and-use-ofimages/
provision operate
an ‘Empty pocket
Policy ’in line with
DSCB guidance
for use of personal
mobile phones?
Refer to EYFS 3.4
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/early-years/forproviders/safeguarding-and-childprotection/safeguarding-supporting-documents/
(b) Does your
provision operate
within the DSCB
guidance for Social
networking sites?
(c) Does your
provision operate
within the DSCB
guidance for ‘Use
of Images’?
(d) Does your
provision obtain
parental consent
for use of images?
Version 7 – Spring 2017
29
Action
by &
date
Section 8
Safe Environment Yes
(continued)
Safe Environment
No
If no, the action I will take
What to include:
If yes, please give details
(e) Are you
See Safeguarding Privacy and Personal
Information factsheet link below
registered with the
ICO (Information
Commissioners
Office) in relation
to the Data
Protection Act
1998?
Version 7 – Spring 2017
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/education-andlearning/early-years/safeguarding-and-childprotection/safeguarding---for-providers/
30
Action
by &
date
Section 9
Appendices
Appendix 1
EYFS Safeguarding & Welfare Requirements
32
Appendix 2
Key references and source materials
33
Appendix 3
EYFS Child Protection
35
Appendix 4
Key roles and contacts
36
Appendix 5
Other Local Authority Contact Details for
37
Safeguarding Teams
Appendix 6
Version 7 – Spring 2017
Safeguarding Staff Training Update
31
39
Appendix 1
EYFS Safeguarding & Welfare Requirements
Information and records
3.68 Providers must maintain records and obtain and share information (with parents and carers, other professionals working with
the child, and the police, social services, Ofsted or the childminder agency with which they are registered, as appropriate) to ensure
the safe and efficient management of the setting, and to help ensure the needs of all children are met. Providers must enable a
regular two-way flow of information with parents and/or carers, and between providers, if a child is attending more than one setting.
If requested, providers should incorporate parents’ and/or carers’ comments into children’s records.
3.69 Records must be easily accessible and available (with prior agreement from Ofsted or the childminder agency with which they
are registered, these may be kept securely off the premises). Confidential information and records about staff and children must be
held securely and only accessible and available to those who have a right or professional need to see them. Providers must be
aware of their responsibilities under the Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998 and where relevant the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
3.70 Providers must ensure that all staff understand the need to protect the privacy of the children in their care as well the legal
requirements that exist to ensure that information relating to the child is handled in a way that ensures confidentiality. Parents and/or
carers must be given access to all records about their child, provided that no relevant exemptions apply to their disclosure under the
DPA34.
The Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) gives parents and carers the right to access information about their child that a provider holds. However, the DPA also
sets out specific exemptions under which certain personal information may, under specific circumstances, be withheld from release. For example, a relevant
professional will need to give careful consideration as to whether the disclosure of certain information about a child could cause harm either to the child or any
other individual. It is therefore essential that all providers/staff in early years settings have an understanding of how data protection laws operate. Further
guidance can be found on the website of the Information Commissioner’s Office at: https://ico.org.uk/
34
3.71 Records relating to individual children must be retained for a reasonable period of time after they have left the provision.
Further information can be found on link below
http://www.safenetwork.org.uk/help_and_advice/best_safeguarding_practice/Pages/recording-and-storing-information.aspx
Information about the child
Version 7 – Spring 2017
32
3.72 Providers must record the following information for each child in their care: full name; date of birth; name and address of every
parent and/or carer who is known to the provider (and information about any other person who has parental responsibility for the
child); which parent(s) and/or carer(s) the child normally lives with; and emergency contact details for parents and/or carers.
Appendix 2
Key References and Source Materials
National documents:
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015 - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2
Common Inspection Framework - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/common-inspection-framework-education-skills-and-earlyyears-from-september-2015
Early Years Inspection handbook September 2015 - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-inspection-handbook-fromseptember-2015
Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inspectingsafeguarding-in-early-years-education-and-skills-from-september-2015
Foundations for quality - Nutbrown review – June 2012 http://www.education.gov.uk/nutbrownreview
More Great Childcare – Elizabeth Truss – DfE January 2013
http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/earlylearningandchildcare/a00220847/more-great-childcare
What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-to-do-if-youre-worried-a-child-is-beingabused--2
The Munro Review of Child Protection Professor Eileen Munro https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/CM%208062
The Bichard Inquiry - http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/b/bichard%20inquiry%20report.pdf
Ofsted -Learning lessons from serious case reviews http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/safeguardingchildren/reviews/a0068869/scrs
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33
Introduction to Online Safety in Early Years Settings - http://swgfl.org.uk/products-services/esafety/resources/Early-Years-Publication/EYToolkit-Sample
Data Protection Act – Information Commissioners Office - https://ico.org.uk/
Information Sharing Guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/419628/Information_sharing_advice_safeguarding_practitioners.pdf
Dudley documents and web site links:
Dudley Safeguarding Children Board Child Protection Procedures –
http://safeguardingchildren.dudley.gov.uk/information-for-professionals/safeguarding-children-procedures
(follow the link and click on ‘For children and young people’ from the top headings click ‘I work with children’ then from the drop down menu click
‘safeguarding children procedures’)
Dudley Safeguarding Children Board Training Calendar - http://safeguarding.dudley.gov.uk/child/work-with-children-young-people/
Dudley EYFS and Childcare Training Programme - http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/early-years/for-providers/training-programme/
Dudley Managing your Setting Support Documents http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/early-years/for-providers/management-and-businessdevelopment/
Version 7 – Spring 2017
34
Appendix 3
EYFS Child Protection
3.4 Providers must be alert to any issues for concern in the child’s life at home or elsewhere. Providers must have and implement a
policy, and procedures, to safeguard children. These should be in line with the guidance and procedures of the relevant Local
Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). The safeguarding policy and procedures must include an explanation of the action to be taken
in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff, and cover the use of mobile phones and cameras in the setting.
3.5 A practitioner must be designated to take lead responsibility for safeguarding children in every setting. Childminders must take
the lead responsibility themselves. The lead practitioner is responsible for liaison with local statutory children's services agencies,
and with the LSCB. They must provide support, advice and guidance to any other staff on an ongoing basis, and on any specific
safeguarding issue as required. The lead practitioner must attend a child protection training course 11 that enables them to identify,
understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible abuse and neglect (as described at paragraph 3.6).
3.6 Providers must train all staff to understand their safeguarding policy and procedures, and ensure that all staff have up to date
knowledge of safeguarding issues. Training made available by the provider must enable staff to identify signs of possible abuse and
neglect at the earliest opportunity, and to respond in a timely and appropriate way. These may include:
• significant changes in children's behaviour;
• deterioration in children’s general well-being;
• unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect;
• children’s comments which give cause for concern;
• any reasons to suspect neglect or abuse outside the setting, for example in the child’s home; and/or
• inappropriate behaviour displayed by other members of staff, or any other person working with the children. For example,
inappropriate sexual comments; excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities;
or inappropriate sharing of images.
Version 7 – Spring 2017
35
3.7 Providers must have regard to the Government's statutory guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015’. If providers
have concerns about children's safety or welfare, they must notify agencies with statutory responsibilities without delay. This means
the local children's social care services and, in emergencies, the police.
3.8 Registered providers must inform Ofsted or their childminder agency of any allegations of serious harm or abuse by any person
living, working, or looking after children at the premises (whether the allegations relate to harm or abuse committed on the premises
or elsewhere). Registered providers must also notify Ofsted or their childminder agency of the action taken in respect of the
allegations. These notifications must be made as soon as is reasonably practicable, but at the latest within 14 days of the
allegations being made. A registered provider who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with this requirement, commits an
offence.
11 Taking
account of any advice from the LSCB or local authority on appropriate training courses
Appendix 4
Key Roles and Contacts
Dudley Safeguarding Children Board
In accordance with the Children Act 2004, every local authority is required to establish a Local Safeguarding Children Board to coordinate inter-agency arrangements to safeguard and promote children’s welfare and to ensure that such arrangements are
effective.
Safeguarding & Review Service – Corbyn Road, Dudley DY1 2JZ
01384 813061 or email [email protected]
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
Working Together Guidance 2015 established a requirement to have a Local Authority Designated Officer for the management and
oversight of individual cases involving a concern or allegation against an adult who works with children or young people. In Dudley,
the LADO is Lovona Brown available on 01384 813110 based at Corbyn Road, Dudley DY1 2JZ
[email protected]
All LADO Referrals should be sent to [email protected]
Full details of Management of Allegation procedures can be found on link below
http://safeguarding.dudley.gov.uk/child/work-with-children-young-people/management-of-allegations/
Childcare Support Officers (CSO) and Childminder Quality Support Officers
The CSO officers provide advice, support, guidance and challenge to all childcare settings within the Dudley Borough. They can
support you with the development of your policies and procedures. The childminding support team have a similar role to the CSOs,
but offer their service to all childminders, or home based child carers within the borough.
Senior Practice Supervisor for Childcare Telephone: 01384 812862. Email: [email protected]
Version 7 – Spring 2017
36
Workforce Development
Childcare and Early Years Workforce Manager – Gail Morgan. Telephone: 01384 814389. Email: [email protected]
Childcare Training Officer – Caroline Mills. Telephone: 01384 813359. Email: [email protected]
Appendix 5
Other Local Authority Contact Details for Safeguarding Teams
DUDLEY
In Dudley, if you are concerned about a child you can call for advice or to make a child protection referral to the Single Point of Access
(SPA). The number is 0300 555 0050. SPA hours are 9am–5pm Monday to Friday.
At all other times, emergency duty team borough wide 0300 555 8574
Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
A MASH brings key professionals together in one location to facilitate early, better quality information sharing, analysis and decision
making

The way you report safeguarding concerns will not change.

The quality of the information included in the Multi Agency Referral Form is key.

The changes will not change your individual or organisational role in safeguarding.

Ensure your individual / organisational record keeping remains of a high standard. MASH is only as good as the information it
receives.

IT systems containing information must be up-to-date to inform effective decision making in the MASH.
BIRMINGHAM
Birmingham Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
Telephone 0121 303 1888
Version 7 – Spring 2017
37
Fax 0121 303 0814
Email – [email protected] secure email [email protected]
http://www.lscbbirmingham.org.uk/index.php/about-us-list/167-mash-hubs
SANDWELL
Sandwell Children’s Social Care and Emergency out of hours team
Access Service for children’s social care 0121 569 3100 (this number is available outside of normal office hours)
If the child is in immediate danger, you should contact the police (call 999 or 0845 113 5000)
Email http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/info/200219/children/2177/report_a_child_at_risk
WALSALL
Monday – Thursday, 8.45am – 5.15pm
Friday, 8.45am – 4.45pm
Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
http://wlscb.org.uk/concerned-about-a-child/
The Quest, 2nd floor
139-143 Lichfield Street
Walsall WS1 1SE
Telephone: 0300 555 2866
Fax: 01922 658195
Emergency out of hours number: 0300 555 2922 or 0300 555 2836
email: [email protected]
Website: www.wlscb.org.uk
Version 7 – Spring 2017
38
WOLVERHAMPTON
How to report a child protection concern
To report a child protection concern or request support for a child in need and their family should contact:
The Duty and Assessment Team based at the Civic Centre, St Peters Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1RT on 01902 555392
Outside office hours contact the emergency service on 01902 552999.
http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/article/2982/Report-child-abuse
Appendix 6
Safeguarding Staff Training Update
Please identify all safeguarding training you and/or your staff have completed in the last 3 years.
Staff Name
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Safeguarding course title
Training Provider
39
Date
completed
Date to renew
training
Please forward a copy of your completed forms to [email protected]
Appendix 6 continued
Staff Name
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Safeguarding course title
Training Provider
40
Date
completed
Date to renew
training
Please continue on an additional sheet if necessary.
Version 7 – Spring 2017
41