Policies and Procedures

This policy applies to all employees, children, parents, carers, and those connected to Kids’ Corner.

Kids’ Corner closely monitors the guidance being released by the Government and Public Health England regarding Coronavirus (Covid-19) to ensure we operate safely. The management team communicate regularly and report this back to employees.

Purpose.

• To protect all employees and service users including children and parents and minimise the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19)

• To maintain the minimum level of staff needed to meet ratios and to provide for the welfare needs of the children in our care.

What will we do to keep your child safe?

 All employees have been trained in Preventing the spread of Covid-19 and as a setting we endeavour to encourage/ provide the following:

Washing hands regularly for a minimum of 20 seconds

• Extra hand washing stations will be set up especially at entry/ exit points

• Hand sanitiser will be used where appropriate

• Cover mouth/ nose when coughing or sneezing with a bent elbow or a tissue, dispose of tissues immediately and wash hands

• Organise children into smaller groups or ‘bubbles’, in which they will remain and not mix with other bubbles.

• Staff to remain with their own bubble of children as much as possible

• Staff to maintain social distance where possible and avoid contact with others such as handshakes etc.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth

• Regular and robust cleaning systems which ensure that all equipment is cleaned and areas such as touch points, bathrooms will be sanitised on a regular basis.

• Maximise the use of our outdoor space where we know that the chance of transmission is almost negligible.

• Prevent any adults other than staff entering the premises

• Allocate children with set drop-off and pick-up points to avoid large groups of parents arriving in one place

• Wash all children’s hands on arrival, throughout the day and before leaving

• Staff will wash uniform daily

• Staff will avoid public transport where possible and follow government guidance if this is the only option

• Staff will minimise outside social interactions as per the national guidelines.

• Staff will remain vigilant for anyone displaying symptoms within the setting and act accordingly. 

• We will isolate anyone displaying symptoms and ask for them to go home and isolate.

How you can help us………

For us to be successful in minimising the risk of transmission within the nursery, it is vital that we all work together, and all comply with the procedures put in place. Therefore, we need you to…

• Keep your child at home if they are unwell or displaying any symptoms of Coronavirus (Covid-19) or if anyone within the household is self-isolating

• Ensure that only ONE parent/ carer per family comes to nursery to drop off/ collect children

• Maintain 2m from any other parents whilst waiting to drop off/ collect your child/ ren

• Do not attempt to enter the building

• Do not send items from home to nursery with your child unless essential to their well being

• Please be patient with staff when waiting to drop-off or collect your child.

• Please be aware and understand that we will take no risks when children display any signs of illness, we will then isolate children with a member of staff so that they are comfortable and then ask you to collect immediately. 

• We will ask you to collect your child immediately if they display a temperature of 37.8 degrees or above and/ or develop a new or persistent cough. We WILL NOT deviate from this core government guidance. We understand that young children will display temperatures for various reasons including teething, however we are not medical professionals and are not qualified to distinguish between teething and other illnesses and Covid-19.

• Work in partnership with us by promoting regular handwashing and good hygiene practices.

• Wash children’s clothes prior to each attendance to minimise transmission

We understand that this is a difficult and testing time, therefore we need you full support and co-operation in helping us to keep your children, yourselves, and our staff team safe.

The care of all the children at Kids’ Corner is our paramount concern and central focus. We believe that children and parents are entitled to expect courtesy and prompt, safe and careful attention to their needs and wishes.

We aim to work closely with all our parents to constantly improve our care and service. We welcome suggestions on how to improve our service and care and will give prompt and serious attention to any concerns about the running of Kids’ Corner and how we can learn from them.

We anticipate that most concerns will be resolved quickly by an informal approach to the appropriate member of staff and it is important that wherever appropriate that the concerns are raised as soon as possible in line with the informal process. If this does not achieve the desired result or if the matter is not appropriate for an informal process, we have a clear formal procedure for dealing with your concerns.

We aim to bring all concerns regarding the running of Kids’ Corner to a satisfactory conclusion for all the parties involved. We aim to learn from all matters raised with us for the benefit of all the children using the Nursery, their parents/guardians and our staff.

Procedure

Informal Process

If you have a concern that can be dealt with informally you should discuss this first on a confidential basis with the manager of Kids’ Corner. They will work with you to clarify the issue, investigate it if necessary and from there to resolve the issue that you have raised and taking action where appropriate to correct the issue that you have identified.

Formal Processes

Stage 1

  • If you are not satisfied with the response from the informal stage or if you have a concern which is too serious to be raised at an informal level, you should raise your concern in writing to Steph Carter. 
  • The manager of the setting will meet with you to discuss your complaint and following this carry out an investigation into the issues that you have raised if this is applicable.
  • The manager will meet with you again if this is necessary and write back to you confirm the outcome of the formal complaint process. This will normally be within 5 days of the first meeting with you.

Stage 2

If you are not satisfied with the response from the formal complaint process (stage 1 above) You have the right to raise the matter with:

 OFSTED – Complaints and Investigation Unit
Early years directorate
Royal Exchange Building
St Anne’s Square
Manchester
MZ 7LA  

Tel: 0300 123 1231

 Documentation

  • An agreed written record will be taken of the main discussions, and the decision taken and /or agreed action(s) for all complaints within the formal stages, All of the parties present at the meeting should sign the record and receive a copy of it. Steph Carter will maintain a copy of this confidentially and in line with all Data Protection Act requirements.
  • This confidential record of complaints outcome of all formal complaints will be made available for Ofsted inspectors on their request.

 The role of the Office for Standards in Education, Early Years Directorate (Ofsted) and the Local Safeguarding Children Board

Parents may approach Ofsted directly at any stage of this complaint’s procedure. In addition, where there seems to be a possible breach of Kids’ Corner’s registration requirements, it is essential to involve Ofsted as the registering and inspection body with a duty to ensure the Welfare Requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are adhered to.

In the unlikely event of a child going missing within or from the Kids’ Corner the following procedure will be implemented immediately.

  • All staff present will be informed, and an immediate thorough search of the setting will be made followed by a search of the surrounding area, ensuring that all other children remain supervised throughout.
  • A staff member will notify the manager in charge, whilst other staff continue searching.
  • The Manager will carry out a second search of the area.
  • If the child has still not been accounted for the manager in charge will contact the police.
  • The Manager will also contact the parents/carers of the missing child.
  • During this period, staff will be continually searching for the missing child, whilst other staff maintain as near to normal routine as possible for the rest of the children in the setting.
  • The Manager will meet the police and parents/carers.
  • The Manager will then await instructions from the police.
  • Any incidents must be recorded in writing.
  • Staff will remain in contact with the Setting via their mobile phone

 LOST CHILD PROCEDURE (OUTINGS)

Regular head counts are carried out on children throughout the outing.

In the unlikely event of a child going missing whilst on an outing the following procedure will be implemented immediately. 

  • All staff present will be informed, and an immediate thorough search of the area will be made, ensuring that all other children remain supervised throughout.
  • If appropriate, on-site security will also be informed and a description of the child/children given.
  • In the event of a child not being found, the designated person in charge will immediately inform the Police.
  • The designated person in charge will then inform the setting who will contact the child’s parents/carers giving details of what has happened.
  • Staff from the setting will be sent to assist the safe return of the other children.
  • At least one member of staff will remain at the scene whilst others return to the setting with the children. This member of staff will continue searching for the child/children.
  • The remaining member of staff will meet the Police and parents/carers when they arrive at a designated point.
  • Staff will remain in contact with the setting via their mobile phone

 

Kids’ Corner Limited fully recognises its responsibilities for the protection of children in their care.

  1. Statement of Intent

Kids’ Corner will work with children, parents, and the community to ensure the safety of children and to give them the absolute best start in life.

The key commitments of Kids’ Corner is the protection and safeguarding of children:

  1. Kids’ Corner is committed to building a ‘culture of safety’ in which children are protected from abuse and harm in all areas of its service delivery.
  2. Kids’ Corner is committed to responding promptly and appropriately to all incidents or concerns of abuse that may occur and to work with statutory agencies in accordance with the procedures that are set down in ‘What to do if you are worried a child is being abused’ (DfE 2015).
  3. Kids’ Corner is committed to promoting awareness of safeguarding and child abuse issues throughout the training and learning programmes for adults. 
  4. It is also committed to empowering young children, through the statutory requirements of its early year’s curriculum (Early Years Foundation Stage 2024), promoting their right to be strong, resilient, and listened to.
  5. Kids’ Corner will take account of and inform policy in associated areas such as the ICT policy, E-safety policy and Bullying within the Behaviour policy.

 

The three main components of this policy are:

  1. PREVENTION –providing a positive and safe environment; support to the children with vigilant practitioners providing positive role modelling.
  2. PROTECTION-Trained staff whom have acknowledged safeguarding procedures ensuring sensitivity and support to safeguarding concerns.
  3. SUPPORT– offering the children who may have been at risk of significant harm; staff who respond to their concerns in a way in which supports them.

 

Aims: Kids’ Corner aims are to carry out this policy by:

  • promoting children’s right to be strong, resilient, and listened to by creating an environment in our setting that encourages children to develop a positive self-image, which includes their heritage arising from their colour and ethnicity, their languages spoken at home, their religious beliefs, cultural traditions, and home background.
  • promoting children’s rights to be strong, resilient, and listened to by encouraging them to develop a sense of autonomy and independence.
  • promoting children’s rights to be strong, resilient, and listened to by enabling the children to have the self-confidence and the vocabulary to resist inappropriate approaches.
  • helping children to establish and sustain satisfying relationships within their families, with peers, and with other adults.
  • working with parents to build their understanding of and commitment to the principles of safeguarding all our children.

 

  1. Child Protection procedures and guidelines:

Child protection is one very key part of safeguarding the children in our care. It is referring to the process undertaken to protect children who are suffering or are at risk of suffering significant harm. Significant harm introduced in The Children’s Act 1989 is when compulsory intervention is justified by statutory agencies in family life in the interest of the child/children. It is complex decision and requires discussion with the statutory agencies. Safeguarding encompasses issues such as our children’s health and safety, bullying/cyber bullying, and appropriate medical provision this is in addition to child protection; please refer to our Health and Safety Policy, Behaviour Policy and E-safety Policy for more details in these areas.

  1. Safer Recruitment:

Kids’ Corner is committed to ensuring that all staff, volunteers, and visitors to the setting are appropriately checked and supervised to maintain the safety and security of our children. 

Designated Safeguarding Lead Officer (DSLO) is: All Management at Kids’ Corner

  • Kids’ Corner provide adequate and appropriate staffing resources to meet the needs of children.
  • Applicants for posts within the setting are clearly informed that the positions are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
  • Candidates are informed of the need to carry out ‘enhanced disclosure’ checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before posts can be confirmed.
  • Where applications are rejected because of information that has been disclosed, applicants have the right to know and to challenge incorrect information.
  • Kids’ Corner abide by Ofsted requirements in respect of references and DBS checks for staff and volunteers, to ensure that no disqualified person or unsuitable person works at the setting or has access to the children.
  • All staff are requested termly to confirm that there are no changes to their household circumstances that would impede their suitability to carry out their role. Should circumstances have changed it is the Manager’s responsibility to inform Ofsted.
  • Volunteers do not work unsupervised.
  • Kids’ Corner abide by the safer recruitment requirements in respect of any person who is dismissed from our employment or resigns in circumstances that would otherwise have led to dismissal for reasons of child protection concern.
  • Kids’ Corner have procedures for recording the details of visitors to the setting.
  • Kids’ Corner take security steps to ensure that we have control over who comes into the setting so that no unauthorised person has unsupervised access to the children.

 

  1. Staff Training and Induction

Kids’ Corner is committed to promoting awareness of safeguarding and child abuse issues throughout its training of the staff. Kids’ Corner is committed to empowering young children, through its early childhood curriculum – the EYFS 2024, promoting their right to be strong, resilient, and listened to.

  • The staff carry out training every 3 years and the DSLO holds an advanced safeguarding qualification, to ensure that they are able to recognise the signs and symptoms of possible physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect so that they are aware of the local authority guidelines for making referrals.
  • All staff will receive safeguarding training every year with annual up-dates and notifications of any necessary change’s reminders being made available as required. Ensuring that all staff knows the procedures for reporting and recording their concerns in the setting.
  • All new staff and volunteers will receive a copy of the policy in a safeguarding induction to ensure understanding of the child protection policy.

 

  1. Managing allegations against staff and volunteers

Kids’ Corner is committed to responding promptly and appropriately to all incidents or concerns about the behaviour of a member of staff or a volunteer. It must be immediately reported to the manager who will refer it to the appropriate designated officers from the local authority.

Designated Officer:

  • Allegations made against the manager should be referred to the LADO without informing the manager.
  • Kids’ Corner will ensure that all parents know how to complain about staff or volunteer action within the setting, which may include an allegation of abuse.
  • Kids’ Corner follow the guidance of the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership when responding to any complaint that a member of staff or volunteer has abused a child.
  • Kids’ Corner respond to any disclosure by children or staff that abuse by a member of staff may have taken, or is taking place, by first recording the details of any such alleged incident.
  • Kids’ Corner co-operate entirely with any investigation carried out by social services in conjunction with the policy.
  • Kids’ Corner policy is to suspend the member of staff on full pay for the duration of the investigation; this is not an indication of admission that the alleged incident has taken place but is to protect the staff as well as children and families throughout the process.
  • We will make every effort to maintain confidentiality and guard against unwanted publicity while an allegation is being investigated.

 

Disciplinary Action

  • Where a member of staff or a volunteer is dismissed from the setting or internally disciplined because of misconduct relating to a child, we notify the Department of Health administrators so that the name may be included on the List for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults. Ofsted is also notified.

 

  1. What constitutes abuse and neglect of a child?

Kids’ Corner will endeavour to ensure that all staff and volunteers should be able to identify concerns about child abuse. The four types of abuse described in ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children December 2023’.

Physical abuse

Emotional Abuse

Sexual abuse

Neglect

Domestic Violence

Specific safeguarding issues: Kids’ Corner recognises other safeguarding issues: Child Sexual Exploitation; Female genital Mutilation (FGM); Bullying (including cyber- bullying); Drugs: Fabricated or Induced Illnesses; Faith Abuse; Forced Marriages, Gangs, and youth Violence; Gender- based Violence; Mental Health; Radicalisation; Sexting; Teenage Relationship abuse and Trafficking.

Kids’ Corner will endeavour to identify and act upon any forms of abuse according to our procedures.

  • Kids’ Corner acknowledge that abuse of children can take different forms, physical, emotional, and sexual, neglect as well as domestic abuse.
  • When children are suffering from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect or may be experiencing domestic abuse, this may be demonstrated through the things they say (direct or indirect disclosure) or through changes in their appearance, their behaviour, or their play.
  • Where such evidence is apparent, the child’s key person makes a dated record of the details of the concern and discusses what to do with the setting Manager who is the DSLO. The information is stored on the child’s personal file.
  • Staff in the setting will take care not to influence the outcome either through the way they speak to children or by asking questions of children.

 

Planning

  • The layout of the rooms allows for constant supervision. No child is left alone with staff or volunteers in a one-to-one situation without being visible to others.
  • Kids’ Corner introduce key elements of safeguarding into our programme to promote the personal, social and emotional development of all children, so that they may grow to be ‘strong’, resilient and listened to’ and so that they develop understanding of why and how to keep safe.
  • Kids’ Corner create within the setting a culture of value and respect for the individual, having positive regard for children’s heritage arising from their colour, ethnicity, languages spoken at home, cultural and social background.
  • Kids’ Corner ensure that this is carried out in a way that is developmentally appropriate for the children.

 

  1. Early Help

“successful outcomes for children depend on strong multi-agency partnership working across the whole system of help, support and protection including effective work from all agencies with parents, carers, and families. This includes principles for working with parents and carers to centre the importance of building positive, trusting, and co-operative relationships to deliver tailored support to families, and expectations for multi-agency working that apply to all individuals, agencies and organisations working with children and their families, across a range of roles and activities”.

(Working Together to Safeguard Children December 2023 Chapter 1).

Kids’ Corner will work together with local agencies aiming to provide effective early help by:

 

  • identify children and families who would benefit from early help in line with the guidance within the document working Together to Safeguard Children December 2023
  • undertake an assessment of the need for early help, signposting and sharing information to the relevant agencies for the support of that child and their family:
  • Children’s centre
  • Family Outreach Worker
  • Appropriate services e.g., Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)

Local authorities, under section 10 of the Children Act 2004, have a responsibility to promote inter-agency cooperation to improve the welfare of children.

 

Section 10

 

Section 10 of the Children Act 2004 requires each local authority to make arrangements to promote cooperation between the authority, each of the authority’s relevant partners and such other persons or bodies working with children in the local authority’s area as the authority considers appropriate. The arrangements are to be made with a view to improving the well-being of all children in the authority’s area, which includes protection from harm and neglect.

 

  1. Staff guidance on responding to disclosure

Where a child makes a disclosure to a member of staff, that member of staff:

  • where possible will move the child to a private and safe space.
  • stay calm.
  • offers reassurance to the child that he/she is not to blame.
  • listen to the child telling them that they believe what they have said.
  • let them know what will happen next giving reassurance that action will be taken.

The member of staff will not question the child or make promises they cannot keep.

 

Recording suspicions of abuse and disclosures

Staff will make a record of:

  • the child’s name.
  • the child’s address.
  • the date of birth and age of child.
  • the date and time of the observation or the disclosure.
  • your observations of e.g., the child’s behaviour or emotional state.
  • the exact words spoken by the child as far as possible.
  • the name of the person to whom the concern was reported, with date and time.
  • the names of any other person present at the time.

 

These records are signed and dated and kept in separate incident file – Maintaining confidentiality.

The settings DSLO will be informed.

  1. Reporting concerns

All members of staff should follow the procedures for recording and reporting as laid out in the “what if” form.

Informing Parents

  • Parents are normally the first point of contact.
  • If a suspicion of abuse is recorded, parents are informed at the same time as the report is made, except where the guidance does not allow this.
  • This will usually be the case where the parent is the likely abuser. In these cases, the investigating officers will inform parents.

 

Confidentiality

All suspicions and investigations are kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know.

Support to Families

  • Kids’ Corner believes in building trusting and supportive relationships with families, staff, and volunteers in the group.
  • Parents are made aware of the Child Protection policy.
  • Kids’ Corner makes clear to parents its role and responsibilities in relation to Safeguarding the children, such as for the reporting of concerns, providing information, monitoring of the child, and liaising always with the local social services department.
  • Kids’ Corner continues to welcome the child and the family whilst investigations are being made in relation to any alleged abuse.
  • Kids’ Corner follow the Safeguarding procedures as set by North Yorkshire safeguarding board in relation to the setting’s designated role and tasks in supporting the child and the family, after any investigation.
  • Confidential records kept on a child are shared with the child’s parents or those who have parental responsibility for the child in accordance with the procedure and only if appropriate under the guidance of the North Yorkshire safeguarding partnership.

 

 

 

 

  1. Assessing and observation of a child invovled with a CP plan

 

Children in our care who are the subject of a Child Protection Conference will have either an agreed multi-disciplinary action plan or a child protection plan. The designated safeguarding lead officer will attend planning meetings and core groups to contribute to the plans and assessments.

Kids’ Corner recognises that children who are subjects of abuse or who live in a situation of domestic violence will be unable to reach their full developmental potential and will support the child.

  1. Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Children who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities have a greater risk of abuse and neglect; the staff are aware of this and will take care in interpreting correctly apparent signs of abuse or neglect. Any indications of abuse will be reported in exactly the same as the other children.

  1. Support of a vulnerable child

Kids’ Corner recognises that any child who has been subjected to abuse or witnessed violence may find it difficult to develop their self-worth. We will support the child by:

  • Showing patience and understanding
  • Key person providing a secure base.
  • Liaising with other agencies to support the child.
  • Build the child’s self-esteem through the ethos of the setting.

 

  1. Off site visits

Full risk assessments are made to maintain the children in our care safety.

  1. Photography and images

To protect our children, we:

  • Kids’ Corner seek parental consent for photographs to be taken or published on our website/newsletter or in the local paper on our registration form.
  • Only setting equipment is used.
  • Ensure that children are appropriately dressed.
  • The children are not identified by name.
  • For special occasions we will request consent from the parents for video footage to be taken.

 

  1. Mobile phones and cameras

Staff mobile phones are not allowed in any part of the setting where children are present.  Mobile phones, if brought to work, must be switched off and kept in the manager`s office while employees are on duty. A contravention of this policy will constitute Gross Misconduct which could result in instant dismissal. The setting keeps one mobile phones for use of taking calls. The camera is used to take relevant photos of the children to support child practitioner’s written observations, and these photos are kept in the child’s Learning Journal.  Photographs are printed out and no other copies are kept.  Photos of children are only taken in open plan areas of the setting and in full view of other staff members. Ofsted Inspectors may on inspection day keep their personal mobile phones in their bags in the office.

  1. Prevent Duty.

Kids’ Corner are promoting children’s welfare and preventing radicalization and extremism. All staff at Kids’ Corner have completed training on Prevent and Channel.

Kids’ Corner serve arguably the most vulnerable and impressionable members of society. The Early Years Foundation Stage accordingly places clear duties on providers to keep children safe and promote their welfare. It makes clear that to protect children in their care, providers must be alert to any safeguarding and child protection issues in the child’s life at home or elsewhere (paragraph 3.4 EYFS).  Early years providers must take action to protect children from harm and should be alert to harmful behaviour by other adults in the child’s life.

Possible signs: Changes in family behaviour, Changes in the children’s behaviour, e.g. aggression towards others, Comments made by a child which may cause concern, e.g. commenting on what their mummy or daddy has said, talking about fighting for ‘the cause’ etc. Comments made by family members, e.g. about certain faiths, beliefs, cultures, Any other signs that family members may be showing extremism.

What to do if we think a child is in danger of being radicalized or shows signs of radicalization: If you are in a Prevent priority area check with your local authority for specific details and procedures, If the child is not in immediate danger call 101, If the child is in immediate danger call 999, You can also call the Department for Education dedicated telephone helpline (020 7340 7264) and ask for advice, Or you can email [email protected] and seek further advice. Childcare providers should understand when it is appropriate to make a referral to the channel programme.  Channel is a programme which focused on providing support at an early stage to people who are identified as being vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. It provides a mechanism for providers to make referrals if they are concerned that an individual might be vulnerable to radicalisation.  An individual’s engagement with the programme is entirely voluntary at all stages.

  1. DSLO:

The designated safeguarding lead will be available during the opening hours of 09:00-15:00, Monday to Friday. If the DSLO is not at the setting, then the deputy, Deputy managers, will be available.

  1. Whistle Blowing:

Please see separate policy

  1. Code of conduct:

Please see separate policy

Kids’ Corner safeguards and promotes the welfare of all the children in our care. The Whistle Blowing policy is in place to support this and all the staff members at Kids’ Corner are made aware of the policy at the initial staff induction; they are clear what behaviour is expected and what is not acceptable. Kids’ Corner aim to create a culture of safe working practice where all staff recognise and acknowledge that they are free, able, and encouraged to express concerns they may have about childcare practice within our setting.

All staff must understand their code of conduct in the work place and outside of work, if they are engaged in regulated activity with children, so that they have an insight into when a colleague may or may not be acting/behaving in a way that causes a concern. All staff must acknowledge their individual duty to bring matters of concern to the attention of their manager. Although this can be difficult, it is particularly important where the welfare of children may be at risk. Staff members within the setting may be the first to recognise that something is wrong; however, they may not be able to express their concerns out of feeling disloyal to colleagues or fear of harassment and victimisation. These feelings, however natural must never result in a child being put at risk.

Don’t think what if I’m wrong- think what if I’m right

Reasons for whistle blowing

  • Each individual has a responsibility for raising concerns about unacceptable practice or behaviour
  • To prevent problems worsening or widening
  • To protect and reduce risk to others
  • To prevent becoming implicated yourself

 

What stops people from whistle blowing

  • Starting a chain of events which spirals
  • Disrupting work
  • Fear of getting it wrong
  • Fear of repercussions or damaging careers
  • Fear of not being believed

 

How to raise a concern

  • You should voice your concerns, suspicions or uneasiness as soon as you feel you can. The earlier the concern is expressed the easier and sooner action can be taken.
  • Try to pinpoint what practice is concerning you and why
  • Give names, dates and places where you can
  • A member of staff is not expected to prove the truth of an allegation but will need to demonstrate sufficient grounds for the concern
  • Approach your immediate manager or contact the: Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) Telephone: 01609 532477

 

Public Concern at Work: http://www.pcaw.org.uk/contact-us

This is a free confidential advice service available from the independent whistle blowing charity Public Concern at Work; it can help you to decide whether and/or how to raise your concern.

Telephone: Whistle blowing Advice Line 02074046609

E-mail: UK Advice Line: [email protected]

 

Ofsted Whistle-blower hotline: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/contact-us/whistleblower-hotline

 Telephone: 0300 123 3155

  E-mail: [email protected]

What happens next?

  • You will be given information on the progress of any enquiries
  • Every step will be taken to ensure you are protected from harassment or victimisation
  • No action will be taken against you if the concern proves to be unfounded and was raised in good faith
  • Malicious allegations may be considered as a disciplinary offence

 

Absolutely without fail, challenge poor practice or performance.

If you ignore or collude with poor practice it makes it harder to sound the alarm when things go wrong

Reference: Sounding the Alarm, Barnardo’s (1999)

 

“My overall assessment is that a series of pragmatic solutions need to be devised to maximise the chance that genuine whistle-blowers will use confidential avenues in which they may have faith…”

My overall assessment is that a series of pragmatic solutions need to be devised to maximise the chance that genuine whistle-blowers will use confidential avenues in which they may have faith…”

 

 

This procedure does not replace your allegations against a member of staff procedure. 

  If you believe a person has:

  • Behaved in a way that has harmed or may have harmed a child
  • Possibly committed a criminal offence related to a child
  • Behaved towards a child in way that indicate s/he is unsuitable to work with children

 

Allegations against a member of staff procedure must be followed

 

 

Kids’ Corner takes it’s commitment to Safeguard and Promote the Welfare of Children and Young People very seriously and expects all staff, students and volunteers to do the same.

Kids’ Corner aim to ensure that all people working with children are suitable to do so and we are therefore extremely vigilant when recruiting new staff to join our team. 

Kids’ Corner procedure is as follows:  I only use reputable website when advertising any vacancies.  The adverts always contain the statement written above, regarding our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young adults.  All applicants will be required to complete an application form and will then receive an email from Kids’ Corner stating whether they have been successful in reaching the next stage, face to face interview will be held with 2 of the management team. During an interview applicants will be asked to prove:  Their identity (passport or photocard driver’s license) Relevant qualifications (certificates) Eligibility to work in the UK (official paperwork)  Their criminal history (disclosing anything that will show up on a CRB) Detailed enquiries will also be made regarding any gaps in their employment. Kids’ Corner managers and deputy will be present at interview although the final decision regarding employment will remain with the manager at all times. Each applicant will receive communication from the Kids’ Corner stating whether they have been successful or not.

Starting work: The successful candidate will be informed that their job offer is conditional, dependant on the return of 2 satisfactory written references and an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check.  New members of staff will not be allowed unsupervised access or be able to provide intimate care (nappy changing/toileting) to any child until their CRB check comes back clear. New members of staff will undergo an induction period (minimum of 8 weeks) during which time they will read and discuss Kids’ Corner policies and procedures and receive a mentor who will introduce them to the way in which the Kids’ Corner operates. All successful candidates will receive a job description. Their work ethic and performance will also be monitored very closely during this time and if satisfactory levels are not being reached their employment may be reconsidered. All staff will attend an annual ‘ongoing supervision meetings’ and are responsible for notifying the manager, in person, if any circumstances arise that may affect their suitability to work with children. This includes any health concerns or incidents that have occurred outside of Kids’ Corner.  Staff will face disciplinary action if they fail to notify the manager within in a reasonable time scale.

It is the Policy of Kids’ Corner to give a warm welcome to each child and their parent on arrival to the setting.

Parents/carers are requested to pass the care of their child to a member of staff who will ensure his/her safety, and that their attendance is recorded in the register.

The staff member receiving the child immediately records his/her arrival in the daily attendance register.  Any specific information provided by the parents will be recorded, and the senior member of the team notified.

If the parent requests the child to be given medicine during the day the staff member will ensure that the medicine consent procedure is followed.

If the child is not to be collected by the parent/carer at the end of the session, an agreed procedure will be followed to identify the nominated adult (see left child policy).

At the end of the day any medicines will be returned to the parent/carer personally, and the relevant form signed by the parents and senior member of staff.

Children will not be handed over to anyone other than the known parent/carer unless an agreement has been made at the time of arrival.  On departure, the child register will be signed to show that the child has left the premises.

Parents must be made aware of this policy, informing them that Kids Corner have a duty of care and MUST contact parents or the next of kins if a child does not turn up in a timely manner, including before & after school clubs.

Kids' Corner Nursery 
Castle Hill Lane
Drax
Selby
YO8 8NP

Tel: 07542 681373
Email: [email protected]

 

Kids Corner Pre School
The Read School
Drax
Selby
YO8 8NL

Tel: 07522 987876
Email: [email protected]

 

Barlow Before and After School
Barlow C of E School
Park Road
Barlow

Tel: 07544 858329
Email: [email protected]

Kids' Corner Nursery Bridlington
34-35 Queen Street
Bridlington
East Riding of Yorkshire
YO15 2SP

Tel: 07395 325940
Email: [email protected]

 

 

Whitley Before & After School
Whitley & Eggbrough Community Primary
Whitley
Goole
DN14 0WE

Tel: 07746 250637
Email: [email protected]

 

 

Kids Corner Nursery Whitley
Whitley and Eggborough Community Primary
Learning Lane
Whitley
DN14 0WE

Tel: 07857 372264
Email: [email protected]