Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy

Policy statement

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and as such Over The Rainbow Day Care aims to create the safest environment within which every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Safeguarding means ‘Protecting children from abuse and maltreatment; preventing harm to children’s health or development; ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care.’ - NSPCC definition

Over The Rainbow Day Care recognises the contribution it can make to ensure that all children who use our setting feel safe, secure and listened to.  To promote the welfare of the children who attend our nursery we will work in partnership with other agencies in accordance with ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children – July 2018’ and seek to establish effective working relationships with parents, carers, colleagues and the community to ensure the rights and safety of children and to give them the very best start in life.  Over The Rainbow Day Care will develop and provide activities and opportunities that will help to equip our children with the skills they need. This will include resources and learning experiences that will encourage our children to develop essential life skills and protective behaviours.

‘Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right.’ Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Purpose and Aims

The purpose of Over The Rainbow Day Care’s Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy is to provide a secure framework for the workforce in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of those children who attend our setting.

The policy aims to ensure that:

  • All our children are safe and protected from harm
  • Other procedures and policies are in place to enable children to feel safe and adopt safe practices
  • Staff, children, visitors, volunteers, parents and carers are aware of the expected behaviours and the setting’s legal responsibilities in relation to promoting the safeguarding and welfare of our children.

Responsibilities and expectations

At Over The Rainbow Day Care the manager has a legal responsibility to make sure that the setting has an effective safeguarding policy and procedures in place and monitors that the setting complies with them. The manager should also ensure that the policy is made available to parents and carers if requested.

It is the responsibility of the manager to ensure that all staff and volunteers are properly checked to make sure they are safe to work with the children who attend our setting, that the setting has procedures for handling allegations of abuse made against members of staff (including the manager) or volunteers and ensure the safe and appropriate use of cameras, mobile phones, technology and online equipment within the setting.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead at Over The Rainbow Day Care is Clare Cummins. The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) has lead responsibility for dealing with all safeguarding issues in our setting. It is the responsibility of the Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure that all safeguarding issues raised in the setting are effectively responded to, recorded and referred to the appropriate agency. The Designated Safeguarding Lead is also responsible for arranging the whole settings safeguarding training for all staff and volunteers who work with children in our setting.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is required to attend or ensure that a senior member of staff who has the relevant training and access to appropriate supervision, attends where appropriate, all child protection case conferences, reviews, core groups or meetings where it concerns a child at our setting and to contribute to multi-agency discussions to safeguard and promote the child’s welfare.

Confidentiality

The Designated Safeguarding Lead has the right to share any information regarding child protection with other child care professionals ONLY. All information will be kept confidential.

Procedure for Designated Safeguarding Lead

The Designated Safeguarding Lead will work closely with both Social Services and the MCC Designated Officer. Please see the contact details at the end of this policy.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead must ensure staff have followed up oral communications regarding any incident or concerns in writing before the end of their shift.  If a member of staff makes a referral by telephone, they must confirm it in writing within 48 hours. Social services should acknowledge their written referral within one working day of receiving it, so if the member of staff has not heard back within 3 working days, they should contact Social Services again. It is vital that when staff have concerns they escalate their concern if they feel it is not being dealt with accordingly

Safer Practise

Over The Rainbow Day Care believe we have a duty to the children, parents/carers and staff to act quickly and responsibly in any instance that may come to our attention. All staff will work as part of a multi‐agency team where needed in the best interest of the child.

Over The Rainbow Day Care promote safe working practices; these safe working practices ensures that the child is safe and that all staff:

  • Have appropriate and safe practices and strategies in place, to ensure children are not put at risk
  • Are responsible for their own actions and behaviour, and should avoid any conduct which would lead any reasonable person to question their motivation and intentions
  • Work in an open and transparent way
  • Work with other colleagues where possible in situations that could be open to question, discuss and/or take advice from the nursery management over any incident which may give rise for concern
  • Record any incidents or decisions made
  • Apply the same professional standards considering diversity issues
  • Be aware of information sharing and confidentiality policies
  • Are aware that breaches of the law and other professional guidelines could result in criminal or disciplinary action being taken against them
  • Report 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

Should any member of staff, visitors, parents or carers feel that safe working practices are not being adhered or upheld then they should speak to the manager immediately.

Safeguarding and Welfare Requirement

Child Protection Providers must have and implement a policy and procedures to safeguard children. The Designated Safeguarding Lead is responsible for ensuring the acceptable, safe use and storage of all camera technology, images, and mobile phones through the implementation, monitoring and reviewing of the appropriate policies and procedures. This includes the Information Technology, Mobile Phones and Digital Media Policy.

All Child Protection concerns need to be acted on immediately. If you are concerned that a child may be at risk or is actually suffering abuse, you must tell the Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately. All adults, including the Designated Safeguarding Lead, have a duty to refer all known or suspected cases of abuse to the relevant agency including Children’s Social Care Services or the Police.

Where a disclosure is made to a visiting staff member from a different agency, e.g. Early Years Consultants or Health Visitors, it is the responsibility of that agency staff to formally report the referral to Over The Rainbow Day Care’s Designated Safeguarding Lead in the first instance. Any records made should be kept securely on the Child’s Protection file. If sharing any information or records about a child with any other professionals or outside agencies, then the parents’/carers’ permission to share will be requested, unless there is concern or we are advised not to as this could cause more harm to the child.

We will follow the procedures for sharing information with reference to the ‘Golden rules for sharing information’ in accordance with government guidance. When considering sharing information or recording children's/families details we will ensure  data protection is in place and any confidential information is kept secure.

A breach in Safeguarding

If a breach in safeguarding occurs, staff are to notify the manager/Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately.

The safety of the children should be considered first. Staff should ensure all children are present by doing a head count, the manager or senior staff members should ensure the building is secure and do a setting headcount. All access points are to be secured immediately.

If the incident involves children or parents/carers/visitors, these persons should be spoken with immediately, to ensure the seriousness of the matter is clear. Steps should then be taken by the management in regards to the incident. A risk assessment should be completed and the incident should be logged, with the date, time, all information of the incident and any witness signatures.

All incidents of a serious nature should be reported to the manager and a meeting should take place between the manager and the deputy manager.

Staff should be informed by a meeting and given all details needed to ensure they understand the incident and how to rectify any issues from then on. Staff should then be given the opportunity to discuss any concerns, re read any policies and ask for any support necessary. If needed an emergency staff meeting should be called.

In the event that the incident is reported to Ofsted, the manager must ensure that all paperwork/settings are ready for inspection and call a meeting to discuss with the staff if needed.

If Ofsted arrive at the setting, staff MUST ask them to sign in. (See the Code of Conduct for Visitors Policy and the Access to Children Policy).  Staff will then report the Ofsted inspector’s attendance to the manager.  Staff are to ensure the inspector stays in the front reception area, with a member of staff, whilst the management team confirm their attendance. The secure door should be closed. Staff can offer the inspector a drink and a seat in the reception area, and should inform the inspector that they are checking on their attendance today.

All staff have the Designated Safeguarding Lead’s phone number/contact details available at all times.

Other safeguarding contact details are included in the policy.  They are also located on the notice boards in each room, the corridor, the office and in the staff room. Staff are encouraged to follow the policy and procedure to report a safeguarding concern.

Recognising concerns, signs and indicators of abuse

Safeguarding is not just about protecting children from deliberate harm. For Over The Rainbow Day Care it includes such things as child safety, bullying, racist abuse and harassment, visits, intimate care, internet safety and more. However, it must be acknowledged that technology itself will not present the greatest risk, but the behaviours of individuals using such equipment will.

As children develop and mature at different rates, what appears to be worrying for a younger child might be normal behaviour for an older child. Parental behaviours may also indicate child abuse or neglect, so all adults should be alert to parent-child interactions which are concerning and other parental behaviours. This could include parents/carers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol or if there is a sudden change in their mental health. By understanding the warning signs, staff can respond to problems as early as possible and provide the right support and services for the child and their family. It is important to recognise that a warning sign does not automatically mean a child is being abused.

Abuse can take place in any family, institution or community setting, by telephone or on the internet. Abuse can often be difficult to recognise as children may behave differently or seem unhappy for many reasons, as they move through the stages of childhood or their family circumstances change. However, it is important to know the indicators of abuse and to be alert to the need to consult further.

The witnessing of abuse can have a damaging effect on those who are party to it, as well as the child subjected to the actual abuse, and in itself will have a significant impact on the health and emotional well-being of the child.

Physical Abuse

This can involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, punching, kicking, scalding, burning, drowning and suffocating. It can also result when a parent or carer deliberately causes the ill health of a child in order to seek attention through fabricated or induced illness. This was previously known as Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy (for more information see specific safeguarding circumstances  further on in the policy.)

Emotional Abuse

Emotional Abuse is where a child’s need for love, security, recognition and praise is not met. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of someone else such as in Domestic Violence or Domestic Abuse. A parent, carer or authority figure is considered emotionally abusive when they are consistently hostile, rejecting, threatening or undermining toward a child or other family member. It can also occur when children are prevented from having social contact with others or if inappropriate expectations are placed upon them.

Symptoms that indicate emotional abuse can include:

  • Excessively clingy or attention seeking
  • Very low self-esteem or excessive self-criticism
  • Withdrawn behaviour or fearfulness.
  • Lack of appropriate boundaries with strangers; too eager to please
  • Eating disorders or self-harm

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. This may include physical contact both penetrative and non-penetrative, or viewing pornographic material including through the use of the internet.

Indicators of sexual abuse can include: allegations or disclosures, genital soreness, injuries or disclosure, sexually transmitted diseases, inappropriate sexualized behaviour including words, play or drawing.

Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs which can significantly harm their health and development. Neglect can include inadequate supervision (being left alone for long periods of time), lack of stimulation, social contact or education, lack of appropriate food, shelter, appropriate clothing for conditions and medical attention and treatment when necessary.

What to do if you are concerned

If a child or an adult makes a disclosure or allegation of abuse against an adult, other child or young person, it is important that you:

  • Stay calm and listen carefully.
  • Reassure them that they have done the right thing in telling you.
  • Do not investigate or ask leading questions.
  • Let them know that you will need to tell someone else in order to help.
  • Do not promise to keep what they have told you a secret.
  • Inform your Designated Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible.
  • Make a written record of the allegation, disclosure or incident which you must sign, date and record your position using the setting safeguarding record log.

‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused – March 2015’ is an important document containing information and advice.  This guidance has been produced to help practitioners identify child abuse and neglect and how to take appropriate action in response.  This guidance is given to all staff during their induction period at Over The Rainbow Day Care.

If you are concerned that a member of staff or adult in a position of trust poses a danger to a child or young person or that they might be abusing a child or young person you should report your concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Where those concerns relate to the Designated Safeguarding Lead however, this should be reported to MCC Designated Officer (formerly known as the LADO) using the settings Whistleblowing Policy.

(See the Allegations of Abuse Against a Member of Staff Policy for more information)

Safeguarding Training

Safeguarding training is mandatory for all staff and will updated every 12 months. In addition, all members of staff and volunteers will have access to whole setting safeguarding training at least every three years.

We will also, as part of our induction, issue information in relation to our Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy and any policy related to safeguarding and promoting our children’s welfare to all newly appointed staff and volunteers.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead will undertake further safeguarding training, in addition to the whole setting training. This will be undertaken at least every two years which updates their awareness and understanding of the impact of the wide agenda of safeguarding issues. This will support the Designated Safeguarding Lead to be able to better undertake their role and support the setting in ensuring the safeguarding arrangements are robust and achieving better outcomes for the children in our setting. This includes taking part in multi-agency training in addition to safeguarding training.

Our Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy is reviewed annually, in order to keep it updated in line with local and national guidance/legislation. We will include our Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy on our settings website.

Safer Recruitment and Selection

It is a requirement for all agencies to ensure that all staff recruited to work with children and young people are properly selected and checked. Over The Rainbow Day Care will ensure that all of our staff are appropriately qualified and have the relevant employment history and checks to ensure they are safe to work with children in compliance with the Key Safeguarding Employment Standards.

(See Recruitment and Staff Induction Policy)

Related Safeguarding Policies

Child Protection Providers must have and implement a policy and procedures to safeguard children regarding a range of other issues, for example, arrangements for meeting the medical needs of children, providing first aid, setting security, drugs and substance misuse, etc.

This policy will cross reference to related setting policies and other protocol especially those listed below:

  • Whistleblowing (See Whistleblowing Policy)
  • Uncollected Child (See Attendance Policy)
  • Use of Mobile Phones and Camera’s (See Information Technology, Mobile Phones and Digital media Policy)
  • Employment (See Recruitment and Induction Policy)
  • Student Placements (See Students and Volunteers Policy)
  • Valuing Diversity and Promoting Equality (See Equal Opportunities Policy)
  • Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs (See Inclusion and Special Needs Policy)
  • Children’s Records, Confidentiality and Client Access to Records (See Data Protection, Record Keeping and Confidentiality  Policy)
  • Working in Partnership with other Agencies
  • Information Sharing (See Data Protection, Record keeping and Confidentiality  Policy)
  • Internet Safety Current Safeguarding Issues (See Information Technology, Mobile Phones and Digital media Policy)

Safeguarding Disabled Children

The warning signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect can vary from child to child. Disabled children may be especially vulnerable to abuse, as they may have an impaired capacity to resist or avoid abuse. They may have speech, language and communication needs which may make it difficult to tell others what is happening.

‘Disabled children have exactly the same human rights to be safe from abuse and neglect, to be protected from harm and achieve the Every Child Matters outcomes as non-disabled children. Disabled children do however require additional action. This is because they experience greater risks and ‘created vulnerability’ as a result of negative attitudes about children and unequal access to services and resources, and because they may have additional needs relating to physical, sensory, cognitive and/ or communication impairment.’  Safeguarding Children, DCSF, July 2009

Over The Rainbow Day Care will ensure that disabled children are listened to and responded to appropriately where they have concerns regarding abuse. In order to do this, we will ensure that our staff and volunteers receive the relevant training to raise awareness and have access to specialist staff in the event they have concerns regarding abuse of a child.

Specific Safeguarding Circumstances

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is illegal in England and Wales under the FGM Act 2003. It is a form of child abuse and violence against women. FGM comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.

Staff at Over The Rainbow Day Care are trained to be aware of the signs of FGM and understand their duty to report any concerns.  Some warning signs that MAY indicate a girl is at risk of FGM include:  

  • Parents requesting an extended leave from school on top of school holidays  
  • If a girl comes from a country that has high prevalence of FGM
  • Mother and other siblings have already undergone FGM
  • Child may indicate that they are going for a special event  

At Over The Rainbow Day Care, we have a robust and rigorous safeguarding procedure and protecting children in our care is paramount. The Designated Safeguarding Lead and all members of staff are responsible to adhere and follow safeguarding policies to protect children from harm.

Staff who suspect a child is in danger of FGM or has evidence a child has been subject to FGM know to inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead within the setting and from there, follow the safeguarding procedures to report the issue.

Forced Marriage

Forced marriage is an abuse of children’s rights under UN Convention on the rights of children. It is also an abuse on the human rights of children, young people and adults as set out in the European Convention on human rights.  From 2014 the UK government made forced marriage illegal. The Anti-social behaviour, crime and policing act 2014 makes it a criminal offence to force somebody to marry this includes;

  • Taking somebody overseas to force them to marry (whether the marriage takes place or not)
  • Using physical and emotional violence to force somebody to marry.
  • Marrying someone who lacks the capacity to consent to the marriage.

Forcing somebody to marry can result in a prison sentence of 7 years.

Forced marriages however, do not always involve individuals leaving or coming into the United Kingdom. The UK government’s Forced Marriage Unit confirms that several cases involve no overseas element. Although most forced marriage cases in the UK involve South Asian families, cases involving families from other European nations, the Middle East and Africa have also been identified.

The UK government have written clear guidelines that show the important distinctions between Forced Marriage and arranged Marriage.

‘An arranged marriage is one in which families of both spouses take a leading role in arranging the marriage but the choice whether to accept the arrangement remains with the prospective spouses’

While individual cases of forced marriage, and attempted forced marriage, are often very particular, they are likely to share several common and important characteristics, including:

  • An extended absence from school.
  • A drop in performance or sudden signs of low motivation.
  • An excessive parental restriction and control of movements.
  • A history of siblings leaving education to marry early.
  • Evidence of self-harm, social isolation, a change in behaviour and possible eating disorders.
  • Evidence of family disputes/conflict, domestic violence/abuse or not wanting to go home or running away from home.

On their own these characteristics may not indicate forced marriage. It is extremely important that we are satisfied that where these behaviours occur, they are not linked to forced marriage.  

Fabricated induced illness

This is also a type of physical abuse. This is where a child is presented with an illness that is fabricated by the adult carer. The carer may seek out unnecessary medical treatment or investigation. The signs may include a carer exaggerating a real illness or symptoms, complete fabrication of symptoms or inducing physical illness, e.g. through poisoning, starvation, inappropriate diet. This may also be presented through false allegations of abuse or encouraging the child to appear disabled or ill to obtain unnecessary treatment or specialist support.

Private Fostering

In January 2014, Ofsted published a report called ‘Private fostering: better information, better understanding ‘ From a safeguarding perspective, the report’s findings gave much cause for concern, stating; ‘Many private fostering arrangements are ‘hidden’ and, it appears, are rarely brought to the attention of local authorities, even though there it is an offence not to inform them. The penalty for non-reporting is a maximum £5,000 fine, but it seems that convictions are extremely rare.’

The legislation governing private fostering is the ‘Children (Private Arrangements for Fostering) Regulations 2005’ and came into force following the death of Victoria Climbie in 2000. Victoria was privately fostered by her great aunt.

Given the ‘hidden’ nature of much private fostering, local authorities have a duty to raise awareness of the need to notify the local Children’s Services department.

Each party involved in the private fostering arrangement has a legal duty to inform the relevant local authority at least six weeks before the arrangement is due to start (If not known in advance, report as soon as informed). Not to do so is a criminal offence.

Once the notification has been made to the authority, Children’s Social Care Services have a duty to visit and speak to the child, the parent and the foster carer; and everyone in the foster carer’s household. Children’s Social Care Services will then undertake a range of suitability checks including DBS checks on everyone in the household over the age of 16.

Other professionals, for example GPs surgeries, nurseries and schools, also have a responsibility to report to the local authority where they are aware or suspect that a child is subject to a private fostering arrangement. (‘Replacement Children Act 1989 Guidance on Private Fostering 2005 paragraph 2.6)

At Over The Rainbow Day Care, we will report concerns to Children’s Social Care Services regarding children who we feel is in need, and is being looked after by someone other than their parents.

Staff are made aware of the need to report such an incident and are given the relevant contact details to do so. Staff would follow the normal safeguarding procedures when reporting a concern and the Designated Safeguarding Lead would report the concern further and ensure it is dealt with correctly.

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

Modern slavery can take any form including the trafficking of people, forced labour, servitude and slavery. Victims can include adults and children and come from all walks of life and backgrounds. A quarter of all victims are children. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 places a new statutory duty on specified public authorities to report details of suspected cases of modern slavery to the National Crime Agency (section 52 of the Act).  On observing signs or receiving intelligence relating to modern slavery, e.g. human trafficking, slavery, sexual and criminal exploitation, forced labour and domestic servitude. The public authority (including schools) bears this obligation where it has ‘reasonable grounds to believe that a person may be a victim of slavery or human trafficking’.

Indicators of modern slavery can include:

  • Lack of access to legal documents (e.g. passports)
  • Appearance (malnourished, unkempt, etc.)
  • Untreated or unexplained injuries
  • Attitude (withdrawn, frightened, unable to speak for themselves)
  • Indebtedness or in a situation of dependence
  • Frequent changes of location or restrictions on movement.

Witchcraft/Exorcism

In these cases, families or carers genuinely believe that the victim has been completely taken over by the devil or an evil spirit, which is often supported by someone who within the community has portrayed themselves as an authority on faith and belief.

Often in the perpetrators' minds, any abuse is not going to affect the victim because he or she believes the child is effectively not there anymore and the abuse is directed at whatever has possessed the child. The victim is often convinced that this is the truth and that the abuse is "normal" behaviour.  Regardless of the beliefs of the abusers, child abuse is child abuse.

Over The Rainbow Day Care’s role is to safeguard children, not challenge beliefs. Our aim is to prevent abuse happening in the first place. As this is usually a hidden crime we can only prevent it by working in partnership with the community.

Project Violet aims to build trust with communities and emphasise that child protection is everyone’s responsibility.

https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/nursery-world/news/1147320/guidelines-child-abuse-linked-witchcraft-released-increase

Examples of cases referred to the police include dunking children in a bath to wash away evil spirits, a child swung around and smacked on the head ‘to drive out the devil’ and parents removing children from school and taking them out of the country to attend an exorcism.

The Government's National Action Plan to tackle child abuse linked to faith or belief in England, which was launched in 2012 in the wake of cases such as Kristy Bamu and Victoria Climbe.

Honour based violence

Honour based violence is the term used to describe murders in the name of so-called honour, sometimes called 'honour killings'. These are murders in which predominantly women are killed for perceived immoral behaviour, which is deemed to have breached the honour code of a family or community, causing shame. Honour based violence is: 'a crime or incident, which has or may been committed to protect or defend the honour of the family and/or community, in the eyes of the family.

The perceived immoral behaviour which could precipitate a murder include:

  • Inappropriate make-up or dress
  • The existence of a boyfriend
  • Kissing or intimacy in a public place
  • Rejecting a forced marriage
  • Pregnancy outside of marriage
  • Being a victim of rape
  • Inter-faith relationships
  • Leaving a spouse or seeking divorce

A child who is at risk of honour based violence is at significant risk of physical harm (including being murdered) and/or neglect, and may also suffer significant emotional harm through the threat of violence or witnessing violence directed towards a sibling or other family member. 

Honour based violence cuts across all cultures and communities, and cases encountered in the UK have involved families from Turkish, Kurdish, Afghani, South Asian, African, Middle Eastern, South and Eastern European communities. This is not an exhaustive list.

Professionals should respond in a similar way to cases of honour violence as with domestic abuse and forced marriage.

County lines

The UK Government definitions of county lines and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) are:

“County lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas [within the UK], using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of “deal line”. They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move [and store] the drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons.“

“Child Criminal Exploitation occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into any criminal activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial or other advantage of the perpetrator or facilitator and/or (c) through violence or the threat of violence. The victim may have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears consensual. Child Criminal Exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.”

Any staff member worried a child or family of the children in our care, are being exploited should report the Designated Safeguarding Lead in the normal format.

Domestic Abuse

The Government defines domestic abuse as “Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality”. Staff need to understand what is required of them if children are members of the household where domestic abuse is known or suspected to be taking place. Our policy includes action to be taken regarding referrals to the Police and Children’s Social Services and any action to be taken where a member of staff is the alleged perpetrator or victim of domestic abuse. At Over The Rainbow Day Care we will follow our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and report any suspected concerns regarding Domestic Abuse to the relevant agency.

Some members of our communities hold beliefs that may be common within particular cultures but which are against the law of England.  Over The Rainbow Day Care do not condone practices that are illegal and which are harmful to children.

The role of Over The Rainbow Day Care;

  • Provide a safe and secure environment for all children,
  • Allow children to disclose any concerns and support them,
  • Treat all children with respect and treat safeguarding issues sensitively,
  • Ensure staff are aware of policies and procedures in place to support children with safeguarding and ensure staff are confident in report the information in the correct way,
  • Provide contact details for staff in case a referral is needed,
  • Monitor and record all issues that have arisen and ensure communication in setting and with outside agencies is effective,
  • Refer and continue to update and follow the case, according to the MSP (Manchester Safeguarding Partnership) escalation procedure, if needed.
  • Provide support for the child/children, families and staff.

Staff have access to important information in regards to making a referral, this includes the phone numbers they may need to use.

Useful Contacts

Advice and Guidance Hub - 0161 234 5001

FGM helpline - 0800 028 3550

NSPCC helpline - 0808 800 5000

Children’s services - 0161 234 5001

For further information regarding any child protection procedure

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 at once FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION

Key Policies are featured on our website. All other policies are available at any time from the nursery manager.

REVIEWED ON: October 2024

REVIEWED BY:  C.Cummins