This is what I have put so far. My work has not been checked yet, so please do not take it as set in stone!
It is important that anyone working with children are able to recognise if a child is open to safeguarding issues. Any person working in a child environment, whether that is nursery, schools or other childcare settings are subject to a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS). As regards to childcare practice the adult needs to demonstrate the correct safeguarding procedures following the policies and procedures of the setting and report any concerns.
The childcare setting should have clear policies and procedures for outings, contact with children, health and safety, including risk assessments and visitors to the setting. For example, Ingol community has a controlled door, meaning that no unauthorised person can enter the building. Other entrances to the school are controlled by a code that only adults possess; therefore children cannot leave from unauthorised areas. We have an on-site supervisor whom ensures that children are safe and secure, when they are at school.
Other forms of child protection could be informing the parents if pictures are taken, seeking permission to have them displayed around school, in the prospectus and on the website. Records are kept of all children and any reports that are made regarding safeguarding issues.
Risk assessments need to be carried out for all aspects of the school environment, including individual risk assessments prior to any outing or activity, which is likely to cause harm. Schools will have annual risk assessments that need to be carried out on the school buildings and grounds (Burnham et al 2010).
Guidelines, policies and procedures also ensure that children have a voice, which is heard. If a child has made an allegation of safeguarding issues, regardless of whether it may be true, the child must be listened to and taken seriously and must be reported. As a practitioner, it is important to know that even if that particular allegation is not true, there may be underlying issues which cause the particular allegation to be made. Advocacy Services can be contacted to provide necessary support during difficult times. If a child does disclose information, it is important for the child to understand that there will be some form of confidentiality, however if it is a serious matter, the child should be made aware that they may need to talk to other people about the allegations. Upon initial reports from the child, it is important not to press them too much about the report and not to put words in their mouth.
A local safeguarding children board would have been set up by a local authority. The LSBC ensures child protection and welfare of children. If there is a safeguarding issue, the school will contact the local authority, who will provide support alongside policies and procedures working together with other agencies.
|