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I aim to create an environment in which children are safe from abuse and in which any suspicion of abuse is promptly and appropriately responded to.
To achieve this I shall:
Attend training/awareness courses
I shall attend training/awareness courses related to Safeguarding issues to ensure that I can recognise the symptoms of possible physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse.
Prevent abuse by means of good practice
Adults without CRB clearance will not be left alone with any child. Children will be encouraged to develop a sense of autonomy and independence through support in making choices and in finding names for their own feelings and acceptable ways to express them. This will enable children to have the self-confidence and the vocabulary to resist
inappropriate approaches.
Respond appropriately to suspicions of abuse
Changes in children’s behaviour/appearance maybe investigated. Parents will normally be the first point of reference, though suspicions will also be referred as appropriate to the Social Services Department if needed.
All such suspicions and investigations will be kept confidential, and shared only with those who need to know.
Keep records
Whenever worrying changes are observed in a child’s behaviour, physical condition, or appearance, a specific and confidential record will be set up, quite separate from the usual ongoing records of children’s progress and
development.
The record will include, in addition to the name, address, and age of the child: timed and dated observations, describing objectively the child's behaviour and appearance, without comment or interpretation; where possible, the exact words were spoken by the child; the name and signature of the recorder (myself)
Liaise with other bodies
I operate following Ofsted guidelines. Confidential records kept on children will be shared with the Social Services Department if I feel that adequate explanations for changes in the child’s condition have not been provided.
If a report on a child is to be made to the authorities, the child’s parents will be informed on the same day, immediately after the report is made.
Support Families
The care and safety of the children must always be paramount. I shall take every step to build up trusting and supportive relationships with families. Where abuse at home is suspected, I shall continue to welcome the child and family while investigations proceed.
Lost child – see separate policy
Uncollected child - see separate policy
Camera / mobile phone use – see separate policy
Confidential records kept on a child will be shared with the child's parents as appropriate.