Child Protection
Honey bear Nursery is required under the standard to set out a statement on child protection and the procedures in place to protect all the children in our care.
The nominated person in our nursery who is responsible for child protection is Miss Yvonne Beck
Miss Yvonne Beck has received training in child protection matters. She will continue to take additional training, attend meetings and study publications to ensure that her knowledge remains current at all times.
Any person, whether staff, parent, carer or other, who has concern regarding the action or lack of action by any member of staff which could be a child protection issue, should raise their concerns in line with the complaints procedure 12.1
Our policy in respect to child protection is :-
As the Children Act states that the welfare of the child is paramount, so our policy on child protection has as its foundations the welfare of the child.
Due to many hours of care we are providing to a child it is possible that staff may be the first people to become aware that there is a problem, even before the parent/carer. It is our policy to record the apparent abuse, neglect or welfare information to hand, in the manner laid out as part 1 of the procedures below. If, following this there appears to be a protection issue then Miss Yvonne Beck will implement part 2 of the procedures.
It is also our policy to maintain close contacts with the Manchester safeguarding children's board (MSCB) and Miss Yvonne Beckis also responsible for maintaining this contact. The staff are constantly reminded of their responsibilities in respect to child protection issues and to ensure this they receive ongoing training in this important are of child care.
Our Childcare Protection Procedure :-
Part 1
Any member of staff having a concern for the welfare of a child and who believes it could be a protection issue should at once raise the matter with Miss Yvonne Beck.
Yvonne beck will arrange a meeting between themselves or the person or people who have highlighted the concern and that meeting will be minuted. Following a full discussion one of two decisions will be reached, either that all concerned do not believe it to be a protection issue or do believe and contact with MSCB should be initiated.
Part 2
Childcare protection matters are very delicate and need to be handled with great care. As it not likely that staff will have great experience in handling such issues and confidentiality being of such great importance, action without the input of a person from MSCB will only be taken in exceptional circumstances. If a member of MSCB is not available then they will first assess the degree of urgency and, if appropriate, contact OFSTED. Miss Yvonne Beck will see that staff only take such action as seems appropriate to minimise any further risk to the child and maintains confidentiality at all times.
Miss Yvonne beck will maintain accurate records of all telephone calls, minutes and outcomes of meetings etc relevant to the matter, treating these records as highly confidential and keeping them in locked drawer of filing cabinet, the place maintained by Miss Yvonne Beck for such important documentation.
Part 3
In the event of an allegation being made about a member of staff or volunteer, the manager will contact the senior nominated officer in the social services department who will then identify an appropriate social work team and ask them to undertake an investigation. The manager will also notify the child protection co - ordination unit that an investigation of professional abuse has been initiated and they will then take appropriate measures under Honey bear's disciplinary procedures, which may include suspending the member of staff from duty.
Child protection contacts and telephone numbers.
Social services department south
Tel:- 0161 499 2121
Fax:- 0161 437 5926
Greater Manchester police family support unit south
Tel:- 0161 856 4661
Fax:- 0161 856 4666
Education welfare
Tel:- 0161 234 7178
Fax:- 0161 234 7147
Children's information service
Tel:- 0161234 7111
Manchester contact centre of concerns
Tel:- 0161 255 8250
Fax:- 0161 255 8266
Next review date: July 2008