Safeguarding Summary Statement – Extract from the full Safeguarding Policy Statement

At Emma’s Day Nursery we work with children, parents, external agencies and the community to ensure the welfare and safety of children and to give them the very best start in life. Children have the right to be treated with respect, be helped to thrive and to be safe from any abuse in whatever form.

 

We support the children within our care, protect them from maltreatment and have robust procedures in place to prevent the impairment of children’s health and development. In our setting we strive to protect children from the risk of radicalisation and we promote acceptance and tolerance of other beliefs and cultures (please refer to our inclusion and equality policy for further information).

Policy intention

To safeguard children and promote their welfare we will:

• ·         Create an environment to encourage children to develop a positive self-image
• ·         Provide positive role models and develop a safe culture where staff are confident to raise concerns about professional conduct
• ·         Support staff to notice the softer signs of abuse and know what action to take
• ·         Encourage children to develop a sense of independence and autonomy in a way that is appropriate to their age and stage of development
• ·         Provide a safe and secure environment for all children
• ·         Promote tolerance and acceptance of different beliefs, cultures and communities
• ·         Help children to understand how they can influence and participate in decision-making and how to promote British values through play, discussion and role modelling
• ·         Always listen to children
• ·         Provide an environment where practitioners are confident to identify where children and families may need intervention and seek the help they need
• ·         Share information with other agencies as appropriate.

 

The nursery is aware that abuse does occur in our society and we are vigilant in identifying signs of abuse and reporting concerns. Our practitioners have a duty to protect and promote the welfare of children. Due to the many hours of care we are providing, staff may often be the first people to identify that there may be a problem. They may well be the first people in whom children confide information that may suggest abuse or to spot changes in a child’s behaviour which may indicate abuse.

Our prime responsibility is the welfare and well-being of each child in our care. As such we believe we have a duty to the children, parents and staff to act quickly and responsibly in any instance that may come to our attention. This includes sharing information with any relevant agencies such as local authority services for children’s social care, health professionals or the police. All staff will work with other agencies in the best interest of the child, including as part of a multi-agency team, where needed.

 

In the event of any safeguarding concerns staff or parents should in the first instance contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead at the Nursery.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at the nursery is Emma Henwood. The Deputy DSL’s are Nicola Meredith, Vicki Lynch and Sophie Bartlett.

 

Alternatively, any person may contact the Local Authority directly, whose contact details are below:

Contact telephone numbers

MASH Bournemouth (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub)

During office hours (8.30am -5.15pm, Mon-Thurs/ 8.30am-4.45pm Fri)

Email: MASH@bournemouth.gov.uk

Telephone: 01202 458101/458102

Joint emergency HQ

Wimborne Road, Poole

BH15 2BP

 

The Nursery Full Safeguarding Policy Statement is available on request.

In addition, we direct you to the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) website for further general and specific information - https://bournemouth-poole-lscb.org.uk/ or https://www.dorsetlscb.co.uk/

The Dorset LSCB have also produced a helpful guide to Safeguarding available below.