Policies Wiz Tuition follow

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This policy includes managing allegations of abuse against a member of staff and responding to child protection concerns.

Policy statement

Our setting will work with children, parents and the community to ensure the rights and safety of children and to give them the very best start in life. Our Safeguarding Policy is based on the three key commitments of the Pre-school Learning Alliance Safeguarding Children Policy.

Procedures

Key Commitment 1: Building a culture of safety

We are committed to building a culture of safety in which children, young people and vulnerable adults are protected from abuse and harm in all areas of our work.

• Our designated      person (a member of staff) who co-ordinates child protection      issues is the manager.
• When the setting is open, but the designated person is unavailable, a suitably trained deputy is available for staff to discuss safeguarding  concerns. 
• The designated person and the person who deputises for them understand Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) safeguarding procedures, attend      relevant safeguarding training at least every two years and refresh their knowledge of safeguarding at least annually.
• The deputy designated person will inform the designated person at      the first opportunity of every significant safeguarding concern, however      this should not delay any referrals being made to children’s  social care, the      LADO (Local Authority Duty Officer) or Ofsted.
• We ensure      all staff are trained to understand our safeguarding policies and      procedures and that parents are made aware of them too.
• All staff      have an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues and are alert to      potential indicators and signs of abuse and neglect and understand their      professional duty to ensure safeguarding and child protection concerns are      reported to the local authority children’s social care team or the NSPCC. They receive updates on safeguarding at      least annually.
• All staff      are confident to ask questions in relation to any safeguarding concerns      and know not to just take things at face value but can be respectfully sceptical.
• All staff      understand the principles of early help (as defined in Working      Together to Safeguard Children) and are able to identify those children and families who      may be in need of early help and enable them to access it.
• All staff      understand LSCB thresholds of significant harm and understand how to      access services for families, including for those families who are below      the threshold for significant harm.
• All staff      understand how to escalate their concerns in the event that they feel      either the local authority and/or their own organisation has not acted      adequately to safeguard.
• All staff      understand what the organisation expects of them in terms of their      required behaviour and conduct. They follow our policies and procedures on      positive behaviour, online safety (including use of mobile phones),      whistleblowing and dignity at work.
• Children      have a key person to build a relationship with, and are supported to      articulate any worries, concerns or complaints that they may have in an age-appropriate      way.
• We provide      adequate and appropriate staffing resources to meet the needs of children.
• Candidates      are informed of the need to carry out ‘enhanced disclosure’ checks with      the Disclosure      and Barring Service before      posts can be confirmed. We use these checks to ensure that no disqualified      person or unsuitable person works at the setting or has access to      children.
• Where      applications are rejected based on information that has been disclosed,      applicants have the right to know and to challenge incorrect information.
• Volunteers      do not work unsupervised and must:
  • be aged 17       or over
  • be       considered competent and responsible
  • receive a       robust induction and regular supervisory meetings
  • be familiar       with the setting’s policies and procedures
• We record      information about staff qualifications, and the identity checks and      vetting processes that have been completed including:
  • the       criminal records disclosure reference number;
  • the date       the disclosure was obtained
  • who       obtained it.
  • details of       a certificate of good conduct or equivalent where a UK DBS check in       inappropriate.
• We inform      all staff that they are expected to disclose any convictions, cautions,      court orders or reprimands and warnings which may affect their suitability      to work with children (whether received before or during their employment      with us).
• All staff      and volunteers are required to notify us if anyone in their household      (including family members, lodgers, partners etc.) has any relevant      convictions, cautions, court orders, reprimands or warnings or has been      barred from, or had registration refused or cancelled in relation to any      childcare provision or have had orders made in relation to care of their      children.
• We notify      the Disclosure      and Barring Service of      any person who is dismissed from our employment, or resigns in      circumstances that would otherwise have led to dismissal for reasons of a      child protection concern.
• We record      the details of visitors to the setting in a visitors’ book kept in the      entrance of the hall.
• We take      security steps to ensure that we have control over who comes into the      setting, so that no unauthorised person has unsupervised access to the      children.
• We take      steps to ensure children are not photographed, filmed, or recorded on      video for any other purpose than to record their development or their      participation in events organised by us. Parents sign a consent form and      have access to records holding visual images of their child.
• Any personal      information is held securely and in line with data protection requirements      and guidance from the ICO.
• The designated      person in the setting has responsibility for ensuring that there      is an adequate online safety policy in place.
• We keep a      written record of all complaints and concerns including details of how      they were responded to.
• We ensure      that robust risk assessments are completed, these are shared with, and if      appropriate signed by, all relevant staff. They are regularly reviewed and      updated, in line with our health and safety policy.

Key Commitment 2: Responding to incidents or concerns of abuse

We are committed to responding promptly and appropriately to all incidents or concerns of abuse that may occur and to working with statutory agencies in accordance with the procedures that are set down in What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused.

Responding to suspicions of abuse

• We      acknowledge that abuse of children can take different forms - physical,      emotional, and sexual, as well as neglect.
• We ensure      that all staff have an understanding of the additional vulnerabilities      that arise from special educational needs and/or disabilities, plus      inequalities of race, gender, language, religion, sexual orientation or      culture, and that these receive full consideration in relation to child,      young person or vulnerable adult protection.
• When      children are suffering from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, or      experiencing neglect, this may be demonstrated through:
  • significant       changes in their behaviour
  • deterioration       in their general well-being
  • their       comments which may give cause for concern, or the things they say (direct       or indirect disclosure)
  • changes in       their appearance, their behaviour, or their play
  • unexplained       bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect
  • any reason       to suspect neglect or abuse outside the setting.
• We are aware      of the ‘hidden harm’ agenda concerning parents with drug and alcohol      problems and consider other factors affecting parental capacity and risk,      such as social exclusion, domestic violence, radicalisation, mental or      physical illness and parent’s learning disability.
• We are aware      that children’s vulnerability is potentially increased when they are      privately fostered and when we know that a child is being cared for under      a private fostering arrangement, we inform our local      authority children’s social care team.
• We are aware      of other factors that affect children’s vulnerability that may affect, or      may have affected, children and young people using our provision, such as      abuse of children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities;      fabricated or induced illness; child abuse linked to beliefs in spirit      possession; sexual exploitation of children, including through internet      abuse; Female Genital Mutilation and radicalisation or extremism.
• In relation      to radicalisation and extremism, we follow the Prevent      Duty guidance for England and Wales published by the Home      Office and      LSCB procedures on responding to radicalisation.
• We also make      ourselves aware that some children and young people are affected by gang      activity, by complex, multiple or organised abuse, through forced marriage      or honour-based violence or may be victims of child trafficking. While      this may be less likely to affect young children in our care, we may      become aware of any of these factors affecting older children and young      people who we may come into contact with.
• Where we      believe that a child in our care or that is known to us may be affected by      any of these factors we follow the procedures below for reporting child      protection concerns and follow the Local      Safeguarding Children Board procedures.
• Where such      evidence is apparent, the child’s key person makes a dated record of the      details of the concern and discusses what to do with the member of staff      who is acting as the designated person. The information is      stored on the child’s personal file.
• In the event      that a staff member or volunteer is unhappy with the decision made of      the designated person in relation to whether to make a      safeguarding referral they must follow escalation procedures.
• We refer      concerns to the local authority children’s social care department and      co-operate fully in any subsequent investigation. In some cases this may      mean the police or another agency identified by the Local      Safeguarding Children Board.

The Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) for Westminster is now the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP), a collaboration between Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith & Fulham. 

If you have a safeguarding concern, you can contact Westminster Children's Services at 020 7641 4000 or the out-of-hours team at 020 7641 6000.

• We take care      not to influence the outcome either through the way we speak to children      or by asking questions of children.
• We take      account of the need to protect young people aged 16-19 as defined by      the Children      Act 1989. This may      include students or school children on work placement, young employees or      young parents. Where abuse is suspected we follow the procedure for      reporting any other child protection concerns. The views of the young      person will always be taken into account, but the setting may override the      young person’s refusal to consent to share information if it feels that it      is necessary to prevent a crime from being committed or intervene where      one may have been, or to prevent harm to a child or adult. Sharing confidential      information without consent is done only where not sharing it could be      worse than the outcome of having shared it.
• All staff      are also aware that adults can also be vulnerable and know how to refer      adults who are in need of community care services.
• We have      a whistleblowing policy in place, a copy of this document can be      found in Wiz Tuition Ltd Policies folder. 
• Staff and      volunteers know they can contact the organisation Public      Concern at Work for      advice relating to whistleblowing. If they feel that the organisation has      not acted adequately in relation to safeguarding they can contact      the NSPCC      whistleblowing helpline.

Recording suspicions of abuse and disclosures

• Where a      child makes comments to a member of staff that give cause for concern      (disclosure), or a member of staff observes signs or signals that give      cause for concern, such as significant changes in behaviour; deterioration      in general well-being; unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible      abuse or neglect; that member of staff:
  • listens to       the child, offers reassurance and gives assurance that she or he will       take action;
  • does not       question the child;
  • makes a       written record that forms an objective record of the observation or       disclosure that includes: the date and time of the observation or the       disclosure; the exact words spoken by the child as far as possible; the       name of the person to whom the concern was reported, with the date and       time; and the names of any other person present at the time.
• These      records are signed and dated and kept in the child’s personal file, which      is kept securely and confidentially.
• The member      of staff acting as the designated person is informed of      the issue at the earliest opportunity.
• Where      the Local      Safeguarding Children Board stipulates      the process for recording and sharing concerns, we include those      procedures alongside this procedure and follow the steps set down by the      Local Safeguarding Children Board.

Making a referral to the local authority children’s social care team

• The      Pre-school Learning Alliance’s publication Safeguarding Children contains  procedures for making a referral to the local children’s social care team,      as well as a template form for recording concerns and making a referral.      This is based on What to      do if you’re worried a child is being abused.
• We keep a      copy of this document alongside the procedures for recording (which can be      found in Wiz Tuition Ltd Policies folder) and reporting set down by      our Local      Safeguarding Children Board,      which we follow where local procedures differ from those of the Pre-school      Learning Alliance.

Escalation Process

• If we feel      that a referral made has not been dealt with properly or that concerns are      not being addressed or responded to, we will follow the Local      Safeguarding Children Board,      escalation process
• We ensure      that staff are aware of how to escalate concerns.

Informing parents

• Parents are      normally the first point of contact. Concerns are discussed with parents      to gain their view of events, unless it is felt that this may put the      child at risk, or interfere with the course of a police investigation.      Advice will be sought from social care if necessary.
• We inform      parents when we make a record of concerns in their child’s file and tell      them that we also make a note of any discussion we have with them      regarding a concern.
• If a      suspicion of abuse warrants referral to social care, parents are informed      at the same time that the referral will be made, except where the guidance      of the Local Safeguarding Children Board does not allow this, for example,      where it is believed that the child may be placed in greater danger. This      will usually be the case where the parent is the likely abuser. In these cases,      the social workers will inform parents.
• If there is      a possibility that advising a parent beforehand may place a child at      greater risk (or interfere with a police response) the designated person      should seek advice from children’s social care, about whether or not to      advise parents beforehand, and should record and follow the advice given.

Liaison with other agencies

• We work      within the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines.
• We have the      current version of What to      do if you’re worried a child is being abused available for parents and staff.
• We ensure      that all staff are familiar with what they need to do if they have      concerns.
• We have      procedures for contacting the local authority regarding child protection      issues, including maintaining a list of names, addresses and telephone      numbers of social workers, to ensure that it is easy, in any emergency,      for the setting and children’s social care to work well together.
• We notify      Ofsted of any incident or accident and any changes in our arrangements      which may affect the well-being of children or where an allegation of      abuse is made against a member of staff (whether the allegations relate to      harm or abuse committed on our premises or elsewhere). Notifications      to Ofsted are      made as soon as is reasonably practicable, but at the latest within 14      days of the allegations being made.
• Contact      details for the local National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to      Children (NSPCC) are      also kept.

Call the NSPCC Helpline: 0808 100 5000

Email the NSPCC Helpline: help@nspcc.org.uk. This is available at any time.

If the child is in immediate danger: Contact the police on 999

Allegations against staff

• We ensure      that all parents know about our Complaints      Policy which      explains how to raise concerns, including those about the behaviour or      actions of staff or volunteers within the setting, or anyone living or      working on the premises occupied by the setting, which may include an      allegation of abuse.
• We respond      to any inappropriate behaviour displayed by members of staff or any other      person working with the children, which includes:
  • inappropriate       sexual comments
  • excessive       one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and       responsibilities
  • inappropriate       sharing of images
• We follow      the guidance of the Local      Safeguarding Children Board,      when responding to any complaint that a member of staff or volunteer      within the setting, or anyone living or working on the premises occupied      by the setting, has abused a child.
• We ensure      that all staff and volunteers know how to raise concerns about a member of      staff or volunteer within the setting. We respond to any concerns raised      by staff and volunteers who know how to escalate their concerns if they      are not satisfied with our response.
• We respond      to any disclosure by children or staff that abuse by a member of staff or      volunteer within the setting, or anyone living or working on the premises      occupied by the setting, may have taken, or is taking place, by first      recording the details of any such alleged incident.
• We refer any      such complaint immediately to the Local Authority Designated      Officer (LADO) to investigate:
  • Duty LADO       on 020 7641 7668 or email lado@westminster.gov.uk
• We also      report any such alleged incident to Ofsted, as well as what measures we      have taken. We are aware that it is an offence not to do this.
• We      co-operate entirely with any investigation carried out by children’s      social care in conjunction with the police.
• Where the      management team and children’s social care agree it is appropriate in the      circumstances, the management will suspend the member of staff on full      pay, or the volunteer, for the duration of the investigation. This is not      an indication of admission that the alleged incident has taken place, but      is to protect the staff, as well as children and families throughout the      process.

Disciplinary action

Where a member of staff or volunteer has been dismissed due to engaging in activities that caused concern for the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults, we will notify the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) of relevant information, so that individuals who pose a threat to children (and vulnerable groups) can be identified and barred from working with these groups.

Key commitment 3: Promoting awareness

We are committed to promoting awareness of child abuse issues and to empowering young children, promoting their right to be strong, resilient and listened to.

Training

• We seek out      training opportunities for all adults involved in the setting to ensure      that they are able to recognise the signs and signals of possible physical      abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse (including child sexual exploitation)      and neglect and that they are aware of the local authority guidelines for      making referrals.
• We ensure      that designated persons receive training in accordance with that      recommended by the Local Safeguarding Children Board, at least every two      years and refresh their knowledge and skills at least annually.
• We ensure      that all staff know the procedures for reporting and recording any      concerns they may have about the provision.
• We ensure      that all staff receive updates on safeguarding via emails, newsletters,      online training or discussion at staff meetings at least once a year.

Planning

• The spaces      within the tuition are used in a way which allows for constant      supervision. No child is allowed to be alone with staff or volunteers in a      one-to-one situation without somebody else being able to see or hear them.

Curriculum

• We introduce      key elements of keeping children safe into our programme to promote the      personal, social and emotional development of all children, so that they      may grow to be strong, resilient and listened to and so      that they develop an understanding of why and how to keep safe.
• We create      within the setting a culture of value and respect for individuals,      having positive regard for children’s heritage arising from their colour,      ethnicity, languages spoken at home, cultural and social background.
• We ensure      that this is carried out in a way that is developmentally appropriate for      the children.

Confidentiality

• All      suspicions and investigations are kept confidential and shared only with      those who need to know. Any information is shared under the guidance of      the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

Support to families

• We believe      in building trusting and supportive relationships with families, staff and      volunteers in the group.
• We make      clear to parents our role and responsibilities in relation to child      protection, such as for the reporting of concerns, information sharing,      monitoring of the child, and liaising at all times with the local      children’s social care team.
• We will      continue to welcome the child and the family whilst investigations are      being made in relation to any alleged abuse.
• Where a      child’s social care worker has set a Child Protection Plan, we follow it      in relation to the setting’s designated role and tasks in supporting that      child and their family, subsequent to any investigation.
• Confidential      records kept on a child are shared with the child’s parents or those who      have parental responsibility for the child in accordance with the      Confidentiality and Client Access to Records procedure and only if      appropriate under the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

  COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES

Policy statement

Our setting believes that children and parents are entitled to expect courtesy and prompt, careful attention to their needs and wishes. We welcome suggestions on how to improve our setting and will give prompt and serious attention to any concerns about the running of the setting. We anticipate that most concerns will be resolved quickly by an informal approach to the appropriate member of staff. If this does not achieve the desired result, we have a set of procedures for dealing with concerns. We aim to bring all concerns about the running of our setting to a satisfactory conclusion for all of the parties involved.

Procedures

All settings are required to keep a written record (‘summary log’ in our Complaints Log Book) of any complaints that reach stage 2 and above and their outcome. This is to be made available to parents as well as to Ofsted inspectors on request. A full procedure is set out in the Pre-school Learning Alliance Children Centre Procedures which acts as the ‘summary log’ for this purpose (a printed version can be found among our list of printed policies).

Making a complaint

Stage 1

• Any parent who has a concern about an aspect of the setting’s      provision talks over, first of all, his/her concerns with the setting      leader.
• Most complaints should be resolved amicably and informally at      this stage.

Stage 2

• If this does not have a satisfactory outcome, or if the      problem recurs, the parent moves to this stage of the procedure by putting      the concerns or complaint in writing to the setting leader and the owner      or chair of the management committee.
• For parents who are not comfortable with making written      complaints, there is a template form for recording complaints in the      above-mentioned Complaints Log Book; the form may be completed with the      person in charge and signed by the parent.
• The setting stores written complaints from parents in the      child’s personal file. However, if the complaint involves a detailed      investigation, the setting leader may wish to store all information      relating to the investigation in a separate file designated for this      complaint.
• When the investigation into the complaint is completed, the      setting leader or manager meets with the parent to discuss the outcome.
• Parents must be informed of the outcome of the investigation      within 28 days of making the complaint.
• When the complaint is resolved at this stage, the summative      points are logged in the Complaints Log Book.

Stage 3

• If the parent is not satisfied with the outcome of the      investigation, he or she requests a meeting with the setting leader and      the owner/chair of the management committee. The parent should have a      friend or partner present if required and the leader should have the      support of the chairperson of the management committee, or the      owner/senior manager, present.
• An agreed written record of the discussion is made as well as      any decision or action to take as a result. All of the parties present at      the meeting sign the record and receive a copy of it.
• This signed record signifies that the procedure has      concluded. When the complaint is resolved at this stage, the summative      points are logged in the Complaints Log Book.

Stage 4

• If at the stage three meeting the parent and setting cannot      reach agreement, an external mediator is invited to help to settle the      complaint. This person should be acceptable to both parties, listen to      both sides and offer advice. A mediator has no legal powers but can help      to define the problem, review the action so far and suggest further ways      in which it might be resolved.
• Staff or volunteers within the Pre-school Learning Alliance      are appropriate persons to be invited to act as mediators.

Pre-School Learning Alliance

Address: 50 Featherstone Street, London, EC1Y 8RT

Contact: 0207 697 2595 or info@pre-school.org.uk

Website: http://www.pre-school.org.uk

• The mediator keeps all discussions confidential. S/he can      hold separate meetings with the setting personnel (setting leader and      owner/chair of the management committee) and the parent, if this is      decided to be helpful. The mediator keeps an agreed written record of any      meetings that are held and of any advice s/he gives.

Stage 5

• When the mediator has concluded her/his investigations, a      final meeting between the parent, the setting leader and the owner/chair      of the management committee is held. The purpose of this meeting is to      reach a decision on the action to be taken to deal with the complaint. The      mediator’s advice is used to reach this conclusion. The mediator is      present at the meeting if all parties think this will help a decision to      be reached.
• A record of this meeting, including the decision on the      action to be taken, is made. Everyone present at the meeting signs the      record and receives a copy of it. This signed record signifies that the      procedure has concluded.

The role of the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) and the Local Safeguarding Children Board

• Parents may approach Ofsted directly at any stage of this      complaints procedure. In addition, where there seems to be a possible      breach of the setting’s registration requirements, it is essential to      involve Ofsted as the registering and inspection body with a duty to      ensure the Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements are adhered to.
• The number to call Ofsted with regard to a complaint      is: 0300 123 4666 or email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk 
• These details are displayed on our setting’s notice board.
• If a child appears to be at risk, our setting follows the      procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board in our local      authority.
• In these cases, both the parent and setting are informed and      the setting leader works with Ofsted or the Local Safeguarding Children      Board to ensure a proper investigation of the complaint, followed by      appropriate action.

Records

• A record of complaints against our setting and/or the      children and/or the adults working in our setting is kept, including the      date, the circumstances of the complaint and how the complaint was      managed.
• The outcome of all complaints is recorded in the Complaint      Log Book which is available for parents and Ofsted inspectors on      request and is kept on the shelf in the main area of the setting.

 Policy Statement

Staff working at Wiz Tuition Ltd should feel confident about coming forward to report any issues or concerns that they may have and to be protected from any subsequent discrimination.

Aims

• Ensure staff understand their responsibilities and feel confident in raising and reporting a serious concern at the earliest opportunity.
• Provide avenues for staff to raise concerns and receive feedback on any action taken.
• Ensure that staff receive a response to their concerns and that they are aware of how to pursue them      if they are not satisfied.
• Reassure staff that they will be      protected from possible reprisals or victimisation if they have made any      disclosures in good faith.
• Enable concerns to be reported      without leading to harassment or victimisation.

What should be reported?

• Inappropriate treatment or care      of a child.
• Inappropriate behaviour by an      adult in the setting, including that of manager, staff, students or      volunteers.
• Discrimination of any kind.
• Concerns that could impact on      the health and safety of the children or adults.

Methods

A concern should be initially raised by any staff member to their line manager. They should discuss the nature of the concern, together with the background history of the concern and the dates of relevant incidents.

There is no expectation that staff prove beyond doubt the truth of their suspicion, however they will need to demonstrate that they are acting in good faith and there are reasonable grounds for their concern.

All staff will be treated fairly.

Concerns will be dealt with in the following way:

Initial enquiries will be made to decide whether an investigation is appropriate and if so, what form it should take.

The incident will be investigated by the line manager and/or Ofsted Nominated Person.

If appropriate the matter will be referred and put through established safeguarding children’s procedures and may form the subject of an independent inquiry.

Within ten working days of a concern being raised, the member of staff will receive in writing:

• Acknowledgment that the concern      has been received.
• An indication as to how the      pre-school will deal with the matter.
• Information on staff support      mechanisms.
• Information as to whether any      further investigation will take place and if not, why not.

It may be necessary for the tuition to interview staff to ensure that their disclosure is fully understood. Meetings can be arranged away from the workplace, if so wished, and a representative or a friend may accompany the reporting member of staff for support.

Support will be offered if there are any difficulties experienced as a result of raising a concern.

The person reporting the incident will be kept informed of the progress and outcome of any investigation to assure them that any disclosure has been properly addressed unless legal reasons determine otherwise

Confidentiality will be maintained. If they so request, every effort will be made not to reveal the identity of the staff member reporting the incident. If, however, a member of staff makes an allegation frivolously, maliciously or for personal gain, appropriate action may be taken, which may include disciplinary action.

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 seeks to protect employees from discrimination as a result of blowing the whistle on their organisation, or individuals within it, through amendments to employment law.