SAFEGUARDING FOR CHILDMINDERS
Introduction
‘Safeguarding’ is a broad term which covers everything we do to keep children safe; from the risk assessments we carry out to reduce hazards and prevent accidents to knowing how to respond to concerns about the welfare of a child or how to respond to concerns about professionals looking after children. Safeguarding also includes the Prevent Duty.
The Child Protection Procedures for childminders are contained in the document ‘Child Protection and Safeguarding, Procedure and Guidance for Independent Day Care Providers, attached here. The procedure for responding to allegations against childminders is on page 14 and 15 of this document.
Childminders can attend free Child Protection training – see the ‘Childminding Network CPD’ page.
Bristol Safeguarding Children Board multi- agency training is open to childminders, see here https://www.bristol.gov.uk/policies-plans-strategies/bscb-training-courses
Online Safety/E Safety
For Online Safety/E Safety advice, childminders can use the free, Professionals Online Safety Helpline, provided by the UK Safer Internet Centre
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/professionals-online-safety-helpline
The helpline provides: advice, signposting and mediation to resolve e-safety issues and advice around online harassment, cyberbullying and sexting, both in relation to children’s online safety or for professionals themselves.
Useful Documents
What to do in the event of a serious accident – a checklist
Risk Assessment Reviewed 1 September 2016 PDF
Risk Assessment Reviewed September 2016 (Word)
Accident and Emergency Procedure
Lost Child and Uncollected Child Policy
Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy PDF
Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy (Word)
Home Office fact sheet on Female Genital Mutilation
Online learning on FGM, Home Office
BAVA, information for parents about FGM
Female Genital Mutilation Safeguarding Guidance 2017 – 2020
Child Protection and Safeguarding Advice and Guidance for Independent Daycare Providers
Multi-Agency Guidance for Injuries in Non-Mobile Babies March 2016
Multi-Agency Guidance for Injuries in Non-Mobile Babies – Addendum for Early Years March 2016
The Prevent Duty and British Values
E-Learning Training on Prevent
Declaration on disqualification and disqualification by association
What to do if you are worried a child is being abused
For helpful advice on the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the underwear rule – PANTS you can use the NSPCC website
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
For advice on Online Safety, look at the website of South West Grid for Learning, SWGfL
http://swgfl.org.uk/
Use the Online Compass to self-assess the online safety of your setting and create a safer online environment.
www.OnlineCompass.org.uk
Online Safety professionals helpline Tel. 0344 381 4772
Childminding contacts
The Childminding Support Team – contact cmsupport@bristol.gov.uk | Tel 0117 3574192