1. Roles and Responsibilities

The SLP and Deputy SLP are responsible for ensuring:          

Policies and procedures

• Safeguarding policy, procedures and guidance in accordance with local and national guidance/legislation are in place. These are available to staff, parents/ carers, students, volunteers and regular visitors and are understood and followed
• The Safeguarding policy is reviewed and updated on at least an annual basis and any changes are made during the year in light of staff changes and changes in local and national guidance/legislation in conjunction with the manager
• Current contact details for making child protection referrals are clearly displayed together with basic information about the referral process. This is done in conjunction with the manager

Safer working practice

• They adhere to the setting code of conduct
• They demonstrate high standards of safe working practice
• Safeguarding practice within the setting is in line with all relevant legislation, Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP) guidance, and setting procedures and policy. This is done in conjunction with the manager
• Staff, students, volunteers and regular visitors have opportunities to discuss safeguarding policy and practice. They are updated and reminded on a regular basis about the setting's safeguarding policy and know what to do if they are worried that a child is being abused. This is to be done in conjunction with the manager. Evidence of discussion should be recorded, for example in staff meeting minutes. Safeguarding should be a regular agenda item at staff meetings. This should not include discussion of individual cases
• Safeguarding information is cascaded to staff, and support is available as appropriate through information sharing e.g. staff meetings and supervision
• Safeguarding concerns about any adult working in the setting are reported to the manager. This means following the setting's procedure regarding whistle-blowing (it is the manager's responsibility to ensure that the process for managing allegations is followed once the concern has been raised with them). If the concern is about the manager, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), Ofsted and the named individual for the registered person or governing body should be referred to directly
• Parents/carers understand the setting's responsibilities relating to safeguarding. This is to be done in conjunction with the manager

Training

• Staff, students and volunteers receive clear information about safeguarding at induction and receive safeguarding training appropriate to their role. This is to be done in conjunction with the manager
• Their own training and knowledge on safeguarding issues is up-to-date including where to source information, in line with NSCP guidance, and they are able to act effectively as a point of reference for others
• Safeguarding training undertaken by practitioners working in a Norfolk setting should be approved by the Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP)

Child protection and multi-agency working

• Child protection referrals are made by the SLP or Deputy in line with local procedures and the setting's policy
• They represent the setting at multi-agency meetings concerning individual children and complete reports and other relevant paperwork in line with NSCP procedures
• Support and guidance is provided to staff, students and volunteers who raise concerns regarding related record keeping and appropriate action is taken in line with local procedure
• Informed decisions are made about who will talk to parents, and when this is appropriate. Staff are supported to maintain respectful relationships with parents
• Accurate safeguarding records are maintained and stored appropriately
• Appropriate information is provided to support transitions both within the setting and beyond. This is done in conjunction with the manager. See section 5 Information Sharing for more details
• Effective relationships are established with other agencies including Health, and liaison is established as appropriate with regard to safeguarding