1. Roles and Responsibilities

All adults working with children in the childminding setting have individual responsibility to safeguard children. Childminders must ensure:

Policies and procedures

• Safeguarding policy, procedures and guidance in accordance with local and national guidance/legislation are in place. They are available to parents/carers, assistants, 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
• Policies and procedures are implemented by the childminder and any assistants, and are reviewed and updated on an annual basis or in line with any changes in local and national guidance/legislation
• Safer recruitment procedures are in place, followed and kept up to date. Enhanced Disclose and Barring Service (DBS) checks for those over 16 years living and working on the premises are maintained. A record of evidence that the DBS check has been done is kept in a secure single central record, the DBS certificate is securely held by the individual to whom it belongs. Keep a note of the DBS number, issue date and name of the person that saw the original certificate.
• Where necessary Ofsted is informed of changes to staff and the required Ofsted documentation e.g. EY2 is completed and sent to Ofsted in line with requirements
• If there are changes to any household members Ofsted must be notified in order to carry out an enhanced DBS check - see Safer Recruitment section for further information
• Procedures for managing allegations against anyone aged over 16 living or working on the premises are in place and understood. Any concerns are reported to Ofsted and the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). This means following the setting's procedure regarding managing allegations. https://www.norfolklscb.org/people-working-with-children/how-to-raise-a-concern/local-authority-designated-officer-lado/
• Current contact details for the management of allegations against adults are clearly displayed
• Current contact details for making child protection referrals are clearly displayed together with basic information about the referral process

Safer working practice

• They understand their role as Safeguarding Lead Practitioner within the setting
• They develop and adhere to a code of conduct
• They model and promote safe working practice and challenge where necessary
• Day-to-day running of the setting is effective, and that the safety and wellbeing of all children is prioritised and assure                   
• Safeguarding practice within the setting is in line with all relevant legislation, Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP) guidance, and setting procedures and policy
• Safeguarding information is cascaded to assistants, and support is available as appropriate through information sharing e.g. staff meetings and supervision
• Assistants working in the setting have regular opportunities to discuss safeguarding policy and practice, they are updated and reminded on a regular basis about relevant policy, procedure and guidance, and about what to do if they are worried a child is being abused. Safeguarding should be a regular agenda item at staff meetings. This should not include discussions of individual cases
• Time is available to enable any assistants to undertake responsibilities with regard to safeguarding
• Parents/carers understand the setting's responsibility relating to safeguarding

Training

• Assistants, students and volunteers receive clear information about safeguarding at induction and receive safeguarding training appropriate to their role
• Their own training and knowledge on safeguarding issues is kept up-to-date, including where to source information, in line with NSCP guidance, and they are able to act 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 when appropriate in line with NSCP 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 assistants, students and volunteers who raise concerns, regarding related record keeping and appropriate action is taken in line with NSCP procedures
• Informed decisions are made about who will talk to parents, and when this is appropriate. Assistants 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
• Effective relationships are established with other agencies including Health, and appropriate liaison with regard to safeguarding is ensured