1. Roles and Responsibilities

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

Policies and procedures

• Read, understand and follow the setting's safeguarding policies and procedures at all times

Safer working practice

• Adhere to the setting's code of conduct
• Demonstrate high standards of safe working practice
• Understand the role of the key person and are clear about the responsibility to follow the safeguarding policy and all relevant procedures and guidance
• Take opportunities to discuss safeguarding policy and practice and refresh themselves on a regular basis about the setting's safeguarding policy to ensure they know what to do if they are worried that a child is being abused. This might be done, for example, in staff meetings or during supervision
• 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
• Report any Safeguarding concerns about anyone living or working on the premises to the childminder. This means following the setting's procedure regarding whistle- blowing (it is the childminder'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 childminder, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and Ofsted should be referred to directly. https://www.norfolklscb.org/people-working-with-children/how-to-raise-a-concern/local-authority-designated-officer-lado/

Training

Receive information about safeguarding at induction and undertake safeguarding training appropriate to the role

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

• Report any safeguarding concerns about any child to the childminder (SLP) who will make a professional consultation or referral. Everyone has a right to make a referral to The Children's Advice and Duty Service (CADS) if they are worried about a child. If there is any fundamental disagreement with the judgement of the childminder in relation to a decision not to make a professional consultation or a referral, take personal responsibility for following the safeguarding policy, procedures and guidance as they judge it to apply in the situation, the disagreement should be recorded
• Are aware that concerns about any child must be reported to the childminder (SLP) whether or not they are within their key person group
• Understand internal recording and reporting systems and follow the setting policy and procedures with regards to record keeping under the guidance of the childminder