Aim

For staff to work in a multidisciplinary context with children and their families.  To work in collaboration with other agencies to protect  children from abuse and exploitation and respond appropriately when abuse is identified.

Objectives

• Fulfil both pro-active and reactive responses to protect children from abuse.
• Develop an ethos which promotes the welfare of all children and create learning opportunities for children in relation to good health and safety in all aspects of their lives.
• Have regard to child’s religious persuasion, racial origin and linguistic background.
• Work in partnership with parents unless it is not in the child’s best interest.

Purpose of Guidelines

To raise staff awareness of their role and responsibilities in child protection laid down by GCC’s Child Protection Policy Guidelines and to adhere to the Children’s Act 1996 along with the Safe & Well documentation.

Practice to Achieve Aim

In the event of a child protection incident, staff should immediately report to:

Team Leader - Maureen Scanlin

In my absence report to the Head of Centre – Mary McGinley.

• Staff must always record any concerns as soon as possible on the same day.  The report should be dated and signed and kept in the child’s file.
• It is not the nursery staff’s responsibility to investigate, but it is vital that staff take an accurate account of what a child has said, as this information may be used as part of a Child Protection Investigation.
• If child abuse is suspected it will be reported to Social Work Department on the same day by a member of the management team.
• Staff will work collaboratively with other agencies to protect the children in our care.
• The Head of Centre as part of staff development will deliver child protection training on an annual basis.
• Staff will be kept up to date with any new legislation or procedures and appropriate training will be sought.
• It is our responsibility to follow the procedures in Management Circular 57 in the event of a child protection incident. (Copy of full policy guidelines can be found in staff policy book and in the office).

The revised Management Circular 57 now titled ‘Child Welfare & Safety’ reflects the adoption of the general principles within ‘Everyone’s Job 2002’, and the implementation of the establishment of New Learning Communities and Community Health and Care Partnership (2006).