Balliol Day Nursery: Safeguarding Children Statement
Like all childcare professionals we have an obligatory responsibility to protect the children in our care. We will therefore share our concerns with the Local Authority Safeguarding Team ‘M.A.S.H’ if we fear a child may be suffering abuse or neglect. Phone numbers and procedures for what to do if you are concerned about a child are displayed on the Safeguarding and Welfare noticeboard in the staffroom.
All adults have a legal duty to report any concerns about children or staff and to disclose any changes in their own circumstances that would affect the accuracy of their DBS check.
Please see the nursery’s policy on Safeguarding and Child Protection.
Balliol Day Nursery’s designated lead practitioner’s for safeguarding children are Hannah O’Brien and Jemma Jones.
Child Protection is Everybody’s Business
Did you know that if you are worried about a child, you can ring and speak to a child protection officer on a no-name basis, at LCSS (Locality & Community Support Service) on 0345 2412705 or email LCSS.Central@oxfordshire.gov.uk? They will advise you whether or not they think it is a matter for concern and if so, refer you to MASH.
If you have an immediate concern about any child, call the Oxfordshire Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 0345 505 7666 or email: mash-childrens@oxfordshire.gcsx.gov.uk.
Abuse includes: physical abuse, mental abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, child sexual exploitation, forced marriages, female genital mutilation and radicalisation.
Often in cases of child abuse, many adults have witnessed tiny pieces of evidence. It is only once all of these pieces have been put together that a true picture emerges.
Your concern could be the missing piece of the jigsaw.
Balliol Day Nursery: Whistle-blowing
In order to promote an environment of openness and transparency we actively encourage all adults to bring matters of concern to our attention, or that of the Local Authority Safeguarding Team, without fear of implications to themselves, the children or their employment.
19 November 2024