Early Years Improvement Team

Childcare Register Childcare on non-domestic premises

Safeguarding and Welfare Audit

A tool for settings

Childcare Register Requirements Yes Partly No Evidence, Comments and Actions All registered childcare providers must follow any relevant legislation, including laws about health and safety, disability discrimination, food hygiene, fire and planning requirements.

Core Requirements

You must keep any children you are looking after are kept safe from harm.

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The safeguarding and welfare audit is a tool to support settings to meet the legal requirements of the Childcare Register

Requirements

All staff and volunteers are aware of the different types of abuse: physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect. This is within Safeguarding/Child Protection policies and procedures.– All staff are made aware of, and know how to respond appropriately to concerns.

You must make sure that everyone caring for children is alert to any signs that a child may be suffering from harm.Record of in house staff training- Do you ask staff to read and sign policy to say they have read and understood it?- Is this reviewed regularly? For example, when changes are made? On a yearly basis?- Is this included within the induction process?– All staff are made aware of setting policy and procedures at the earliest opportunity. (Including cook, volunteers, and students.)– How often do you revisit safeguarding issues with staff team as ongoing professional development? For example, it is good practice for safeguarding to be an agenda item at each staff meeting.– The NSCB recommend that safeguarding training is refreshed every two years.– Staff are aware that they must refer concerns about a child’s welfare or safety without delay to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). Tel: 0300 126 1000 Completed referrals should be returned to:MASH@northamptonshire.gcsx.gov.uk

– All staff are made aware of, and know how to respond appropriately to concerns, including signs of radicalisation and child sexual exploitation.

• Link to online training available:http://www.northamptonshirescb.org.uk/about-northamptonshire-safeguarding-children-board/training/e-learning/

You must not use corporal punishment and make sure that no-one caring for

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children, in regular contact with children, or living or working where childcare is provided, uses corporal punishment.

You must make sure that enough people are present on the premises to ensure the safety and welfare of children you are looking after – at least one person must be the owner, manager, or someone who works for the provider caring for the children.Have you documented your justifications for numbers of staff this could be, for example, through a risk assessment? Does your justification include:

appropriate numbers of staff to support the needs of all children considering their ages and abilities including those children with SEN or disabilities;

appropriate numbers of staff for types of play/activities including risky play; consideration of staff deployment? Do you have appropriate numbers of staff for the number of rooms and both indoor and outdoor areas, to enable free flow?

appropriate numbers of staff in case of emergency e.g. a child needs accompanying to hospital.

You must make sure that no one smokes on the premises.

You must make sure that no one consumes or is under the influence of drugs or alcohol while looking after children or just before they arrive – this also includes medication that might affect their ability to look after children.If this is the case for staff medication, practitioners may be required to seek medical advice. Is this clear in your policy? -Is the safe storage of staff medication identified in your policy?

You must make sure that anyone aged under 17 who looks after children is supervised at all times by someone aged 18 or over.

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You must make sure at least one person has an appropriate first aid qualification.Staff have attended an appropriate paediatric first aid course. Do you have enough members of staff first aid trained to meet the needs of your setting (numbers of children), cover staff absence/illness, outings? – Are first aider lists displayed up to date?– Are first aid certificates held on site and available for inspection?

Safeguarding childrenYou must have, and follow, a written child protection policy to safeguard the children you look after from abuse or neglect.

Policies should be in line with the Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children’s Board (NSCB) The policy is reviewed annually.– Updates are made without delay.– The policy is accessible to all stakeholders.– Clear records are kept, including actions and outcomes.– Children’s voices; words, thoughts and feelings are accurately recorded to maintain integrity and feed into the bigger picture in terms of multi-agency activity concerning themselves and their family. – All contact details for other agencies up to date and NSCB website link listed in policy.www.northamptonshirescb.org.ukChild protection policy includes the following procedures:Emergencies:If a child is in immediate danger, left alone or missing, contact the police and/or ambulance service directly on 999.If a child is at immediate risk you should call MASH on 0300 126 1000 and make a telephone referral, you will subsequently be required to put this in writing.

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Non-emergencies:If there is no immediate danger, you will need to establish the level of need and risk before you take action. Thresholds and Pathways will help you to do this using the vulnerability matrix. (Thresholds and Pathways document pg.36)If you need advice about the levels of need and whether to make a referral, please contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).In all other circumstances to make a referral to the MASH please complete the online referral form.

Out-of-hours:Outside of normal office hours (Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm) please contact the Out-of-Hours Service:• Telephone 01604 626938

-All setting staff, families and volunteers, know the procedures for reporting concerns.www.northamptonshirescb.org.uk

-Staff are aware of signs of safety model.http://www.northamptonshirescb.org.uk/more/borough-and-district-councils/signsofsafety/

-Setting has registered with the NSCB website for updates.http://northamptonshirescb.proceduresonline.com/register_updates.html

Recommended leaflets to access:• Guide to the New Procedures Manual launched in August 2016http://www.northamptonshirescb.org.uk/about-northamptonshire-safeguarding-children-board/publications/nscb-leaflets/

• Leaflet explaining the role of Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children Board:

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About Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children Board Leaflet

• Leaflet explaining the work the NSCB is doing around Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE): NSCB Child Sexual Exploitation Leaflet

• Leaflet for parents and carers that you can download and print. It includes examples of different cases that have been referred to the MASH and will help them understand more about how the MASH works:Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub: Information for Parents and Carers

– Provider is aware of their responsibilities regarding the reporting of female genital mutilation? From 31st October 2015 the act introduces a mandatory reporting duty which requires health, social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales to report ‘known’ cases of FGM in under 18s which they identify in the course of their professional work to the police.

‘Known’ cases are those where either a girl informs the person that an act of FGM – however described – has been carried out on her, or where the person observes physical signs on a girl appearing to show that an act of FGM has been carried out and the person has no reason to believe that the act was, or was part of, a surgical operation.

The duty is a personal duty which requires the individual professional who becomes aware of the case to make a report; the responsibility cannot be transferred. The only exception to this is if you know that another individual from your profession has already made a report; there is no requirement to make a second.

Staff aware of key signs to look out for regarding FGM. (Detailed on NSCB website link below.)

– FGM campaign poster displayedhttp://www.northamptonshirescb.org.uk/childcare/news/fgm-awareness-campaign/

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• NSCB online FGM training course:http://www.northamptonshirescb.org.uk/about-northamptonshire-safeguarding-children-board/training/fgm-training/

– Provider is aware of their responsibilities regarding private fostering and information is included in the Child protection policy. If a child under the age of 16 (or under the age of 18 if disabled) is living in a private arrangement with someone who is not their parent, step-parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle or adult sibling, for 28 days or more, then the local authority must be notified, as this is likely to be a 'private fostering' arrangement. http://www.northamptonshirescb.org.uk/parents-carers/children-privately-fostered/

– Provider routinely asks, records and maintains up to date records of who has parental responsibility for each child. – All staff are aware of what private fostering arrangements are and how to report it.¬ Parental responsibility and private fostering arrangements are included in the safeguarding training/or discussed at a staff meeting if appropriate.

– Provider is aware of their responsibilities under the Prevent Duty. This is referenced within the policies and procedures. This has been shared with all staff.

• The Prevent duty guidance (Revised) accessedhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance

• The Prevent duty advice to schools and childcare providers accessedhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protecting-children-from-radicalisation-the-prevent-duty

– An online general awareness training module on Channel has been accessed by staff. http://course.ncalt.com/Channel_General_Awareness/01/index.html(Generates a certificate when completed.)

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– Provider has accessed information that sets out the key points inspectors need to consider when inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings. • Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings (October 2018)https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inspecting-safeguarding-in-early-years-education-and-skills-from-september-2015

– Provider has accessed HM Government Information sharing: guidance for practitioners and managers.

• Information sharing – Provider has accessed HM Government Information sharing: guidance for practitioners and managers.• Information sharing https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safeguarding-practitioners-information-sharing-advice

– The setting has an e-safety policy in place.– The policy is reviewed annually.– Are there clear online e-safety procedures for staff? E.g. who is responsible for downloading and monitoring apps? – Do staff understand and are alert to the potential risks associated with technology?– Is there appropriate filtering in place if there is internet access in the setting?

Are all staff aware of fundamental British Values?– How do you ensure active promotion of British values?

Further background reading on British valueshttp://www.foundationyears.org.uk/2015/03/fundamental-british-values-in-the-early-years/

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Policy includes actions to be taken if an allegation is made against a member of staff– Policy includes what to do if staff have concerns about the manager.– Aware of requirement to notify Ofsted and Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).– Aware of Local Authority requirement to notify the Designated Officer (DO) in the event of an allegation being made.– Clear records are kept.– All staff, including committee members and owners are aware of how to respond to allegations.

The Designated Officer should be informed of all cases in which it is alleged that a person who works with children has:• Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child;• Possibly committed a criminal offence against children, or related to a child; or• Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children, for example if their conduct falls within any of these categories of abuse: O physicalO emotionalO sexualO neglect

Allegations made against workers who are paid, unpaid, volunteer, agency, casual and self-employed as well as foster carers, and adoptive parents of children on Placement Orders should all be reported to the Designated Officer. This should be done within 24 hours of the incident.

• Direct link to NSCB Designated Officer information:http://www.northamptonshirescb.org.uk/childcare/eycm-referrals-eha/designated-officer/

When making a referral to the Designated Officer, please email the referral form to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) at:

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MASH@northamptonshire.gcsx.gov.uk

Policy covers the use of mobile phones and cameras – Includes use of phones and cameras on outings.– Covers use of children’s mobile phones.

Providers must have regard to statutory guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018– Staff are aware of and have access to a copy of the document.– Copies of What to do if you think a child is being abused (2015) are accessible in the setting. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-to-do-if-youre-worried-a-child-is-being-abused--2– Staff are aware that they must refer concerns about a child’s welfare or safety without delay to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). Tel: 0300 126 1000 Completed referrals should be returned to:MASH@northamptonshire.gcsx.gov.uk

You must make sure that no one who is unsuitable to be around children has unsupervised access to the children you look after. Record of all staff/volunteers DBS numbers to kept on site. Safer recruitment procedures– Has Safer Recruitment training been accessed?– Are there clear procedures in place for recruiting staff?– Are references obtained?- Are written references followed up by telephone?

– Are you up to date with the Disclosure and Barring Service new system and aware of the online service?• Link to Ofsted Disclosure and Barring Service checks hand-out:

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https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/651273/Disclosure_and_Barring_Service__DBS__checks_for_childcare_providers_who_register_with_Ofsted.pdf

– Are your DBS checks up to date?– Do you keep a central log of criminal records disclosure/DBS information?– Is it up to date based on current staff?– Do you ask staff if they have anything to disclose on an ongoing basis? E.g. at interview and during supervision or part of yearly appraisal?– How do you evidence this process? E.g. staff could complete and sign an internal disclosure form.Staff supervised at all times whilst waiting for their suitability checks– Do you record the application process and timeline?

You must have effective systems to make sure that anyone on the premises, during childcare hours is suitable to be around children – for childcare on domestic premises, this must include getting enhanced DBS checks through Ofsted.Record of all staff/volunteers DBS numbers to kept on site. -Safer recruitment procedures– Has Safer Recruitment training been accessed?– Are you up to date with the Disclosure and Barring Service new system and aware of the online service?Link to Ofsted Disclosure and Barring Service checks hand-out:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/651273/Disclosure_and_Barring_Service__DBS__checks_for_childcare_providers_who_register_with_Ofsted.pdf

– Are your DBS checks up to date?– Do you keep a central log of criminal records disclosure/DBS information?– Is it up to date based on current staff?

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– Do you ask staff if they have anything to disclose on an ongoing basis? E.g. at interview and during supervision or part of yearly appraisal?– How do you evidence this process? E.g. staff could complete and sign an internal disclosure form.Staff supervised at all times whilst waiting for their suitability checks– Do you record the application process and timeline?

You must minimise any risks to the health and safety of children and staff.Further information can be found on the HSE website. A Health and Safety Policy is required by some Insurance companies. -What policies and procedures do you have in place? -Do you use daily, weekly and yearly risk assessments?- Do you have sick children procedures or policy in place?

FacilitiesYou must make sure your premises are safe and suitable for childcare – this includes overall floor space, outdoor spaces and equipment used when looking after children. Are daily checks in place?– Do senior staff monitor this?– In rented or shared premises, is there a system in place to notify landlord of any issues?-Daily, weekly and termly risk assessments and resource cleaning rotas are in place.

You must make sure that no-one can enter the premises without the knowledge of you or your staff.-What procedures are in place? Are arrival and departure procedures are in place? -Is the door locked? -If in a shared building, how do you monitor this?- Do you record visits in a visitor’s book?– Check the security of all access points.

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Organising your childcareYou must make arrangements with other childcare providers or with parents for occasions where you cannot provide childcare.-What arrangements do you have in place? E.g. for bad weather?

You must manage children’s behaviour in a suitable manner.– How do ensure all staff are consistent in their approach?

You must provide accessible and inclusive childcare – this means you cannot refuse to provide childcare or treat any child less well than another because of their race, religion, home language, family background, gender, disability and/or special educational needs.

You must take all reasonable steps to ensure that disabled children have access to the relevant premises.– This is an anticipatory duty. Do the Local Offer have your setting information?-Have you completed the Out of School Provision Special Needs and Disability checklist? https://www3.northamptonshire.gov.uk/councilservices/children-families-education/early-years/information-for-childcare-providers/training/Documents/OOSSENDchecklist2017.docx

-Do you have personal action plans, Care plans, Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPS), personal risk assessments for children when necessary?

Dealing with complaintsYou must have a written complaints policy for any complaints relating to Childcare Register requirements that parents make in writing.

You must fully investigate each complaint and keep a written record of these complaints for 3 years – your records should include the outcome of the

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investigation and any actions you took in response.

You must respond to the parent who made the complaint and tell them about the complaint outcome within 28 days of the complaint date – you should respond in writing if the parent asks you to.

You must provide Ofsted with a summary of complaints made during the last 12 months and the actions you took as a result, or a list of complaints made during the last 3 years, if we ask for either of these.

Keeping recordsYou must keep records of the following and retain these for 2 years for each child you look after:

their name, home address and date of birth. name, home address and telephone number of their parent/guardian/carer a daily record of their name and hours of attendance. any medicine given, including the date, circumstances and who gave it (this

includes medicine that the child takes themselves) and a record of their parents/guardian/carer’s consent.

You must also keep records of: any accidents on the premises. the name, home address and telephone number of everyone living or

working where you provide childcare.

Providing informationYou must give parents:

information about the children’s activities. copies of your safeguarding and complaints policies. details of the registration system for the Childcare Register and Ofsted’s

address.-Is the planning/activities displayed?

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-Are safeguarding and complaints procedures displayed/ within information packs?– Is the Ofsted Parents poster displayed?

Keeping Ofsted informedYou must tell Ofsted about any changes to your circumstances within 14 days of the change happening. This includes changes to any of the following:

The registered address where Ofsted sends all documents. The address of any premises where you are providing childcare. The type of childcare you provide (for example, if you change the days or

hours when you look after children. The type of childcare you provide (for example, if you change the days or

hours when you look after children). Your name, address or telephone number. Any event that might affect the suitability of anyone who looks after

children, for example any offences or orders that might disqualify them. The name, date of birth, address and telephone number of any person aged

16 or over working or living in the home during childcare hours. The manager. The nominated individual.

You must also tell us about any of the following:(https:ofstedonline.ofsted.gov.uk/ofsted/Ofsted_Early_Years_Notification.ofml)

incident of food poisoning affecting 2 or more children in your care. any serious accident or injury to, or the death of, any child while receiving

childcare. any allegation of serious harm or abuse occurring on the premises.

You must: have liability insurance covering death, injury, public liability, damage or

other loss. display your registration certificate on the premises where you provide

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childcare display any notice that your registration has been suspended.

Voluntary part of the register – additional requirementsFor the voluntary part of the register, you must also make sure children cannot leave the premises unsupervised, unless:

You’re providing open-access childcare – if so, you should tell parents that the childcare is open access

They are aged 8 or over and their parent has agreed that they can leave by themselves

-What procedures are in place?-Do you have letters of consent from parents for children permitted to walk home?

At least one person must have a minimum level 2 qualification in work relevant to childcare or training in the common core skills. What qualifications are relevant to the childcare you offer e.g. Early Years, Playwork, Specialist courses? – Do you have a training matrix in place?– Is this up to date to reflect current staff?

Compulsory part of the register – additional requirementsYou must provide or arrange any necessary training to make sure that all staff have suitable skills and experience to look after childrenOfsted will be looking for evidence of how you meet this requirement. It is a good practice that all staff have a training plan in place to support their continual professional development. Providers will have to justify to Ofsted their decisions on what is classed as suitable skills (training) and experience. Consider that on the Voluntary part of the register common core training or a level 2 is required in an area relevant to the childcare. -What suitable skills are needed to ensure staff have suitable training to care for children?

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Playwork, Early Years, Specialist courses (e.g. sporting qualifications for those settings with a sports focus)

– What levels of training/ qualifications do staff have?

-Do all staff have a training development plan, which includes first aid, safeguarding and food hygiene and considers CPD (Continuing Professional Development)?

-Do any staff have any SEND training or experience supporting children with additional needs?

You must train all staff on your child safeguarding policy and procedures

You must make sure that the registered person, manger, and anyone else who looks after or regularly comes into contact with children, has good enough English to ensure the children’s welfare and safety (for example, to read instructions or call for help)

You must make sure that there’s at least one person looking after every 30 children

You must have a suitable place to prepare food, if you provide it; any food must be properly prepared, wholesome and nutritious-Do you have a food business registration? -Do you have a cleaning rota?-Are menus healthy?-Do staff preparing food/snacks have up to date food hygiene training?-Are policies and procedures in place?-Are allergies and children’s preferences recorded and adhered to?-Do you detail and prove what ingredients are in every single food dish you serve? (The Food Information for Consumers Regulation law )http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/2014/12/news-from-the-sector-32/– Is the cook aware of the Eat Better Start Better Guidance (2011) from the Children’s Food Trust?

You must make sure that children have access to drinking water and enough suitable toilet and hand-washing facilities

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Can children help themselves to water?

You must provide access to a secure outdoor space, or if this isn’t possible, make reasonable adjustments for outdoor activities.-Is your outdoor space secure? -What measures need to be put in place to achieve this? How do you monitor this? -Do you have daily trips to park or other suitable outdoor areas if no outdoor space available?

You must make sure that no child can leave the premises without the knowledge of someone who is providing the childcare.What procedures do you have in place? -Do you have a signing in and out process, which records the times of arrival and departure? -Is the door locked? -Can children get out of the premises unnoticed?-What have you put in place to minimise this risk?-How do you keep children safe at school pick up/drop off/on the way to and from school?– Do you have adjoining doors to other buildings? If so, how do you monitor security of these entrances? – Do you display signs promoting safe practices? E.g. Not to hold doors open for others.

You must appoint a lead practitioner with particular responsibility for child safety and welfare – this must be the provider, manager or anyone who cares for the children. They need to:

Do child protection training so they can identify and act on any signs that a child may be suffering from harm

Provide support and guidance on child protection issues for anyone looking after the children

Liaise with any local Safeguarding Children Board and Director of Children’s Services as appropriate.

If your provider’s main purpose is childcare, you must give Ofsted the name, date of

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birth, address and telephone number of any partner, director, senior officer or other member of the governing body.

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