Nothing matters more than a child's safety and wellbeing. I, Laura Oldfield, am the safeguarding lead. If I believe a child may need help or protection, I will act straight away and follow the current EYFS, Working Together to Safeguard Children and Stoke-on-Trent procedures.
Recognising harm
I remain alert to abuse, harm and neglect, including physical, emotional and sexual abuse; neglect; domestic abuse and coercive control; child-on-child harm; online harm; criminal and sexual exploitation; trafficking; radicalisation; fabricated or induced illness; forced marriage; honour- or faith-based abuse; and female genital mutilation (FGM). Disabled children, babies, children with communication needs, children in care and children affected by discrimination may face additional barriers to being heard.
Signs can include a disclosure, unexplained or unusual injury, change in behaviour or wellbeing, fear, sexualised behaviour, hunger or poor hygiene, concerning adult behaviour, repeated/unexplained absence, online indicators or a pattern that does not fit the child's development. I use professional curiosity without stereotyping.
Responding to a concern or disclosure
- I listen calmly, take the child seriously, do not promise secrecy, ask only open questions needed to clarify, and explain what will happen in language the child understands.
- I make a clear, factual record in ChildLogs as soon as possible, using the child's own words where I can. I will not make them repeat their account unnecessarily.
- I pass concerns about a child's safety or welfare straight to Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Front Door. I call 999 if there is immediate danger, or 101 for non-emergency police advice.
- I normally work openly with parents, but will not inform them first where that may increase risk, prejudice an investigation or conflict with agency advice. I do not investigate, confront an alleged perpetrator or interview witnesses before referral.
Local contacts: Integrated Front Door 01782 235100 (Monday–Thursday 8:30am–5pm; Friday 8:30am–4:30pm). Emergency Duty Team 01782 234234 outside those hours. Police 999 in an emergency or 101 otherwise.
Allegations about adults and suitability
If someone who lives, works or looks after children here is accused of harm or abuse, I will contact the LADO through Integrated Front Door without delay, even if the alleged event happened somewhere else. I will follow their safety advice and tell Ofsted about the allegation and action taken as soon as reasonably possible and always within 14 days.
Household members and any assistant, volunteer, student or contractor are managed under current suitability requirements. Required enhanced criminal-record checks and references are completed; a new employee does not start before the required check is received. Nobody who is unchecked or not cleared by Ofsted may have unsupervised contact with children. Relevant changes affecting suitability or people aged 16 or over living/working on the premises are notified as required.
Training and safe practice
- Safeguarding-lead training covers the criteria in EYFS Annex C, is renewed at least every two years, and knowledge is kept current between courses, including local referral routes, online safety and emerging harms.
- Visitors are recorded in ChildLogs and supervised. I maintain safe, respectful boundaries during all care, including personal care.
- Attendance is monitored under the Attendance Policy. Unexpected or prolonged absence leads to contact attempts and safeguarding escalation based on risk, not an arbitrary waiting period.
- Collections use written authorisation and identity checks. Failure to collect is managed under the Uncollected Child Policy.
- Images are taken only for an agreed childcare purpose with appropriate written permission and are stored/shared securely. Personal devices and smart wearables are not used to photograph children. Emergency communication and approved learning use are permitted without weakening supervision.
- I have regard to DfE screen-use guidance. Online content is age appropriate, filtered or supervised, and does not displace responsive care, play, movement or sleep.
Specific safeguarding matters
FGM: Female genital mutilation is illegal and is child abuse. I will report any risk, suspicion or disclosure straight away through safeguarding procedures and contact the police when needed. Childminders do not automatically fall within the separate mandatory-reporting rule for teachers and regulated health or social-care professionals, but I will always act to protect the child.
Prevent: I notice signs that a child or family may be vulnerable to radicalisation, record and refer concerns through local safeguarding/Prevent routes, and call 999 for immediate danger. I build resilience through belonging, respectful discussion and age-appropriate critical thinking without stigmatising a faith, culture or community.
Food and allergy safety: Individual allergy action plans, texture/weaning information, cross-contamination controls, choking-safe preparation, sight-and-hearing supervision and an appropriately qualified paediatric first-aider in the room are maintained as set out in the Health and Safety Policy.
Information sharing, records and escalation
I share only the information that is needed to protect a child. I do not need permission first if asking could put the child at greater risk or delay help. Safeguarding records are kept securely in ChildLogs and only suitable people can see them. If I am still worried after making a referral, I will raise the concern again through the local escalation process. Anyone worried about how a concern has been handled can use my Whistleblowing Policy.