Regulatory_Requirements_for_Safeguarding_Children_That_Affect_Home_Based_Childcare

Outline regulatory requirements for safeguarding children that affect home based childcare The Department of Education published the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (updated in 2012), in which Section 3 outlines the Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements. I must have a safeguarding policy in place which must be regularly reviewed and the policy must be shared with parents. The legal framework for Child Protection is determined by the Children Act 1989. Local policy and guidance in Child Protection is the responsibility of the Local Safeguarding Children Boards, established by the Children Act 2004. All agencies and workers involved in providing services to children have an obligation under Section 11 Children Act 2004 to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) is a mutli-agency body working within each local authority, the LSCB have a duty to produce safeguarding procedures. The LSCB will contact the other relevant professionals once a concern involving a child is raised to set up a case conference. As a childminder, I may be asked to provide information or a report regarding a child. I must ensure that any information I give is accurate, factual and can be backed up with evidence (for example copies of observations around the child, accident/incident forms). All of this information is completely confidential and to breach this is very serious for me as a childminder. As an Ofsted registered childminder I am required to comply with the LSCB procedures. A requirement of registration is that all providers should have a Safeguarding Policy. As a childminder I follow the guidance set out in the DoE publication “What to do if you are worried a child is being abused” As a registered childminder I and any other adult (over 16) who comes into contact with children in my setting must have a current enhanced Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) disclosure. I am also required to complete a Child Protection Course and ensure that my training is up-to-date. As a childcare provider, I must have regard for the Governments statutory guidance “Working Together to Safeguard Children 6.4 Explain the procedures that need to be followed by lone workers in home based settings when harm or abuse are suspected or alleged, either against them or third parties As a childcare provider I am a position of trust and have been given a great responsibility. I am however open to allegations of wrong-doing and vulnerable to allegations of mistreating children even more so as I am a lone worker and do not have the support of other colleagues in my setting. It is vitally important that my records are kept up to date and are an accurate reflection of the care given at my setting. Above all, the most important thing is that I conduct myself in a completely professional manner at all times. If an allegation of abuse is made against me, then I must if you have an allegation made against you, the first thing you must do is contact Ofsted. It is an offence for childminders in England not to tell Ofsted of any allegation of serious harm or abuse against a child, whatever the circumstances, so it is very important to do this. I must remain calm and professional. I will keep all a written record of all the conversation I have had regarding the accusation and keep copies of all written communication regarding the allegation. It would be advisable to seek legal advice as once as allegation has been made an investigation will carry out. If an allegation is made against someone else working in my setting an immediate investigation will take place, the member of staff will be removed from the setting immediately whilst this investigation takes place and I will inform Ofsted.