This policy applies to all employees (paid or voluntary), parents, visitors, contractors and suppliers. A copy of this policy will be available at all times, in all venues and by e-mail if requested. Nipperbout also caters for Adults at Risk (aged 18 years and older).
Nipperbout follows the same Child Protection procedures for both children and Adults at Risk (whilst recognising an adult with mental capacity is able to make a decision for themselves on reporting concerns). All references to children made within this policy should be understood to include Adults at Risk.
Nipperbout operates full day care services, sessional day care services, stay and play services and supervision services (Purple People hire) across the UK and Europe. The nature of our work means that we may only see a child on one occasion/event or for a few days, sporadically across the year. Purple People need to be particularly vigilant and aware of any signs of abuse, as they are unable to build a relationship with a child over a long period of time. All concerns must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who will ensure that the central safeguarding lead is aware.
Where Nipperbout is not in loco parentis, for example in a stay and play setting, the parent retains responsibility for their children and information is available to parents on expectation of conduct and reporting concerns. It is important to note that Nipperbout and its employees still retain the duty to report any concerns identified. We ensure that all parents are made aware of this responsibility and where it is safe to do so, parents will be informed of any referrals being made.
This policy contains the following information:
Company Designated Safeguarding Lead (CDSL): Janthea Brigden, 07976 430598
Company Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (CDDSL): Rheya Brigden, 01296 798757
Mental Health Lead (MHL): Janthea Brigden
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Officer (SEND): Amanda Richardson
Human Resources contact: Serena Bower
Onsite Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): As per event specific Job Notes and Noticeboard
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH): Details of the local area MASH team or safeguarding body are included in the event specific Job Notes document, on the back page.
For allegations about people who work with children: Details of the local area LADO (or equivalent) are included in the event specific Job Notes document, on the back page.
NSPCC helpline: 0808 8005000
Childline: 0800 1111
FGM helpline: 0800 0283550
PREVENT: 101
Whistleblowing helpline: 0800 0280285
“Safeguarding” — Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:
Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone who comes into contact with children and families
“Child Protection” — Child Protection is part of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and is defined as activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suspected to be suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm. This include harm that occurs inside or outside of the home, including online (Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023).
We all have a personal responsibility to report any allegations, concerns or disclosures to the relevant authorities.
Under the Crime and Policing Bill it becomes a requirement that anyone working with children must report any child sexual abuse and must not hinder or prevent others from reporting it through.
Purple People also have a professional responsibility to identify and report any concerns through to the Designated Leads, who will refer these through to the relevant MASH team.
“Abuse and neglect” — See Signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and Additional safeguarding issues for information about what constitutes abuse and neglect.
Nipperbout adheres to key statutory and non-statutory guidance including:
Plus additional specific safeguarding issues guidance and legislation.
This policy should be read in conjunction with the following policies/procedures:
Our ethos at Nipperbout, is that children and adults should feel and be safe, are valued, respected and listened to. We endeavour to provide a safe space with trusted adults, encouraging a culture where safeguarding issues are taken seriously, recorded accurately, reported to the appropriate bodies and challenged if we feel that the relevant action has not been taken. Our priority is to safeguard everyone who comes into contact with Nipperbout.
5.1. Nipperbout has a legal responsibility and a duty of care to children. Nipperbout also accept that there is a moral and personal duty to protect children.
5.2. Nipperbout acknowledges that abuse does occur in our society and is vigilant about identifying signs and reporting concerns. We are are committed to safeguarding the children placed within our care and also any child that our employees may come into contact with.
5.3. Nipperbout has a duty to protect its employees from false allegations. Policies and procedures are there to protect both the child and adult. If procedures are followed it will reduce the opportunities for abuse to occur within the setting, but also support staff, children and parents to be confident that safeguarding is taken seriously and always addressed.
5.4. In line with legislation and guidance, we will ensure that arrangements are in place to
safeguard and promote the welfare of children by:
5.5. We safeguarded all children we encounter and have trained all our staff to identify those who may be at risk of significant harm.
5.6. We ensure that there is always DSL cover and support available on site and also centrally from our Company DSL. We ensure that the allocated DSL at each event can be clearly identified. Posters will be displayed on site and children, parents and staff will be made aware of who they are and any deputy roles.
5.7. We have a duty of care to children and will refer to the relevant Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) if a child is at risk. Concerns are discussed with parents unless this puts the child at additional risk.
5.8. All Purple People are aware of how to identify the signs of a child at risk. They are clear about what to do if they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at risk of, harm and know how to flag this with the DSL, or in their absence how to report this through to the relevant MASH team (or equivalent when outside of England)
5.9. All Purple People are encouraged to refer directly or challenge if they are unhappy about concerns not being referred on to MASH teams.
5.10. If a child or other person is at immediate risk of harm, the first response should always be to call the police on 999.
5.11. Staff are fully briefed & trained to be alert to the potential need for early help for children who are more vulnerable. For example:
5.12. Nipperbout and its Purple People acknowledge that recognising abuse is not easy or straightforward and it is not the responsibility of Nipperbout personnel to decide whether a child is being abused. This responsibility lies with the child protection agency to which the referral is made. When dealing with child protection concerns, Nipperbout Purple People must avoid making judgements and must always record and report.
5.13. Purple People are aware that concerns may be identified within the family or from the wider environment. They are trained to understand the contextual safeguarding concept of safeguarding.
5.14. Nipperbout has a staff Code of Conduct that outlines an acceptable level of Purple People behaviour which they are required to sign, to confirm they agree to adhere to the Code of Conduct.
5.15. All Purple People are made aware that any intimate relationship between themselves and a child in their care, is not appropriate, illegal and is a misuse of a position of trust.
5.16. Purple People are aware that they should keep their personal life separate from their professional life.
5.17. Purple People are not permitted to ‘follow’ or ‘friend’ children on social media sites, nor exchange contact details. Staff are not permitted to accept babysitting work.
5.18. Nipperbout has a clear Whistleblowing policy and and all Purple People are made aware of the procedures for reporting concerns about another Purple Person and/or the Company internally and externally.
5.19. All Safeguarding and Child Protection concerns are recorded in the Safeguarding Book. All entries are stored in line with our Privacy policy. Information is shared with other agencies only when it is relevant to help that agency to keep a child safe or to support a referral. Reasons for sharing information or not sharing information are clearly recorded.
5.20. In the event of a child at risk of significant harm, the DSL will make a referral or consult Children’s Services regarding concerns about that child.
5.21. Nipperbout has produced a Safeguarding Information Leaflet for parents, visitors, venues, contractors and suppliers, to ensure that everyone is aware of the action that will be taken following a safeguarding concern being identified.
5.22. Posters are displayed with relevant safeguarding information.
5.23. Nipperbout ensures that the contact details for the local Children’s Social Care and police, relevant to the country and area we are in are made available at each setting. These can always be found at the back of the Job Notes, so Purple People know how to make a referral in the area they are working in.
5.24. Nipperbout’s policy is to contact the local authorities in the area we are working in and the local authorities for the area the child resides in.
5.25. Where required, the relevant inspectorate for the country we are working in and the country the child resides in will be informed of any child protection concerns.
5.26. This policy will be reviewed at least annually and updated if any new guidance or legislation becomes relevant.
