1. Purpose and scope

The purpose of this policy statement is:

• to protect children who receive BBTG’s services from harm
• to provide volunteers, as well as, children and their families with principles to guide our approach to child protection

2. Policy Statements

We recognise that the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and the decisions we take for all children regardless of age, ability, gender, race, religion.

We will seek to keep children safe by:

• valuing, listening and respecting them
• appointing a safeguarding officer
• adopting safeguarding best practise through our policies
• providing induction training to new volunteers and committee members
• recording, storing and using information securely and in line with data protection guidance from information commissioners office.
• Making sure that children and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern
• using our safeguarding policy to share concerns with agencies who need to know and involving the child / families appropriately.
• Using our procedures to manage any allegations appropriately
• ensuring we provide a safe physical environment for our attendees by applying health and safety measures in accordance with our health and safety policy.
• Building a safeguarding culture where attendees treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.

3. Safeguarding Roles

Safeguarding lead: Playgroup Lead

Deputy safeguarding leads: Playgroup management committee

4. Related Policies

• Role description for safeguarding lead
  • Responsible for this safeguarding policy and it’s implementation
  • Ensure all volunteers have an induction and are notified of relevant policies
  • Ensure all attendees know who to go to if they have any safeguarding concerns
  • Receive, record and take action on any concerns notified about a child who attended BBTG including assessment, referral and consulting with the family concerned.
• Dealing with concerns about a child
  • Record the concern in a secure document (to be stored in accordance with data protection laws)
  • Consult with the family concerned
  • Refer the concern within a week to local Police (dial 101) and Surrey Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/concerned-for-someones-safety
  • Contact the NSPCC helpline for support and advice on 0808 800 5000.
• Managing and recording allegations /complaints against volunteers
  • Record the complaint in a secure document
  • Consult with the volunteer and family concerned
  • Barr the volunteer from attending playgroup if appropriate.
• Photography
  • Any photos taken should not contain any children without the express approval of their parent/guardian.
  • Any photos are to be stored e.g. on Facebook, in accordance with data protection laws
  • Any photos containing children will not be published in media/online without the express approval of their parent/guardian.
• Health & Safety
  • Refer to the BBTG health and safety posters
• Definition of abuse
  • Child abuse is when a child is intentionally harmed by an adult or another child
  • Child neglect is a lack of love, care and attention
• Definition of concerns about a child
  • unexplained changes in behaviour or personality
  • becoming withdrawn
  • seeming anxious
  • becoming uncharacteristically aggressive
  • lacks social skills and has few friends, if any
  • poor bond or relationship with a parent
  • knowledge of adult issues inappropriate for their age
  • running away or going missing
  • always choosing to wear clothes which cover their body.