At NSFC we recognize our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children who attend with us. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow procedures to ensure children receive effective support, protection & justice. Due to the many hours of care that we are providing, staff will often be the first people to sense that there could be a cause of concern in a child's/children's safety. Staff may be the first people in whom children confide about abuse.

NSFC has a duty to be aware that abuse does occur in our society and that we have a responsibility to identify indicators and act upon incidents in the most effective way to protect the child.

This section outlines the procedures that will be followed if NSFC have any reason to believe that a child in our care is subject to emotional, physical or sexual abuse, as well as neglect. This document also outlines our procedure in identifying radicalisation and extremism.

Our prime responsibility is the welfare and wellbeing of all children in our care. We believe we have a duty to the children, their parents/guardians and other staff to act quickly and responsibly regarding any instance that may come to our attention. NSFC also have a duty to report suspicions of abuse to the relevant local authority which have a duty to investigate such matters.

Each site leader takes the role of Safeguarding Lead but will seek guidance from the companies Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) They have a duty to log any incidents that may occur. Evidence may be recorded using, accident and incident report forms, injury logs, and any other report forms which will have been signed by the parent/guardian. This may also include observations and records of conversations between parents/guardians and the DSL, taking care to accurately record details such as the date, time and any persons involved.

(The DSL will also use other forms in our records to collate evidence this will include existing injury logs, accident, incident and any other report forms which will have been signed by the parent/guardian.)

NSFC staff are trained and updated regularly to be able to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse. Staff are trained on the following courses:

   Level 2 or higher safeguarding award

   Domestic Abuse
   Forced Marriage
   Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
   Safer Recruitment
   Channel Awareness / Prevent Duty
   Promotion of British Values

The government guidelines “What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused” is promoted and followed.

We endeavour to enrol all staff onto the ‘What to do if’ training courses and staff will attend various levels of the course depending on their role within the setting. Staff CPD is monitored and conditions with ‘refresher’ courses and expiration are adhered to.

NSFC safeguarding policy is continuously monitored by its Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) officer. This professional has attended training in this area. All NSFC staff are made aware of who this colleague is and are given contact information in how to contact them.

NSFC safeguarding policy is supported by the following resources of information:

•    Ofsted
•    OOSA – Out of school alliance
•    Child Protection Training UK
  •    Safeguarding Schools – Andrew Hall (specialist safeguarding consultant) 
  •    Achieving for Children (AFL)

All NSFC Staff should:

•    Be familiar with procedures to follow and who to discuss any concerns with.
•    Seek advice if unsure of anything relating to child protection.
•    Keep confidential always - sharing information on a need-to-know basis only.
•    Be aware investigations may lead to criminal proceedings and not jeopardise this process through asking leading questions of attempting to investigate the matter themselves.
•    Consider the child’s wishes and feelings at all times.
•    Communicate with the child in an appropriate manner according to age, language, beliefs etc.
•    Remain professional and non-confrontational always
•    Reassure the child but not make any promises.
•    Hold full, up to date, information on all children including; name(s), address(es), gender, date of birth, name(s) of person(s) with parental responsibility (for consent purposes) and primary carer(s). Keeping records stored confidentially.

In addition the DSL:
   holds ultimate responsibility for safeguarding and child protection in the company;

•    acts as a source of support and expertise in carrying out safeguarding duties;
•    encourages a culture of listening to children and taking account of their wishes and feelings;
•    is appropriately trained with updates every two years;
•    will refer a child if there are concerns about possible abuse, to the relevant county authority and act as a focal point for staff to discuss concerns. Referrals should be made in writing, following a telephone call using the Multi Agency Referral Form (MARF) ;
•    will keep detailed, accurate records, either written or using appropriate online software, of all concerns about a child even if there is no need to make an immediate referral;
•    will ensure that all such records are kept confidential, stored securely and are separate from pupils, until the child’s 25th birthday;
•    will ensure that when a pupil leaves the setting, their child protection file is passed to the new school (separately from the main pupil and ensuring secure transit) and that confirmation of receipt is obtained;
•    will ensure that a copy of the CP file is retained until such a time that the new school acknowledges receipt of the original file. The copy should then be shredded;
•    will liaise with the Local Authority and work with other agencies and professionals in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children;
•    has a working knowledge of SSCB procedures;
•    will ensure that either they, or another staff member, attend case conferences, core groups, or other multi-agency planning meetings, contribute to assessments, and provide a report where required which has been shared with the parents;
•    will ensure that all staff sign to say they have read, understood and agree to work within the company’s child protection policy, staff behaviour policy (code of conduct) and Keeping Children Safe in Education & working together to safeguard children and ensure that the policies are used appropriately;
•    will organise child protection and safeguarding induction, regularly updated training and a minimum of annual updates (including online safety) for all staff, keep a record of attendance and address any absences;
•    has an understanding of locally agreed processes for providing early help and intervention and will support members of staff where Early Help is appropriate;
•    will ensure that the name of the designated members of staff for Child Protection, the Designated Safeguarding Lead and deputies, are clearly advertised at each site.
•    be aware of the child’s developmental and environmental needs as well as the parents/carers capability to respond to these
•    assess the child using the Common Assessment Framework (CAF)
•    liaise with the appropriate agencies and know how to contact them, including Police, Social Services and Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCB)
•    keep logged evidence; accurate written records of conversations and observations – including day and date, storing in line with the data protection act and sharing on a need to know basis only.
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DSL will refer to the link below to obtain Multi Agency Forms:

 https://www.surreyscb.org.uk/resources-category/sscbmultiagencyforms/

NSFC have a duty to protect children in their care from risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence as defined in law under the Children’s Act 1989 and 2004, and the United Convention for the Rights of the Child 1989.

Along with this comes the responsibility to act following concerns for the wellbeing of a child under its care, carrying out appropriate procedures and informing the relevant agencies.

If a member of staff has any concerns for the welfare or wellbeing of a child they must in accordance with OFSTED, report to their activities Manager who will follow the correct procedure.

It is important that staff keep accurate records of their observations by listening to the children in their care. Strict confidentiality will be observed always. All staff will receive training on the protection of children from abuse.

While children are in our care NSFC aim to:

• - ensure all children are never placed at risk. -Ensure that confidentiality is maintained always.
• - ensure that all staff are familiar with and aware of child protection issues and procedures.
• - to regularly review and update this policy.
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 If any incidents need reporting, the following will be contacted on: 

Venues in London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames:

• Richmond Upon Thames Children’s Services
  020 8891 7969 (office hours: 8:30 – 17:00) or 020 8744 2442
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Police will be contacted in all cases on 999