Safeguarding Policy

At Stanstead Mill, the wellbeing of every child in our care is our highest priority. We believe that all children have the right to feel completely safe, secure, and protected from any form of abuse or neglect. We are fully committed to following the latest safeguarding guidance, including advice from the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (HSCP), and we pay particular attention to key documents such as Working Together to Safeguard Children (2015).

 

To ensure every child’s safety, all of our staff are trained to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and understand the importance of carefully observing, listening, and recording any concerns factually and sensitively. Everyone working in our setting knows exactly what to do if they’re worried about a child and follows our clear internal procedures. We use our “Recognise, Respond, Refer” poster as a quick guide, which is displayed in all rooms to remind staff of the steps to take. If a concern is raised, it is reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), documented accurately, and, where necessary, passed on using the appropriate referral channels.

If a staff member feels unable to raise a concern internally, they are encouraged to contact the NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line on 0800 028 0285, or Ofsted through their official website.

 

 

If ever there is an allegation made against a member of staff, we act without delay by contacting the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and following their instructions. In all safeguarding matters, we work closely with HSCP and follow their advice and protocols.

 

We understand that safeguarding also involves protecting sensitive information. Any records we keep about a child are handled with great care, in line with our Confidentiality Policy and the Data Protection Act (1998). Information is only shared when legally appropriate and necessary to protect the child.

 

We carefully manage how the nursery environment is set up to keep children safe. Our rooms are designed so that children are always visible and supervised, and we maintain appropriate adult-to-child ratios in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guidance.

 

All staff members hold an Enhanced Criminal Record (DBS) check, and no unauthorised individuals are allowed unsupervised access to the children or the premises. Visitors are required to sign in and out, state the reason for their visit, and follow our safeguarding expectations while on site. To reduce risk, mobile phones are not permitted in any of the rooms. The nursery provides a mobile phone without a camera for use on walks or outings. We ask visitors to keep their phones in their cars or bags and not to use them while on the premises. All tablets used in the nursery belong to Stanstead Mill and are used solely for professional purposes.

 

To keep children safe during collection times, we only release children to individuals who have been authorised by parents or carers. We operate a password system for added security and ask that children are collected by someone aged 16 or older. If a child is being picked up by car, we ask that parents ensure they are secured in a suitable car seat for their age and size.

 

If anyone—whether a parent, visitor, or staff member—has concerns relating to child protection, they should speak directly with one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads: Mrs Shelley Ward, Mrs Martha Cockman-Doherty, or Mrs Katie Miller-Campbell. They are available to offer guidance and support and are specially trained to deal with safeguarding matters.

 

Training is a vital part of our commitment to safeguarding. Every member of staff undergoes thorough child protection training as part of their induction and refreshes the training every 2 years. This includes but is not limited to: 

• Safeguarding level 1 

• Prevent duty 

• Female Genital mutilation (FGM) 

• Child sexual exploitation (CSE)

 

Our DSLs also complete advanced safeguarding courses, including safer recruitment training, to ensure we’re hiring people who are safe and suitable to work with children.

 

As part of our induction programme, new team members are introduced to how we safeguard children at Stanstead Mill and are given important guidance, including the government’s “What to Do if You’re Worried a Child is Being Abused.”

 

Operation Encompass

 

Our setting is proud to be a part of Operation Encompass. Operation Encompass is a police initiative which aims to reduce the long-term impacts of domestic abuse by providing early intervention and support.

 

When police attend incidents of domestic violence or abuse where children are directly or indirectly involved they notify the designated safeguarding lead at the child's school or early years setting before the start of the next school day. The safeguarding lead is then able to ensure the child and their family gets immediate support.

 

When notifying the setting the police will give the setting the following details -

 

Name of child involved

Incident number

Description of the incident

Date and time of the incident

 

Any records we keep about a child are handled with great care, in line with our Confidentiality Policy and the Data Protection Act (1998). Information is only shared when legally appropriate and necessary to protect the child.

 

The Operation Encompass Professionals’ National Advice and Guidance helpline is available on 0204 513 9990, Monday to Friday, 8am-1pm.

 

More information can be found at -

https://www.herts.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wsi/watch-schemes-initiatives/oe/operation-encompass/

 

What to do if a concern arises

Should a serious safeguarding concern arise, staff or members of the public can contact the following services directly for help:

• In an emergency, always call 999

• For Children’s Services, call 0300 123 4043
  (Callers from 0208 or 01923 areas may prefer to use 01923 471500 for local call rates)

• The Child Abuse Investigation Unit can be reached at 01707 354000

 

 

All our policies and procedures are made available for staff and parents via Famly.

 

At Stanstead Mill, safeguarding isn’t just a policy—it’s part of our daily culture. We are proud of our commitment to creating a safe, nurturing, and secure environment for every child and family in our care.

 

Links to key legislation, guidance and policies

● Stanstead Mill Confidentiality Policy

● Stanstead Mill Bullying policy

● Stanstead Mill Health and Safety Policy

● Stanstead Mill Behaviour Management Policy

● Every Child Matters 2004

● The Children Act 2004

● The Early Years Foundation Stage 2025

● The Data Protection Act 1998

● Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015

● Stanstead Mill Social Media Policy

● Stanstead Mill Prevent Duty policy

● Stanstead Mill Whistle Blowing Procedure

● Stanstead Mill Attendance policy

● Stanstead Mill Lost Child./ Uncollected Child Policy

● Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

● www.hertfordshiresafeguardingboard.org.uk

● www.paceuk.info