Safeguarding and child protection policy in early years

Protecting the well-being of every child: Ensuring the Safety of every child

Safeguarding and protecting children is a paramount concern for all early years and childcare settings in the UK. Safeguarding is a legal requirement and a moral obligation, ensuring that all children in early years environments are safe, secure, and protected from harm. Child protection policies are crucial for creating a safe space where children can grow, learn, and thrive.

In this blog, Anna will explore the importance of early childhood safeguarding and child protection policies, key definitions, and how to implement these policies in line with legislation and best practices.

Key facts and statistics

In the UK, one in five children experiences some form of abuse before the age of 18 (NSPCC, 2023).
Safeguarding children is governed by key pieces of legislation, including the Children Act 1989 and 2004, and the Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) guidance.
Since 2018, over 78,000 referrals were made to social services regarding children at risk of harm in England alone (Department for Education, 2022).

These statistics highlight the crucial role safeguarding plays in preventing harm and abuse. Early years practitioners must be well-versed in their safeguarding responsibilities to ensure every child’s well-being.

What Is safeguarding and child protection?

Safeguarding - is a broader term referring to actions, policies, and procedures that ensure the welfare of all children, preventing any harm, abuse, or neglect. Safeguarding includes promoting the health, safety, and emotional well-being of children in all settings, ensuring they are free from harm.
Child protection - refers specifically to activities aimed at protecting individual children who are suffering or at risk of significant harm due to abuse or neglect. This involves identifying children at risk, making referrals, and taking appropriate actions to protect them.

Legislation and regulatory framework

Safeguarding and child protection in early years settings are underpinned by several key pieces of legislation and statutory guidance:

Children Act 1989 and 200 - These laws define the responsibilities of local authorities, parents, and other professionals in ensuring the welfare of children.
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) - This guidance outlines how organisations and individuals should work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework - The EYFS sets the standards for the learning, development, and care of children from birth to five years old, mandating that providers must have clear safeguarding policies and procedures in place.

Key elements of a safeguarding and child protection policy

To meet legal and regulatory requirements, a robust safeguarding and child protection policy should include:

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) - Every early years setting must appoint a designated person responsible for safeguarding, who will be trained to handle safeguarding concerns and referrals.
Recognising signs of abuse - All staff should be trained to recognise the signs of physical, emotional, sexual abuse, and neglect. Continuous professional development (CPD) is critical to keeping this knowledge up to date.
Reporting and referrals - Clear procedures should be outlined for staff to report any concerns about a child’s welfare, including how to make referrals to local safeguarding boards and how to escalate concerns when necessary.
Staff training - All staff must complete safeguarding and child protection training, refreshed regularly to ensure compliance with current guidance. Training should cover areas such as recognising signs of abuse, handling disclosures, and understanding the referral process.
Confidentiality - The policy should emphasise confidentiality while ensuring information sharing between the relevant agencies when necessary for the child’s protection.
Safe recruitment practices - Implementing thorough recruitment processes, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, to ensure that staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children.

Best practice for implementation

Implementing a safeguarding and child protection policy effectively requires a whole-setting approach. Below are some best practice recommendations:

Regular training and updates - Continuous professional development is essential for all staff to stay informed about the latest safeguarding practices. Providers should regularly update their safeguarding training to reflect changes in legislation and guidance.
Open communication - Early years settings should foster an open culture where staff feel confident discussing safeguarding concerns. Clear lines of communication between staff, management, and the designated safeguarding lead are essential for effective safeguarding.
Monitoring and evaluation - Regular reviews and audits of safeguarding policies and practices should be carried out to ensure they are effective and compliant with statutory guidance.
Parental involvement - Encourage parents and guardians to understand the safeguarding policy and procedures. Regular communication with families can help create a partnership in safeguarding children’s welfare.

Conclusion

Safeguarding and child protection policies are the backbone of any early years setting, ensuring the safety and well-being of all children. With the right training, clear policies, and robust procedures, early years providers can create safe environments where children can flourish.

By implementing best practices and remaining compliant with legislation, early years settings can not only meet statutory requirements but also provide peace of mind to parents and carers. For further guidance on safeguarding, statutory training, and compliance management, explore how ComplyPlus™ can support your early years setting.

The role of ComplyPlus™ in supporting safeguarding and compliance

Ensuring compliance with safeguarding legislation and keeping policies up to date can be challenging for early years settings. ComplyPlus™ offers a comprehensive solution, providing early years providers with access to up-to-date policies, procedures, and training that align with all statutory and regulatory requirements.

ComplyPlus™ helps ensure that early years settings remain compliant, offering an easy-to-use software platform that manages training records, policy updates, and continuous professional development requirements. Whether you are an experienced provider or new to the sector, ComplyPlus™ offers invaluable support for all your compliance needs.

Ensure your early years setting is fully compliant with safeguarding and child protection requirements. Visit ComplyPlus™ today to learn more about ComplyPlus™ and our comprehensive solutions for safeguarding, statutory training, and regulatory compliance in the early years sector.

About the author

Anna Nova Galeon

Anna, our wordsmith extraordinaire, plays a pivotal role in quality assurance. She collaborates seamlessly with subject matter experts and marketers to meet stringent quality standards. Her linguistic precision and meticulous attention to detail elevate our content, ensuring prominence, clarity, and alignment with global quality benchmarks.