Child protection and safeguarding children in the early years – information and advice, concerns and referrals, training, statutory and non-statutory guidance.
Information and advice
Early Years Quality team
The model child protection and safeguarding policy templates have been produced by Derbyshire’s Early Years Improvement Service for Ofsted registered childcare providers in Derbyshire, and follow local safeguarding children policies, procedures and guidance available on the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (DDSCP) Procedures website and the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Procedures documents library. The policy templates have been updated to reflect the most current statutory and non-statutory guidance, including Working together to safeguard children and Keeping Children Safe In Education - for schools and colleges.
The policies are a template and are for guidance only and must be adapted to fit each individual setting's circumstances. All changes on the model policy are in red. Your policy should be reviewed at least every 12 months. Further information and advice on children’s welfare, safeguarding and child protection can be found within the model policy.
In line with guidance to Derbyshire schools, we advise Ofsted registered childcare settings to establish an operational protocol around data sharing and the transferring in and out of child protection files, which involves the designated safeguarding lead and demonstrates a safe and consistent practice. Please see our information sharing guidance document.
Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership
The Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (DDSCP) has a wealth of information, guidance, and advice to help you fulfil and meet your responsibilities for children’s welfare, safeguarding and child protection. The Thresholds Document assists with identifying the level of need and next course of action for the child and their family.
Starting Point / Call Derbyshire
Starting Point is Derbyshire's contact and referral service for children's services (see contact details below). It consists of a number of professionals that have co-located together, including the police, health, social care etc. Senior practitioners within Starting Point will share information as appropriate, to help make consistent and robust decisions on priority/threshold for services relating to safeguarding and the welfare of children.
Concerns and referrals
If you have a safeguarding or child protection concern regarding a child in Derbyshire, please contact the relevant services via the appropriate web information or contact numbers below.
For urgent or immediate concerns about a child or adult contact:
- Derbyshire Police - 999
- Derbyshire Starting Point - 01629 533190
If you are concerned about a child or adult’s welfare or are worried they are being abused, get help or contact:
Neighbouring local safeguarding children partnerships
Where you have a safeguarding or child protection concern regarding a child who lives in a neighbouring council, please visit the appropriate council's website:
Allegations against staff, carers or volunteers
If you have concerns, or an allegation is made against a member of staff or persons living on the premises where Ofsted registered childcare takes place; or you have a member of staff considered not suitable to work with children, you will need to notify the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) by completing a Derby and Derbyshire LADO referral form. An appropriate member of the leadership and management team of the early years and childcare setting or the designated safeguarding lead must report all concerns, allegations or the unsuitability of staff within 24 hours.
For full details regarding LADO procedures, please see allegations against staff, carers and volunteers on the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children's Partnership website.
Ofsted
You must report a serious childcare incident or notify significant events to Ofsted online as soon as practical within 14 days. What you do and don’t need to inform Ofsted about are detailed on report a serious childcare incident or notify significant events links on the GOV.UK website.
Training
Safeguarding and child protection training is available via the DDSCP, Safer Derbyshire and the Early Years Service:
Statutory documents
Non-statutory and useful documents