Safeguarding and welfare

All allegations of abuse of children by those who work with children must be taken seriously. Southampton has a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) who investigates this type of allegations.

The LADO must be alerted to cases in which it is alleged that a person who works with children has:

• Behaved in a way that has harmed a child
• May have harmed a child
• Possibly committed a criminal offence against a child/children

If a practitioner has concerns regarding a colleague, then they should report this to their Designated Safeguarding Lead within their own organisation, who will report this concern to the LADO.

Anyone can contact the LADO if they need to do so for advice or support, especially if concerns are regarding conduct with children and young people or organisational practice.

Find out more information and how to contact the LADO.

Suitability

The suitability of people managing the day-to-day operation of childcare settings, is no longer the responsibility of Ofsted for checking, however they continue to assess the suitability of childminders, childminders’ assistants and those living or working on the premises where childminding takes place.

Childminders and childcare on domestic premises must be registered if you want to look after children at home. Find out what you need to do to register including what you need to do before you apply.

It is the responsibility of the 'registered person' to ensure they undertake thorough Safer Recruitment and check the suitability of new managers, including disqualification by association.

When there is a change in Manager, the Disclosure and Barring Service checks are no longer carried out by Ofsted although checks for new committee members and ‘the registered person’ will still be carried out. The registered person may be an individual, organisation or childminder.

New committee members and registered persons must complete and submit the Ofsted online EY2 form as soon as possible thus giving their permission for checks to be carried out. This also includes new members into a childminders household and those children living within the household who turn 16.

It is the responsibility of childcare providers to check the ongoing suitability of their staff, including but not limited to, annual suitability declarations, supervisions and appraisals.

Allegations against a childminder

If an allegation is made about you, you must inform the LADO within 24 hours, who will advise you further as well as making contact with Ofsted 0300 1231231. This is inclusive of any concerns, or an allegation is made about your assistant.

Before making contact with the LADO please complete the LADO Notification Form from the SSCP webpages.

For further information or advice please telephone or email the LADO:

Mobile: 07500 952037
Phone: 023 8091 5535
E-mail: LADO@southampton.gov.uk

To fulfil the Prevent duty, it is essential that staff are able to identify children who may be vulnerable to radicalisation, and know how to act when they are identified. Protecting children from the risk of radicalisation should be seen as part of childcare providers’ wider safeguarding duties. 

View the GOV.UK guidance on the Prevent duty. 

Counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST) 2018

The aim of CONTEST is to reduce the risk to the UK and its citizens and interests overseas from terrorism, so that people can go about their lives freely and with confidence. 

Prevent is about safeguarding individuals and communities from the threat of terrorism. It is delivered as part of CONTEST, the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy.

Completing a National Referral Form

Find out how to complete a National Referral Form and the examples of the information you may need to include on our Prevent page. You can also find e-learning modules on this page.

In addition to the information on our website here are some key safeguarding resources from the GOV.UK website:

• Keeping children safe in education
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018
• What to do if You're Worried a Child is Being Abused
• Safeguarding children and protecting professionals in early years settings: online safety guidance for managers
• Safeguarding children and protecting professionals in early years settings: online safety guidance for practitioners

The use of internet based communications has become part of everyday life for most children and young people. Although there are great benefits from this, there are also risks that children and young people can be exposed to which are not always understood and are often underestimated. It’s never too early to think about your child's online safety and listed below are a selection of useful websites for further advice and information:

• Online safety advice
• Keeping children safe online
• Safe4Me
• UK Council for Internet Safety
• CEOP Education
• CEOP Safety Centre 
• Eliminating Child Sexual Abuse Online

Safeguarding guidance, advice and information is offered to all Southampton Early Years professionals through Southampton Designated Safeguarding Leads Network and the reflecting practice sessions for current legislation, guidance and good practice. As an Early Years and Childcare provider you have a vital role in safeguarding children and young people.

The Southampton Safeguarding Childrens Partnership provides fully funded multi-agency learning events; including online training, webinars, workshops and e-learning. These events bring professionals together to develop knowledge and skills and emphasise the benefits of working together to deliver positive outcomes for children and families.

Website: SSCP Training 
Email: safeguarding.partnershipsteam@southampton.gov.uk 

To find out more about upcoming training and to book a place please refer to the SSCP Eventbrite page. 

Southampton City Council offers Designated Safeguarding Lead for Education Settings (Level 3) training, including bespoke local safeguarding updates from professional experts in their subject areas to respond to safeguarding issues within the local context.