Child Protection Responsibility and Accountability

Little Wonderland Nursery Ltd is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and all staff members, including bank staff, students and volunteers, have a duty to identify, record and report any concerns relating to a child's wellbeing or safety.

Designated Child Protection Leads

Child Protection Co-ordinator (CPC)

• Stacey Sneddon, Nursery Manager
  

Deputy Child Protection Co-ordinator (DCPC)

• Lauren Peat, Deputy Manager
  

The Deputy Child Protection Co-ordinator will assume responsibility whenever the Child Protection Co-ordinator is unavailable.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Child Protection Co-ordinator is responsible for:

• Ensuring child protection procedures are implemented and reviewed.
  
• Acting as the main point of contact for staff, families and external agencies regarding child protection concerns.
  
• Ensuring concerns are recorded accurately, confidentially and stored securely.
  
• Making referrals to Social Work Services, the Police Scotland or other relevant agencies when required.
  
• Liaising with multi-agency partners and attending child protection meetings, case conferences and reviews.
  
• Supporting staff in recognising and responding to indicators of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
  
• Ensuring safeguarding training is completed and refreshed in line with national and local guidance.
  

The Deputy Child Protection Co-ordinator is responsible for:

• Supporting the Child Protection Co-ordinator in all safeguarding matters.
  
• Undertaking the role in the absence of the Child Protection Co-ordinator.
  
• Assisting with monitoring records, training and policy implementation.
  

Reporting Procedure

All staff must immediately report any safeguarding concern, disclosure or allegation to the Child Protection Co-ordinator or, in their absence, the Deputy Child Protection Co-ordinator.

No member of staff should investigate concerns independently. Concerns will be assessed in accordance with:

• National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland.
  
• GIRFEC (Getting It Right For Every Child) principles.
  
• Local authority child protection procedures.
  

Accountability

The Nursery Manager retains overall accountability for safeguarding and child protection within the service and for ensuring compliance with:

• Care Inspectorate requirements.
  
• Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) Codes of Practice.
  
• National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland.
  
• Relevant legislation and regulatory standards.
  

Safeguarding arrangements are reviewed regularly through supervision, staff meetings, training records, audits and policy reviews to ensure effective protection of children.

Training and Monitoring

All staff, including trainees, bank staff, students and volunteers:

• Receive safeguarding induction before commencing work.
  
• Complete mandatory child protection training.
  
• Participate in regular refresher training and safeguarding updates.
  
• Receive supervision that includes discussion of child wellbeing and safeguarding responsibilities.
  

Safeguarding is embedded throughout all aspects of the service. Every member of staff understands that the welfare of the child is paramount and that concerns must be shared promptly, recorded accurately and acted upon without delay.