Important Contacts
Key Safeguarding Personnel
| Role |
Name |
Contact Details |
| Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) |
Nursery Manager |
safeguarding@lovespringnursery.co.uk |
| Deputy DSL |
Deputy Manager |
deputysafeguarding@lovespringnursery.co.uk |
| Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) |
Coventry LADO Team |
024 7678 5555 |
| Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) |
Coventry City Council |
024 7678 5555 |
| Emergency Services |
Police/Ambulance |
999 (Emergency) / 101 (Non-emergency) |
| NSPCC Helpline |
NSPCC |
0808 800 5000 |
Emergency Procedures
In case of immediate danger to a child, contact emergency services first on 999, then inform the DSL immediately.
1. Policy Aims
LoveSpring Nursery School is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all children, staff, and visitors. Our safeguarding approach ensures that children's welfare is paramount in everything we do.
Our Safeguarding Commitment
We aim to ensure that:
- Appropriate and timely action is taken to safeguard and promote children's welfare
- All staff understand their statutory responsibilities regarding safeguarding
- Staff receive comprehensive training in recognising and reporting safeguarding concerns
- Children feel safe, valued, and respected within our nursery environment
- Robust procedures are in place for safer recruitment and managing allegations
- We work in partnership with parents and other agencies to protect children
2. Legislation and Statutory Framework
2.1 Legal Compliance
| Legislation |
Requirements |
| Children Act 1989 & 2004 |
Framework for care and protection of children |
| Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 |
Multi-agency working to safeguard children |
| Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 |
Statutory guidance for schools and colleges |
| Early Years Foundation Stage 2024 |
Safeguarding and welfare requirements |
| Equality Act 2010 |
Protection from discrimination |
| Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 |
Prevent duty responsibilities |
2.2 Local Safeguarding Partners
We work closely with Coventry's three safeguarding partners:
- Coventry City Council - Local Authority
- West Midlands Police - Police Force
- Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board - Health Services
3. Key Definitions
3.1 Core Safeguarding Terminology
| Term |
Definition |
| Safeguarding |
Protecting children from maltreatment, preventing impairment of health/development, ensuring safe care, and taking action to enable best outcomes |
| Child Protection |
Activities to protect specific children suffering or likely to suffer significant harm |
| Abuse |
Form of maltreatment involving inflicting harm or failing to prevent harm |
| Neglect |
Persistent failure to meet child's basic needs likely to impair health/development |
| Early Help |
Providing support as soon as problems emerge to prevent escalation |
3.2 Types of Abuse
Categories of Abuse
- Physical Abuse: Hitting, shaking, poisoning, burning, scalding, drowning, suffocation
- Emotional Abuse: Persistent emotional maltreatment causing severe adverse effects
- Sexual Abuse: Forcing or enticing child to participate in sexual activities
- Neglect: Persistent failure to meet child's basic physical/psychological needs
4. Equality Statement
Inclusive Safeguarding Practice
We recognise that some children face additional barriers to disclosure and may be at increased risk. We give special consideration to children who:
- Have special educational needs and/or disabilities
- Are young carers
- Experience discrimination due to race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexuality
- Have English as an additional language
- Live in difficult circumstances (temporary accommodation, substance abuse, domestic violence)
- Are at risk of FGM, forced marriage, or radicalisation
- Are asylum seekers or refugees
- Are looked-after or previously looked-after children
5. Roles and Responsibilities
5.1 Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
| Responsibility |
Details |
| Strategic Leadership |
Overall responsibility for safeguarding systems and procedures |
| Staff Support |
Advice and guidance to staff on safeguarding matters |
| Multi-agency Working |
Liaison with social care, police, health professionals |
| Referral Management |
Making referrals to appropriate agencies |
| Training Coordination |
Organising and delivering staff safeguarding training |
| Case Management |
Overseeing safeguarding cases and maintaining records |
5.2 All Staff Responsibilities
Every Staff Member Must:
- Read and understand Part 1 of Keeping Children Safe in Education annually
- Complete mandatory safeguarding training and regular updates
- Know how to identify signs of abuse and neglect
- Understand nursery safeguarding systems and procedures
- Report concerns immediately to the DSL
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries
- Challenge inappropriate behaviour or language
- Create a culture where children feel safe to speak out
5.3 Nursery Manager Responsibilities
Management Oversight
- Ensure implementation of safeguarding policy and procedures
- Allocate sufficient time and resources for DSL role
- Oversee safer recruitment practices
- Manage allegations against staff appropriately
- Ensure staff receive regular supervision and support
- Maintain safe premises and equipment
6. Recognising and Responding to Abuse
6.1 Signs and Indicators
| Type of Abuse |
Possible Indicators |
| Physical Abuse |
Unexplained bruises, burns, fractures, bite marks, fear of physical contact |
| Emotional Abuse |
Developmental delay, self-harm, anxiety, depression, aggression, withdrawal |
| Sexual Abuse |
Sexualised behaviour, knowledge inappropriate for age, genital soreness, STIs |
| Neglect |
Constant hunger, poor hygiene, inappropriate clothing, untreated medical issues |
6.2 Responding to Disclosures
If a Child Discloses Abuse:
- Listen calmly and without interruption
- Reassure the child they have done the right thing by telling you
- Explain that you need to tell someone who can help
- Do not promise to keep secrets
- Avoid asking leading questions or investigating
- Record exactly what the child said using their words
- Report immediately to the DSL
- Support the child throughout the process
6.3 Immediate Action Flowchart
Responding to Concerns
Step 1: If you have concerns about a child's welfare → Speak to DSL
Step 2: If you believe a child is suffering or likely to suffer harm → Make referral to MASH
Step 3: If a child is in immediate danger → Call 999 then inform DSL
Step 4: Document all concerns, discussions and actions taken
7. Safer Recruitment
7.1 Recruitment Process
| Stage |
Safeguarding Requirements |
| Advertising |
Clear safeguarding statement, commitment to safer recruitment |
| Application |
Employment history with explanations for gaps, self-disclosure form |
| Shortlisting |
Review against person specification, identify any concerns |
| Interview |
At least one trained safer recruitment interviewer, safeguarding questions |
| Pre-appointment Checks |
DBS, barred list, right to work, qualifications, references |
| Induction |
Safeguarding training, policy familiarisation, probation period |
7.2 Single Central Record
We maintain a Single Central Record containing:
- Identity checks and right to work verification
- Enhanced DBS checks with barred list information
- Professional qualifications verification
- Two satisfactory references
- Overseas checks where applicable
- Disqualification under Childcare Act 2006 checks
8. Managing Allegations Against Staff
8.1 Allegations Management Process
Immediate Action Steps
- Report immediately to Nursery Manager (or Chair if allegation against Manager)
- Consult Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within 24 hours
- Consider suspension if necessary to protect children or investigation
- Investigate following LADO guidance and timescales
- Support all parties involved appropriately
- Record all actions and decisions meticulously
- Review procedures and learning after case conclusion
8.2 Low-Level Concerns
Managing Professional Boundaries
We encourage reporting of low-level concerns about staff behaviour that may indicate:
- Inappropriate relationships with children or families
- Behaviour outside professional boundaries
- Favouritism or exclusion of particular children
- Use of inappropriate language or humour
- Breaches of nursery policies or procedures
All low-level concerns are recorded and monitored for patterns of behaviour.
9. Online Safety and Technology
9.1 Digital Safeguarding
| Area |
Safeguarding Measures |
| Filtering & Monitoring |
Appropriate filtering systems, regular monitoring of usage |
| Staff Use |
Professional use only, no personal social media during work |
| Photography |
Consent for images, secure storage, appropriate use |
| Communication |
Professional channels only, no private contact with families |
| Education |
Age-appropriate online safety teaching for children |
9.2 Artificial Intelligence Guidelines
We recognise the emerging risks associated with AI technology:
- No personal data about children to be entered into public AI tools
- Staff training on AI risks and appropriate usage
- Monitoring of AI tool usage in nursery
- Education for parents about AI risks to children
- Clear procedures for reporting AI-related concerns
10. Training and Development
10.1 Training Programme
| Training Type |
Participants |
Frequency |
| Basic Safeguarding |
All Staff |
Annually |
| DSL Training |
DSL & Deputy |
Every 2 years |
| Safer Recruitment |
Managers & Interviewers |
Every 3 years |
| Prevent Duty |
All Staff |
Annually |
| Online Safety |
All Staff |
Annually |
| First Aid |
All Practitioners |
Every 3 years |
10.2 Staff Supervision
All staff receive regular supervision that includes:
- Discussion of safeguarding cases and concerns
- Review of professional practice and boundaries
- Support with challenging situations
- Opportunity to discuss training needs
- Reflection on practice and continuous improvement
11. Record Keeping and Confidentiality
11.1 Safeguarding Records
Record Management Principles
- All safeguarding concerns are recorded in writing
- Records include concerns, actions taken, and rationale for decisions
- Separate child protection files maintained for each child
- Records stored securely with restricted access
- Retention in line with statutory requirements (until child reaches 25 years old)
- Secure transfer to new settings when children move
- Regular auditing of record-keeping practices
11.2 Information Sharing
Confidentiality Principles
We follow these key principles for information sharing:
- The child's safety and welfare is the paramount consideration
- Information is shared on a 'need to know' basis
- We do not promise children complete confidentiality
- Data protection law enables sharing for safeguarding purposes
- We work in partnership with parents unless this would increase risk
- All sharing is documented with clear rationale
