The Fledglings is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to create a safe and respectful environment where children are protected from harm, their voices are heard, and their needs are consistently placed first.

This policy is written in accordance with:

• Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS 2025)

• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)

• Central Bedfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (CBSCP) Guidance

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025 – relevant clauses for early years)

• Children Act 1989 & 2004

• UNCRC (Articles 2, 3, 6 & 12)

• Prevent Duty (2015; reinforced in 2025 toolkit revision)

• Equality Act 2010

• Data Protection Act 2018 & UK GDPR

Safeguarding is embedded throughout our practice, culture and pedagogy.
The child’s needs are always paramount.

Designated Safeguarding Lead Team (DSL Team)

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):

• Sophie Hale – Owner / Manager

Deputy DSLs:

• Jane Gwynne- Lead Teacher

• Gemma Zajac- Deputy Lead Teacher

A member of the DSL team is on site at all times.
The safeguarding team meets weekly, or more frequently if concerns arise, to review chronologies, discuss emerging risks and ensure appropriate action taken.

All DSLs are trained in:

• Working Together 2023

• DSL Advanced Training

• GCP2

• Thresholds of Need (CBC)

• Early Help Assessment

• Prevent Duty

Our Safeguarding Principles

Our practice is underpinned by the UNCRC:

• Non-discrimination (Article 2)

• Best interest of the child (Article 3)

• Right to life, survival, development (Article 6)

• Right to be heard (Article 12)

We establish a culture where:

• The child’s needs and safety are paramount.

• Information is shared appropriately and promptly.

• All concerns are reported to the DSL team without delay.

• Staff are confident to challenge decisions, escalate concerns and use professional curiosity.

We emphasise:

• Mental health and wellbeing

• Respect, dignity and consent

• Positive relationships

• Anti-discriminatory practice

• Trauma-informed approaches

• Early identification of risk

Staff Training & Professional Expectations

All staff must complete:

Mandatory Training

• Introduction to Safeguarding – Central Bedfordshire Academy

• Paediatric First Aid

• Prevent Duty

• Food Hygiene Level 2

• Annual safeguarding refresher

• Monthly safeguarding updates

• Termly supervisions with safeguarding focus

DSLs complete additional advanced training as required by EYFS (2025) and CBSCP.

Knowledge Expectations

All staff must read and understand:

• Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 – Part 1 (EYFS requirement)

• What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused (2015)

• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023

• EYFS (2025) Safeguarding & Welfare Requirements

Recommended reading:

• HSE Children’s Play and Leisure – Promoting a Balanced Approach

• NSPCC learning summaries

Safer Recruitment

In line with EYFS (2025):

• All staff undergo robust interviews and an enhanced DBS checks

• Two satisfactory references ensuring referees confirm suitability to work with children are sought

• New staff are never left unsupervised until clearance is confirmed

• Suitability of staff is continually monitored

• Visitors are supervised at all times

• Induction covers safeguarding, whistleblowing and code of conduct

(See separate Safer Recruitment Policy and Visitor Policy.)

Safeguarding in Practice: Creating a Safe, Respectful Culture

We safeguard children through:

Mental Health & Wellbeing

• Embedded wellbeing approach for children, families and staff

• Use of counsellor support

Respectful Relationships & Behaviour

Staff:

• Use positive, calm, respectful language

• Do not shout except in cases of imminent danger

• Never manhandle a child

• Challenge all forms of violence or harassment

• Model healthy, respectful relationships

Children:

• Learn boundaries

• Understand consent

• Are supported to develop resilience and autonomy

Consent & Dignity

• Permission is sought before intimate care

• Children’s privacy is protected

• Children’s cultural capital is valued

(See Intimate Care Policy)

A Voice for Every Child

• Children are listened to, believed and taken seriously

• Parents and staff also have a voice

• Concerns are acted upon without delay

Identifying Needs, Risks & Vulnerabilities

We use Central Bedfordshire’s thresholds:

• Level 1 – Universal

• Level 2 – Early Help

• Level 3 – Child in Need

• Level 4 – Child Protection / significant harm

Vulnerability Factors (non-exhaustive)

• SEND

• Communication/language delay

• Home circumstances

• Previous trauma or ACEs

• Young age/dependency

Possible Impact

• Abuse or neglect

• Restricted development

• Poor opportunities

• Exposure to inappropriate content

A regularly reviewed Cohort List identifies children/families requiring additional monitoring or support.

Resilience Factors

We consider protective factors across:

• Individual attributes

• Family functioning

• Community networks and opportunities

Early Help & BRIF Referrals

 

We follow the EYFS requirement to provide early intervention wherever possible.

Our responsibilities:

1. Identify children/families who may benefit from Early Help

2. Discuss concerns with the family

3. Complete Early Help Assessment

4. Deliver targeted support

5. Refer to BRIF when appropriate for quicker targeted assistance

(See Early Help Policy)

Responding to Concerns & Making a Referral

Anyone with concerns about a child’s welfare must act immediately.

Concerns are recorded and passed to the DSL the same day.

The DSL will:

1. Assess the level of risk which may involve discussion with the rest of the DSL team or other informed members of staff

2. Consult the Threshold of Need document

3. Decide on Early Help, BRIF or referral to Children’s Services

4. Contact MASH/Access & Referral where threshold is met

5. Make a referral without delay if a child is at risk of significant harm

In an emergency or if a child is in immediate danger, staff must call 999.

(See Dealing with disclosures and concerns about a child Policy)

Escalation & Professional Challenge

Following the EYFS 2025 and CBSCP expectations:

• All staff must challenge decisions professionally

• Staff can escalate concerns if they believe a child remains at risk

• The Escalation Flowchart (Child Protection folder) must be followed

(See Escalation Policy)

Information Sharing & Record Keeping

We follow:

• UK GDPR

• Data Protection Act 2018

• Working Together 2023 principles

We will share information:

• With informed consent or

• Without consent if the child is at risk of significant harm

Records:

• Are clear, factual, timely

• Are stored securely

• Include chronologies of actions

• Are transferred to other settings sensitively and promptly

(See GDPR Policy)

Safeguarding Strategy: Building a Safe Environment

We ensure:

• Strong, trusting relationships with families

• Clear identification of DSLs

• Secure premises, locked gates/doors

• Rigorous risk planning for being in the public environment

• Regular risk assessments and safety checks

• Up-to-date staff understanding of policies

• Policies for behaviour, bullying, whistleblowing and allegations

• Effective complaints procedures

Health & Safety

• We have procedures for

• medicine administration

• support of medical needs

• hygiene

• managing allergies.

(See Health & Safety policy)

Online Safety/E-Safety

• There are rules for staff and children's use of technology, including parental consent for photos.

(See Phone, photo and internet safety policy)

Absence is monitored:

• Parents must notify Fledglings

• If not, we will contact them the same morning of non-attendance

Local Safeguarding Priorities (Central Bedfordshire)

We embed the CBSCP priorities:

• Neglect

• Mental Health, Emotional Wellbeing & Resilience

• Contextual Safeguarding & Exploitation

• Violence Against Women and Girls

Learning from CBC Review “Isabella” (2025)

We incorporate all six themes:

1. Understanding the child’s daily lived experience

2. Working with reluctant/sporadic engagement

3. Critical thinking and challenge

4. Responding to changing risk

5. Timely information sharing

6. Leadership & culture driving good outcomes

Serious Incidents & Notifications

If a child suffers a serious injury, Ofsted must be notified via online form within 14 days.

We notify the LADO immediately if there is an allegation involving a member of staff.

(See Allegations Against Staff Policy)

Monitoring & Review

This policy is:

• Reviewed annually, or earlier if legislation changes or a situation/incident calls for it

• Approved by the DSL team and leadership teams

• Shared with all staff

• Available to parents upon request

Key Contact Numbers

Ofsted – 0300 123 1231
CBC Access & Referral (Children’s Services) – 0300 300 8585
Out of Hours – 0300 300 8123
Prevent/Channel – 0300 300 8585
LADO/Allegations Manager – 0300 300 8142
Police (emergency) – 999
Police (non-emergency) – 101
NSPCC Childline – 0800 1111
NSPCC Helpline (adults) – 0808 800 5000

Nov 25