Safeguarding Policy

Turtle Tots Ltd has a duty of care to safeguard all babies and children involved in Turtle Tots Ltd lessons from harm. All babies and children have a right to protection, and the needs of disabled babies and children and others who may be particularly vulnerable must be considered. Turtle Tots Ltd will ensure the safety and protection of all babies and children involved in Turtle Tots through adherence to the Safeguarding guidelines adopted by Turtle Tots Ltd

Policy aims

The aim of the Turtle Tots Ltd Safeguarding Policy is to promote good practice by:

• Providing babies and children with appropriate safety and protection whilst attending Turtle Tots lessons
• Allow all staff to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection issues
• Ensuring proper recruitment policies are followed
• Providing support and appropriate training
• Working together with parents and guardians and other organisations as required

Good practice guidelines

All staff should demonstrate exemplary behaviour to promote children’s welfare. The following are common sense examples of how to create a positive culture and climate:

• Always working in an open environment, with parents present.
• Treating all babies and children equally, and with respect and dignity.
• Always putting the welfare of each baby or young child first.
• Making Turtle Tots lessons fun and enjoyable.
• Keeping up to date with technical skills, qualifications, and insurance.
• Attending a safeguarding refresher course every three years.
• Giving enthusiastic and constructive praise and feedback.
• Recognising the developmental needs and capacity of babies and children.
• Keeping a written record of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given.

Use of photographic/filming equipment at lessons

Many parents like to take photographs and film during the lessons. This is only permitted if the parent asks the instructor, and they only take photographs or video of their own child. N.B. some venues do not allow photography at all and in this case the venue’s own policy should be followed.

Recruitment of staff

All staff should provide two references of past employment and hold an Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service certificate (or equivalent) and provide evidence of identity (passport or driving license with photo).

Reporting concerns

If you have any concerns about the welfare of a baby or child, you should contact the local social services department or the NSPCC helpline for advice.

Any concern that a baby or young child has been abused by a member of staff should be reported to the Turtle Tots Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO), who will take such steps as considered necessary to ensure the safety of the child in question and any other child who may be at risk. The Turtle Tots DSO will refer the allegation to the social services department who may involve the police. The parents or carers of the child will be contacted as soon as possible following advice from the social services department.

Confidentiality

Every effort should be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned. Information should be handled and disseminated strictly on a need-to-know basis only.
This may include the following:

• The Turtle Tots Ltd DSO.
• The Turtle Tots franchisee/teacher in the area where the alleged abuse has occurred.
• The parents/guardians of the person who is alleged to have been abused.
• The person making the allegation.
• Social Services/Police.

Information should be stored in a secure place with limited access to designated people, in line with data protection laws (e.g. that information is accurate, regularly updated, relevant and secure).

Internal enquiries and suspension

The Turtle Tots Ltd DSO will make an immediate decision about whether any individual accused of abuse should be suspended pending further police and social services inquiries.
Irrespective of the findings of the social services or police inquiries the Directors of Turtle Tots Ltd will assess all individual cases to decide whether a member of staff can be reinstated and how this can be sensitively handled.

This may be a difficult decision; particularly where there is insufficient evidence to uphold any action by the police. In such cases, the Directors of Turtle Tots Ltd must reach a decision based upon the available information which could suggest that on a balance of probability, it is more likely than not that the allegation is true. The welfare of the child should remain of paramount importance throughout.

Providing information to police or social services

Information about suspected abuse must be accurate and a detailed record should always be made at the time of the disclosure/concern. It should include the following:

• The baby/child’s name, age, and date of birth.
• The baby/child’s home address and telephone number.
• Whether or not the person making the report is expressing their own concerns or those of someone else.
• The nature of the allegation. Include dates, times, any special factors, and other relevant information.
• Make a clear distinction between what is fact, opinion, or hearsay.
• A description of any visible bruising or other injuries. Also, any indirect signs, such as behavioural changes.
• Details of witnesses to the incidents.
• The child’s account, if it can be given, of what has happened and how any bruising or other injuries occurred.
• Have the parents been contacted?
• If so, what has been said?
• Has anyone else been consulted? If so, record details.
• If the child was not the person who reported the incident, has the child been spoken to? If so, what was said?
• Has anyone been alleged to be the abuser? Record details.
• Where possible a referral to the police or social services should be confirmed in writing within 24 hours and the name of the contact that took the referral should be recorded.

 

The Designated Safeguarding Officer for Turtle Tots Ltd:
Name: Joanna Wood
Email: safeguarding@turtletots.com
Last reviewed by: Joanna Wood
Date: 05/08/24
Next review: August 2025