At Seven Steps Childcare, the safety and wellbeing of every child are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to maintaining an environment built on trust and transparency. This policy outlines our clear, professional procedures for addressing concerns regarding adult conduct, ensuring all matters are handled with the seriousness they deserve in line with Northumberland County Council (NCC) requirements.
We are committed to providing a safe environment for all children. Every concern regarding malpractice or the suitability of an adult is taken seriously. We maintain a culture where everyone connected with the setting feels supported to speak up about anything they are concerned about.
An allegation is defined as a suggestion that an adult (the childminder or a member of their household) has:
Behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child.
Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child.
Behaved in a way that indicates they would pose a risk to children.
As the manager and sole provider, Joanna is the named person for dealing with and managing concerns. While we strive to keep the name of the person raising the concern confidential, information may be shared externally to ensure safeguarding. Priority is always given to the child's needs and emotional well-being.
If a parent or visitor has a concern specifically regarding the manager's conduct, they should report this directly to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or Ofsted. Immediate Actions
Upon receiving an allegation, we will immediately ensure the safety of all children. If the allegation involves a member of the household, they will be required to leave the premises or have no contact with minded children until the LADO has provided further advice. If the allegation involves the manager's own conduct, we will follow the advice of the LADO regarding the continued operation of the setting.
LADO: We are required to report any allegation to the LADO as soon as possible, and at the most within 24 hours.
Ofsted: We must notify Ofsted of any allegations as soon as is reasonably practicable, and within 14 days.
We work closely with the LADO to determine when and how parents/carers of the children involved will be notified. Detailed records of decisions, actions taken, and advice received will be kept in a secure, confidential folder for a minimum of 3 years.
Whistleblowing is when a person raises a concern about practice that is dangerous, illegal, or wrong. This includes concerns regarding:
Poor quality childcare, dangerous food hygiene, or health and safety risks.
Incorrect or altered records.
Inappropriate use of personal mobile phones.
An adult's medical, mental health, or personal issues that may impact child safety.
While we do not currently employ staff, we encourage parents and visitors to 'whistleblow' if they see practice that concerns them. If you feel unable to speak to us directly, you should contact Ofsted or the NCC Early Years and Childcare Team.
The complete document is available to download from here as a PDF.
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