Low Moor Centre, Bray Road, Fulford, YO10 4JG – Telephone 01904 849100
Whistleblowing and allegations against a member of staff 
Purpose of policy:
To ensure the safety of children at all times in the daily work of Beehive Pre-School Playgroup, by describing the actions to be taken where an allegation of abuse of a child is made against a member of staff.
Responsibilities:
This procedure applies to all staff and volunteers who act on behalf of Beehive and who come directly into contact with children. Every individual has a responsibility to inform the line manager, or the designated person, of concerns relating to safeguarding children. 
These should be applied in all circumstances where an allegation is made or a concern arises that any person who works or has worked with children, in a paid or unpaid capacity, has, towards any child:
•	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 towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children
•	behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children
Allegations may arise in a number of ways from a number of sources, such as the following:
•	a concern, suspicion, complaint or report from a child, parent or other adult, including other members of staff, within or outside of the organisation
•	information arising from a disciplinary, criminal or child protection investigation
This guidance applies to all information in regard to a member of staff and a situation of possible abuse, irrespective of whether the person reporting wishes to make a formal complaint.     

Any concern or information regarding a member of staff must be reported to the Supervisor (SMO) with designated responsibility for allegations against staff without delay.
 WHAT TO DO WHEN ABUSE IS SUSPECTED: Who to contact
If there is any concern about the way a member of staff has behaved towards a child, that concern should be reported to, and advice sought from the Supervisor, who is the Senior Manager within the Organisation (SMO). The discussion needs to be immediate and will be treated as a priority.
The manager receiving the complaint will immediately inform the Chair of Trustees and will also seek advice at this stage from the Local Authority Designated  Officer (LADO). 
A representative from the LADO team will be available Monday to Friday, however they may be busy on other calls or meetings. 
Telephone: 01904 551783 (voicemail)   Email: lado@york.gov.uk
If you have an urgent query or you believe a child is at risk please contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).  Telephone: 01904 551900   Email: mash@york.gov.uk
Outside office hours, at weekends, and on public holidays contact the Emergency Duty Team Telephone: 0300 131 2131
If you wish to make an allegation or you have a concern about a professional working with children, young or vulnerable people in the City of York, a referral should be sent to the Local Authority Designated Officer using the LADO Referral Form, giving as much detail as possible.
WHAT TO DO WHEN ABUSE IS SUSPECTED: Further actions to take
The manager should make no attempt to undertake enquiries or seek to determine the validity of the allegation at this stage; however they may need to take immediate safety measures such as the removal of the member of staff from the premises and any evidence should be secured and preserved eg. mobile telephone, computer – subject to advice from the police or LADO.
The manager initially receiving the concern/allegation must make a full record of it, which is timed, dated and signed.
Prior to contacting the LADO, the SMO should gather information, including the following:
Names, addresses, dates of birth of the child/ren and staff member concerned, details of any potential witnesses; details of the staff member’s previous employment record including any previous allegations/concerns; account of the person receiving or witnessing the allegation; information regarding any other paid or voluntary work the staff member undertakes with children or vulnerable adults; if the staff member has their own children, any other information which may be of relevance; any action(s) already taken; information about the legal status of the child concerned.
The SMO must consult with the LADO within one working day of an allegation being made. The procedures outlined in the City of York Safeguarding Board: Allegations Against Professionals guidance will then be followed.
As Beehive is an OFSTED-registered setting, it is also the duty of the manager receiving the allegation to inform OFSTED. 
If the situation arose that either a member of staff or a parent wishes to raise a concern  relating to malpractice, wrongdoing, illegality or risk (for example crimes, dangers to health and safety, civil offences) or a cover-up of these, and they felt it could not be dealt with via the Grievance or Complaints procedures, concerns can be raised through the NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice line on 0800 028 0285 or  Ofsted Whistleblowing Hotline 0300 123 3155 (available Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6.00pm).  

This procedure was adopted at a meeting of Beehive Pre-school Playgroup held on ……………………………
Signed on behalf of the pre-school ……………………………….  Review Date……………