What is an SLP?

This post is also available in:

What is a designated safeguarding lead? #

The designated safeguarding lead is the person appointed to take lead responsibility for child protection issues in our settings. The person fulfilling this role must be a senior member of the nursery leadership team.

It is a person who is the first point of contact for all staff and volunteers, and the individual to approach if they are worried about a particular child.

Do nurseries have to have a designated safeguarding lead? #

All nurseries must have a designated SLP in place to deal with child protection concerns.

As a company, Norfolk Childcare insurers that there is always someone who is SLP qualified on-site at all times. With our network of nurseries, our settings can take advice from their experienced staff at our other settings.

What training does a designated safeguarding lead need? #

The designated safeguarding lead (and deputies) should attend training to enable them to carry out their role. This is legally required to be completed once every 3 years, but to go one step further to protect the children in our care, we require our SLP to complete the training yearly.

What are the responsibilities of the designated safeguarding lead? #

 Work with others  #

• work with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure safeguarding is at the heart of the nursery ethos and that all staff are supported in knowing how to recognise and respond to potential concerns. 

• liaise with the directors to keep them informed of any safeguarding of issues, especially ongoing enquiries and police investigations 

• as required, liaise with CADS or LADO if a concern has arisen regarding a member of staff 

• liaise with staff on matters of safety and safeguarding and when deciding whether to make a referral by liaising with relevant agencies 

• act as a source of support, advice and expertise for staff. 

Manage referrals #

• refer cases of suspected abuse to CADS or LADO.

• where there are concerns about radicalisation, to make referrals to the Police and also CADS

• refer cases to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Disclosure Scotland, or Access NI where a member of staff has been dismissed following concerns they posed a risk to a child. 

• refer cases to the police where a crime has been or may have been committed. 

Undertake training and develop knowledge  #

In addition to formal training, the SLP should keep knowledge and skills up to date via online training, e-bulletins, opportunities to network with other SLP, and attend locally arranged briefings. These opportunities should be taken up at least once a year but more regularly if possible so that the SLP: 

• understands the referral and assessment process for early help and intervention 

• knows about child protection case conferences and reviews and can contribute to these effectively when required 

• ensures that all staff have access to and understand the nursery child protection policy 

• is aware of the needs of any vulnerable children ie; those with special educational needs, young carers and those receiving support from the local authority including a child in need, a child on a child protection plan or a looked after child 

• keeps detailed, accurate and secure records of concerns and referrals 

• understands the role of the nursery in terms of the Prevent duty where required 

• attends refresher and other relevant training 

• encourages a culture of listening to children and taking account of their wishes and feelings in terms of what the nurserydoes to protect them. 

Raise awareness  #

The safeguarding lead’s role is to: 

• work with the directors to ensure that the nusery child protection policy is updated and renewed annually and that all members of staff have access to it and understand it 

• provide regular briefings and updates at staff and manager meetings to help ensure that everyone is kept up to date on latest policy developments and reminded of their responsibilities 

• ensure the child protection policy is available publicly and that parents are aware of the policy and that nursery may make referrals to CADS if there are concerns about abuse or neglect 

Record keeping  #

It is also the SLP’s responsibility to keep detailed, accurate and secure written records of safeguarding concerns. These records are confidential and should be kept separately from pupil records. They should include a chronology of concerns, referrals, meetings, phone calls and emails. 

Where children leave the nursery, ensure their child protection file is transferred to the new school or nursery as soon as possible. This should be transferred separately from the main pupil file, ensuring secure delivery and confirmation of receipt should be obtained. 

Training of other staff  #

It is the role of the SLP, working with the directors, to ensure all staff: 

• have induction training covering child protection, an understanding of safeguarding issues including the causes of abuse and neglect. 

• are able to identify the signs and indicators of abuse, respond to disclosures appropriately and respond effectively and in a timely fashion when they have concerns. 

Safeguarding means #

Protecting children from abuse and maltreatment

Preventing harm to children’s health or development

Ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care

Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes

Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm.