At Doves Nurseries, the safety, welfare, and wellbeing of every child are paramount. We fully adhere to our statutory duties under the EYFS Statutory Framework and the Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and we maintain an environment where children feel safe, valued, and protected.
Our Safeguarding Commitments:
- Designated Safeguarding Support: Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Leanne French and our Deputy DSL is Adele Blenkinsop. They ensure all staff receive formal safeguarding training every two years and are supported daily to put this knowledge into practice.
- Safer Recruitment & Suitability: We operate strict safer recruitment processes. No employee or volunteer begins working with children until full Enhanced DBS checks and validated professional references are successfully obtained.
- Whistleblowing & Safety Culture: We cultivate an open, transparent culture. All staff, apprentices, and volunteers are bound by a clear, written whistleblowing policy to report any poor practices or conduct concerns safely and without fear.
- Attendance and Vigilance: To protect children from wider statutory risks, we strictly monitor attendance. We hold at least two emergency contacts per child and will actively follow up on any unexplained or prolonged child absences immediately.
- Welfare, Sleeping, and Safe Care: We enforce non-negotiable safety standards, including direct alignment with official NHS safer sleeping requirements for under-2s, strict choking prevention protocols during supervised eating, and a respectful balance of child privacy during intimate care.
If you have any concerns regarding a child’s welfare, please speak directly to our DSL or contact the [Insert Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) / Local Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)] on 0300 126 7000.