Purpose

The Nestlings Kindergarten is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. We expect every member of staff, volunteer, student and visitor to share this commitment.

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Any concerns about the behaviour or conduct of a colleague, volunteer or any adult working with children must be reported immediately. Concerns should never be ignored or delayed, regardless of how minor they may initially appear.

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The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSLs) at The Nestlings Kindergarten are:

• Sophie Hale

• Chris Martin

Any member of staff who has concerns about the conduct or behaviour of another adult working within the setting must report those concerns immediately to one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads.

This policy applies to any allegation or concern that may indicate an adult is unsuitable to continue working with children, either within their current role or in any other capacity.

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What is an Allegation?

An allegation is any complaint, concern or information suggesting that an adult working with children 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 towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children.

• Behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children.

All allegations must be taken seriously and dealt with promptly, fairly and confidentially.

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Reporting an Allegation

If an allegation is made against any member of staff, volunteer, student, contractor or regular visitor, it must be reported immediately to one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads.

If the allegation concerns a member of the safeguarding team, or if no safeguarding lead is available, the concern must be reported directly to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) without delay.

Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire LADO

Telephone: 0300 300 8142

Important: Under no circumstances should anyone question the member of staff concerned, begin an internal investigation or discuss the allegation with others before seeking advice from the LADO. Doing so could jeopardise any subsequent investigation.

 

Notification to Ofsted

Where required, Ofsted will be notified of any significant safeguarding allegation or serious incident as soon as reasonably practicable and within the statutory timescales.

Notifications can be made via the Government's online reporting service.

 

Allegation Procedure

1. Immediate Action

Any allegation or observation of inappropriate behaviour must be reported immediately and treated in the strictest confidence.

A clear, factual written record must be made as soon as possible, including:

• What was seen, heard or disclosed.

• Dates and times.

• Who was present.

• Any actions taken.

Staff should follow the setting's procedures for recording safeguarding concerns.

2. Contact the LADO

The Designated Safeguarding Lead will contact the LADO immediately for advice.

The LADO will determine whether the concern meets the threshold for managing allegations against adults working with children.

This includes considering whether:

• A child has been harmed or may have been harmed.

• A criminal offence may have been committed.

• The adult may pose a risk to children.

• The adult may be unsuitable to continue working with children.

The LADO will advise on the next steps and whether any external agencies need to become involved.

3. Managing the Workplace

The LADO will advise whether the member of staff should:

• Remain in work with appropriate safeguards.

• Undertake alternative duties.

• Be temporarily removed from duties involving children.

• Be suspended whilst investigations are completed.

Suspension is a neutral act and is not a disciplinary sanction. It will only be considered where necessary to protect children, protect the integrity of the investigation or protect the member of staff.

Where a member of staff remains at work, appropriate safeguarding measures will be implemented to protect both the children involved and the member of staff.

The employee will be encouraged to seek support from their trade union or professional representative where applicable.

4. Strategy Meeting

Where appropriate, the LADO will convene a strategy meeting involving relevant agencies, which may include:

• Children's Social Care.

• Police.

• The Local Authority.

• Representatives from The Nestlings Kindergarten.

The purpose of the meeting is to determine the appropriate course of action and coordinate any investigations.

5. Outcome

Following the investigation, one or more of the following outcomes may apply:

• No further action.

• Internal disciplinary procedures.

• Additional training or supervision.

• Referral to Children's Social Care.

• Criminal investigation.

• Referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) where appropriate.

• Referral to other professional regulatory bodies where required.

Parents and carers will be informed where appropriate and only following advice from the LADO or other investigating agencies.

 

Confidentiality

Allegations will be managed confidentially and information will only be shared with those who need to know in order to protect children and manage the investigation appropriately.

All records relating to allegations will be retained securely in accordance with statutory guidance and data protection legislation.

 

Duty to Report

Every member of staff has a professional duty to report any concerns about the behaviour or conduct of another adult working with children.

Failure to report concerns that could place a child at risk may itself be treated as a disciplinary matter.

No member of staff will suffer detriment for raising a genuine safeguarding concern in good faith.

 

Related Policies

This policy should be read alongside:

• Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

• Whistleblowing Policy

• Staff Code of Conduct

• Safer Recruitment Policy

• Disciplinary Policy

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Updated July 2026