Page 9 - 1.Felicity Online policies 2021

· If it is discussed with a member of staff, then they will report the complaint to the
manager/owner and complete a complaints form immediately.
· The manager/owner will confirm receipt of this within 24 hours
· The complaint will then be investigated and an action plan will be drawn up to address the
issue.
· Once made aware of the complaint, the manager must record the complaint and file away.
Should parents feel they cannot speak to a member of staff; the complaint can be written
and sent to the manager/owner direct.
DUTIES AS AN EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE
Employers have a duty of care to their employees. They should ensure they provide
effective support for anyone facing an allegation and provide the employee with a named
contact if they are suspended.
It is essential that any allegation of abuse made against a teacher or other member of staff
or volunteer in the nursery is dealt with very quickly, in a fair and consistent way that
provides effective protection for the child and at the same time supports the person who is
the subject of the allegation.
PROCEDURE FOR ALLEGATION AGAINST A MEMBER OF STAFF
1. Notify a member of management
2. Allegation to be discussed with the LADO or discuss nature, content and context of the
allegation and agree a course of action. Information such as previous history, whether the
child or their family have made similar allegations and the individuals current contact with
children.
3. If the person is deemed to be an immediate risk to children or there is evidence of a
criminal offence, the police will be involved immediately.
4. The initial sharing of information may lead to a decision that no further action is to be
taken in regard to the individual facing the allegation or concern; in which case this decision
and a justification for it should be recorded by both the case manager and the LADO, and
agreement reached on what information should be put in writing to the individual
concerned and by whom. The case manager should then consider with the LADO what
action should follow both in respect of the individual and those who made the initial
allegation.
5. The case manager should inform the accused person about the allegation as soon as
possible after consulting the LADO. It is extremely important that the case manager
provides them with as much information as possible at that time. However, where a
strategy discussion is needed, or police or children’s social care services need to be involved,
the case manager should not do that until those
agencies have been consulted, and have agreed what information can be disclosed to the
accused. Employers must consider carefully whether the circumstances of a case warrant a
person being suspended from contact with children at the school or whether alternative
arrangements can be put in place until the allegation or concern is resolved. All options to
avoid suspension should be considered prior to taking that step. (Please see further
information on suspension below).
6. If the allegation is not demonstrably false or unfounded, and there is cause to suspect a
child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm, a strategy discussion should be
convened in accordance with working Together to Safeguard Children. If the allegation is
about physical contact, the strategy discussion or initial evaluation with the police should
take into account that teachers and other school and FE college staff are entitled to use