Spotlight on safeguarding

This month the spotlight on safeguarding focuses on:

Responding to a direct disclosure

If a child alleges that a person living, working, or looking after them either at the setting or elsewhere has harmed them or put them at risk of harm, this is known as a direct disclosure. If a child makes a direct disclosure it must be acted upon and referred to Bradford’s Children’s Services Integrated Front Door and / or the Police.

Before deciding what to do next, the practitioner whom the child has made the disclosure to, needs to find out more information from the child by asking open ended questions ‘fact finding,’ ready to share with the IFD practitioner advice and referral helpline, and for the setting records. Depending on the answers the child provides and the information already held, the setting needs to consider if speaking to the parent/carer would put the child in more danger by doing so. If after speaking to the parent/carer a plausible explanation is provided, or the child changes their story the setting must still refer. It is not the role of the setting to decide if the disclosure is true or not.

Bradford Children’s Services Integrated Front Door (IFD) dedicated practitioner’s advice and referral contact number – 01274 433999

The Ofsted inspection figures have just been released for inspections up to 31^st March 2024

Wow!! look at the percentage of Good and Outstanding grading's for providers in the Bradford district.

Childcare on non-domestic premises - England  = 97%. Yorkshire and Humber = 98%. Bradford = 99%

Childminders - England  = 98%. Yorkshire and Humber- = 98%. Bradford = 99%

Childcare on domestic premises - England = 96%. Yorkshire and Humber = 95%. Bradford = 100%

Congratulations to you all and a massive thank you for all your hard work caring for the youngest children in Bradford.

Acorns In Eldwick Nursery and Pre-School, is rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted 

In the report the Ofsted Inspector was complimentary about all aspects of the provision, so there were many highlights, including the fact that the children blossom and thrive under the care of the attentive staff team at this 'child centred' nursery and that staff go above and beyond to provide reassurance and emotional security for the children and their parents/carers. 

In addition, it was noted that the whole nursery and pre-school offer a thoughtfully sequenced programme of activities in stimulating environments, which, as a result, the children develop the confidence to play and explore, and show high levels of engagement as they access the exciting play opportunities available to them.

The Inspector observed that children with SEND benefit from delightfully calming sensory rooms, situated in the settings baby room and Pre-School. The knowledgeable special educational needs coordinator (SENDCo) provides staff with training and guidance which helps them to provide children with the right support, personalised to their needs.

Read the Ofsted report here

Menston Preschool achieves consecutive Outstanding rating from Ofsted

The latest Ofsted report heaped praise on the preschool stating among other things:

‘Children thrive at this wonderfully welcoming setting’

Menston Preschool are proud to work in partnership with parents who are actively included in their child’s educational journey through stay and play sessions and regular updates regarding their child’s progress. The report highlighted that:

‘Partnerships with parents are extremely strong. Parents are highly complementary of the setting acknowledging that staff go above and beyond to include them in their children’s educational journey.

The preschool also emphasises the importance of community engagement, working alongside community groups including the Menston Community Fridge which they visit to get their snack and welcome visits from local adults to talk about faiths and professions.

Read the Ofsted report here

Online provider networks in November 2024

The focus for the November provider network will be SEND. Please note it is not a repeat of our 2023 provider network.

The session intends to improve your knowledge and awareness of ‘visuals for communication’ and ‘meeting sensory needs’

You will gain an understanding of how visuals can be used and adapted in your setting to help children communicate wants and needs. The Access and Inclusion Officer will cover briefly what sensory needs are, how they may be identified, and share strategies to help you meet a range of sensory needs in your setting. Book your place now. It is free to attend online using Microsoft Teams. 

There are two dates to choose from, choose one date:

Book here for 26th November 2024 6.30 - 8pm

Book here for 28th November 2024 6.30 - 8pm

Online Designated Safeguarding Lead training

Are you the designated lead responsible for safeguarding in your early years and childcare setting? Do you feel confident in your role and responsibilities as the Designated Safeguarding Lead?

This training is written specifically for the private, voluntary and independent early years and childcare sector in the Bradford District. 

There are four training dates available to choose from in 2025, Training is £25 per person, book here

Summer Holiday Activities

As the summer holidays start, there are exciting FREE or low cost events happening, and other activities and support available.

The fyi.bradford.gov.uk website has information and advice pages, a service directory and a What’s On calendar of free and low cost events. Just enter your post code and how far you can travel to find out what’s happening! One of this summer highlights will be 70 free fun day events in parks across the district. All the details are at What's On Search Page - Bradford FYI

Families with children with Special Educational Needs you can visit the www.localoffer.bradford.gov.uk website. Here you can also find the Parents Forum Summer Newsletter and the AWARE summer activities guide.

The Family Hubs continue to support families over the summer period. There is lots on offer including free sensory room sessions, school nurse drop-ins, school uniform swap shops, benefits advice, SEND support drop-ins , as well as coffee mornings and fun days…it’s all going on! To find out more go to the family hub timetables on the FYI website.

SEND - Local offer 

Bradford's Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Local Offer and Bradford Families and Young Person’s Information team have created a set of posters and resources you can download and print out to provide families with more information about the SEND support available to them. Visit www.bradford.gov.uk/SEND to start creating your own noticeboards! Be as creative as you want to be. 

Bradford libraries 

Bradford Libraries are launching this year's Summer Reading Challenge this weekend.

This year the theme is Marvellous Makers and there will be lots of events and activities to support children's creativity and reading skills throughout the summer. Children aged 4 to 12 years can sign up and receive incentives along the way to encourage reading.

A full list of events and activities can be found online: Bradford libraries

Stronger Practice Hub webinars 

You can access the recordings of all the previous webinars on the Early Years Stronger Practice Hub website watch the recordings

Remember to sign up to events to receive the recording straight to your inbox! You can see the list  of the upcoming events and webinars using the button below Events and webinars

 Maths opportunity 

There are opportunities to take part in maths programmes for different phases…

Early Number with Numicon: This 14-week programme is designed to support childminders and practitioners in early years settings to deliver better early maths sessions to 3 – 4-year-old children. If you are in Bradford or Oldham, take advantage of this free opportunity now.

Child safety 

Whilst the warm summer weather brings lots of opportunities for fun in the sun there are also additional hazards for our little people. Grab your free download  to print and display in your setting to help families stay safe this summer.