Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding is of paramount importance to childminders and there are statutory frameworks they must follow in order to ensure their businesses are operating within the law.

For example, below is a link to the Early Years Statutory Framework for Childminders for England and you can see the safeguarding protocols that childminders must follow in section three.

Early Years Statutory Framework for Childminders

The Friendly Childminders' Hub reflects the stringent safeguarding protocols that childminders instinctively adhere to within their own settings.

In order to join the Hub, a person must provide information about themselves and answer questions so that the founder, Sam Heaven, can ascertain if they are genuine. If there is any doubt, membership to the Hub will not be granted.

If a person does not keep the Members' Promises, which are created around safeguarding, they will be removed and their subscription cancelled. As part of a person's application, they must acknowledge that they have read and agree to the Member's Promises.

If a member posts something concerning safeguarding, they will be directed to seek professional support from the appropriate authorities who have jurisdiction in their area, for example, a Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub.

Photos of children (anyone under the age of 18) are not permitted within the Hub.

If a person dishonestly gains entry and this becomes apparent, they will be removed immediately and their subscription cancelled.

If there is cause for concern about an individual, then their personal details and any relevant content may be shared with the Police.

Everything that a member posts within the Hub can be seen by other members and that content will remain within the Hub even if a member is no longer a subscriber.

A member can remove their content whilst they still have a subscription and the founder can remove content at any time if it is deemed inappropriate.

If a person has concerns about another member of the Hub, they can notify the host through the Hub, or externally through this website. Whilst the host will know who has brought an issue to their attention, the member's identity will remain confidential. If appropriate, the host will update the informant of the outcome.

Further scenarios may occur that are not outlined here, but the Hub's founder will always keep safeguarding at the forefront of the Hub. This policy will be updated as and when necessary.