Ongoing suitability of staff at each Hopscotch nursery setting is the responsibility of the Nursery Manager and Nursery Management Team. They must undertake ongoing suitability assessments of all their staff teams and ensure that supervision, appraisals, training and other performance review and improvement tools are implemented effectively. Any reservations about the suitability of any member of staff working at Hopscotch should lead to prompt action i.e. a change of duties or tasks. If the Nursery Manager is not sure then they should discuss the matter with the Hopscotch Head of Operations, the Hopscotch HR Manager or the Hopscotch Managing Director. Failure to protect the wellbeing and welfare of children attending Hopscotch by not undertaking ongoing suitability assessments and checks could be considered a failure to properly implement effective safeguarding measures and could result in disciplinary action being taken. Hopscotch is committed to ensuring that all staff, including students, volunteers and any agency/supply staff are suitable to fulfil the requirements of their role in order to work with or be in regular contact with children. We have effective systems in place to ensure that this includes making a decision about suitability, as part of the recruitment process and monitoring continued suitability, as part of regular staff and/or student supervision. The HR Manager and Nursery Manager are responsible for ensuring that all staff and students have an enhanced check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and that the results of such a check are assessed as part of a decision on suitability. We will always endeavour to ensure staff will have checks completed prior to starting employment. However, if there are delays in checks coming through, as a last resort staff may work in the nursery before these checks are completed but they must be supervised at all times by staff who already hold an enhanced check and the check has been applied for. All nursery staff will be informed of any staff awaiting enhanced DBS clearance. Staff awaiting these checks will never:
- Be left unsupervised whilst caring for children
- Take children for toilet visits unless supervised by staff holding an enhanced check
- Change nappies
- Be left alone in a room or outside with children
- Administer medication
- Administer first aid
- Take photographs of any children
- Be involved in looking at a child’s learning and development log, but can contribute to it
- Have access to children’s personal details and records.
While adhering to the above list, we recognise that it is vital that the staff member awaiting an enhanced disclosure is made to feel part of the team and we support them in participating fully in every other aspect of the nursery day.
We recognise that the enhanced DBS disclosure is only one part of a suitability decision and nursery management will ensure every individual working with a child goes through a vigorous recruitment and induction procedure (as laid out in the Safe Recruitment policy). We will also ensure they receive continuous support, training and supervision from management in order to provide a safe, secure and healthy environment for all children in the nursery. We act on any information that comes to our attention that suggests someone may no longer be suitable for their role.
All students will also receive an interview to ensure they are suitable for the nursery and an induction process to ensure they fully understand and are able to implement the nursery procedures, working practices and values. All students will be fully supervised to ensure they receive the appropriate support, training and information they may require.
We request confirmation that all necessary checks have been completed by the agency before using any supply/agency staff. We have a short induction prior to them working with the children. It is our policy that all agency/supply staff are fully supervised and not left alone with children.
Once checks are obtained we record the criminal records check reference number, the date the check was obtained and details of who obtained it. We also collect this information for any agency/supply staff prior to using them.