titchy Posted June 26, 2010 Share Posted June 26, 2010 Has anyone had the working together to safeguard children training? We are currently escorting children to the toilet using to members of staff as the current manager insists on safeguarding the staff. Does everyone else do this? Our toilets are on the outside of the playroom as we are a packaway setting in a community building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyMaz Posted June 26, 2010 Share Posted June 26, 2010 We most emphatically do not expect a child to be accompanied to the toilet by two adults. Nor do we have a 'witness' when we change children's nappies or pull ups. Apart from any of the other issues that are rising angrily in my chest, it would be highly impractical with only two members of staff at a session. Would we need to ensure that everyone goes off to the toilet together so that none of our children were left unsupervised? Just re-read your post again before clicking 'reply' titchy - have you been advised to do this as part of official safeguarding children training? Or is this just a bee in your manager's bonnet? Maz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 26, 2010 Share Posted June 26, 2010 Wholeheartedly agree with what happymaz has already said. I have just done the Specialist Safeguarding and this was not bought up as an issue. We are in a very similar setting, a staff member will hover and offer assistance according to needs, only one member of staff changes nappies and it tends to be the key person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyMaz Posted June 26, 2010 Share Posted June 26, 2010 I have just done the Specialist Safeguarding and this was not bought up as an issue. What was recommended lalaloulou? I've heard of one setting locally that has adopted this policy and am a bit worried that it might be on the increase! Maz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 26, 2010 Share Posted June 26, 2010 If staff have a CRB check then my understanding is they can change children in the toilet area on their own. Childminder's that work alone don't have anyone to watch them while children are in their care so why should pre-school staff need a chaperone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyMaz Posted June 26, 2010 Share Posted June 26, 2010 Quite, dorisdarling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alison Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 I think that the practical impact of two staff going to the toilet is totally unworkable if staff have to be escorted whats the point of CRB checks? we tend to escort the children to the toilet check they are ok and then leave them in the bathroom for a minute or two and return to the main room doorway so that children can have their privacy and we are not alone for any longer than absolutely necessary but some days we can be none stop in the bathroom because children have come to the toilet one after another after another Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 (edited) we tend to escort the children to the toilet check they are ok and then leave them in the bathroom for a minute or two and return to the main room doorway so that children can have their privacy and we are not alone for any longer than absolutely necessary but some days we can be none stop in the bathroom because children have come to the toilet one after another after another This is exactly what we do too......... I have said this before - so apologies for repeating myself........using the loo or having a nappy changed is not a spectator sport! Respecting children's privacy is, in my humble opinion, a very important issue........ I have completed part two of 'designated person Safeguarding training' within the past month - there was absolutely no mention of this particular piece of 'nonsense' at all......... Edited June 27, 2010 by sunnyday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Hi I agree with what everyone has said. If staff are police checked you have to be able to trust them to take children to the toilet. The alternstive is totally impractical. This is another case of Chinese whispers, there have been other such as no egg boxes unless zapped in the microwave to kill potentail Salmonella. Trouble is today we are so bound by policies, risk assesment etc etc we are all worried that we are doing the right thing or we may bring the mighty Ofsted down on us or be the next article in the newspaper. Sally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyMaz Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Trouble is today we are so bound by policies, risk assesment etc etc we are all worried that we are doing the right thing or we may bring the mighty Ofsted down on us or be the next article in the newspaper. True. Sometimes we need to be brave and stand up for what we believe. If I and my team are ever required to take children to the toilet with a colleague to act as a witness then I really think it will be time for me to move on. I might even write that next article in the newspaper myself - "early years setting closes in nanny-state knee-jerk over-reaction toilet-shocker!". Thanks sunnyday for saying what I was to miffed to yesterday! Maz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gezabel Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 (edited) I might even write that next article in the newspaper myself - "early years setting closes in nanny-state knee-jerk over-reaction toilet-shocker!". Maz Ooooh!! please may I be co-author or contributor or something? I will certainly be moving on too if such an inane ruling ever comes into force I so hope it never does and that really would be a sad end for what has been a wonderful working life Edited June 27, 2010 by Geraldine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cait Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 This is exactly what we do too......... I have said this before - so apologies for repeating myself........using the loo or having a nappy changed is not a spectator sport! Respecting children's privacy is, in my humble opinion, a very important issue........ I have completed part two of 'designated person Safeguarding training' within the past month - there was absolutely no mention of this particular piece of 'nonsense' at all......... hear hear! well said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Hear hear Maz - love the newspaper article idea. Am so fed up of following endless protocol and rules - for - lets be honest here -a pittance money wise. Let`s stand up for ourselfs for a change. Sally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynned55 Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Well Maz, I will join you. I have never heard of anything so ridiculous. IF you cannot trust a member of staff enough to allow them to be in a toilet on their own with a child then god help us THEY SHOULD NOT BE WORKING. Oops caps lock on but it fits quite well there doesn't it!!) Ours are in a church hall right away from the main room amnd children cannot possibly go on their own, equally we cannot possibly release 2 members of staff for one child and I would never want to. I think the OP is correct this is becoming one of those 'urban myth' type thing like the sill H & S rules that pop up now and again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyMaz Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 I think the OP is correct this is becoming one of those 'urban myth' type thing like the sill H & S rules that pop up now and again. A bit like people being told that they have to put a cushion on their laps before allowing children onto their laps for a cuddle, you mean? Maz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 If I and my team are ever required to take children to the toilet with a colleague to act as a witness then I really think it will be time for me to move on. Maz Well said Maz!!! I think Tesco's will be getting quite a deluge of applications in years to come!!! As another said: How do childminders function for hours and hours on end, day in day out??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rea Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Couldnt agree more Maz. As long as we are all aware of our roles and where each staff member is I cannot for the life of me see why we should need to have two members of staff toileting a child. Makes my blood boil when I hear of it happening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 As another said: How do childminders function for hours and hours on end, day in day out??? Just fine! Nona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Just fine! Nona exactly, Nona. Do you hear of this in your training sessions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 What was recommended lalaloulou? I've heard of one setting locally that has adopted this policy and am a bit worried that it might be on the increase! Maz Was not mentioned at all on the course, they focused mainly on dealing with parents/carers and issues of safeguarding. Of course I cannot promise I was awake for the whole thing, having done the other, now out of date course last year and also six weeks of safeguarding on the foundation degree my interest was somewhat diminished I am sorry to say, not to mention the trainer who did not seem to have ever worked in a setting or any capacity that involves face to face contact with the issues she was teaching......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynned55 Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 A bit like people being told that they have to put a cushion on their laps before allowing children onto their laps for a cuddle, you mean? Yes, exactly like that! We had a student 2/3 years ago that had picked that one up from somewhere. Although I had never heard of that before or since Maz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 It's never really been discussed in detail on Safeguarding training... sort of taken for granted that it has to be that way! I've just updated my Level 2 Safeguarding on line ( a new Dudley Safeguarding Board initiative) and the question never arose! I'm seeing my Network co-ordinator on Wednesday so I'll ask for her opinions and get back to you. Nona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollypiper Posted July 19, 2010 Share Posted July 19, 2010 Has anyone had the working together to safeguard children training? We are currently escorting children to the toilet using to members of staff as the current manager insists on safeguarding the staff. Does everyone else do this? Our toilets are on the outside of the playroom as we are a packaway setting in a community building. also in a similar set up & if nappy needs changing or child needs toilet only one adult takes them otherwise you would never have any staff left in the main room to play with the children! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 19, 2010 Share Posted July 19, 2010 Hi All again I do agree happymaz, world gone mad but................. (playing devil's advocate) what would happen if a child went home and told their parents that a member of staff had touched her/him inappropriately whilst in the toilet or took photos of them whilst they were in the toilet. Answering my own question, we are lucky enough to have toilets that open up into our main room and although members of staff are alone with children on occasions when assisting or changing nappies the doors are never locked, and we make a note that we have changed nappies or changed a childs underclothing for the parents to sign at the end of session. Thank goodness that this has never happened to us but how do you safe guard your staff against such allegations Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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