The safeguarding and welfare requirements:

Children learn best when they are healthy, safe and secure, when their individual needs are met, and when they have positive relationships with the adults caring for them. The safeguarding and welfare requirements, specified in the EYFS, are designed to help providers create high-quality settings which are welcoming, safe and stimulating, and where children are able to enjoy learning and grow in confidence.

Providers must take all necessary steps to keep children safe and well. The requirements in this section explain what early years providers must do to: safeguard children; ensure the suitability of adults who have contact with children; promote good health; manage behaviour; and maintain records, policies and procedures.

Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage

The Torbay Safeguarding Children’s Partnership (TSCP) is comprised of the statutory Safeguarding Partners; Police, Clinical Commissioning Group and Local Authority, who work in close collaboration with other identified agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young people in Torbay. The partnership provides leadership in all areas of safeguarding, promotes good practice, challenges poor practice, and holds organisations to account. The partnership is focused on creating a learning culture and uses its links to local, regional, and national safeguarding partners to drive improvement across all local agencies to deliver the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

You can find out more on the Torbay Safeguarding Children Partnership website including what to do if you are concerned about a child or young person or if you wish to speak to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) regarding managing allegations against an adult working with children. In both of these instances, you should always follow your settings policies and procedures and speak to the designated safeguarding officer.