2.4.1 Working in Partnership with Parents |
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
This chapter explains how staff in playcentres should gather and share confidential information and arrangements for parents and their children.
This Chapter should be read in conjunction with Section 4, Recording Values and Principles of City of London Policy, Values and Principles and Safeguarding in Youth and Play Settings Procedure
Contents
1. Gathering and Sharing Information
The Playcentre management and staff should be committed to achieving good relationships and partnerships with parents, carers and children who attend the playcentre. The Playcentre staff should be approachable, polite and honest with parents and carers when sharing information regarding the child. Staff should make parents aware of the daily routines in the playcentre and notify them of any changes, such as an outing when parental permission will be sought. See Outings and Trips Procedure
1.1 Children's Personal Details
Parents and carers are the first educators of children and the playcentre staff acknowledge the input from parents regarding the child's stage of development. This information will assist the playcentre staff in future planning and the child's development. The staff will be able to use further information to provide a provision, which reflects the different values, cultures and race.
Parents should provide the Playcentre staff with any changes of details pertinent to their child/children, which could affect their attendance at the Playcentre.
Parents should inform the Playcentre of any change of information regarding a child's personal detail, change in parents details, if the child is in need of medication or has an allergy. Where required an Intimate Care Plan may have to be drawn up with the parents input (see Intimate Care Procedure). Parents should inform the playcentre staff of any confidential information, which it is felt the staff should know for the well being of the child.
Staff should liaise with parents who have children with Special Educational Needs to ensure all information is gathered regarding other agencies involvement and this may also require staff to conduct a Risk Assessment regarding the provision of the playcentre.
1.2 Confidentiality
The staff should recognise the importance of respecting and maintaining confidentiality of private information given by parents. Parents and children should have the right to expect to discuss personal matters with any member of staff in strict confidence. However should a member of staff have concerns that a child is likely to suffer Significant Harm this information should be shared with others without parental consent as it is in the child's best interest and the Safeguarding in Youth and Play Settings Procedure overrides any commitment to confidentiality.
1.3 Duties of Staff
All staff should have an obligation to safeguard the confidentiality of personal information. Staff must be aware that any breach of confidentiality maybe a matter of disciplinary action.
It is the Playcentre's duty to ensure all staff at the start of their induction and commencement of contract are aware of their duties regarding confidentiality.
Staff should make parents and children feel they have the opportunity to talk about health and safety or the development of the child in private a space where they cannot be overheard and time should be made available.
If a child or parent does not want their personal information shared then the staff must respect their wishes unless it compromises the child's welfare
2. Parental Responsibilities
2.1 During Holiday Periods
Parents should provide children attending the Playcentre during the holiday periods with a packed lunch, which should contain nutritional ingredients and ideally with an ice block. Children should be provided with adequate and appropriate clothing and covering according to the weather conditions egg sun hat or Wellingtons. Parents should not give more than the maximum amount of spending money as indicated on the outing form.
2.2 Payment of Fees
The Playcentre require that parents must pay the child's fees for attending the playcentre at the set date.
Parents must give one months notice for termination of the contract.
2.3 Collection of Children
Staff should make parents aware of the Playcentres collection procedures and times of operation.
Each Playcentre has information regarding their opening times.
If there is an emergency that means that the parent will be late in collecting their child, they must inform the Playcentre at the earliest opportunity. Parents should notify the staff no later than 5pm. Failing to do so will result in action being taken with Children's Social Care or the local Police as the playcentre is not be registered nor insured outside the opening hours.
Children will not be released to any person unknown to the staff unless the staff have been informed by the parent/guardians. Parents must ensure details of people collecting children are on the child's registration form. It is good practice that the Playcentre keeps photographs of all people allocated to collect children.
If the adult collecting the child does not have their details on the form, the staff should contact the parent or guardian to confirm the arrangements and should ask for some information for security reasons before releasing the child.
If children are collected late with prior arrangements, parents/guardians should note that the children are not insured after 6.00pm. Although full care will be given by the staff remaining, in case of accident of any nature after this time, the staff at the playcentre cannot take responsibility for insurance purposes.
If children are collected late a charge of £20.00 per quarter hour will be made to cover the costs of the staff remaining at the playcentre. This is because the staff are only contracted till the end of the session so any time after this will be paid as overtime.
Children's belongings should be clearly labelled. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to make sure that the children go home with all their belongings. The playcentre will not be held responsible for items left behind that go missing.
Parents will be asked to sign any relevant documentation regarding to the child, which could include the accident book and administration of medication.
3. Exclusion
Staff and parents should share information regarding the child's behaviour before the child is excluded from the Playcentre. The Playcentre should see exclusion as the last resort and should be avoided, especially where the parents give support. Staff should inform parents that if they have concerns regarding their child they should contact the Co-ordinator or deputy as soon as possible.
Children registered with the Playcentre will be excluded if their behaviour does not improve after speaking to them, trying to modify their behaviour and a consultation with the parent. Staff should discuss with the child and parent the seriousness of their behaviour and this should reflect on the amount of time the child will be excluded from the Playcentre. Staff should notify one week in advance in writing the amount of time the child will be excluded to allow parents time to make alternative arrangements for their child care.
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