Leadership and management
Childminders, or a practitioner in an Early Years setting, must take the lead responsibility for safeguarding children. This role is sometimes called a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). Larger settings may also have a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
DSL training is available from the Coventry Early Years Quality, Improvement and Standards Team. Both initial training and refresher training is offered termly. This training is consistent with the criteria set out in Annex C of the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework.
Training information can be found on our Eventbrite page.
Supervision
The EYFS Statutory Framework requires all early years providers to have appropriate supervision arrangements in place for staff who have regular contact with children and families.
Effective supervision should provide support, coaching and training, promote the interests of children, and foster a culture of mutual support, teamwork and continuous improvement.
Supervision meetings should offer opportunities for practitioners to discuss children's development and wellbeing, including any safeguarding or child protection concerns, identify solutions to issues as they arise, and receive coaching to enhance their practice and professional effectiveness.
Supervision should be a regular and confidential process that supports staff wellbeing, strengthens safeguarding practice and contributes to high-quality outcomes for children.
Our downloadable Supervision Toolkit is available for all Coventry early years providers to use and contains further information and templates which can be used.