Stepping Stones of Sopley

Summary of outcome

All early years providers must meet the legal requirements in the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage, which you can find at www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2. If we find that a provider is not meeting the requirements, we can take action to ensure they put matters right.

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Summary of outcome

On 13 January 2023 the provider notified us of a concern. The notification means that the provider met their legal responsibility as set out in the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage to notify Ofsted of a significant event which is likely to affect the suitability of the provider.

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Summary of outcome

On 21 February 2023, we carried out a regulatory visit. We found the provider was not meeting some of the requirements. We have served a welfare requirements notice. This is a legal notice that requires the provider to take the actions below within the timescales set out.

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Summary of outcome

ensure all staff know, understand, and follow safeguarding policies, including whistleblowing

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Summary of outcome

ensure staff responsible to take the lead for safeguarding improve their knowledge and understanding of all safeguarding matters, to provide support, advice and guidance to other staff when required

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Summary of outcome

implement effective and robust recruitment procedures to assess staff's suitability and ensure all adults looking after children, and committee members, are suitable to fulfil the requirements of their roles

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Summary of outcome

ensure that all risk assessments are robust, including the storage of mobile phones and the use of electronic devices

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Summary of outcome

ensure that confidential information is only accessible and available to those who have a right or a professional need to know.

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Summary of outcome

We will monitor the provider's response to ensure the actions are successfully completed.

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Summary of outcome

On 9 March 2023, we conducted a monitoring visit. We found the provider had met some of the safeguarding and welfare actions, but not others.

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Summary of outcome

The provider has re-issued the safeguarding policy to all staff and has been questioning staff on their knowledge of the safeguarding and whistleblowing policies. All staff have refreshed their knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures and are able to talk about what they would do if they had concerns about and adult or child in the setting.

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Summary of outcome

All staff files have reviewed, and additional information added. Suitability declarations have been completed for all staff.

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Summary of outcome

The manager has booked onto the local authority's safeguarding training to develop their knowledge and understanding of safeguarding practices further.

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Summary of outcome

Suitability checks are now being completed on all committee members and new DBS's have been requested for all staff and volunteers.

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Summary of outcome

The filing system has been revised and the nominated individual and the manager understand their responsibilities regarding sharing confidential information.

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Summary of outcome

However, the provider had not met the actions set regarding risk assessments. We have therefore served an additional welfare requirement notice. This is a legal notice that requires the provider to take the actions below within the timescales set out.

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Summary of outcome

n ensure that all risk assessments are robust, including the storage of mobile phones and the use of electronic devices On 21 March 2023 we conducted a monitoring visit. We found that the provider had ensured that all risk assessments are robust and now fully understands their responsibilities. They have introduced new systems for the monitoring and storage of mobile phones and have updated their mobile phone policy and shared this with the staff team. We are satisfied the provider has met the safeguarding and welfare actions raised.

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Summary of outcome

The provider is still registered with Ofsted.

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Publication of compliance action

We aim to ensure that the welfare of children and young people is protected in the services we regulate. The Childcare Act 2006 and accompanying regulations set out our responsibilities to regulate childminders and childcare providers. This includes the enforcement powers we have in relation to those registered providers who do not comply with the requirements for registration.

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Publication of compliance action

We publish details of any actions we take, or the childminder or childcare provider takes to bring about compliance with requirements on our website for a period of five years.

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Publication of compliance action

For further information please read the Early years compliance handbook which can be found here at www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-provider-non-compliance- action-by-ofsted .

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