This policy applies to all concerns (including allegations) about members of staff, including students, volunteers and agency staff. We ensure that all those working with children behave appropriately and the early identification and prompt and appropriate management of concerns about adult adults is critical to the effective safeguarding.  This section is based on concerns that do not meet the harm threshold, as defined in keeping children safe in education.
We recognise the importance of responding to and dealing with any concerns in a timely manner to safeguarding and welfare of children.

Concerns may arise through, for example:

1. Suspicion

2. Complai

3. Disclosure made by a child, parent or other adult within or outside the nursery

4. Pre-employment vetting checks.

Definition of low-level concerns​

The term low-level concern is any concer-No matter -That an adult working in, or on behalf of, the nursery may have acted in a way that : Is inconsistent with the staff code of conduct, including inappropriate conduct outside of the nursery

Does not meet the harm threshold or is otherwise not considered serious enough to consider a referral to the local authority designated officer (LADO).

The behaviour of the staff, student or volunteer may not relate directly to a particular child or children but may raise an issue or issues of concern with respect to safeguarding a child/children. This may potentially call into question the adult suitability to work with children.

Example examples of such behaviour could include, but are not limited to:

Being over friendly with children

Having favourites

Taking photos of children on their mobile phone

engaging with a child on a one-to-one basis in a secluded area or behind a closed door

Using inappropriate sexualised, intimidating or offensive language.

Sharing low-level concerns​

we recognise the importance of creating a culture of openness, trust and transparency and encouraging all staff to share low-level concerns so that they can be addressed appropriately.

Re-create this culture by:

.ensuring all staff are clear about what appropriate behaviour is, and are confident in differentiating expected and appropriate behaviour from .concerning, challenging or inappropriate behaviour, in themselves and other adult adults

.Having clear policies and procedure

.Empowering staff to self refer

.Addressing unprofessional behaviour and supporting the individual to correct it in an early stage

.Providing a responsive, sensitive and proportionate handling of such concerns when they are raise

.Helping to reflect on and identify any weaknesses in the nursery safeguarding procedure

.A low-level concern about a member of staff should be reported to the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and the manager following the nursery safeguarding children and child protection procedures. Staff should use the nursery low-level concerns reporting form 

Responding to low-level concerns

If a concern is raised via a third-party, the DSL/manager will collect evidence when necessary by speaking directly to the staff who raised the concerns, unless it has been raised anonymously, regardless of whether a written summary or low-level concerns form have been provided

if the staff member who raises the concern does not wish to be named, then the nursery should respect that person’s wishes as far as possible. However, there may be circumstances where the staff member who raised the concern will need to be named (for example, where there is a necessary in order to carry out a fair disciplinary process closed brackets and, for this reason, anonymously should never be promised two members of staff who share level concerns. Where possible, we would to encourage staff to consent to be named, as this will help to create a culture of openness and transparency. 

The DSL/manager will speak to any potential witnesses, unless advised not to do so by the LADO/other relevant external agencies, where they have been contacted

The DSL/manager will speak to the staff member about whom the low-level concern has been raised, unless advised not to do so by the LDO/other relevant external agencies where they have been contacted

The DSL/manager will use the information collected to categorise the type of behaviour and determine any further action, in line with our staff code of conduct

Allegations that meet the harm threshold will be referred to the LADO for advice

low-level concerns that the nursery film may need further guidance on will be referred to the LDO for for advice

Low-level concerns at the nursery field we can deal with eternity will be dealt with via the nursery safeguarding children and child protection procedures and/or disciplinary procedures

Where a low-level concern relates to agency staff, we will notify the agency, so any potential patterns of inappropriate behaviour can be identified.

Record

All low-level concerns will be recorded in writing. In addition to detail details of the concerns raised, records will include the context in which the concern was raised, any actions taken and the reasons for the decisions and action taken.

Records will be:

Reviewed so that the potential patterns of concerning, difficult or inappropriate behaviour can be ident

Retained at least until the volunteer, student or staff member leaves employment of the nursery

Kept confidential, held securely and comply with data protection act 2018 (DPA2018) and UK GDPR procedure.

Reviewing low-level

When reviewing records of low level concerns, patterns of concerning, challenging or inappropriate behaviour maybe identified. When this occurs, the DSL/manager will decide on a course of action, which may:

Disciplinary investigation and or proceed

.Management advice, including recommendations for training

.Referral to the LADO (where a pattern of behaviour moves from a concern to meeting the harm threshold).

.Pre-employment reference

We will not include low-level concerns and references unless

.The concern (or group of concerns) has met the threshold for a viral to the designated officer at the local authority LADO and is found to be substantiated and or the concern (or group of concerns) relates to issues which would be included in a reference, such as misconduct or poor performance.

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this policy was adopted on the 10th/08/2024

Signed on behalf of the nursery

A.Balmer

​Date for review September 2026