"We inspire creativity, imagination,belief, and lots of fun."
Teddy Bears
Childcare
Safeguarding
Intent
At Teddy Bears Childcare, we are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of every child in our care.
We believe this is not only a statutory and moral responsibility, but also essential to ensure that children who feel safe, secure, and happy can grow, learn, and reach their full potential.
Our team leads by example, setting standards of positive behaviour and mutual respect. We provide extra care and support for vulnerable children and those with additional needs.
We take seriously our duty to act on any suspicion, disclosure, or concern that a child may be at risk of harm.
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Reporting a Concern
If you have any concerns about a child at Teddy Bears Childcare, no matter how small they may seem, please speak to our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Leahna Carmichael (Deputy Manager.) or Melissa Simpson (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead)
All concerns will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. Where needed, we will work with the relevant parties—whether external agencies, staff, or parents—to make sure every child is safe and supported.
Leahna Carmichael
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Leahna is our Safeguarding Lead, ensuring every child at Teddy Bears Childcare is safe, happy, and well cared for. She is trained in child protection and works closely with staff and families to create a secure and nurturing environment. Leahna is always available to support children and parents, making sure safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do.
Melissa Simpson
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead & SENCo
Melissa is our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). She supports the safeguarding team to keep children safe and works closely with families and staff to ensure every child’s individual needs are recognised and supported. Melissa is passionate about inclusion and helping every child reach their full potential.
Advice Contact List – Lincolnshire, UK
Children and Family Service – For child protection concerns and referral support
📞 01724 296500
🕒 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Thursday, and 9 am to 4:30 pm on Fridays.
During evenings, weekends, and bank holidays, you can reach the out-of-hours service at 01724 296555
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Family Hubs (North Lincolnshire):
📞 01724 296500 (option 1 to find out more about available support.)
🕒 Monday–Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
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Humberside Police (non-emergency) – To report non-urgent incidents or seek crime-related advice
📞 101
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National Counter Terrorism Hotline – Report concerns about potential terrorist activity (confidential service)
📞 0800 789 321
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📞 0808 801 0366.
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The Blue Door:
📞 01724 841947
🕒 Monday–Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
What is Abuse and Neglect?
Abuse and neglect are forms of child maltreatment. A child may be harmed directly, or put at risk of harm when someone fails to act to protect them.
Abuse can happen in many places: within a family, in a community or childcare setting, or—less commonly—through strangers, including online. Children may be harmed by adults, or by other children and young people.
Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child.
Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond the child’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying (including cyberbullying), causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children.
Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:
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provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment);
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protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger;
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ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers); or
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ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.
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It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.
Sexual abuse happens when a child or young person is forced or persuaded to take part in sexual activities. This may occur with or without physical violence, and the child may not fully understand what is happening.
Abuse can involve physical contact, such as assault by penetration (e.g. rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts like masturbation, kissing, rubbing, or touching over clothing.
It can also include non-contact activities, such as making or encouraging a child to look at sexual images, watch sexual acts, behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or being groomed for future abuse (including online).
Sexual abuse can be carried out by men, women, or other children and young people.
How We Teach Our Children to Be Safe
At Teddy Bears Childcare, we help children learn how to keep themselves safe in ways that are age-appropriate, positive, and empowering. We do this by:
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Talking about feelings and boundaries: Helping children understand their emotions and teaching them to recognise when something doesn’t feel right.
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Safe touch and personal space: Teaching children about safe and unsafe touches in a simple, understandable way.
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Everyday safety: Encouraging safe practices at play, during activities, and when moving around the nursery or outside.
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Building confidence and self-expression: Giving children opportunities to speak up, ask for help, and express their needs.
Online awareness (age-appropriate): Introducing basic ideas about being safe when using digital devices or the internet, in simple, relatable ways.
Role modelling and guidance: Staff demonstrate safe behaviours, kindness, and respect, setting a positive example for children to follow.
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Through these activities, we aim to give children the skills, knowledge, and confidence to protect themselves and seek help when needed.
Keeping Safe Online
At Teddy Bears Childcare, including our after-school club, we help children understand how to stay safe online in ways that are age-appropriate and easy to understand. We do this by:
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Introducing basic online safety rules: Explaining to children what is safe to share and what should stay private.
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Encouraging open communication: Letting children know they can talk to staff if something they see online makes them feel worried, confused, or upset.
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Monitoring and guidance: Staff supervise online activities and provide guidance on safe and responsible use of devices.
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Age-appropriate resources and games: Using online learning tools and activities that are suitable for children’s age and understanding.
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Building digital confidence: Teaching children how to navigate online spaces safely, recognise risks, and make positive choices.
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Our goal is to ensure that children enjoy the benefits of digital technology while learning how to protect themselves and behave responsibly online.