If an allegation of abuse is made against any member of staff or volunteer, he or she should Inform Company Safeguarding Leads- Cat Baker or Liz McCarthy immediately.

• Record all the details as known to them. Keep a signed and dated copy.
• If a staff member is the subject of an allegation of child abuse, that staff member will be asked to take leave from their duties on full pay until an investigation has been completed. In the case of a volunteer, he/she will be asked to withdraw from their work until an investigation has been completed.
• It should be made clear that suspension does not imply guilt but rather protects all parties while an investigation is undertaken.
• If a member of staff is found to have committed acts in relation to children and young people which are criminal or which contravene the principles and standards set out in this policy, Paint Pots will take disciplinary action and or any other action that may be appropriate to the circumstances.

Allegations against staff - Mandatory Actions

All reported or actual incidents or allegations of staff abuse must be reported immediately to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

The DSL must inform the local safeguarding children’s service of any allegations of serious harm or abuse by any person living, working or looking after children on the premises or elsewhere. Ofsted must be informed if the police or children’s services are involved with you or

anyone who lives or who is employed on the premises. The Group DSL and nominated person must inform Ofsted of any allegation of serious harm or abuse by any person living, working or looking after children on the premises or elsewhere or if the police have been involved.

Where concern does not meet the harm threshold, staff should refer to the low level concern policy found in the staff compliance handbook.