What safeguarding measures does Partou have in place?

Partou's safeguarding measures include enhanced DBS checks and full employment history review for every team member, Designated Safeguarding Leads in every nursery, continuous safeguarding training from day one of employment, secure entry systems, daily environment checks, a whistleblowing policy, and a clear process for referring concerns to relevant external agencies such as children's social care and the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

What DBS checks do Partou staff undergo?

Every Partou team member undergoes an enhanced DBS check. Successful candidates can start at our nurseries whilst a DBS check is underway upon receipt of two verified references. Where a candidate holds a DBS on the update service, we check the update and ask to see the original certificate. This is just one part of a robust recruitment process we have in place. We also carry out ongoing suitability checks to ensure our team members remain safe to work with children.

What is a Designated Safeguarding Lead and does every Partou nursery have one?

A Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is a trained professional responsible for managing safeguarding concerns within the nursery. Every Partou nursery has a DSL, supported by deputy DSLs often made up by the management team, to ensure there is always someone available to respond to concerns in line with our policies and procedures. DSLs are responsible for safeguarding records, referrals to external agencies, team member training and vigilance, and multi-agency working. We also have two Regional Designated Safeguarding Leads who are experts in child protection and safeguarding and provide advice, guidance and support to nursery DSLs and deputy DSLs.

How often do Partou staff receive safeguarding training?

All team members receive safeguarding training as part of their induction, and this is refreshed annually. Safeguarding is also discussed at team meetings and supervisions, to ensure knowledge remains current. All team members based in nurseries complete Partou Safeguarding Excellence within their probationary period, which is also renewed on a regular basis. Designated Safeguarding Leads receive additional, more advanced, training with the Local Authority aligned to their safeguarding partnership procedures.

What happens if a safeguarding concern is raised at a Partou nursery?

If a concern is raised, it is responded to promptly. Our team members follow clear safeguarding policies and procedures. Safeguarding concerns are reported to our nursery's Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). Where necessary, concerns are shared with external agencies, such as children's social care, to ensure children are protected from harm and our families receive any support they need. Any DSL also has the right to refer directly to these agencies at any time if they believe it is necessary.

How can I raise a concern about my child's safety at nursery?

If you have any concerns, please speak to your child's nursery manager and/or Designated Safeguarding Lead. You can also contact our customer service team. Partou encourages an open, positive safeguarding culture and will always take concerns seriously and respond appropriately.

Does Partou have CCTV in nurseries?

CCTV is in operation across many Partou settings. Where it is in place, CCTV is used in accordance with data protection legislation. Footage is accessible to the nursery manager for monitoring and to support any investigation following an incident. CCTV works alongside Partou's full range of safeguarding measures: it is one layer of protection, not a substitute for the training, culture, and vigilance of our team.

How does Partou work with Ofsted and Local Authorities on safeguarding?

Multi-agency working is central to how child protection functions in the early years sector, and Partou takes that seriously. Partou works closely with Ofsted and local safeguarding partners, including Local Authorities (LADO) and children's services (MASH). We follow statutory Ofsted reporting requirements, cooperate fully with external agencies, and contribute to multi-agency working to ensure the best outcomes for our children and families. Partou operates within the safeguarding partnership arrangements of the Local Authorities we work with. Partou Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) are trained in local referral procedures.

Safeguarding at Partou | How Partou keeps children safe and happy

Safeguarding is the everyday actions we take, and processes we follow to keep children safe from harm.

These allow us support children’s health, wellbeing, learning and development so that they are healthy, happy and well supported to achieve the best possible outcomes.

At Partou, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do

Every child has the right to feel safe, protected, respected and valued.

We are committed to creating environments where children can learn, grow and thrive with confidence, supported by caring professionals who put their welfare first.

Each nursery has a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who takes responsibility for overseeing safeguarding practice, supporting the team, and acting as the key point of contact for any concerns.

Through a culture of vigilance, accountability and continuous learning, we work together with families, colleagues and safeguarding partners to protect children from harm and promote their wellbeing.

Safeguarding is not a standalone responsibility; it is embedded in our values, our decisions and our daily practice, ensuring that every child receives the safe, nurturing start they deserve.

Safeguarding through recruitment

Recruiting the right people is a vital part of safeguarding at Partou and begins long before a new team member enters a nursery.

We follow a carefully designed recruitment process that ensures all candidates are suitable to work with young children, including thorough checks on employment history, structured interviews with specific safeguarding questions, and the verification of two employment references.

All team members undergo identity, qualification and enhanced DBS checks, with strict conditions in place for those awaiting clearance.

Safeguarding continues beyond recruitment through probationary reviews, regular manager check-ins and ongoing observations, ensuring every team member consistently demonstrates the professionalism, judgement and behaviours needed to keep children safe.

A Partou practitioner in a red polo shirt crouches beside a toddler at a blush-pink sand tray, making eye contact and smiling warmly as the child explores the sand with yellow and orange toy diggers. The practitioner

Safe and secure nurseries

At Partou, we create safe, secure, and welcoming environments through daily checks, careful planning, and attentive care.

Managers carry out twice-daily walk-throughs to ensure spaces are safe and well maintained. Risk assessments are tailored to each nursery and reviewed regularly, particularly following any incident, so we can continue to improve.

All nurseries have secure entry systems, including locked doors and intercom access. Visitors bring photo ID, which is checked and recorded on arrival. To protect privacy and safety, phone use is limited on-site, and team members store personal devices securely.

Many nurseries use CCTV as an additional safeguard, but our strongest protection is always our people their training, awareness, and commitment to keeping children safe.

We follow EYFS staffing ratios at all times, ensuring children are supported by attentive adults. Team members working with babies receive specialist training to provide the highest standard of care for our youngest children.

A Partou nursery key person in a red fleece holding and cuddling a young child in a yellow jumper, smiling warmly in a nursery classroom setting, supporting separation anxiety through secure, caring relationships.

Safeguarding training

At Partou, every team member completes safeguarding training before working with children, starting with essential training on their first day.

Those in child-facing roles go on to complete enhanced Safeguarding Excellence training, covering key areas such as safer sleep and the Prevent Duty, within their probation period and refreshed annually.

Face-to-face training with local authorities further strengthens knowledge, particularly for Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs), ensuring understanding of local procedures.

As team members progress into senior roles, they receive advanced DSL training to lead safeguarding practice, support colleagues, and manage reporting responsibilities.

This ongoing approach ensures our teams remain confident, knowledgeable, and focused on keeping children safe.

A Partou practitioner in a purple polo shirt sits cross-legged on the floor of a nursery book corner, with two toddlers nestled close beside her as she holds o…A Partou practitioner in a purple polo shirt sits cross-legged on the floor of a nursery book corner, with two toddlers nestled close beside her as she holds open a board book. She is smiling warmly as all three look at the pages together. One child, in a white leopard-print top, leans in from her lap while the other, in a white floral top, reaches towards the book with interest. The relaxed, floor-level setting and the children

Working with partners

Safeguarding at Partou is built on strong partnerships with external agencies and is never managed in isolation.

We work closely with Ofsted, Local Authorities, and wider safeguarding partners, following all statutory reporting requirements and contributing to multi-agency efforts to support the best outcomes for children and families.

In cases where families are already supported by services such as children’s social care, health visitors, or family support teams, we play an important role achieving the best outcomes for children.

A Partou practitioner in a red fleece crouches down in an outdoor play area with two toddlers, all three focused on exploring a tyre together. The practitioner is smiling broadly, pointing into the tyre and fully absorbed in the moment alongside the children. Both children, one in a navy fox-print puffer jacket and cream beanie and one in a silver-grey hooded coat, are leaning in with curiosity. The image captures the kind of warm, present, and unhurried adult attention that helps children feel safe and confident to explore.

How to raise a concern

If you have a concern about any child’s welfare, including your own child, here is how to raise it.

Within Partou:

Speak to the nursery manager or Designated Safeguarding Lead at your nursery. Concerns can be raised in person, by phone, or in writing. If your concern involves the nursery manager, you can contact the area manager directly, or reach Partou’s central customer service team, who will ensure your concern is escalated to the right person. Our complaints policy provides helpful guidance on raising concerns.

If you wish to contact an external agency directly:

Ofsted helpline: 0300 123 4666
NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000
Your local authority children’s services (searchable at gov.uk/find-local-council)

No family should ever feel that raising a concern is unwelcome. Partou operates an open-door approach to safeguarding. Every concern is taken seriously, recorded, and followed up.

A strong safeguarding culture helps families to choose a nursery with confidence and children to learn and thrive.

A transparent culture helps us all to support children’s safety and wellbeing to achieve the best possible outcomes. You can read further information on our approach to child protection, safer recruitment and ongoing suitability of team members or view our safeguarding family information guide.

If you would like to see our safeguarding approach up close, visiting your local nursery is the best way to do it. Ask about our Designated Safeguarding Lead, our training, our safer recruitment process or anything else, we’ll be happy to talk you through these.

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