Purpose of Policy

 

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that only authorised persons have access to SEN Space whilst in operation to protect the safety of children and staff in line with the Health and Safety Policy and Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.

 

Who is Responsible?

 

• The CEO has a responsibility to ensure that an appropriate security system is in place, and this is to be upheld by the manager alongside the CEO.

• All members of staff have a responsibility to ensure that the security of the setting is operational and is always used and adhered to.

• All members of staff have a responsibility to ensure that they are always vigilant and ensuring that access is only granted to authorised persons.

 

How will the Policy be Implemented?

 

Parents collecting children and visitors;

• The door to the premises is kept always closed from the outside. An entry system is in place whereby parents and carers can access SEN Space. The front gates will be locked apart from times that children are not in session, or at the beginning and end of sessions.

• Only authorised people listed on in the care plans will be allowed to collect children from SEN Space. These people must be over the age of 18 years.

• Where a person is not listed in the care plans tries to collect a child, they will be asked to wait with a member of staff whilst the primary carer for the child is contacted for confirmation that they are authorised to do so. The member of staff will explain the security policy to the person.

• If the member of staff cannot contact the parent, then they will contact the emergency contact.

• It is important parents are made aware that if someone is picking up a child that isn’t specified on the registration form, that arrangements for this must be done prior to the pickup, preferable at drop off.

• If anyone, other than those collecting children, required access to the setting, their visit must be pre-arranged with the Manager, and they must carry identification highlighting the organisation they represent. All visitors will be asked to sign in and out and wear a visitor’s lanyard. The only exception to this is The Early Years Team carrying out an inspection of the setting. Due to the nature of the inspections, they are not required to give notice that they are visiting the setting. However, on arrival they should sign in and show identification. They will then be escorted by a member of staff to the CEO / Manager. It should be noted that visitors should at no point have unsupervised access to the children.

• All members of staff, when answering the door to any visitor, other than those collecting children, must ask for identification and a clear explanation for their visit. The visitor must only be admitted when the manager is satisfied with the information provided.

• Visitors must be escorted off the premises by a member of staff and they will be asked to sign out when leaving the premises.

• Any person found on the premises without authorisation should be approached and asked for identification. If they cannot provide satisfactory identification or a reason why they are on the premises, they will be politely asked to leave ands will be escorted by a member if staff from the premises. A report should be filled in detailing the incident. If the person refuses to leave when asked, the member of staff should request assistance and the PSNI mat be called.

• Any incidences of unauthorised persons at the premises must be reported immediately to the manager, CEO and recorded in the incident book.

 

Members of Staff

 

All members of staff at SEN Space are screened thoroughly by the CEO and management before commencing employment. This screening includes

• Application for employment

• Interview

• 2 refences are sort, at least one from a previous employer.

• An Access NI check

• Medical declaration.

 

Children

 

• Upon entry to SEN Space, all children are registered and are not permitted to leave the premises until they have been collected by an authorised adult.

• Children are not permitted to open outside doors and must be always watched around doorways.

• All children must be signed out of the building on collection.

 

Policy written by Vikki Benton 12/9/23

To be reviewed 12/9/24