This may include acting out sexual activity on dolls/toys or in the role play area with their peers, drawing pictures that are inappropriate for a child, talking about sexual activities or using sexual language or words The symptoms may also include a dist inct change in a child's behaviour. They may be withdrawn or overly extroverted and outgoing. They may withdraw from a particular adult and become distressed if they reach out for them but they may also be particularly clingy to a potential abuser so all symptoms and signs should be looked at together and assessed as a whole. If a child starts to talk openly to an adult about abuse, they may be experiencing staff must record this in their words and report to the Compliance team (DSL): Staff will reassure the child and listen without interrupting if the child wishes to talk

- • detailed confidential report will be written • detailed confidential report will be written
- • the local authority designated officer/MASH will be notified. • the local authority designated officer/MASH will be notified.

#### Emotional abuse (including domestic abuse)

Action should be taken under this heading if the staff member has reason to believe that there is a severe, adverse effect on the behaviour and emotional development of a child, caused by persistent or severe ill treatment or rejection. This may include extremes of discipline where a child is shouted at or put down on a consistent basis, lack of emotional attachment by a parent or it may include parents or carers placing inappropriate age or developmental expectations upon them. Emotional abuse may also be imposed through the child witnessing domestic abuse and alcohol and drug misuse by adults caring for them. The child is likely to show extremes of emotion with this type of abuse also: this may include shying away from an adult who is abusing them, becoming withdrawn, aggressive, or clingy to receive their love and attention. This type of abuse is harder to identify as the child is not likely to show any physical signs.

- • concern should be discussed with the manager/room leader/registered person • concern should be discussed with the manager/room leader/registered person
- • concern will be discussed with the parent • concern will be discussed with the parent
- • discussions will be recorded, and the parent will have access to such records • discussions will be recorded, and the parent will have access to such records
- • the local authority safeguarding board/MASH will be notified • the local authority safeguarding board/MASH will be notified

#### Neglect

Action should be taken under this heading if the staff member has reason to believe that there has been persistent or severe neglect of a child (for example by exposure to any kind of danger, including cold and starvation and failure to seek medical treatment when required on behalf of the child), which results in serious impairment of the child's health or development, including failure to thrive. Signs may include a child persistently arriving at a setting unwashed or unkempt, wearing clothes that are too small (especially shoes that may restrict the child's growth or hurt

Mensah EduSport Ltd Mensahedusport@gmail.com 07956479095