Christmas 2024
Christmas information 2024
INFECTION PREVENTION CONTROL (IPC)
GUIDANCE FOR
SCHOOLS AND EARLY YEARS’ SETTINGS
December 2024
It is recommended that all schools and early years settings use National Guidance (link below) for managing infection prevention control and infectious diseases.
Infection Control for childcare settings in Knowsley
Guidance on infection control in schools and other childcare settings.
Report a serious childcare incident.
Ofsted-registered childminders, nannies, nurseries, and other daycare must use this service to report significant events affecting their childcare within 14 days.
What you must tell Ofsted
You must inform us about:
- the death of a child
- where a person’s suitability to look after children might be affected, including:
- involvement with social services or the police
- something significant affecting their health
- events that might affect the smooth running of the childcare, such as a fire or flooding at the premises
- serious accidents, injuries, or illnesses to a child, including confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus)
- food poisoning affecting 2 or more children
More information is available on what Ofsted sees as a serious accident, injury or illness that you must report.
Allegations of harm or abuse.
You must also tell Ofsted about any allegations of serious harm or abuse anywhere by any person at the premises who is:
- living there
- working there
- looking after children there
Ofsted's role in regulating childcare: poster for parents and contact information
Ofsted registers and inspects childcare for children aged from birth to 17 years. Registered childcare providers and childminders must meet requirements that relate to welfare and safety, the people providing the care and the organisation of the childcare. Childcare’s registered on the Early Years Register, who care for children aged from birth until 1 September following a child’s fifth birthday, also must meet requirements for children’s learning and development.
If you want to tell us anything about your child’s childcare, you can write to us at:
Applications,
Regulatory and Contact (ARC) Team Ofsted
Piccadilly Gate
Store Street
Manchester M1 2WD
If you would like more information about Ofsted’s role as the regulator of childcare,
you can visit our website: www.ofsted.gov.uk/early-years-and-childcare
Ofsted Contact Number: 0300 123 1231
Childcare services can display this poster. It has information about our responsibilities and how parents can contact them.
Knowsley Early Years and Education System (EYES) Provider Portal
Adult social care
Advice and support for adult social care in the Knowsley borough.
Adult social care | Knowsley Council
Mental health support
Advice and support services to help you look after your mental health including if you or someone you know need urgent mental health support.
https://www.knowsley.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/mental-health-support
Raise concerns about the welfare of a child
Sometimes you might suspect that a child is at risk of harm or neglect. In other cases, you may know of a family who could benefit from some additional support and help to look after a child better.
https://www.knowsley.gov.uk/residents/care/raise-concerns-about-a-child
Children who have concerns
If you are a child who is suffering from harm, neglect or abuse or are worried that another child may be suffering you can:
- Talk to someone outside your family that you trust like a teacher, school nurse, police officer or other person in authority.
- Contact the MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) Team on 0151 443 2600 and speak to someone from Social Care. A Social Worker works for the government and their job is to help you if you need to be protected from harm.
- Contact Merseyside Police on 101 (24-hour non-emergency number). In an emergency always dial 999. It is the Police’s job to protect you from harm and stop crimes being committed against you or other children.
- Contact Childline. Child Line is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of 19. You can contact a Child Line counsellor about anything -no problem is too big or too small. Call free on 0800 1111, have a 1-2-1 chat online or send an email.
Members of the public with concerns
If you are worried a child may be suffering significant harm, or if you are concerned a child has suffered harm, neglect, or abuse, please follow the advice below:
If you believe a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm, you should contact the police by dialling 999.
If you have concerns about a child or young person but believe they are not at immediate risk, you can:
- Discuss your concerns with a professional you trust such as a health visitor, teacher, or GP,
- Contact the MASH Team (see below) on 0151 443 2600 and choose from one of the options provided.
- Contact Merseyside Police on 101 (24-hour non-emergency number).
- The MASH provides a ‘first point of contact’ for Early Help and Children’s Social Care (CSC) enabling members of the public and professionals to raise concerns about the safety and welfare of Children. This may include Children identified as potentially needing support or as being at risk of suffering abuse.
- Operates between 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday and can be contacted via email (Knowsleymash@knowsley.gov.uk) or by dialling 0151 443 2600. Members of the public should always make contact by telephone.
Knowsley Cost of Living Support.
Please visit HERE
Please see document for providers open during the festive period