Safeguarding Children
Nottingham City Safeguarding Children Partnership (NCSCP) is the forum for agreeing how services, agencies, organisations and the community safeguard children and improve their wellbeing.
The NCSCP, through its partner agencies, organisations and the community, is working to secure the best possible outcomes for children and young people by protecting them from all forms of abuse and neglect.
This is achieved by providing the procedures to be followed in relation to safeguarding children and young people, in addition to support, advice, information and training.
A wealth of safeguarding information and resources can be found on the NCSCP Website and our CPD Offer includes courses on Introduction to Safeguarding Children, Safeguarding Children Refresher Training, Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) Training and Safer Recruitment. We also host a termly PVI DSL Network to keep designated DSL's up to date. Check out our CPD pages for the latest upcoming dates!
Why are changes being made?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework is mandatory for all early years settings. It sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe.
The Department for Education (DfE) continually monitors and reviews safeguarding requirements for early years settings to ensure they are comprehensive and suitably robust to help providers keep children as safe as possible.
A consultation on proposals to strengthen the EYFS safeguarding requirements was held between 22 April and 17 June 2024, with 1470 responses received.
Summary of the Government’s response.
After careful consideration of the consultation responses, there is clear agreement from respondents that the proposed changes to the EYFS safeguarding requirements would improve children’s safety and align with current best practice in early years settings. Therefore, the Government will proceed with implementing all of the safeguarding proposals that were consulted on, with minor changes to the wording of some for additional clarity.
The full consultation response can be found here: Early Years Foundation Stage safeguarding reforms - consultation response
What does this mean for you?
From 1 September 2025, all registered early years providers must follow the new EYFS framework. Whatever your role and type of setting you work in, you’ll need to be working to the new framework. Ahead of then, it is important for you to make sure you understand what is changing and how this might impact your practice.
How can we help you?
We are pleased to announce that we have commissioned Karen Shead to support the Early Years team to disseminate the information to childcare providers in the City. Karen will be preparing useful resources which will be accessible shortly on this page of the Early Years website. Karen will also be presenting at the Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) Network on the 11th June 2025 and the Childminder Network session on Tuesday 1st July 6:30 - 8:00 pm Book here We strongly recommend attendance at one of these sessions.
Useful Documents
The Multi Agency Safeguarding (Children) Hub (City MASH) is the single point of contact for all professionals to report safeguarding concerns and receives referrals in respect of children where there are worries about their welfare. You can download the latest MASH poster to display in your settings here.
The Multi Agency Referral Form (MARF) has been developed for professionals to use when making a referral to City MASH.
Please consult the ‘Threshold of Needs’ document when considering whether a child is in need of Help/Support/Safeguarding/Protection.
Find out more information about the City MASH & MARF here, but please remember, if you believe there is immediate risk of significant harm please contact the Police on 999, who will then liaise with City MASH.
- If your query relates to a LADO matter about an adult in a position of trust, please complete the Online LADO Referral Form
- If your query relates to a child or young person, please complete the online Multi-Agency Referral Form (MARF). You will need to log in to do this and will be sent a PDF version of your referral. You will also receive email updates on the progression of your referral.
- For any other safeguarding queries, please email the NCSCP at safeguarding.partnership@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
These bite sized briefing sheets have been developed from the learning from Serious Case Reviews:
