Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) policy
Links to Every Child Matters
* Helping children to be healthy
* Protecting children from harm and neglect and keeping them safe
* Helping children to achieve well and enjoy what they do
* Helping children make a positive contribution
* Organisation
Links to National Standards
* All of the National Standards
Links to legislation and key guidance
* Children Act (CA) 1989 and 2004
* United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989
* International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) 1989
* Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998
* Every Child Matters - Change for Children (ECM) 2004
* Human Rights Act (HRA) 1998
* Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) 2000
* Computer Misuse Act 1990
* Copyright, etc. and Trade Marks (Offences and Enforcement Act 2002
Further information
* www.direct.gov.uk
A good policy includes
* How you inform staff about the correct use of computers (procedure)
* How you decide that computers are only to be used for work related issues
* How you ask parental permission for their children using computers (procedure)
* How you ask parental permission for photographs, and clearly state what they will be used for (procedure)
* How children are supervised when they use computers (procedure)
What this means in practice:
* Confidential information relating to children and families is kept securely and only key staff have access to passwords. All members of staff and any users of the service who are able to use computers are informed of the ICT policy. Staff are informed that they must not download or send any offensive materials, in line with the setting's equal opportunities policy.
Staff have to sign that they agree to the setting's terms and conditions regarding using the computers at work.
* Any remote discs are checked for viruses before installing them on any computer.
* Children are supervised at all times when they are on the computer and certain websites are blocked to ensure that only suitable sites are visited.
* Parents give their signed consent to photographs being taken of their child. Parents are informed of the purpose/s for which the photographs will be used, for example, for their children's profiles, displays within the setting and the setting's prospectus. Photographs are not to be taken without the consent of the senior management team. All staff, students and volunteers are made aware of this policy. For any additional photography, videoing or filming, parental consent is sought.
Document and information policy
Links to Every Child Matters
* Helping children to be healthy
* Protecting children from harm and neglect and keeping them safe
* Helping children to achieve well and enjoy what they do
* Helping children make a positive contribution
* Organisation
Links to National Standards
All of the National Standards
Links to legislation and key guidance
* Children Act (CA) 1989 and 2004
* United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989
* International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) 1989
* Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998
* Every Child Matters - Change for Children (ECM) 2004
* Human Rights Act (HRA) 1998
* Freedom of Information Act 2000
* Computer Misuse Act 1990
* Copyright, etc. and Trade Marks (Offences and Enforcement Act 2002
Further information
* www.plainenglish.co.uk
* www.direct.gov.uk
A good policy includes:
* How you make sure your policies and procedures are kept updated in line with legislation and good practice
* How you ensure transparency wherever possible
* How you inform parents about the documentation that you store relating to them and their children (procedure)
* How you inform parents where the information is stored (procedure)
* How staff are made aware that only factual information is to be recorded about children and their families
* How you keep on file information relating to staff, students and volunteers (procedure)
What this means in practice:
Before children start at the setting, the manager ensures that all information is recorded relating to the child and their family in line with the requirements of registration - for example, the child's date of birth and parents' contact details are in place. It is the on-site manager's responsibility to ensure that children's records are kept updated; this includes changes to address and personal information.
Information is stored effectively; staff are aware of where children's records are and where the setting's policies and procedures are kept. Any observational notes that are made on children and their family are checked by the senior management team, for example, observations that may relate to safeguarding children issues. The senior management team know to contact Ofsted if there are any changes to the setting; they do this by telephone and in writing.
In line with the Freedom of Information and Data Protection Acts, parents know that they can access information about themselves and their children.
Staff never, under any circumstances, pass on information regarding children and their families to third parties, unless this is authorised by the senior management team.
Complaints procedure
Links to Every Child Matters
* Helping children to be healthy
* Protecting children from harm and neglect and keeping them safe
* Helping children to achieve well and enjoy what they do
* Helping children make a positive contribution
* Organisation
Links to National Standards
All of the National Standards
Links to legislation and key guidance
* Children Act (CA) 1989 and 2004
* United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989
* International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) 1989
* Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998
* Every Child Matters - Change for Children (ECM) 2004
* Human Rights Act (HRA) 1998
* Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) 2000
Further information
www.directgov.co.uk
A good policy includes:
* How parents are made aware of your complaints policy and procedure
* How you state Ofsted's contact details
* How you make sure that Ofsted will be informed if any complaint relates to the National Standards
* How you state the complaints process when you receive a complaint (procedure)
* How you keep records that relate to complaints made by parents and other individuals (procedure)
What this means in practice:
All complaints are taken seriously, no matter if they appear trivial. A complaints pro forma is used to log all complaints, especially if they relate to the National Standards. Parents are informed of the complaints process, for example, they know to speak to their child's key person in the first instance. However, they know that they can also speak to a senior member of staff. Parents have a choice to make the complaint in writing or by speaking to a member of staff about their concerns. Parents are confident their complaints are listened to and acted upon. A copy of the complaints pro forma is shared with parents and Ofsted. The senior management team are aware that Ofsted may ask them to investigate a complaint that they have received or expect a visit from Ofsted, depending on the nature of the complaint.
The setting has a complaints, comments and compliments box, which parents are encouraged to use. Parental views are sought via questionnaires. The Ofsted parents poster is displayed with contact details. The complaints policy and procedure also states Ofsted contact details.
Ofsted's contact for parents:
Telephone: 08456 404040 or e-mail enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
About this series
Registration requires settings to have certain key policies and procedures.
In addition to these, there are other documents that need to be in place that reflect good practice. This series aims to:
* Explain what needs to be included within these policies and procedures.
* Show providers how to link their policies and procedures to the Every Child Matters outcomes and to relevant legislation and guidance.
* Show how to include staff in the development of the policies and procedures.
* Demonstrate the importance of sharing the policies and procedures with parents and stakeholders
Points to remember:
Policies and procedures should:
* reflect the practice on offer
* be reviewed and monitored on a regular basis
* be updated in accordance to legislation and guidance
* be accessible and available at all times
