…learning through play

Parent Under the Influence

This policy has been written to protect children from parents who arrive to collect their child while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

After consultation with the Local Authority Safeguarding Partners and Ofsted (Early Years duty desk) the following information is shared with parents:

If a parent appears to be drunk or clearly under the influence of drugs (prescription or illegal) and it is apparent that s/he is not fit to drive or incapacitated to take care of the child, I must not release the child from my care and do the following:

1. Phone emergency contacts to whom parents have given authorisation to collect their child.

Note the EYFS requires me to ask parents for 2 additional emergency contacts for their child.

2. In case of not being able to reach emergency contacts, contact the police and the Local Authority emergency number for guidance.

The police and Local Authority are agencies with statutory child protection powers and will act quickly to secure the immediate safety of a child where there is a risk to his/her life or a likelihood of serious immediate harm.

Ofsted advise that the provider’s duty and responsibility is to prevent the child from being harmed. For this reason, I must ensure the child’s safeguarding and must not release the child from my care. This is not the same as removing a child from parents, which must not be done. However, if I feel threatened by the parent who is under the influence, I must let the child go and immediately ring the police.

If you have any concerns regarding this policy please discuss them with me.

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     stacey@staceyroberts-childminding.com