Nanny abusing children - DESPERATELY NEED ADVICE

Berating the OP for trusting the agency and not checking things is hardly helping. I am sure she feels crap as it is.

Definitely call the police. She has assaulted your children. Throwing something at a baby's head ffs!

I would talk to the agency first!

Call the police and have them ready at the house when she arrives for her next working day.

Shit. im angry for you. Your poor, poor children

surely agencies make sure that all nannies are crbed/dbs

You'd think so, but no...some don't at all, some just do a cursory flick through, some accept a check that's 5 years out of date. And some actually do their job properly but the loophole is that the responsiblity rests with the parent.

surely agencies make sure that all nannies are crbed/dbs - and as vicar said as a parent you would check this - why on earth would you hire someone who wasnt

and if the agency said she was but isnt then you should sue the agency

but that doesnt help you at the moment, so if you think your 9yr is telling the truth then you need to suspend the nanny now, if you carry on having them care for your child it means you arent that worried and can go against you

how long has this nanny been looking after your children? could your 9yr want her sacked and you to give up work?

you say she wont be left alone with them/do you not work/or taken some emergency leave?

contact the police and agency and ss

I agree with NomDeClavier and Bearandcub.
As much as you probably want to tear her to shreds, you do have to follow guidelines.
Is she still working in your house? You said the nanny doesn't know you know and that you don't leave her alone with the children anymore.
You need to get her out ASAP and not let her near the children. Make some excuse if you have to, but allowing her to continue caring for the kids just weakens any official complaint you make and also sends a potentially harmful message to your children that you are not protecting them.

Without proof you may be able to lodge a complaint, but I don't know if you will succeed in having her struck off. It's a horrid thing to be abused in your own home.
If you do hire a new nanny, please choose someone with loads of experience, training and absolutely follow up at least 2 references.

As a previous nanny of 20 years I unfortunately know families who have been through similar situations. I sadly had to finish a friendship with another nanny because she admitted to me that she had 'slapped' a child in her care. I told her employer and she was fired.
Not just nannies though. I have also witnessed nursery staff being far too firm physically with a child and I reported that too.

Hope it all works out and you and your children can move forward in time.

Someone assaults my child, I wouldn't just be sacking them. I would be talking to the police. They have trained professionals that deal with child victims all the time. They know how to question them to get a conviction.

I would be speaking to the local police, today.

Don't set up a hidden camera!!! It might seem very tempting and give you proof but it will ruin any case because there are laws against filming people without notifying them about it first - hence all the signs about CCTV you see. Get advice from the police about what you can do.

How horrible for you all. You know your child, and are in the best position to judge the truth in what she's saying. I would not mention anything to the nanny for the time being. If she's due to work soon, I'd make some excuse as to why you don't need her for a couple of days (grandparents visiting, your ill, going away etc) I'd then use those days to contain all of the agencies/police to get as much advice as possible. Literally ring everyone and get informed about the best course of action. I would worry that having her back to work as usual would harm your case.
One word of warning; I would take what your child is saying with a pinch of salt. A 9 year old may be clever enough to know that saying these things will result in getting the nanny to leave; just a thought. Not suggesting your child is making this up, but I'd have the thought in the back of your mind. Like I said you know your child; I'd know if my child was telling the truth! So follow your gut instinct. If you believe this had happened I'd do everything in my power to endure the nanny never worked with children again.
I saw a programme on tv about something similar, and family set up secret camera to catch nanny. Left children and sure enough she started the abusive behaviour. This provided proof and nanny was prosecuted. Obviously not sure I'd recommend
this as it means leaving your child to be abused!!! But the nanny got caught and it saved other children going through the same. Bit controversial, but thought id mention it. Don't think I could do it, but others may think this at least gives you justice. Cause sadly, without proof, this nanny is likely to move on very easily and continue in childcare.
I really feel for you and your children, and want to wish you the very best of luck in whatever course of action you take. Xx

Police and report as a Safeguarding matter to your Local Children's Safeguarding Board whose number will be under the Children and Families section of your Local Authority's website.

When did she start working for you and is she your employee or through an agency?

What an awful situation. As you are sacking her for harming a child you must report to the DBS

You should also tell the agency she came through and ask them for confirmation of all the checks. Do be aware that it is your responsibility as an employer, not theirs as a placement service, to ensure an employee's suitability, but if they explicitly stated everything was in order and didn't do a DBS check they lied. In that case check to see whether they are a member of the ANA or the REC and complain to them (and I'd be inclined to go public with it too).

CAB, and your employers liability insurance to see whether you have legal advice with them, to get information about dismissing her properly.

Do NOT let her back near your children. It will weaken your case irreparably.

Contact the police to investigate bringing charges so this goes properly on record.

Just because she's Filipina doesn't mean she's not registered with OFSTED. It's worth calling them to check and if she is than lodge your concerns with them too.

Confront her, ask her straight out if she smacked your 9 year olds legs. She may admit it and if so dismissal will be a lot easier. If they deny it, then it will be trickier but you can dismiss them with notice and insist they do not work that notice - but means you would still pay the notice period.

I would seek advice from social services - there should be a central number, sometimes called a contact centre, run by your local authority/county council. They may not be able to do anything but they may log it.

Certainly let the agency know. However unless your nanny admits it, then there is no evidence, just a suspicion.

Your 9 year old is probably telling the truth, you know when they are and when they are making something up. So the nanny needs to leave immediately, though you must follow the correct procedure. ACAS.org.uk can advise on employment law, dismissal procedures. They may also be able to tell you about what you can and can not say in a reference.

Good luck, not a nice situation. What will you do about childcare, as presumably you still need a nanny?

How horrible! Really tricky situation if you have no physical proof.

Easy to say this in hindsight, but It's always essential to document everything if you had niggling doubts. You say the baby was scared of her? This should have rung big alarm bells. Babies don't react that way for no good reason. All good nannies should be able to account for their day/actions through documentation too. This at least would give you firm times and dates for where/when she was with your children and what she was doing and also how your children were disciplined/ played/ate/slept/behaved, which can also be very telling.

I would contact the police or social services and take their advice.
Contact your agency and request they investigate her.

How old was your nanny? Nothing excuses the abuse of children, but it's never wise to leave children with someone young and inexperienced who can't cope with the heavy demands of childcare.

This was one of the reasons I didn't return to work and stayed home after my son was born. Just can't trust anyone.

Good luck.

Which agency did you use?

How did you manage to find out she wasn't CRB checked after all?

Yes you need to talk to the agency as well then.

.

I would ring the 101 police number to ask for advice.

I would also speak to the agency that matched you too then, as they would rehire her to another family if you do not inform them of her behaviour.

If she was introduced through an agency they may be registered with ofsted, you could check on the website via the agency name.

Have you spoken to the agency?

Really surprised at you hiring someone whose background you haven't checked When is she due back to work?

I'd also say definitely contact the Police - how terrible for you all. Good luck.