Safeguarding Safeguarding is a term for the protection of people with a strong emphasis on prevention. when this refers to children many organisations could be involved within that process such as schools, social workers, GP and other medical or therapeutic services. All these may be needed to ensure the child's well-being and be a long-term help to the whole family. Safeguarding is important as it means all adults working with children have a responsibility to protect children from harm, we should always report our concerns so that the appropriate action can be taken and the right agencies involved to help resolve the issue raised. Dwelling on and ignoring our concerns only increases the risk to the child.
The Education Act sets out the responsibilities Children’s Act 1989 This act identifies the responsibilities of parents and professionals who must work to ensure the safety of a child. Two important sections focus specifically on child protection. The local authority has a duty to investigate when ‘they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child who lives, or is found in their area is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm’ services must be put in place by local authorities to ‘safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area who are in need. Education Act 2002 This sets out the responsibilities of local education authorities (LEA’s), governing bodies, head teachers and all those working in schools to ensure those children are safe and free from harm. Children Act 2004 This provides the legal framework 1.2 Describe the different agencies involved in safeguarding the welfare of children and young people The different agencies involved are: Social Services Police Health Services NSPCC Children’s social care Social Services They are there to work with the families.
Protection from the use of illicit drugs. The Children Act 1989 The Children Act 1989 came into force in October 1991. It brought together legislation on caring for and protecting children and is still the framework for safeguarding children and promoting their welfare. The Children Act 1989 is supported by the following principles: The child’s welfare is the paramount consideration in any decision which affects them A list of factors for the courts to assess what is in the welfare of the child, in a situation 4 Parental responsibility with the local authority for a child in care Partnership – professionals and families must work together for the welfare of children The child’s voice – a child’s wishes and feelings should be sought and taken into account in making decisions affecting them (if they are old enough to understand) Family is best – a child’s own family is the best place for a child to be brought up
School If a teacher or member of staff suspect a child is being abused or if a child has told someone they are being abused, they have the responsibility to contact the child protection officer at the school who would then contact social services and/or the police. NSPCC The charity organisation raises awareness of abuse and provides support to families and children. It also provides a helpline for people with concerns about a child or for a child that is being abused. There role is to protect children from
Safeguarding and promoting Children’s Welfare Every child receives and enjoys challenging learning and development experiences that meets their individual needs and make sure they are safe. Child minders must safeguard children at all times if abuse is suspected it must be reported and I must record it. Documentation In my setting I have all the relevant policies and procedures to do with safeguarding I must record any accidents and bruises and tell parents about any incidents that has happened when they arrive. Suitable premises environment and equipment Indoor spaces toys furniture and equipment must be safe and suitable for the children in my setting Organisation Child-minders have to plan and organise in their setting to ensure the children develop and achieve challenging learning experiences Data Protection Act
What is safeguarding? According to Working together to safeguard children (HM Government 2013), safeguarding is referred to as “the action we take to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm - is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play.” (1) Which means that everybody who comes into contact with children whether it be in a professional capacity for example a teacher, a doctor, or a police officer who are legally obligated to care for vulnerable citizens, or in an everyday encounter for example a neighbour or family member is responsible for the protection of children from harm and reporting concerns to the appropriate body. How do we safeguard young people?
Risk assessment Risk assessments are an important factor in safeguarding children and in my day to day work, before carrying out any activity with children and young people I am required through my setting policies and procedures to carry out a risk assessment first to make sure all involved is safe, for example, if I were to plan an activity, such as an art and craft activity I would need to risk assess the potential danger of scissors, small objects, i.e beads and amend my plan accordingly to suit each individual. Ensuring the voice of the child or young person is heard Advocacy safeguards children and young people and protects them from abuse and poor practice. The
It is important that care givers follow this as if a child comes to harm or has suffered neglect the caregiver could face legal action. The children’s act (2004) is the piece of legislation that outlines the national framework for delivering children’s services and created the Every Child Matters five outcomes for children/young people which all professionals must work towards. Framework for assessment for children in need and their families is a policy to protect children from all types of harm and ensure that their development needs are responded to appropriately, a framework has been developed to provide a systematic way of analysing, understanding, and recording what is happening to children/young people within their families
• Operating a safeguarding children allegations and complaints procedure and provide training for all NCMA employees so that they are aware of their specific responsibilities as either a “non-designated” or “designated” staff member. • Providing access (and, where applicable, training) to information, advice and guidance on our safeguarding children allegations and complaints procedure for casual workers, sub-contractors, key volunteers and trustees to understand their responsibilities. • Supporting good practice in home-based childcare in relation to safeguarding children by campaigning at a local level for access to safeguarding children training, including access to ongoing training on the Local Safeguarding Children Board’s (LSCB) procedures. • In England and Wales maintaining relationships with Ofsted and the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) in relation to responding to concerns. • Having complaints procedures.
1.1 Working with children and family takes places within a legal context, Section 11 of the children Act 2004 places a statutory duty on the key people and bodies to make arrangement to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Though my project contains mainly adult with learning difficulties, all organisations that works with children and family share a common commitment to safeguard and promote their welfare and for many agencies that is underpinned by a statutory duty. It is very important that all organisation working to safeguard children understands their full responsibilities, accountability and duties as set out by the law Working Together to safeguard children sets out the guidelines on how organisation and individuals should work together to safeguard and promotes the welfare of children and young people. This policy states that all organisations that provide services or work with children and young people should: 1.Have senior managers that are committed to children and young people safeguard and promotes children, 2. Be clear about people’s responsibilities to safeguard and promote children’s welfare.