Explain How To Safeguard Children

1523 Words7 Pages
For the purposes of this assignment a child is a person under the age of 18 years as defined in the Children (NI) Order 1995. Throughout this assignment the term he, him should also mean she, her etc. The policies, procedures and practices to safeguard children should be based on the following principles: • The child’s welfare must always be paramount and this overrides all other considerations: • Children have the right to be heard, listened to and their concerns to be taken seriously. Taking in to consideration their age and understanding they should be consulted and involved in decisions that may affect their lives; • Parents/ Carers have the right to be respected and they should be consulted in matters which concern their families. • Individuals and agencies should work together so that the best interests of the child are met; • Actions taken to protect children, including investigation, should not cause the child unnecessary distress; The Legislative context which children are protected includes: United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The most important articles in relation to the child protection are: • Article 19 provides that children have the right to be protected from all form of physical or mental violence, injury or…show more content…
When the appropriate authorities have to take action to protect a child, consideration will have to be given to the human rights of the child and the family. Sometimes it may be necessary to infringe on such rights, for both the parent and the child, e.g. the right to a private and family life. When these rights are infringed, the reasons must be clearly
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