Analyse how national and local guidelines, policies and procedures for safeguarding affect day to day work with children and young people. As well as having a safeguarding policy of our own at school, I am aware that Stoke-on-Trent City Council has its own safeguarding policy. This requires all organisations that work with children to co-operate to keep children safe from harm. The Stoke-on-Trent safeguarding children’s board is responsible for ensuring that all agencies and departments working within the area work in unity to support the welfare and safety of children. They monitor the success of the work that is done by local agencies to guarantee that all practitioners within the area have a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures, policies and requirements.
Education Act 2002 This tackles the responsibilities of local education authorities, governing bodies, head teachers and all those working in schools to ensure that children are safe and free from harm. What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused (2006) These guidelines deal with people working with children and how they can safeguard and promote their welfare – as well as what actions to take if they have concerns. Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) This legislation details the responsibilities of all organisations and people to be aware of, prevent and report hazards, accidents and incidents. Policies All schools should have local policies which ensure the safety, security and well-being of their pupils. In my setting there are the following policies/procedures: * Safeguarding Children – what action to take and who to go to (Child Protection Officer) if you have concerns or if a child makes a disclosure.
I make sure I go by all these in my work role so I know I’m safeguarding the children to the best of my ability. Observing and assessing children’s development is essential so you are alert to anything that is not expected of that child at their development, we should also keep parents/careers up to date. Duty of care contributes to the safeguarding contributes to the safeguarding or protection of individuals by protecting them from any harm weather it’s physical or psychological. IN our nursery we safeguard children by * Setting clear boundaries for children’s behaviour and using strategies to discourage behaviour which could harm others. We do this according to their developmental stage.
This means that you should spend some time going through the specific legal requirements and statutory guidance to ensure that your personal practice is complying. Suitable people – This section looks at the suitability of people to work with children and includes vetting procedures as well as issues such as training and fitness for work. It also covers child-staff ratios although the exact ratios are given in the documents appendix and are linked to children’s ages and the qualification levels of staff. Suitable premises, environment and equipment – this section aims to ensure that children are looked after in premises and environments that are safe. As with the safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare section, many of the legal requirements will apply to some of your day-to-day activities, for example checking that toys are safe and that the outdoor environment is clean.
The Education Act 2002 - This sets out responsibilities of Local Education Authorities (LEAs), governing bodies, head teachers and all those working in schools to ensure that children are safe and free from harm. Children Act 2004 - This provides the legal framework for Every Child Matters. It includes the requirement for: Services to work more closely, forming a integrated service A common assessment of children’s needs A shared data base of information which is relevant to the safety and welfare of children Earlier support for parents who are experiencing problems E- safety council - set up guidelines for the safe use of the internet and other technology in order to protect children and young people from harm Describe the roles of different agencies involved in safeguarding the welfare of the children and young people Doctor/ Hospital - doctor’s are usually the first person of call for their patients, and usually are first to pick up possible signs of physical abuse when examining a child or young person at their surgery. Social services - Social services have a duty to support vulnerable families. They must
201 Safeguarding the welfare of children and young people In order to the process of safeguarding in supporting teaching and learning in schools, it is important at the outset to clarify what safeguarding means exactly, and its difference from the idea of child protection: safeguarding also includes promoting their welfare. The statutory definition of safeguarding, and the promoting of welfare includes protecting children from maltreatment, preventing the impairment of children’s health and development, safe environment provision with effective care and positive enhancement of children’s optimum life changes. Safeguarding requires the practitioner to accept their role and involvement in activities such as:- Specific action to identify and protect children at risk of suffering significant harm. Activities directly designed to identify and support children who are vulnerable to poor outcomes and life circumstances. Seeking ways to improve the general health and wellbeing of all children In order for the practitioner to understand the full implications of safeguarding, it is important to be aware of one’s role, responsibilities and the understanding of the relevant safeguarding legislation, policies and procedures that apply to their role in the school.
Encouraging learning and development of children and young people. Assessing observations to identify additional support needs a child or young person will need (CAF) which is a common assessment framework, this system enables multi agencies to access and add information about children. The safeguarding of children and young people is an integral part of our everyday activities: wearing ID badges to identify ourselves; not putting ourselves at risk to possible complaints when dealing with children i.e. getting them to change out of their wet clothes themselves or by having other adults around if you must assist them; signing in/out at the work premises; anyone in contact with children have an enhanced CRB checked to ensuring we comply with current legislation . Every Child Matters, Human Rights, Health and Safety at work, Data Protection etc.
2.2 Roles and responsibilities when keeping children safe All governors and staff have a shared responsibility to safeguard children. They all have to be familiar with and follow setting’s procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children. However, there are certain designated persons in school with more specific roles and responsibilities, who must be contact to express concerns about a child’s welfare. All Staff and Volunteers To know how to work with the policy/procedures of the setting To know when and how to respond to when concern are raised To appreciate the guidance of the relevant Local Safeguarding Children Board To supervise children within set ratios To observe and monitor children to make sure they grown up in confidence To work as a part of professional team To monitor children health and general well- being To be a role model of positive behavior To be suitable qualified with full DBS clearance Protect children from harm from Internet/social media etc. Class teacher To work as a key person and actively engage with family in order to develop positive relationships and develop trust To maintain attendance record to maintain safe collection procedure for children The Designated Person for Child Protection (DPCP): has knowledge and skills for recognising and acting upon Child Protection concerns.
1. Why is it important to safeguard children and young people? Legislation, guidelines and policies place a duty on all those working in schools to ensure the health, safety and security of children in their care.The importance of safeguarding children and young people is also significant in enabling them to develop and reach their full potential. Failure to safeguard children and young people can have a negative impact on a child’s development and health. Children and young people need to be protected from neglect and abuse and have a safe environment in which to grow up in with parents, teachers and any other close adult being approachable and accessible if needed, should a child develop a difficulty that concerns them.
Section 47 states that the Local Authority has ‘a duty to investigate when there is a reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm’. Section 17 states that services must be put into place to ‘safeguard and promote the welfare of children within the area who are in need’. The Education Act 2002 This sets out the responsibilities of Local Education Authorities (LEAs), governing bodies, head teachers and all those working in schools to ensure that children are safe and free from harm. Children Act 2004 This provides the legal framework for Every Child Matters. It includes the requirement for: * services to work more closely, forming an integrated service * a ‘common’ assessment of children’s needs * a shared database of information