Task 1: Write an explanation of: * what it means to have a duty of care in own work role * How duty of care contributes to the safeguarding or protection of individuals Duty of care is a requirement and obligation that a person in a caring role has to make sure that others are taken care of and not harmed. It includes watching out for potential hazards and trying to prevent mistakes and accidents. It is important because of a duty of care is not met then the responsible person can be held accountable if things go wrong. A carer in early years has a duty of care to protect the children in their care by following the legislation and the policies and procedures that are in place at the workplace. Policies and procedures are put in place so that there are rules and boundaries to make sure that people know how to work in the setting and what is expected of them to prevent harm and danger to others in the work setting.
Child protection is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the activity that is under taken to protect specific children who are suffering or are likely to suffer significant harm. Effective child protection is essential as part of wider work to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. However, all agencies and individuals should aim to proactively safeguard and promote the welfare of children so that the need for action to promote children from harm is reduced. 1.2 2.3 Children should be raised in positive circumstances by providing safe and caring environments.
Task 1 links to learning outcome 1, assessment criteria 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4. You will need to provide information on the following: A) A description of the factors to take into account when planning healthy and safe indoor and outdoor environments and services • the individual needs, age and abilities of the children and young people: When setting up a learning environment in the setting the specific needs of children and young people need to be taken into account. For example, the different age groups, different abilities and needs of children and young people. When teaching children who have Special Educational Needs careful planning and consideration should be given for their safety when learning. • specific risks to individuals such as pregnancy, sensory impairments: specific risks such as pregnancy and sensory impairment need to be taken into account when planning in for learning in the environment.
CYP Core 3.4: Support children’s and young people’s health and safety 1.Understand how to plan and provide environments that support children and young people’s health and safety. 1.1 There are a number of factors to take into consideration when planning activities for children to ensure they have healthy and safe environments, in which to develop and thrive without being presented with unnecessary hazards. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 covers many health and safety legislations in England and Wales. These include, RIDDOR, COSHH, First Aid, Fire Regulations etc. All of these legislations need to be understood and adhered to when planning any activities.
Assessment Task – CYP Core 3.4 Support Children and Young People’s Health and Safety Introduction Providing children and young people with a safe environment requires knowledge and understanding of potential hazards and risks. Task 1 links to learning and outcome 1, assessment criteria 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4. You are asked to provide a resource to inform staff in the setting about health and safety issues. You will need to provide: 1.1 A description of the factors to take into account when planning healthy and safe indoor and outdoor environments and services. There are a variety of different factors that should be taken into account when planning safe and healthy environments.
Another value of a multi-professional approach is that they can safeguard children when abuse is noticed or suspected, the multi-agency team comes together to take any necessary steps to protect the child and can also support the family. The value of working in a multi-professional approach, when working with parents is by providing and supporting families with what they need. For example if families are living in poor quality and poorly maintained housing which may have damp in, this can cause diseases for instance asthma. This will affect the children’s learning and development as they will be ill or taking time of school. As Maslow’s hierarchy places needs in order which is most important and the first basic physical need is shelter which is priority.
1.2 Explain how duty of care contributes to the safeguarding of individuals. All workers in a childcare setting have a ‘duty of care’ to protect both children and other co-workers. Duty of care means that a person or group has a responsibility to ensure that there is reasonable standard of attention and care given to avoid neglect which may lead to or cause harm to others. It is important to excersice duty of care, especially in young children to help them to develop immune systems which can protect them from childhood illness and other diseases, which may cause them harm ot disable them later in life. Children develop the ability to see potential dangers and learn how to deal with them.
SHC 34: Principles for implementing duty of care in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings 1.1: Explain what it means to have a duty of care in own work role. When you are described as having a duty of care it means that you have a responsibility to ensure that others are not in any danger or in the way of harm during a particular task or activity. It includes making sure that you pay appropriate attention to others whilst observing the area for potential hazards, mistakes or accidents along with being able to make clear and concise decisions and choices about the steps that need to be taken in a particular role. If a roles requires a duty of care and the individual in that role fails to provide the duty of care then negligence may occur, as a result of this they will be held accountable and action may be taken. There is a benchmark which is the standard of care this describes the minimum quality and amount of care that needs to be provided under a duty of care.
Tassoni. P (2007) says that “we need to work as part of a team to provide a quality service for children and their parents”. We also need to work with the parents and show respect towards them and encourage parent’s involvement within the setting. Tassoni says that “early years setting will have a management structure which should clarify practitioner’s responsibilities”. A responsibility practitioners have is to make sure the health of the child is paramount this could be by preventing hazards and carrying out risk assessments and safety checks.
Introduction to the Duty of Care We can explain as a anyone who works in a child care has a duty to keep children safe. Our duty to look after them because childrens are vulnerable in someway , this are most likely ,their age , state of health ,social circumstances or other factors. Also our duty to the child physical and mental well being ensured. Providing care and support for a child within the law and also within policies , procedures.It is all about avoiding abuse and injury . ( Describe how the duty of care affects your own work role) My role to the duty of care ,i have to raise any concern about any aspect of my work .