11 Safeguarding Legislation And Government Guidance

1.1 Safeguarding legislation and government guidance says that safeguarding means:
a) Protecting children from maltreatment,

b) Preventing impairment of children’s health or development, c) Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcome and
“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.” [Working together to safeguard children] Legislation guidelines, policies and procedures for safeguarding the welfare of children and young people including e-safety are – Children’s act 1989 & 2004 Education act 2002 E-safety 2008 Safeguarding Human rights act

The United Nations convention on the Rights of the Child 1989- which ensure that children are safe and looked after. Children have the right to be protected from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse , neglect, negligent treatment, maltreatment or explanation including sexual abuse by those who looking after them.
Children Act 1989:
Parents and professionals must work to ensure the safety of child. 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.

The Education Act (2002):
This sets out the responsibilities of Local Education Authorities (LEASs), 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.
Working Together to safeguard children (2010):
This sets out the duties of organisations and how they must work together to safeguard children and young people.
What to do if worried a child being abused (2006):
This is guidance to help those working with children with safe guard and promote their welfare. It also at the actions which all adults working with children should take if they are concerned.
Schools must develop arrange of policies which ensure the safety, security and wellbeing of their pupils. These will set out the responsibilities of staff and the producers that they must follow. Policies may be separate or incorporated into one health and safety policy, but they must include sections which cover the following issues of:
a) Safeguarding and protecting and procedures for reporting.
b) E-safety, bulling, including cyber-bullying.
Policies could include E-safety, Health & Safety policy, Child Protection Policy and Safeguarding Policy. These are implemented within the school setting and these policies are available upon request. Staff and voluntary staff should make themselves aware of where these are kept and try to familiarise themselves with them. The policies are drawn up to ensure a level of safety. Security and well being for their pupils. It also sets out the responsibilities of staff and the procedures that they must follow.
All adults within a school setting have the responsibility to safeguard the welfare of the children. There should also be a named member of staff that has the responsibility for safe-guarding and e-safety.
All schools have a responsibility to:
Monitor .keep records and share appropriate information with other agencies.
Observe for signs of abuse that may be happening.
Put policies into place policies and security systems for e-learning activities.
Provide training for all safe relating to safeguarding.
Know, support and protect children who are identified as ‘at risk’
Develop children’s awareness and knowledge about what is acceptable and non-acceptable behaviour.
The Department for Education provides guidance for local authorities including schools. Schools use the guidance which must be followed.

References: Working together to safeguard children(www.education .gov.uk)
Burnham, LOUISE &Baker, BRENDA (SUPPORTING TEACNING & LEARNING IN SCHOOL),2010

References: Working together to safeguard children(www.education .gov.uk) Burnham, LOUISE &Baker, BRENDA (SUPPORTING TEACNING & LEARNING IN SCHOOL),2010