1.2 Explain how duty of care contributes to the safeguarding or protection of individuals:
‘Duty of Care’ means providing care and support for individuals within the law and also within the policies, procedures and agreed ways of working of your employer. It is about avoiding abuse and injury to individuals, their friends and family and their property.
Duty of care is to keep children and young people safe and to protect them from sexual, physical and emotional harm. Children have a right to be safe and to be treated with respect and dignity, we as adults must take reasonable steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children. Failure to do this could be classed as professional neglect. We must always act and be seen to act in the child’s best interests. At the heart of The Children Act 1989 is the belief that ‘the welfare of the child is the paramount decision’.
Duty of care safeguards children by our setting having carried out risk assessments and precautions taken to avoid accidents or the spreading of infections. Correct procedures must be followed if there are any concerns for a child’s wellbeing and clear boundaries need to be set, depending on age, stage and development. Any behaviour which could result in a child being harmed or upset must be discouraged.
Our setting follows the EYFS guidelines by ensuring that the premises and equipment are kept clean and comply with the requirements of Health and Safety Legislations. We implement a Health and Safety Policy and Procedures which cover identifying, reporting and dealing with accidents, hazards and faulty equipment. The premises and equipment are organised in a way that meets the needs of the children and the premises, including outdoor spaces are fit for purpose. Spaces, furniture, equipment and toys are kept safe for children to use and premises are kept secure.
At our seeting we have a side gate which is bolted every time the children are in the setting and also two gates at