Unit 508 Develop and implement policies and procedures to support the safeguarding of children and young people

508. AC1
The current legislation is meeting the requirements of the children’s homes regulations 2002 and the national minimum standards. How this is put into practise is that all new staff have regular training, supervisions and are up to date with all policies and procedures. All new staff to have safeguarding training and to attend refresher courses every 12 months. This is to ensure that staff are knowledgeable and can recognise the signs of abuse and/or neglect.
It is essential that staff are aware of the polices regarding allegations, complaints, safeguarding, whistle blowing, disclosures, bullying and knowing the procedures and who the correct people to inform are. Understanding how to follow these procedures correctly and what protocol to follow when sending these reports, i.e.- referral form to registered manager. Staff to know the protocol of when a young person goes missing but to also follow the recommendations of the care placement plan and risk assessments.
Staff to attend sexual exploitation training to have the knowledge to be able to complete a daily monitoring assessment of risk regarding sexual exploitation. This allows staff to identify any unusual patterns before a child becomes at risk of an incident, i.e. - Phone concerns, money and gifts.
508. AC2
Child Care Practises/Child Protection
We safeguard young people by evaluating their risk. If they are placing themselves in considerable risk then we can offer 1 to 1 staffing levels, or 2 to 1 depending on the risk. We also ensure that if there are any professional meetings that they are arranged and identification is shown on arrival. Any contact visits with friends or family, then staff are to facilitate what is specified in the care plan. If it is supervised then staff are to remain with the young person(s) and in eyesight at all times. If contact is unsupervised then staff make sure that they are meeting the person(s) they are supposed to, by dropping them off and collecting them. When young people are on free time staff keep in regular contact via phone to unsure that they are safe. Staff have regular daily handovers to ensure that staff have any information pertaining to safeguarding issues and risk taking behaviours.
Risk Assessments
Daily risk assessments that we may come across when safeguarding young people are, supervised/monitoring phone calls to ensure that staff are aware of any risks that they may be taking in or out of the home. Missing from home risk assessments are put in place and apply daily to ensure that the staff follow procedure should they abscond. This will be within the care plan and will state specific times in which staff should act upon reporting them missing. Bullying risk assessments are put in place, to monitor and record incidents daily. Self-harm assessments are also about recording and monitoring information. Ensuring that their mental state is probably assessed and staff are aware of the severity of that young person’s self-injurious behaviour.
Internet can be used to meet strangers and/or perpetrators leading to inappropriate relationships. This can also cover cyber bullying, so staff ensure that young people monitor and kept safe and that the internet is used appropriately. Grooming between young people needs to be risk assessed because not all threats and risks are outside of the home. Staff can intervene and take control before an incident occurs.
Voice Of A Child
This can be through key work sessions giving a detailed account of any problems that may arise or be bothering them. Young people’s meetings allows the young person to voice their opinion on anything that they don’t agree on or that they feel could be better, or even something they feel has gone well, plus the running and development of the home. They are offered an advocate through other agencies such as NYAS, who can speak on