Safeguarding the welfare of children and young people

1.1 Identify the current legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures for safeguarding the welfare of children and young people including e-safety.

Education Act 2002 - This determines the responsibility of local education authorities, head teachers, dinner ladies, teaching assistants and any other people that work in schools. It is in place so that children are kept safe in the schools.

Children Act 2004 - This Act provides the legal spine from which the children’s services are based. It aims to improve and combine children’s services, promote early detection and provide strong leadership. Local authorities are given access to a database of information which can be used to keep the safety and welfare of children in tact.

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010 - Working Together sets out how organisations and individuals should work together to safeguard and further the welfare of children and young people, working in harmony with the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004. There has now been a new Act published in 2013, it repeats any previous guidance to make clear the responsibilities of professionals in regards to safeguarding children.
What to do if your worried a child is being abused 2006 - This was released to provide guidance to people working with children so that they can make sure that the welfare and safety of children is being looked after. It says what should be done if someone suspects a child is being abused, neglected or mistreated.
E-safety - This is electronic safety for children and other internet users it can be associated with websites such as Facebook, twitter and any other social network sites, its there to make people aware of who your child is talking to online and to be safe. Not forgetting that the Internet is not just accessible on computers and laptops but also on mobile phones and iPods. Its to protect children from sites that are not suitable and to promote awareness that people are not always who they say they are.

There is an organisation called The London safeguarding Board. It provides advice and support to London’s 32 Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs).

1.2 Describe the roles of different agencies involved in safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.

Health Professionals come into close contact with children and young people every day. If they see injuries that look as though the child may have been deliberately hurt and suspect abuse this must be reported to the Social Services. They will also have to provide information for reports to convict the abusers.

Police are there to protect all people and work closely with Social Services to protect children from harm. They will need to gather and give evidence if abuse or neglect is suspected, they may also have to contact Social Services if they believe a child’s environment is unsafe and needs to be removed with immediate affect.

Children’s Social Care is key to protecting children that are in danger of being abused or neglected. They need to work closely with other organisations and parents to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. If a concern is raised about the welfare of a child they will decide the plan of action to keep the child safe.

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is a charitable organisation. They work to protect children from harm by providing services to children and families and promoting the awareness of abuse and neglect. They provide a helpline for children and people worried about children.

2.1 Identify the signs and symptoms of common childhood illnesses.

Chicken Pox: The most common sign that a child is the itchy red rash that can appear anywhere on the body, the rash looks like spots. The child may also feel sick, have a high temperature, be achy and have a headache.

Head Lice: If a child has head lice their head may become itchy