Learning objective ................... Understand how to safeguard children in relation to legislation, frameworks, policies and procedures. Identify current legislation and frameworks in relation to safeguarding. Describe the relationship between legislation, policy and procedure. Identify policies and procedures in relation to safeguarding.

Understand how to safeguard children in relation to legislation, frameworks, policies and procedures Current legislation and frameworks Legislation and frameworks are in place to support practitioners to protect children. They include: Children Act 1989 and 2004 Working Together to Safeguard Children 2006 and 2013 Early Years Foundation Stage: Section 3 – The safeguarding and welfare requirements Disclosure and Barring Service.

Why is it important to have legislation and guidelines for the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children in place? Consider: The benefits to the child The benefits to the practitioner The benefits to the organisation

Current legislation and frameworks Children Act 1989 This brought together the laws that protect children and made them easier to follow. It informs people of their duties and identifies how all professionals should work together when child abuse is suspected. Children Act 2004 This key piece of legislation was a result of the Laming inquiry over the death of Victoria Climbié. The inquiry led to ‘Every Child Matters’ being implemented and the Children Act 2004 being in force.

Current legislation and frameworks Working Together to Safeguard Children 2006 and 2013 This piece of legislation further updates safeguarding and how everyone who works with children should come together to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. Disclosure and Barring Service The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) carry out checks on people who are working or volunteering with children and vulnerable adults to ensure that only suitable people are allowed to fill this role.

The Children Act 2004 included the setting up of Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards (LSCB). Find out about your local board and describe their role within the local area. Include: Contact details Who they support Services they offer Links to other organisations.

Legislation and polices and procedures The Children Act 2004 contains information on: Safeguarding Positive outcomes for children Working with other professionals The welfare of the child is paramount. The Children Act 2004 states that anyone working with children has a duty to safeguard and promote their welfare.

Legislation and polices and procedures The Data Protection Act 1998 says that information kept must be: Fairly and lawfully processed Processed for limited purposes Adequate, relevant and not excessive Accurate and up to date Not kept for longer than is necessary Processed in line with your rights Secure.

Polices and procedures Policies give an outline of how a setting aims to comply with legislation. Procedures will give practitioners guidance on what to actually do in practice. For example: A setting will have a policy on carrying out DBS checks on all new staff members and volunteers. Their DBS procedure will give detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to do it.

Polices and procedures Policies and procedures relating to the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children in settings are the result of legislation passed in Parliament. They are written by the setting and/or the local authority and they give guidance on how to protect children. Each setting will have its own set of policies and procedures but may include: Confidentiality Risk assessments Lost or missing child Non-collection of child Safeguarding children DBS procedure.

The Laming inquiry brought about ‘Every Child Matters: Change for Children’. Find out what this was and why it was thought necessary. Find out the following information: How was it used in settings? Why was it needed? Is it still used?

Victoria Climbie – Feb 2000 Lord Laming Inquiry 2003

Summary In this lesson we learnt that: Legislation is in place to safeguard, protect and maintain the welfare of all children. Policies and procedures demonstrate how settings will follow the legislation and guidelines. Everyone has a responsibility to keep up to date with all policies and procedures.

Is it Children’s Act or Children Act? What does DBS stand for and what does it do? Name two pieces of legislation or guidelines that support the safeguarding and welfare of children. Name three policies for the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children. Who has to follow the policies and procedures of a setting? How can you find out about the setting’s policies and procedures?