An Essay on Safeguarding Children and Adults in Social Work Practice

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults within the context of social work practice. It delves into the legal and policy frameworks in the UK, including the Children Act 1989 and the Care Act 2014, emphasizing the importance of protecting individuals from harm, risks, and abuse. The essay discusses various aspects, such as the roles of local authorities, the application of human rights principles, and the significance of involving children in decision-making processes. It also highlights the responsibilities of parents and healthcare practitioners, the impact of abuse on adults, and the importance of training and consultancy services for safeguarding adults. Furthermore, the essay examines the roles of different acts and provisions, including the Children Act 2004, the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Sexual Offence Act 2003, in promoting the welfare of children and adults. It emphasizes the significance of ethical considerations, diversity, and professional capabilities in delivering effective healthcare services. The essay also discusses the importance of local safeguarding children's boards and the implementation of early help initiatives, such as "Working Together 2015," to ensure the well-being and safety of children and vulnerable adults.

ESSAY ON SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS

Safeguarding is the concept that is used for the purpose of protecting people from harm,
hazards, risks and uncertainties. At the same time, it also denotes measures that protects the
health, well-being and human rights of individuals living in the society. According to generalised
term, any child can be hurt or put to risk; hence preventive measures are required to be adopted
for the same to manage health aspects (McElearney and Cunningham, 2016). In this respect, the
UK government has enacted several legislation and published guidance for the purpose of
protecting children from maltreatment and any other unwanted activities. Thus, in such respect
the present study has been describing practices that helps in safeguarding children and vulnerable
adults in social work practice. Therefore, in this context discussion is also included regarding
legislation, policy and practice guidance which works in safeguarding children and adults
(MacFarlane and Holmes, 2017).
However, on the other hand when talking about adults, it can be said that adults can be
abused in many ways which also increases the risk of harm and other sufferings. For instance-
adults also experience abuse at home, school and at any other place where they continuously
visit. Female and males both are sexually and physically abused and both experience different
issues in such areas. There are several provisions and legal framework developed for adult
safeguarding which not only helps in protecting adults from harm and risk, but also it also it aid
in changing their living standard.
In this respect, principles of human rights and social justice are required to be applied
along with the application of legal policy and practices. Such aspects are essential because that
aids in recognizing the opportunities of abuse and harm to the children (Jackson and Tomson,
2017). In UK, there are varied local authorities developed who are entitled to promote the
welfare of all children and young people; hence this can minimize the number of issues
prevailing in the society. In this context, it can be said that safeguarding children is all about
developing and supporting welfare aspects of the children (Miley, O'Melia and DuBois, 2016).
This also requires involving children in decision making aspects so that to promote the overall
health dimensions. Therefore, in order to safeguard children from harm, abuse and other
problems, legal and government authorities need to undertake legal actions.
Apparently, the upbringing of a child is dependent on several factors; however in this
area main role is played by parents and guardians. It has also defined several legal framework
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which also defines responsibilities of parents in different stages. Further, Children’s Welfare and
State Community is also entitled to support the family through providing monetary and non-
monetary benefits (Ottmann and et.al., 2017). Family members play crucial role in managing a
child; hence they need to ensure that appropriate activities are being adopted according to the
best interest of children. The concept of child rescue and family support holds importance as that
aids individual to get better support in terms of managing diverse phases of life. There are
several provisions in the Childcare Act which ensures to safeguard and promote the welfare of
children especially while carrying out different activities.
Provision determined in section 10 of the same act states that legal agencies ought to
cooperate with local authorities which also promotes children wellbeing in all domains. As per
Children Act 1989 and Care Act 2014, safeguarding children means protecting their rights and
obligations so as to ensure safe and secure environment (Peckover and Golding, 2017). Parents
are also required to focus on all those activities that could pose harm to the children. Further, the
concept of safeguarding also requires direct information to the party so that children’s wellbeing
can be facilitated accordingly. Therefore, in this context, it is vital to include rights, interest and
beliefs of child while making any decision for them.
In order to protect adults, NHS has started training and consultancy services for the
purpose of safeguarding adults from harm, abuse and social risks. Local authorities and clinical
groups are working in the same domain to protect adults from social and physical abuse. Policy
framework have also added to protect adults from challenges and neglect; hence this also
underpins the effectiveness of service delivery procedure.
In addition to this, abuse is yet another issue that appears in the context of health and
social care and that may also arise anywhere. For instance- abuse may occur among children in
schools, training centres and any other areas. Safeguarding children requires developing suitable
environment for the children so that best possible outcomes can be derived for them (Pizzey,
Bentovim, Miller and Cox, 2017). Apparently, safeguarding children requires to have prominent
balance between support, autonomy, protection, welfare and risk management. This is one of the
complex activities in health and social care practice which depicts that in order to care a child,
several dimensions should be considered accordingly. Local authorities must also work in for the
purpose of protecting the child who are at risk of suffering and possible harm.
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Principles of human rights and social justice is required to be used by the health care
professionals while rendering services to the children in different areas and domains. In this
respect, Professional Capabilities Framework can be applied which typically focuses on 9
diverse domains. They are also helpful in enhancing the level of professionalism and ethics in
health care context (Robson, 2016). At the time of treating children, it is essential for the health
care practitioners to consider value and ethical dimensions to enhance the practice of health and
social care. Moreover, diversity also holds more importance in managing safeguarding practices
and this will also be useful in facilitating economic wellbeing in the social aspects. While
managing different professional areas, it is essential for health care practitioners to examine the
need of children in different areas. However, at the same time health care professional should
also focus on intervention and skills so that they can become capable in enhancing health care
practices (Miley, O'Melia and DuBois, 2016).
In order to protect adults, The Care Act 2014 has set out a concise framework which
depicts how local authorities and different systems work in protecting the adults from risk of
abuse or neglect. This has also lead a multi- agency local adult safeguarding system that
immediately restricts abusive and illegal acts. Similarly, it also ensures suitable measures so that
all the issues could be managed accordingly. In this respect, the commission has also carried out
safeguarding adults review in terms of delivering care and support needs to adults. This usually
arises when adults experience serious health issue.
Therefore, it can be said that according to Human Rights Act 1998 every child should get
suitable nourishment and protective services which ensures them to remain safe and healthy.
There must be proper educational services to every child so that after leaving home, they may
not get involved in any sort of issue (McElearney and Cunningham, 2016). While delivering
services to the children, it is essential for the health care practitioners to focus on the United
Nations Convention on the Rights of the child which also ensures to manage children
safeguarding in all areas. Children also possess the right to be informed as then only they will be
able to decide which activity is better for them. Along with this, focus should also be laid on
restoring children’s rights and responsibilities.
Besides this, it is also essential for practitioners to emphasize on Sexual Offence Act of
2003 which denotes that any sort of sexual relations should not be developed with children
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(Donaldson and et.al., 2014). In this domain, practitioners have to ensure that they are complying
with all the laws and regulation so as to manage childcare rights and authorities. In this respect,
adult safeguarding is also important as it includes rights and obligations of a person. Social
workers are also required to consider that they are meeting all the requirements of childcare
services. It has been observed that adults experience many issues in diverse contexts; hence all
their health problems should be met accordingly. If any of the patient requires any specific
service, then health care practitioner need to ensure that all such amenities are being delivered in
the best possible manner (DSL and et.al., 2016). This may vary according to basic and complex
health services.
For adult welfare, several activities and provisions are also established which helps the
adults to get involved in development practices and that also results in facilitating professional
and personal development. In this domain, some of the adults are also involved in creative and
activity classes; hence that aids them to learn more while getting access to different things.
However, section 13 of the Children Act 2004 states that safeguarding children board is
required to coordinate with the representative body as that aids in promoting the rights and
obligations of children in diverse aspects. This shall also be done through getting suitable
authority by which it is being established. At the same time, the body also ensures the
effectiveness of every method that is being applied to meet the requirement of safeguarding
practices (Ferguson, 2016). In this respect, the Secretary of State is also bound to comply with
several regulation to develop local safeguarding for children. Nonetheless, safeguarding children
applies to both charitable work and other countries wherein children usually face additional risks
of abuse or exploitation. This also includes a child protection policy and procedure which deals
with such issues and concerns.
Supporting this area of concern, it is also vital to follow The Protection of Freedoms Act
2012 which ensures to process criminal records and accordingly it manages regulated activities
in diverse aspects (Ferguson, 2016). It also promotes disclosure and barring services which
decides suitable and unsuitable activities in childcare management. Therefore, it is also a legal
requirement which should be followed by health care practitioners. Usually, the child protection
policy statement is developed with an attempt to demonstrate commitment to safeguard children
who are involved in doing charity from harm. In England, childcare services have been increased
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to an extent because the issues related to abuse and harm is amending accordingly. According to
the required childcare services, it is vital for social care practitioners to ensure that legal, ethical
and all requisite laws are being adhered in all domains (Gratwick and et.al., 2014).
However, in terms of social work, adults are also engaged in diverse learning processes
so that they can get education regarding different health aspects. For instance- adults usually get
addicted towards drugs and smoking; hence considering the issue, the government has
established several policy framework to educate adults in best possible manner. This is
established in order to promote healthy lifestyle.
Furthermore, in the same area section 17 of Children’s Act 1989 should also be followed
accordingly so as to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in different areas. Health care
practitioners must look on to the upbringing aspects of children by delivering a range of services.
This is also useful for the purpose of meeting all the needs of children (Jackson and Tomson,
2017). It also has several obligation for disabled children wherein proper services are required to
be delivered so that equality and diversity can be maintained in health care services. Therefore,
articulating the facts it is evident that necessary sections like 17, 47, 20 and 31 are required to be
adhered as that also holds more importance in promoting child welfare and all obligations. In this
respect, physical, mental and emotional well-being of the children should be considered so that
their interest can be managed accordingly.
Government has also started a provision called “working together 2015- early help”
which is more useful in promoting the welfare of children. This shall be done through providing
support to the child in different domains. It is also useful in preventing further problems that
usually arise in childcare section (Jones, 2016). Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards are also
entitled to set out threshold document which helps in managing monitoring and controlling
aspects while delivering health care services. Along with local agencies, it is imperative for
health care practitioners to promote inter-agency cooperation as that also ensures to facilitate
welfare of children.
Social care workers are also required to focus on knowledge and skill development so
that they can support children in meeting all their needs and demands (Karmel, 2015). Effective
assessment and analysis is required so that suitable outcomes can be derived accordingly.
Moreover, in this dimension social workers should play crucial role in promoting the rights and
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obligations of children through acting in the best manner. Considering theoretical perspective,
systems theory can be applied which enhances the value of social care by supporting all the
issues developed in social context (MacFarlane and Holmes, 2017). It typically aids the social
care practitioners to comprehend the way in which usually the system works. At the same time, it
is also useful in analysing all the actions which could have negative impact on lives of people.
Therefore, it is clear that with the help of system theory, social care practitioners can resolve the
needs and demands of children.
To safeguard adults, it is essential for health care practitioners to promote safe and secure
culture in schools, colleges and workplace so that consideration can be given towards only
ethical dimensions. For instance- there must be specific age defined for adults and after that only
they should be allowed for smoking and drinking. This is not only useful in promoting health
standards; but at the same time it can aid in assisting people to move forward towards a safe life.
Social work shall also be managed through integrating with multi-agency working
wherein there should be proper information about safeguarding and preventing vulnerable
people. As per the area of requirement, proper measures are required to be followed at the time
when cases of abuse and harm increases and when it creates serious issue in the society
(Manthorpe and et.al., 2013). Therefore, such provision is vital in depicting the interest of
vulnerable groups. It is also crucial for social care workers to ensure that they are recognizing
abuse and harm cases on early basis as that can aid in preventing other social issues. In this area,
multi- agency working practices should also be strengthened so that all the defined practices can
be managed accordingly (McElearney and Cunningham, 2016). The chances of negligence is
also required to be minimized as that better services can be delivered in all domains.
Alongside, social work interventions are also significant because it provides education to
the children and family through counselling services. Counselling services are beneficial for the
children as that helps in analysing the aspects which holds much value for child development.
European Convention on Human Rights is also essential because it has a set of rights for children
which requires legal testing and protection (Miley, O'Melia and DuBois, 2016). This also states
that inhuman treatment for children should be avoided in all contexts so that to promote a healthy
life for them. Right approach should be followed for childcare services as then only, it can lead
to facilitate developed amenities. Safeguarding children and adults from diverse issues is a
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challenging task as it requires appropriate balance between support, autonomy, protection and
risk. All such domains are directly related to childcare welfare; hence they underpin health and
social care practices.
There are several developments facilitated recently which have direct implications on
social work practice. For instance – faith organizations like as churches and other places of
worship which are entitled to organize a wide range of activities for children and that also play
important role in safeguarding and supporting children and their families (Ottmann and et.al.,
2017). Voluntary and private sectors are also aligned to work in this domain and this is also
useful in terms of underpinning health care services for children and adults. Apart from this,
government has also developed varied welfare activities which works as supplementary guidance
in supporting and assessing the needs of children in different domains (Peckover and Golding,
2017). This is vital as it holds much importance in delivering effective services to the requisite
targeted people. Children protection Act is basically developed for safeguarding children and
adults from harmful and risk associated activities and at the same time it also promotes the rights
and obligations of children in different domains.
In addition to the same, while managing childcare services, it is crucial for health and
social care service providers to carry out all the activities which can encourage people to develop
the health standard in the society (Pizzey, Bentovim, Miller and Cox, 2017). In UK, there are
several local agencies comprises of police services and health services which work for childcare
protection. This is also useful in terms of carrying out all the activities as per the best interest of
children. Health care professionals should include all the above mentioned requirements into
account while managing health care practices. They can also carry out activities through
integrating the services with local authorities. Along with legal and ethical aspects, focus should
be laid on enhancing the operational values. When children faces any health care issues, it is vital
for social care service provider to consider its impact on all the associated people (Robson,
2016).
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