Evaluating UK Policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People

This report provides an overview of the UK legislation and policies affecting the safeguarding of children and young people. It explores key laws such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), the Children Act 1989, and the Children and Social Work Act 2017, among others, detailing their impact on childcare practices, child protection, and risk assessment. The report examines the roles of various legal and local bodies, including the Department of Education and local authorities, in creating and implementing these policies. It also discusses the importance of child protection under the concept of safeguarding, emphasizing the need for a safe environment, parental involvement, and school policies. The report evaluates the impact of national and local policies, highlighting how legislation influences day-to-day work with children, including childcare practices, child protection measures, and risk assessments. The report also covers the importance of training, safety measures, and the implementation of policies in schools and other organizations to protect children.

Understanding how to
safeguard children and young
people

TASK 1
1.1 U.K legislations that are affecting the safeguarding of young people and children
There are several policies and guidelines in U.K which can directly affect the
safeguarding of children and young people. In this respect “The united nations conventions on
the rights of the child 1989” is the most important law of U.K which ensure the rights of children
to get protected from abuse and can fully express their views (Ward, Brown and Westlake,
2012). There is not a single law that covers the entire safeguarding of children and therefore,
there are different laws for various parts of U.K. Such as England, Wales, Northern Ireland and
Scotland.
In England
Safeguarding of children in England can be protected by the law known as “working
together to safeguard children 2010”. It is applicable to those who are working in health, social
services and education.
In Wales
Current law in Wales in the above mentioned regard is known as “Safeguarding children:
working together under the children act 2004”. This aims to promote the welfare of children and
their rights.
As there are many laws related to safeguarding interest of children. There are possibilities
to perform business operations in effective and efficient way. As there is requirement of changes
which are essential for making policies for children's welfare. There are many legal bodies which
work in accordance to improving condition of children in society.
In England there is department of education which helps to make policies in order to
protect interest of children. There are some strict rules, regulations which has to be followed to
protect children from being harassed. There are some local bodies such as local authorities,
health bodies, voluntary organisations, etc. which works for upliftment of children position.
There are some legislations for children protection are-
Children Act, 1989- This act works for paramount nature of children's welfare. This act
covers parents responsibilities towards their child, child care by second mother, step parents,
second father. As per this law there must be some respect to children at home.
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Children and Social Work Act, 2017- This act gets approval on 27th April, 2017. This act
applies to England. In this act there is talk about children and care leavers which helps to grow
adult from children. There are some legal person who keeps watch on study process of children.
As per this act there must not be difference on the basis of caste, colour, religion among children.
Children and Families Act 2014- This act works to make good relations between
children and family members. When there are some exploitation then this must be controlled
under this act.
Children and Young person Act 2006- In this act, there is discussion about
accommodation of children, look after policies of children, functions of children and young
people, etc.
Childcare Act 2006- Early year foundation stages and child care organisations are
covered under this act. This act insures about providing better growth to children having working
parents. Children must carry proper and appropriate information regarding parents, so this can be
fruitful in case of emergency.
Human Rights Act 1998- This right was enacted in 2000 inn order to analyse public
institute must work as per specific laws. This reduces possibilities to take legal case to higher
authority. Rights covered under this act are- right to live, education, freedom from slavery and
exploitation.
Education Act 2011- This act was enacted in 2011. As per this act there is reduction in
unnecessary legal bodies interferences in maintaining proper working of schools. This act
provides freedom to schools so operate in proper way.
Disclosure and Barring Scheme- There must be disclosure policy in school when some
guardian visit students. This helps to reduce possibilities of misconduct at school. DBS helps to
keep unethical people apart from children. They are accountable for making decisions related to
keeping or removal of employees, checking and managing CRB checks.
What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused- There are possibilities of being
child abused. So it is essential to train children about possibilities of abuse. They must be ware
about right and wrong touch of strangers. They must be trained from to deal with adverse
situation. Parents, family members must focus on good environment and there must be eyes on
children's activity.
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Keeping Children Safe in Education 2018- It is essential to keep children at safe side.
There are various raining for workers which provide knowledge about aspects which are relevant
for safety of children at school premises.
School policies- There are some policies which has to be followed by school in order to
provide safeguard interest of children. There must be strict actions against wrong deeds by
workers. There must be proper legal laws which helps to protect interest of children. There must
be use of electronic media in order to keep school environment safe such as face detection
machine at entry gate, use of internet by children must be under guidance.
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974- According to this act, there must be proper facility
for children in school and other public organisation. School building must be safe and secure for
children. It must e cleans from hygienic point of view. For employees, there must be proper
facilities.
RIDDOR- This regulation is used to file petition of accident to local authority, so safety
can be provided to workers. With this it is easy to make policy for clear communication with
legal authority.
COSHH- This act is working in order to reduce use of harmful substance at workplace or
school. This act provides guidance to management of organisation to keep in at far from reach of
children.
These guidance is effective for making changes in working style of social care, health
practitioners, police officers, voluntary staff, statutory staff, etc. There are some policies and
guidance also which helps to safeguard interest of children are-
Multi- agency safeguarding arrangements, child death review and local safeguarding
policies are effective for protecting interest of customers. In this there is requirement of some
techniques which are effective and significant for welfare of employees. Thee are lessons which
helps volunteers to learn techniques which are effective for growth of children.
1.2 Child protection under the concept of safeguarding children and young people
Child protection is one of the core responsibility of each and every citizen of a country.
Specially to those organisations which are mainly dealing with children must have to follow
legislations and policies with the help of which children's rights can be protected. There can be
several points that has to be considered when it comes to the safeguarding of children and young
people. This is because children are the most sensitive stage in the entire life of a human. They
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are responsible for developing most innovative ideas and thoughts (Alderson and Morrow,
2011). They can become strongest youth if their rights were protected at the early stage of their
life. That is why, U.K government have made several laws for the different part of their country
in order to protect the rights of children. There are laws like “the united nations conventions on
the rights of the child 1989”, “working together to safeguard children 2010” and “Safeguarding
children: working together under the children act 2004” that are implemented in different part of
United kingdom in order to deal with the idea of safeguarding children and young people. There
are various acts such as labour protection act, etc. which helps to grow child does not get
affected from malnutrition. Government also plays vital role in development of children. When
child become healthy then future of society is also healthy.
In order to avoid possibilities of being children abused family members has to be
emotional attached with children. There must be good environment within home, school. It is
essential to emphasise children to be in good company. Parents has to regularly visit school and
other public places where children went. There must be bad punishment in case of wrong deed
by children, so this is lesson for him/ her.
There are some measures taken by management of school to protect children. They are discussed
as under-
 To safeguard interest of children at school, people having criminal cases does not give
chance to be part of schools.
 ID cards haver to be worn by workers and students in school premises which helps to
identify external party. External party such as parents, guardian, has to sign at reception
and then entry is possible.
 There are some personal data of children, so it is essential to take care it and actions has
to be taken accordingly.
 There is proper first aid facility for providing appropriate safety facility in case of need.
 There is strict actions actions use of hazardous product against within school premises.
There is requirement of changes in policies in order to safeguard interest of people
working at office. There are possibilities of being harassment of women, so it is essential to
make changes which are effective and significant for providing satisfaction to employees. There
is requirement of proper health and safety measures for workers, so in case of emergency
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employees can be cured. This helps to make good environment and employees must also have
trained about first aid.
1.3 Evaluate national and local policies for safeguarding and its impact on day to day work
with children
It has been observed that the purpose of any law can only be served until and unless there
is proper procedure of its implementation. The role of local as well as national legislation related
to safeguarding of children and young people is very vital in a country like U.K. On the basis of
several local policies, a positive impact can be seen on the entire nation. Policies for
safeguarding will surely affect the day to day work with children and young people. In other
word, all the legislation made by local and national guidelines will impact the childcare practice,
children protection and risk assessment.
Childcare practice- This may includes all the ways by which the care of children can be
determined (Barlow and McMillan, 2010). Local policies related to safeguarding are applied to
the children of local area and hence, a better safe conditions for children can be maintained. As
per this law there is requirement of some parental information which is effective for providing
satisfaction to customer. There are possibilities of making changes and has to make according to
growth of children. As due to change in demand of children and hence growth of children and
accordingly they learn social changes.
Children protection- This may includes the idea where children get protection from
abuse and maltreatment. This will lead to make their good future by building up great potential
and skills into them. Children protection is essential because as there are many misbehave which
affects their mental as well as physical health. There is requirement of changes which has to be
accepted by child care association and best results can be implied.
Risk assessment- There are some risk associated children's such as exploitation,
harassment, etc. There are possibilities of negative results which helps to make changes in roles
and responsibilities of children. There are possibilities of social abuse, neglect, emotional abuse,
etc. this helps to make changes in roles and responsibilities of managers and actions ahs to be
taken according t market trends. Children does not haver knowledge about right and wrong, so
this proves negative aspect for growth.
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In order to provide security to children it is essential to come with approaches which are
effective in day to day life. There are some guidance which has to be conveyed to students in
schools, so there is less possibilities of misconduct with children.
 When some family member meets children, then there must be proper recording to it.
 There is time to time training to children regarding how to deal; with adverse situation.
This is done by innovative means.
 Children are educated related to their personal, medical information. There are various
self defence workshops conducted by schools in order to protect them.
 In schools there must be i9nformation related to staff of organisation.
 Teachers keep eyes on circle and language of children, so environment within school
must be good.
 In case children do not feel good at any point of time in doing some work they are trained
to say “NO” with full confidence.
 Teacher appreciate children to communicate with their parents, so they do not get
affected because of wrong deeds.
There is proper facility of intranet, so appropriate information can be delivered to various
departments of school in order to protect children.
This helps to make good environment in society and accordingly actions for development
of workers. There are possibilities of making changes in roles and responsibilities of parents also.
To improve position of children, it is essential to take actions which are effective and efficient
for growth of children.
These policies are effective for growth of children. When there is some legal laws which
are implemented then people are forced tom follow it. Children protection act helps to avoid
wrong actions with children and they are not allowed to work below the age of 14.
1.4 When and why serious case reviews and inquires are required
In case of safeguarding, it s very necessary to have a record of case reviews. This is
because if any issues at present arises in respect of safeguarding the well-being of children and
young people, then the current issue can be solved with the help of previous case reviews. It is
important because with the support from earlier held issues related with safeguarding children
and young people will help to understand the current scenario of the same cases. In this regard,
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all the details derived from such cases would be helpful in identifying the related safeguarding
practices for children and young people.
There days crimes are increasing very frequently, so it is essential to make policies which
are effective for growth of children. There must be some officers which helps to contact interest
of customers which helps in growth and development of society.
Serious case review is about case happened because of serious injured of children or
death because of accident. This situation arises due to lack of proper facilities for
safeguarding interest and health of children. There are many people associated with
children such as policies, social workers, school, etc. they are associated with children and
their development. In case of any serious case, it is responsibility of liable party. For e.g.
 Police has to take actions to know victim of case by talking reviews of children. They
must admit children to hospital, so proper treatment can be provided.
 School management has to inform to parents and proper rules has to framed to
safeguard children from being harmed or injured.
 Social workers have to come with events and camps to create awareness among
children and people. These camps aim at providing training how to react at the time
of serious injury.
It is important to take review on cases which are occurred with children. This helps to
provide assistance to children and they are able to consult with parents in case of mal-
functioning. There is requirement of various consults which helps to solve problems and hence
there are less possibilities of misbehave with children. In case of serious injury police has to be
very polite with them, so they can share actual happening. This provide moral support to child.
Family members and friends also has to support and try to avoid adverse effect. With the help of
review of case review, there are less possibilities of misbehave in society and strict actions can
be taken. In some children gets affected because of misbehave by stranger or elder person, then
appropriate action has to be taken. In case children gets injured then it must be analysed so
children feels confident and their growth is effective.
1.5 Process used by work setting comply with policies related to data protection and handling.
Safeguarding of children and young people includes the following points:
1. Protecting the health and development of children.
1. To ensure that children will get healthy environment in order to grow.
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3. Children will be protected from maltreatment and abuse.
4. Boosting the mind of children in order to obtain best outcomes.
As from the above points it can be concluded that the legislation made must ensure its
data protection, handling and sharing information (Bradshaw, 2016). All the polices must have a
level of confidentiality. For example, details related with any children in respect of safeguarding
should be keep safe and locked. Sharing of data should only with the respective safeguarding
officer. Parents should get all the details about their child.
Information related to children must be kept confidential at schools, tuitions, etc. There
must be proper provision of handling information and it must be revealed for some specific
purpose. Files in which data related to minors has been taken in properly and in locked
documents.
These information must be available for legal purpose, such as diseases, police case, etc.
When this information is asked at school by parents or relative or gardiance, etc. then there must
be proper enquiry and accordingly information must be revealed. Information related to children
musty be communicated to people who are concern with minor, so there will m minimal chances
of negative impact.
TASK 2
2.1 Importance of safeguarding children and young people
These days children crimes are increasing with rapisd speed so it is essenatil to safeguard
interest of children. This helps to make society good and children can grow without fear of being
harassed. From the above report, it can be concluded that it is very important to safeguard
children and young people due to the following reasons:
1 It helps to secure all the rights of children and young people.
2 Protect children from abuse and maltreatment
3 They get a secure and healthy atmosphere in which they can build their future in a most
effective manner.
3 Health of children can be improved and thus they can develop most innovative skills
within themselves.
Safeguarding of children are essential as it helps to improve condition of overall workers
and actions has to be taken to reduce fault associated with them. As crime related to workers are
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increasing, so it is effective for market growth. If safeguarding policies are not made then there
will negative impact on mental level of children. Future of society is not safe if condition of does
not improved.
2.2 Importance of child or young person- centred approach.
It is very important to look towards the needs of a particular child. In this context, child
or young person approach is very helpful in establishing the ways by which the needs of the
children starting from school days can be fulfilled (Brandon, Sidebotham and Megson, 2012).
Children have different potential level and thus they should be provided with the best resources.
Above mentioned approach plays a major role in order to attain their own individual targets. On
the basis of children's skills and ability, it is essential to provide them best resources right from
the beginning of their school life to higher educations.
As per above digram it is clear that young person has some approaches which helps to
develop personality of children. As there is requirement of some skills which focus on improving
confidence level of individual. Positive outcomes can be possible with the help of person-
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Illustration 1: young person centred approach

centred approach. As there is requirement of improvement on regular basis, this can be achieved
with the help of person- centred approach.
Person centred approach helps young people to speak with confidence. It built good
relations with peer members. As children has also some needs and wants, so with this approach it
is easy to express and accordingly personality can be improved. As there is difference in
thoughts of person, so person centred approach helps children to listen to other person also.
Hence there is increment in their knowledge. Person centred approach helps to build in-
sightedness of person, so they can plan activities accordingly. Children are able to make
correlation with others and hence there is positive impact on others.
2.3 Explanation of partnership working in respect of safeguarding
There are some basic agencies who worked together in order to improve the well- being
of the children. . This concept of partnership working described in “every child matters” . There
are basically some major points that seems to be most important in the life of a children (Coyne,
2010). This are- being healthy, stay fit and safe, enjoy and achieve. As per the act of 2004
(every child matters), there is a tremendous reform that have been noticed in respect of young
people and children's services in England. Main purpose of this act is to make a coordination
between various agencies in order to enhance the outcome for young people and children.
Partnership is one of the effective concept which is effective for making safeguarding
interest for providing improving condition of children,. There are many changes which has to be
taken to make policies which are effective for growth of children. There is requirement of some
changes which are effective for growth of business enterprise and actions has to be done in
accordance to child safety. E.g. NHS is working with Welcome Foundation in order to safeguard
interest of children and upgrade them in
Agencies are made up so that they can serve the real purpose of safeguarding in context
of children and young people. There is requirement of some parties which are related to working
in group with authorised association. This is effective for making changes and actions has to be
taken in accordance to external environment. There are possibilities of change in policies as per
change in culture of child, so it is essential to make strategies after analysing market. With the
help of partnership, it is easy to give up- to services which are effective for improving children's
condition in society.
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As there are many agencies working in order to provide safeguard interest of children.
They are various policies which help to improve position of children in society. For e.g. agency
is working behind child, then it is essential to share complete information about him/ her. This
helps to make policies for betterment of child.
2.4 Roles of different organisation at times when young people has been harmed
There are various organisations which are responsible for dealing with several issues
related with the care of young people. These organisations can be of social services, probation,
police, school and many more. It is the core responsibility of any organisation to make sure the
safety of children and also take the best immediate action when a child has been harmed or
abused.
Referral and assessment team- This is basically a place where persons can seek for help
in the area related to safeguarding.
Designated safeguarding officer- They are mainly appointed to deal with all the issue
within an organisation to deal with safeguarding of children and young people.
Social workers- As its name suggest, social workers are responsible for handling all the
issues related with society (Davies and Ward, 2011). Childcare is one of the major issue and
therefore, social workers are working upon it.
These teams and groups are effective for approaching children and actions are taken in
making changes according to organisation. It is essential to alter business policies which are
significant for perfect growth of children. In case of any miss-happening children can file
petition under those bodies to get assistance. School- There is requirement of some changes which in schools which helps to make
policies in order to safeguard children from being abused. There must be some barriers
for outsiders in school premises. Police- Police has to create awareness among society, to safe minors and young
generation. There are many changes which has to be taken in business. It is essential to
select approachers for defaulters so it gives lesson to others. Psychology service- There are possibilities of some psychology service to support mental
level of children, so they gets motivated and able to deal with external factors. NSPCC- This is the association which works for growth of cruel children. They have
homes which works for medical assistance and take care of children.
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