Safeguarding

Task 1 links to learning outcome 1, assessment criteria 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5.

• An outline of current legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures within own UK Home Nation affecting the safeguarding of children and young people

There are many policies and procedures within the UK that outline the current legislation and guidelines to help with safeguarding children and young people, and these are;

- The Childcare Act 1989; parents and professionals must work together to ensure the safety of all children and young people in their care. Local authorities have a duty to investigate when there is a reasonable cause to suspect that a child or young person is suffering from, or is likely to suffer from any harm whatsoever.

- Children Act 2004; this act provides the legal framework for ‘Every Child Matters’. It includes the requirement for services to work more closely together, forming an integrated service.

- Working together to safeguard children 2006; this document provides an update on safeguarding to help agencies work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.

- The vetting and barring scheme was introduced in October 2009 with the aim of preventing unsuitable people from working with children, young people and vulnerable adults. Since July 2010, anyone working with or volunteering with children, young people and vulnerable adults will be required to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), and this will make decisions to prevent unsuitable people from working with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults using a range of different sources, such as a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), which gives employer’s detailed information of an individual’s criminal record and also any other information which may be of any help to them during the recruiting process.

• An explanation of child protection within the wider concept of safeguarding children and young people

Any service that...