Tda_2.2_Safegarding

Safeguarding the Welfare of Children and Young People 1) Know about the legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures for safeguarding the welfare of children and young people including e-safety Child Act 1989 This act identifies the responsibilities of parents and professionals to ensure the safety of a child. It includes 2 important sections which focuses on child protection they are:- Section 47- States that the local authority has a duty to investigate when ‘they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child who lives, or is found, in their area is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm’ Section 17 – States that services must be put into place by local authorities to ‘safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area who are in need’ Education Act 2002 This set’s out the responsibilities of LEA’S governing bodies, head teachers and all those working in schools to ensure that children are safe and free from harm. Children Act 2004 This provides the legal framework for every child matters. It includes the requirement for: * Services to work more closely together forming an integrated services * A ‘common’ assessment framework to help the early identification on need * A shared database of information which is relevant to the safety and welfare of children * Earlier support for parents who are experiencing problems Policies Which Safeguard Schools must develop a range of policies which ensure the safety, security and well-being of their pupils. This will set out the responsibilities of staff and the procedures that they must follow. They may be separate policies, or integrated into one health and safety policy, but the must cover the following issues * Safeguarding and Protecting and Procedures for reporting * E-safety * Bullying – including Cyber Bullying Working together to Safeguard Children (2010) This is a guidance which sets out the duties of organisations and how they must work together to safeguard children and young people What to do if you are worried a child is being abused. This is to help those working with children to safeguard and promote their welfare. It also looks at the actions that adults working with children to take it they ware concerned Describe the roles of different agencies involved in safeguarding the welfare of children + young people Children’s Social Care Police Health Services Education school/college Services which work together to safeguard + promote the welfare of children NSPCC Schools All adults within the school have a responsibility to safeguard the welfare of children. There must also be a designated member of staff with particular responsibilities for the safeguarding of children and for e-safety. Schools have a responsibility to:- * Develop children’s awareness and knowledge of what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour, including using the internet * Know, support and protect children who are identified as being at greater risk that is on the ‘at risk register’ * Provide opportunities for professional training for staff relating to safeguarding * Put in place policies and security systems for e-learning activities * Observe for signs that abuse may be happening, and refer any concerns * Monitor, keep records and share information with other agencies Children’s Social Care Those have a key role to safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are in need. They must closely with parents and other agencies. When concern is raised about a child they must decide the course of action to take. If it is found that a child is at risk, Social Workers will:- * Carry out an initial assessment of the child to find out the child’s needs, its parents are meeting the child’s needs, family and environment factors * Meet and conduct interviews with child + family members * Liaise with and gather relevant information about the child and their circumstances from other agencies * Take the lead during the Child Protection Conference * Take action when a child is thought to be in immediate danger Police Police will work closely with children’s social care to protect children from harm. All forces have a Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) Their role + responsibilities include: * Making a decision on whether a crime has been committed and it so, to begin a criminal investigation * Gather evidence from children’s social care, other agencies and others thought to be involved. * Taking emergency action if a child is in immediate danger- this may involve removing the child or the perpetrator. * Attending court to give evidence when a crime has been committed Health Professionals GPs and Doctors may examine children with injuries which they may suspect to be non- accidental. They have a duty to alert children’s social care when abuse is suspected. They may also:- * Carry out medical examination or observations of a child thought to be at risk or has suffered abuse * Contribute to children’s social care reports * Give evidence in court if a crime has been committed NSPCC This is a Third Sector (charitable) organisation. It is the only Third sector organisation that has Statuary Power, alongside the Police and children’s social services, to take action when children are at risk of abuse. They also:- * Provide services to support families and children * Provide a helpline for people to call if they are worried about a child * Provide a helpline for children in distress or danger * Raises awareness of abuse * Works to influence the law and social policy to protect children better * Shares expertise with other professionals E-Safety The UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) was launched in 2008 in response to concerns about Internet Safety. The Council has provided a strategy to increase awareness of Internet Safety and set out measures to protect children from unsuitable sites. The Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) These oversee the work of other agencies. The board is made up of experts from the range of children’s services. Serious cases of abuse are always reviewed by the LSCB 2) Know what to do when children or young people are ill or injured, including emergency procedures Identify the signs + symptoms of common childhood illnesses If meningitis is suspected then immediate medical help should be sought. Children with meningitis may display any of the following signs: * Fever * Severe Headache * Neck Stiffness * Vomiting * Joint or Muscle Pain * Dislike of bright lights * Seizure/convulsions * A rash Describe the actions to take when children or young people are ill or injured. All schools must have at least one first aider. It’s essential to know who the first aiders are, and how to contact them. Schools will also have a system in place for summoning urgent medical help to a classroom or school grounds Dealing with Minor Injuries All children at some time or another will suffer minor cuts, bruises and abrasion. These can be dealt with in the school and do not require children to be sent home. These can be washed with clean water, but creams or lotions should never be applied. Reporting and recording If a child has been feeling ill during the day, or has had a minor injury, the school needs to send a report to the parents or carers, especially when a child has received a bump to the head. Even if there are no obvious symptoms, Parents need to know what has happened and what symptoms they should look for. Information on incidents and accidents must be reported in the school incident/accident book. You will need to provide details on what occurred and the action that you took. You should make notes as soon after the incident as possible. A manager or member of staff with authority to do so will complete and sign the reports. Serious accidents have to be reported to the Health and Safety Executive by Law. Identify Circumstances when children and Young People might require Urgent Medical Attention When it’s suspected that children have taken drugs or abused substances Disorientation Suspected Fractures Epileptic Seizure Emergency Situations which require urgent medical attention Breathing Difficulties Choking Head Injuries Severe Bleeding Unconsciousness Accidents When an accident occurs call for immediate help, find out what has happened so you can give accurate information when dialling 999. Also:- * Reassure the child * Do not move the child unless absolutely necessary * If child is unconscious place them in the recovery Position * Do not give food or drink * Keep the child warm e.g. place a coat over them * Ensure other children in the area are not at risk of being hurt Asthma Asthma affects the airways of the lungs. Symptoms are wheezing and coughing, most children with asthma have an inhaler. Make sure you know where these are kept and how to support children when using it. When children have an asthmatic attack which is not helped by the inhaler, its essential to seek medical help Epilepsy Children with epilepsy may rarely have an attack, but if this does happen make sure they are kept from harm. They will need to be reassured as they recover from a seizure. Urgent medical help must be sought if a child:- * Does not recover immediately * Has more than one seizure * Has not been diagnosed as epileptic Anaphylaxis Many children have allergic reactions, which cause sneezing, wheezing, coughing, itchy eyes or swelling. In rare cases children have severe reactions which can be life threatening and need immediate treatment. Common triggers for children with anaphylaxis are foods such as eggs, nuts and seafood as well as stings or insect bites. Children in anaphylactic shock have difficulty breathing. Children who have been diagnosed may have an auto injection kit of adrenaline (Epipen) available at school. Immediate medical help must be sought in the event of a reaction, even if adrenaline has been given Diabetes This is when the body does not produce insulin. Some children may need to inject themselves during the course of the school day. Sometimes following activity or when children have not eaten enough carbohydrates their blood glucose levels can fall. The signs of this include hunger, pallor, feeling shaky and irritable, a fast pulse, glazed eyes, tingling lips, drowsiness, trembling and nausea. This state is called hypoglycaemia (often referred to as hypo). When this happens the child requires something sugary, followed by carbohydrates. Children can usually return to their school work. Medical help will be required if they continue to show signs of hypo or become unconscious. Describe the actions to take in response to Emergency Situations including Fires, Security incidents and missing children or young people This applies to off school grounds (on a trip) as well as on school grounds Make sure you + children leave everything behind do not re-enter building Check registers Ensure other children are present and safe (check register) Signing-in procedures/visitors badges Security locks on doors Procedures for the collections of younger pupils Registration Know the following security procedure for you own children’s safety Fire and other emergencies Security When Children are missing Inform child parents Inform Police The nearest assembly point Check all areas of school or grounds The route you should take What to do if you hear the fire alarm Report to the teacher responsible If children are missing staff must take action immediately How to raise the alarm in event of fire/gas leak/bomb scare Building needs to be evacuated quickly so you need to know In the event of any of the following:- ng: 3) Know how to respond to evidence or concerns that a child or young person has been abused, harmed or bullied Identify the characteristics of different types of child abuse Emotional Abuse Sexual Abuse Sexual abuse happens when a child is forced or persuaded into sexual activities or situations this may be * Physical contact –including touching or acts of penetration * Non-physical contact-involving children in looking at pornographic materials or acts Neglect This happens when there is a persistent failure to provide for a child’s health, development and psychological needs. This can include not providing enough food, shelter, clothing or medical care, or not providing for their educational or emotional needs Physical Abuse Physical abuse happens when a child is physically hurt or injured. Hitting, Kicking, Beating with objects, burning, scolding, suffocating, throwing and shaking are all forms of physical abuse This happens when a child suffers persistent ill treatment which affects their emotional development. It may involve making a child feel frightened, unloved, worthless or in danger. Emotional abuse may happen alone, but usually takes place with other types of abuse Identify the characteristics of different types of child abuse Bullying is also a recognised type of abuse, and should always be taken seriously. Emotional bullying is the most commonly reported by children and young people. Bullying happens when an individual or group shows hostility towards an individual and this can be:- * Emotional – name calling, not talking to them, taking or hiding personal items, humiliating, teasing or spreading rumours * Physical, such as punching, kicking etc. or threatening to use physical force * Racist * Sexual – Inappropriate physical contact, sexual comments and innuendo or homophobic taunts Cyber bullying has also become increasingly common, and can be emotional, racist or sexual form of abuse. Children and young people who use this method often feel disassociated from their actions, but the consequences can be just as serious. This type of bullying can be particularly distressing as children are unable to get away from it. Self-harm is when children deliberately hurt themselves. Self-harm often happens as a result of other types of abuse. Behavioural signs Physical Signs * Withdrawn behaviour * Aggressive behaviour * Reluctance to change for PE * Fear of parents being approached for an explanation * Flinching when approached or touched * Depression * Running away from home * Unexplained burns or scalds, bruised, fractures * Bruises/abrasions around mouth * Grasp marks * Bruised to both eyes * Bite marks * Bruises to soft part of face * Marks showing outline of an implement such as a stick or belt buckle Physical Types of Abuse Neglect Emotional * Difficulty in making friends * Lateness/poor school attendance * Stealing (for example, food from other pupils) * Hunger * Poor personal Hygiene * Under or overweight * Tiredness or lethargy * Inappropriate or inadequate clothing * Untreated health problems * Developmental delay * Frequent illness * Hunger Delay in physical and/or emotional development * Speech disorders * Poor concentration * Self-harming behaviour * Overreaction to problems or mistakes * Difficulty in making friends * Attention seeking or aggressive * Low self-esteem * Rocking/thumb sucking/hair twisting * Abuse of drugs, solvents or alcohol * Truancy * Self-harming behaviour * Bruises or scratches * Difficulty in walking or sitting * Sleep problems * Stomach problems * Frequent headaches * Vaginal bleeding or discharge * ‘Love bites’ * Self-harming behaviour * Eating disorders * Displaying inappropriate sexual behaviour * Behaviour/knowledge inappropriate for age * Using sexually implicit language * Withdrawn or confused * Secrecy, e.g. wiping ‘history’ from the Internet or closing a web page when adult present Sexual Describe the risks and Possible Consequences for children and young people using the internet, mobile phones and other technologies Risks when using the internet There are risks of sexual or emotional abuse when using the internet. The most common risks are * Giving our personal information * Accessing inappropriate information – often accidentally when innocent words are typed into a search engine Consequences of sharing Personal Information More and more children are using social networking sites and online diaries. Children often place information about themselves online, which makes it easy to identify them. Some include addresses, telephone numbers and sometimes photographs. This makes them easy targets for adults who wish to exploit them by:- * Talking to and building up ‘friendships’ with children online with the intention of meeting them (this is known as grooming) * Encourage them to engage in conversations of a sexual nature * Talking to and/or distributing photographs using the internet Risks of accessing inappropriate information There is a huge risk that children may access inappropriate or even pornographic materials when innocently searching for information on the internet. Schools must have filtering systems in place which prevents access to unsuitable sites. Children should always be supervised when using computers in schools to minimise these risks. However vigilant staff and parents may be, the risks and consequences are increasing. Children should be made aware of the risks and how to protect themselves. All schools must now have a policy which ensures that children are protected and are taught how to use the internet safely. Describe actions to take in response to evidence or concerns that a child or young person has been abused, harmed (including self-harm) or bullied, or may be at risk of harm abuse or bullying It is important that you recognise when abuse may be happening and what actions you should take. While you must avoid jumping to conclusions you must always be observant, you may notice physical signs or changes in a child’s behaviour, or the child may hint or tell you that they are being abused or bullied Always * Report concerns about possible signs or changes in behaviour to the designated person * Take what children say seriously – it will take a lot of courage to tell you and children rarely lie about abuse * Reassure children that they are not to blame if they tell you they have been abused * Tell children that you will have to tell someone who can help them * Write down what you have observed or what has been said, but keep the information secure Never * Promise to keep information secret * Investigate further or ask question * Appear shocked * Make promises to children Remember * It’s not your responsibility to draw conclusions, only report what information you have * You have a statuary responsibility to report concerns under the Education Act 2002 Describe the actions to take in response to concerns that a colleague may be failing to comply with safeguarding procedures or harming, abusing or bullying a child or young person Although all people who work with children are required to complete a form to disclose any convictions you might have, abuse can and has, happened within school. This is called institutional abuse. All staff have a duty to comply with policies and procedures. Failure to do so can put children at risk of harm or abuse, so any concerns must always be reported to the designated person. If your concerns are that a colleague is abusing a child, it should be dealt with in the same way as if the abuser is a parent. The head teacher should be informed. If the allegation is against the head teacher, you should report it to the designated member of staff for child protection or the local education. These are difficult situations, but your first priority is to the child. It’s important not to discuss what has happened with others, although you may need to seek support for yourself Describe the principles and boundaries of confidentiality and when to share information Confidentiality is essential in schools. The same principles apply whether you are employed by the school or you are working as a volunteer, you may be told sensitive information about a child and this should never be a topic of conversation in the staffroom or with other parents As a teaching assistant, Parents may tell you personal or sensitive information. You must let them know that you would need to share it with you superior. Information can be passed on without permission when a child is at risk. However this should only be related to people who ‘need to know’. If in doubt always ask for advice Information Sharing In some circumstances, when a child may be at risk, information can be passed without consent to people who need to know. Sharing information ensures that problems can be identified early and action is taken when children are thought to be at risk of abuse. There will be systems within the school on ways that this is done