Module 3 - Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child or young person

People who work with children and young people have responsibilities to safeguard and promote their welfare. This is an important responsibility and requires careful attention. It means being able to recognise when a child or young person is not achieving their developmental potential, or when their physical or mental health is impaired. It means recognising when a child is displaying risky or harmful behaviour, or is being neglected or abused. It also means being able to identify sources of help for them and their families. Sometimes more than one risk factor may be affecting a child or young person and it may be necessary to work with others to address them.

It is important to identify concerns and where appropriate take action as early as possible so that children, young people, their families and carers can get the help they need. The proposed action should be proportionate to the nature and severity of the risk factors identified and build on strengths and positive factors. As well as ensuring that children and young people are not suffering from harm, it is equally important to ensure their well-being and quality of life.

Skills

·         Establish respectful, trusting relationships with children, young people, their parents and carers.

·         Make considered judgements about how to act to safeguard and promote a child or young person’s welfare. Where appropriate, consult the child, young person, parent or carer. This may mean making decisions early when the situation may not be clear, with a view to protecting children and young people from harm.

·         Give the child or young person the opportunity to express their views and participate in decisions that affect them, as appropriate to their age and ability, and taking their wishes and feelings into account.

·         Address barriers to a child or young person expressing their views due to disability, stage of development or other factors.

·         Judge when it is appropriate to speak to the child or young person on their own.

·         Involve parents and carers appropriately in safeguarding and promoting children and young people’s welfare.

·         Recognise the factors that can affect parenting and increase the likelihood of a child being neglected or abused, for example domestic violence or parental substance misuse.

·          Recognise the range of possible behaviours which may harm children and young people. Know how to address them.

·          Support children and young people to develop resilience and build mental, physical, emotional and social well-being.

·         Use appropriate information and communication technology and language skills to observe, record and report.

·         Undertake formal, or informal, assessments and be alert to concerns about a child or young person’s safety or welfare. This includes being alert to unexplained changes in behaviour and signs of abuse or neglect.

·         Be able to recognise when a child or young person‘s life is in danger, or when they are likely to suffer harm, and take action to protect them.

·         Have self-awareness and the ability to analyse objectively.

·         Have the confidence to actively represent the child or young person and his or her rights.

·         Have the confidence to challenge the way you or others practise.

·         Develop appropriate professional relationships with children and young people.

Knowledge

·         Understand what is meant by safeguarding and the different ways in which children and young people can be harmed. This includes by other children and young people, by a single event or ongoing maltreatment, through the internet and other media, or by their own risk-taking behaviour.

·         Have awareness and basic knowledge, where appropriate, of the laws and policy areas relevant to your role that relate to safeguarding children and young people, including in the online world.

·         Know how to find information about the risk factors that may impair a child or young person’s health or development.

·         Understand that signs of abuse or neglect can be subtle and be expressed in play, artwork or online activities, as well as behaviour and the way children and young people approach relationships with other children and adults.

·         Know about government and local guidance on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

·         Understand the crucial role that information sharing plays in maintaining the safety and well-being of children and young people.

·         Understand when information may be shared, with and without consent, to safeguard the welfare of children and young people.

·         Know when and how to discuss concerns with parents and carers.

·         Understand the use that children and young people make of new technologies to understand the implications of risks of harm.

·         Be aware of local procedures and inter-agency arrangements for safeguarding children and young people, including the role of adult services.

·         Know the boundaries of personal competence and responsibility, when to involve peers, managers, supervisors or professional bodies, and where to get advice and support.