Effective safeguarding arrangements in every local area must be underpinned by two key principles:
- Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility: for services to be effective each professional and organisation must play its full part.
- A child-centred approach: for services to be effective they must be based on a clear understanding of the needs and views of children.
- This is the founding principle of safeguarding children, it can involve building a picture over time with the reporting and recording of concerns, even if you think them minor, it could be the key to securing safety for a vulnerable child.
- It asserts that everybody has a role to play in protecting children from harm and keeping them safe. Sharing information, can provide the evidence required with is crucial to make the decisions necessary that retain children’s safety.
Good practice when working with children
When working with children it is important to follow the good practice as outlined below:
- adults should not behave in a manner which would lead any reasonable person to question their suitability to work with children, or act as a role model.
- adults ideally, must not work on their own with children. If a situation occurs when this arises, due to sickness or an emergency, always inform colleagues parents/carers to ensure that someone can be present or nearby or open a door.
- generally, it is inappropriate to offer lifts to a child or young person however there may be occasions where the child or young person requires transport in an emergency or where not to do so may place a child at risk. If circumstances permit, the appropriate adult or line manager should be informed before the lift is provided.
- the event must always be recorded and reported to a senior manager and appropriate adult.
- physical contact is discouraged and should only take place only when it is necessary and in a safe and open environment i.e. one easily observed by others.
- always report any accidents/incidents or situations where a child becomes distressed or angry to a senior colleague.
- place a child at increased risk of significant harm.
- place an adult at risk of serious harm.
- prejudice the prevention or detection of a serious crime.
- lead to unjustified delay in making enquiries about allegations of Significant Harm