Safeguarding the Welfare of Children and Yooung People Essay Example

ensure that every child is considered and promote the well-being of Every Child Matters. Additionally, each child in the UK has the right to five expected outcomes.

Under the Health and Safety Legislation of 1974, individuals working in schools must take measures to ensure health and safety. This includes taking precautions for their own well-being and others who may be affected, like children. They also need to work with authorities and meet OFSTED's requirements for schools.

It is essential for everyone to have knowledge about safety rules, procedures, and safe practices in order to comply with them. This applies to individuals like Physical Education teachers who provide swimming lessons. These teachers should be familiar with safety protocols including fire emergency procedures (such as the location of fire exits, fire extinguishers, and fire blankets), the availability of a first aid box, accommodations for students with physical disabilities, and the designated escape routes. If a student under 16 needs medication, their parents must be informed beforehand. The responsibility for assisting in medication administration lies with the head teacher. In cases where a student requires medication during school hours, parental consent must be obtained using a consent form. Proper storage and disposal of medications are also crucial factors in prioritizing health and safety.

It is important that access to inhalers or adrenaline in emergencies is convenient and fast, without being locked away. Both staff and students should be aware of where to find them. The 2002 amendment on Manual Handling pertains to ensuring that any load being lifted or handled, such as a box, trolley, person, or animal, does not suffer harm or injury during the process. For children or young

people, this also includes ensuring their safety while being carried and the safety of those around them. The guidelines for manual handling involve avoiding hazardous manual handling whenever possible, assessing the risk of injury from any hazardous manual handling, reducing the risk by taking appropriate measures, using provided safety equipment correctly, and making sure that one person's manual handling activity does not endanger others. E-safety is extremely important considering the continuous advancements in technology which grant children immediate access to mobile phones and the internet.

Schools bear the responsibility of ensuring the safety of children and young people while using mobile phones or the internet. E-safety, which is a safeguarding concern, applies to all individuals within the school environment including staff, visitors, and students.

Educating children and young individuals about technology at an early age is crucial for them to understand its advantages and disadvantages. This knowledge will empower them to make informed decisions. For instance, they should only share their mobile phone numbers with trusted family members and friends. They should also be aware that anything on a mobile device can easily be transferred to a computer.

When using the internet, it is essential for children and young people to utilize search engines for educational purposes such as homework, research, and intellectual growth. However, they must also exercise caution regarding illegal websites that contain explicit content or offer unlawful games, videos, or music downloads.

Engaging in social networking on the internet comes with risks. Children are especially vulnerable to individuals who pretend to be someone else online. This danger is even greater for those from disadvantaged backgrounds seeking attention. Unfortunately, some older adults exploit these situations by targeting

children and young individuals.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child stresses the significance of responsible technology usage and safeguarding against risks and exploitation to preserve individuals' rights. While not legally binding in the UK, this document has been supported by the country, who has pledged to include its articles in their laws. Certain articles, like the right to family life, have already been incorporated into legislation in the UK.

The text highlights the significance of various rights and responsibilities, including the right for families to stay together. It emphasizes the need for government support to parents who seek services for their children. Additionally, it stresses the government's role in protecting children from any sort of mistreatment or neglect by their parents, which includes safeguarding them against sexual abuse and any actions that may impede their growth.

Related to the "Be Safe" Children Act 2004, articles regarding safeguarding children from harm are connected. The act's objective is to protect children from harm and neglect. Safeguarding policies and procedures in schools should encompass details about staff responsibilities and obligations, along with protocols for addressing child protection.

All staff members are required to attend child protection training in order to comply with LSCB procedures and guidelines. It is essential to maintain confidentiality when discussing incidents involving children or young people, only sharing information with those directly involved or necessary individuals such as parents/guardians, senior colleagues, or agency members. The head teacher has the sole authority to decide whether to involve or refer a child to an external agency, such as social services or the police. If social services are contacted, a report must be submitted within 48 hours.

Staff should collaborate with parents/guardians unless there are concerns regarding the safety of the child. Children who are on the child protection register will have their attendance and development closely monitored due to being considered "at risk". Staff members bear responsibility for ensuring the welfare and safety of children and young people during their work.

If there are concerns about a child's safety, individuals should adhere to the school's child protection policy, procedures, and anti-bullying policy. If deemed necessary, the school may involve child protection services or law enforcement. In Task 2 of this discussion, I will address the different roles of agencies involved in safeguarding children and young people. Social Services, which can be found within each local authority, have the responsibility of safeguarding the well-being of children and young people. They provide support and assistance to those in need and investigate allegations or suspicions of abuse. Utilizing the Assessment Framework, they conduct assessments to ensure consistent levels of protection for every child. Any significant concerns related to safeguarding and protecting children and young people must be documented by Social Services.

The council is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the child protection plan for children on the child protection register, ensuring their safety and well-being. This includes supervising their placement in a foster family, children's home, or other appropriate setting.

In the United Kingdom, children are assigned a health visitor from birth. This health visitor can be a fully qualified nurse or midwife from either the NHS or private sector. Their role is to provide assistance and support to parents or guardians until their child reaches five years old.

Health visitors have various responsibilities which include organizing

parent and baby clinics at different locations such as surgeries, community centers, and children's centers. They also conduct specialized sessions on child development and offer advice on aspects of childcare such as feeding, sleeping, safety, physical and emotional development, weaning, immunization, etc.

Additionally,
health visitors collaborate with children's centers,
schools,
preschools,
and local community action groups.

Health visitors provide emotional support for a range of issues including postnatal depression, bereavement, disability, family conflict, and domestic violence affecting the mother or child. If any concerning signs or distress are observed in the child's behavior or appearance, more frequent check-ups will be necessary. In cases where neglect or physical/emotional harm is identified, other agencies such as social services, senior colleagues, or the police must be involved and informed by the health visitor.

The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) directly reports to Parliament and operates independently and impartially. They inspect and regulate various services that cater to children, young people, and learners of all ages. These include schools, childcare facilities, centers for children and families, adoption and fostering services. Throughout England each week they conduct numerous inspections and regulatory visits guided by strict values expected from the assessed services.

The purpose of their inspections is to promote improvements in each child service so that children, young people, parents/carers can receive the best possible care. Their core principles include prioritizing children and learners, striving for excellence, acting with integrity, and valuing diversity. During inspections, the focus is on the quality of service for individual children and young people. By gathering firsthand evidence through observing practice and engaging with service users, they make professional judgments that are published in inspection reports. These

reports are available to all interested parties and assess whether significant improvement, improvement, satisfactory performance, good performance or outstanding performance is required for the service. Task 3 ; 4 involves identifying signs and symptoms of common childhood illnesses and explaining the appropriate actions to take when a child or young person becomes ill or injured. It is crucial to immunize babies and young children against diseases that their immune system may be unable to combat.

Children usually receive their first vaccinations at around 2 months old from their local GP or clinic. It is vital to be aware of a range of illnesses that can affect children, such as allergies, asthma, bronchitis, chickenpox, colds, diabetes, diarrhea, earache, flu, glandular fever, headaches, measles meningitis mumps sore throat and worms. Some common illnesses have specific signs and symptoms. For example, Whooping Cough initially presents as a cold and cough but gradually worsens over time. The child may experience exhausting coughing fits that make breathing difficult. After coughing, there may be a whooping noise when the child inhales. These bouts can last for several weeks. If the cough becomes more severe and persists longer than usual it is advisable to consult a doctor to determine if it is indeed Whooping Cough. Additionally,it is important to limit contact between babies and individuals with Whooping Cough as infants are at higher risk of contracting the disease.

Initially, Rubella can begin with mild cold symptoms and later develop a rash on the face that spreads. The glands in the back of the neck may also become slightly swollen. It is important to ensure that individuals affected by Rubella drink enough water and avoid

contact with anyone who is either four months pregnant or trying to conceive, as there is a potential risk to their baby if they contract Rubella.

The onset of Parvovirus B19 involves fever and nasal discharge, which then leads to a bright red rash on the cheeks. This rash subsequently spreads to the trunk and limbs within two to four days, often having a lacy appearance. While this condition primarily affects children, it can also affect adults. Though most cases do not have serious consequences, individuals with chronic anemia may experience complications.

Mumps usually starts with a mild illness, along with fever and potential complaints of ear pain or difficulty in chewing and swallowing. The swelling begins on one side of the face initially and then spreads to the other side. This swelling generally goes away within a week. During this period, your child may feel sick and unwilling to stay in bed. To ease the discomfort, you can give them baby or junior paracetamol, making sure to follow the dosage instructions on the packaging. It is crucial to encourage your child to drink ample fluids while avoiding juice drinks.

If your child is complaining of stomach pains or develops a rash of red/purple spots or bruises, it is recommended to see your doctor. Measles typically starts with watery eyes, similar to a bad cold. After the third or fourth day, your child will become unwell with a temperature and a rash will emerge. The raised red spots begin behind the ears and then spread throughout the body. It is advised to seek medical attention, provide ample rest for your child, and ensure they drink plenty of water.

Warm beverages can provide relief for a cough. Paracetamol can reduce fever and alleviate discomfort. Use warm water to gently wash away crustiness from their eyelids. Chickenpox typically begins with the child feeling unwell and possibly having a low-grade fever. The spots initially appear red and then develop into fluid-filled blisters over a few days.

The first appearance of chickenpox is on the chest and back. Eventually, these spots will spread and turn into dry scabs that will eventually fall off. If the spots become infected, they will not cause scarring. You do not need to see a doctor unless you are unsure if it is chickenpox or if your child is very sick. Make sure to provide plenty of drinks, baths, and loose clothing for your child.

Paracetamol can help reduce a child's temperature, while calamine lotion can provide relief for itchiness. It is important to notify schools or nurseries in case other children are at risk. Observing abnormal behavior in a child often indicates that they are becoming unwell. Although some children may pretend to be sick, it is possible to determine if a child is truly getting ill by noting changes in their behavior, such as facial color changes (pale or reddish), fluctuating body temperature (very cold or hot), reluctance to engage in activities or interact with others, excessive body scratching, continuous coughing and sneezing, and experiencing diarrhea and vomiting.

If a child becomes ill at any point during their time at school or nursery, it must be documented and the child's parent or guardian must be notified. In a school setting, handwritten reports and records are necessary. The child's teacher should also be

informed when they are unwell so they can monitor their condition. In addition to informing the child's parent or guardian, if a child is unwell at a nursery, the parents or guardians of the other children must also be notified to prevent any potential spread of the illness.

If a child becomes seriously ill, it is crucial to inform their parents or guardian promptly so that they can decide whether to retrieve their child and bring them home. Typically, this responsibility falls upon the head teacher, class teacher, or teacher assistant. In the event of an injury occurring within the school premises, the teacher overseeing the situation will assess if the child requires medical attention, typically from the first aid box. For instance, if a child trips and grazes their knee, they may be asked to accompany the teacher indoors to ensure that their leg is not severely injured. Once inside, the teacher will utilize antiseptic wipes to clean the affected area and may apply a plaster or bandage. Additionally, a report must be generated detailing the incident, its cause, the medical attention provided to the child, and notification sent to their parents. Going forward, I will identify potential situations where children and young people might need urgent medical attention.When in the presence of children and young people, it is important to be aware of their vulnerability to illness. Certain symptoms such as a high temperature lasting more than 24 hours, continuous coughing with green and yellow catarrh, persistent pain above the eyes or in the face, severe sore throat, or intense ear ache may indicate the need for medical attention. However, if there is a

suspicion of meningitis, immediate medical advice or assistance should be sought.

When a child has difficulty breathing or has visited a high-risk malaria country in the last 12 months, urgent medical attention is necessary. Additionally, if a child's asthma worsens or a baby repeatedly refuses their feeds, medical assistance is needed. Immediate attention is also required if the child stops breathing, experiences difficulty breathing, becomes unconscious, fails to wake up, or has a seizure for the first time (even if they recover quickly). In such cases, it is important to contact the parents and recommend that they take their child to the hospital. Similarly, if the child has a fever and appears lethargic, is breathing rapidly or wheezing heavily, has severe abdominal pain, a persistent bleeding wound, or has swallowed tablets or poison, medical attention should be sought.

In Task 6, the actions to be taken during emergency situations such as fires, security incidents, and missing children or young people will be described. The purpose of following fire and emergency procedures is to maintain calm and ensure a safe and organized evacuation utilizing all available fire exits.

The fire and emergency evacuation procedure is crucial and must always include: Sounding the fire alarm, evacuating the building, calling the fire brigade, and assembling at the designated assembly point.

It is important to take a roll call using a register if available. This will help others understand the current situation in the building and know what actions to take. The alarm will signal that everyone should evacuate the building in a calm and correct manner, following the directions and instructions that have been provided.

In a school, it is important to ensure

that children are not running or screaming, and that every child has either left or is leaving the building. This helps maintain a calm atmosphere and prevents children from panicking, allowing them to focus on evacuation procedures. In terms of security incidents, schools have policies and procedures in place for the arrival and departure of pupils. Examples include signing in and out of a reception book, wearing identity tags for visitors, and signing a visitors book. When these policies are followed correctly, the following information should be recorded: the time of arrival and departure, the visitor's name, who they are visiting, their car registration, and first-time visitors should provide proof of identity. It is important to never leave pupils alone with adults who are not staff members. Additionally, pupils are not permitted to leave school with an adult who is not typically authorized to pick them up without permission.

A register should be taken at the beginning of every session to account for missing children or young people. Additionally, when students go on school outings or visits outside of the school premises, a register should be kept, with a duplicate for the head teacher. It is important to supervise pupils at all times, but there may be instances where they go missing. Therefore, it is necessary to inform or remind them about the boundaries when they are outside of school. If a child or young person goes missing while at school, the following procedures should be followed: immediately contact the class teacher or head teacher and call the register to identify the missing pupil or pupils.

To ensure the safety of students, it is necessary to search

classrooms and school grounds for any hiding or locked-in pupils. If such a situation arises, the head teacher will contact the police and notify the parents or caregiver of the missing student. In the case of a missing student during an outing, there is a slightly different procedure to follow. The teacher should check the register, keep the rest of the students together, search the area, inform the head teacher, who will then contact the police and notify the parents or caregiver.

Task 7 involves identifying the characteristics of different types of child abuse. Child abuse occurs when someone's actions cause significant harm to a child's health, development, or well-being.

Children can be abused, whether they are aware of it or not. There are four types of abuse that children can experience: Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Sexual Abuse, and Neglect.

Physical Abuse involves deliberately causing harm to a child or young person through acts such as burning, drowning, hitting, poisoning, scalding, shaking, suffocating, or throwing them. It can also include fabricating symptoms of ill health in a child or young person.

Emotional Abuse entails consistently making a child or young person feel unloved, inadequate, or worthless. This can include imposing inappropriate development expectations, threatening, taunting, and humiliating the child, as well as exploiting or corrupting them.

Sexual Abuse refers to encouraging a child to engage in sexual activities without fully understanding the nature of the actions due to their age or level of understanding.

The and their contents should be preserved. However, the text can beas follows:
Sexual activities may involve penetration or oral sex and could involve the child observing adult masturbation or viewing pornography. Neglect refers to a

situation where a child or young person is not provided with basic necessities such as food, drink, clothes, shelter, love, and medical attention. Neglect also occurs when a child or young person is put at risk or in danger, for example, when they are left alone for extended periods of time by their parents or caregivers. In Task 8, I will discuss the potential risks and consequences for children and young people using the Internet, mobile phones, and other technologies. Using the Internet can have negative effects on a child or young person's emotional well-being.

Pop-ups on websites can expose children and young people to inappropriate images, videos, and information. Schools have implemented a policy to prevent this from happening. As schools allow internet access for both staff and students, it is important to ensure the safety and security of their technology system. Additionally, students should only have access to information that is related to their subjects of study and appropriate for their age. These measures aim to protect children and young people from being exposed to material that may not be suitable for them.

Schools have a policy in place to ensure the safe and secure use of ICT. This policy includes measures for virus control to protect the system and files from corruption or destruction. It also mandates the use of software filters on ICT systems to prevent access to inappropriate websites or spam while students are using the computers. Additionally, the policy provides guidelines on preventing access to unsuitable material on the web and ensuring the safety of all students who use the web. This is crucial as the web is easily accessible

to various types of inappropriate, unlawful, and offensive content, such as pornography, cyber bullying, and chat rooms.

Racism, illegal downloading, and encouraging websites that promote wrong actions such as believing satanic ideologies, suicide, and drug use - these are all dangers that children and young people with mobile phones should be aware of.

e. It is crucial for children and young people to be cautious about sharing their phone number and personal information with unfamiliar individuals. Improper handling of mobile numbers can expose them to the risks of mobile hacking, bullying, prank calls, and potential exploitation by older individuals. It is essential for children and young people to remember that they should not trust or befriend anyone they have encountered through the internet, mobile, or any other technology. All digital interactions are permanent and cannot be completely erased, regardless of any attempts to delete them. Furthermore, pictures or videos sent using today’s technology can be altered, leading to the use of innocent content for someone else's advantage in order to disturb a child or young person either within or outside of school. This, in turn, perpetuates cyberbullying.

Technology is open to all possibilities and how it is used depends on the individual and their intentions. It is important to note that nothing is ever completely erased from technology, so every action taken by an individual can be traced. In Task 9, I will explain the appropriate steps to take when there is evidence or concern that a child or young person is being abused, harmed, bullied, or may be at risk of harm, abuse, or bullying. If a child confides in a staff member about an incident, it

is crucial to speak with them before they go home. Additionally, it is advisable to consult with a senior colleague without disclosing the child's name or to contact the designated child protection officer within the school. Each school should have its own officer responsible for addressing child protection issues and offering support and advice to staff members, as well as collaborating with local authorities and agencies.

Schools are committed to maintaining confidentiality and following child protection procedures. It is important to listen to and accept what a child confides in you regarding abuse. Allow the child to express themselves openly and refrain from asking direct questions. Avoid criticizing the alleged abuser and reassure the child that the abuse is not their fault. Let them know it was brave of them to speak up, but do not promise confidentiality as it may need to be reported to social services. Explain the next steps to the child and who else needs to be informed.

After a disclosure, make notes promptly and keep them, as they may be needed in court. Include details such as the date, time, location, non-verbal cues, and the child's exact words. Additionally, create a diagram if applicable to indicate any injuries or bruising. It is important to only record statements and observations, not assumptions or interpretations.

Dealing with child abuse or neglect cases can be stressful, so it is advisable to seek support from a senior staff member in such situations.Child protection encompasses both identifying instances of abuse and neglect as well as promoting prevention by empowering students to safeguard themselves.

As part of the prevention role, it is important to collaborate with the class teacher in

order to assist students in staying safe from harm, expressing their concerns, and comprehending acceptable and unacceptable behaviors towards them. If a student violates the school's anti-bullying policy, strict measures should be taken to address the bullying. The school should have various policies in place to handle different types of bullying, such as physical or emotional bullying. Research indicates that 85 percent of children aged five to eleven have encountered bullying, ranging from verbal insults to physical aggression.

If any form of bullying occurs with pupils and staff, the following actions should be taken:
- Ensuring that pupils and staff are aware of the school's policy against bullying
- Imposing appropriate punishments for bad behavior, such as exclusion from games or activities
- Helping the bully understand that their behavior is unacceptable and offering them support, such as counseling or discussions
- Collaborating with parents and teachers to raise awareness about bullying
- Ensuring that all students are aware that bullying is not tolerated
- Informing students that constant physical bullying may result in permanent exclusion
- Recognizing that children who are harmed or self-harm may isolate themselves and exhibit unexplained cuts and bruises.

It is important for anyone who notices any concerning behavior, whether it is a child or an adult, to speak up. This person should approach a senior colleague, a member of the social services, or the police to address the issue. It is crucial to remember that even if a child is self-harming, they may be facing difficulties both at school and outside. They may feel that they can only handle the problem on their own. In Task 10, I will explain the necessary steps to take when

responding to concerns about a colleague who fails to follow safeguarding procedures.

B. Harming, abusing or bullying a child or young person, as well as failing to comply with safeguarding procedures, are serious offenses. If you have reported a concern or problem to your line manager or protection officer and feel that they have not taken appropriate action, it is crucial to verify whether the concern has been resolved. If it remains unresolved, it is necessary to address the situation with another senior staff member. In the event that you are unable to communicate with a senior staff member, you may need to take additional action on behalf of the child in order to ensure their welfare.

Alternatively, you can contact "Whistle blowing," a service established by OFSTED, intended for individuals employed in roles involving children and young people. This service enables individuals to report any concerns regarding practices and procedures related to the protection and welfare of children and young people within their workplace.