A Basic Understanding of Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People (Category 2)
Section 2: Understanding the different indicators of abuse In this section you will learn: •
What the different types of abuse are.
•
How to recognise the signs and indicators of abuse.
Section introduction Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) defines abuse as: “Form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them, or more rarely, by others. They may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children”. The NSPCC explains that children and young people find it very difficult to talk about or disclose abuse. It is important that the adult is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse so they can act on behalf of the child.
Cyber bullying With such widespread use of social media and mobile phones amongst children and young people, there is so much more ‘hidden’ bullying that can happen outside of the school or activity day. This bullying can be relentless to the child or young person being targeted and not all adults will understand or be able to access where it could be taking place. As practitioners we must be vigilant to the signs of cyber bullying.
The types of abuse that may be faced by a child or young person and the signs and indicators of the abuse There are 4 types of abuse: physical, emotional, sexual, neglect. In addition, there is also bullying which is becoming more recognised as a type of abuse in its own right. The table below explains each of these, but also identifies the signs and indicators that you should be aware of and look out for in a child or young person.
A Basic Understanding of Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People (Category 2) Manual | Version 1 | © YMCA Awards 2021
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