A Basic Understanding of Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People (Category 2)
Section 1: Understand Safeguarding and Child Protection In this section you will learn: •
What is meant by the terms safeguarding and child protection.
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What is meant by appropriate and inappropriate behaviour in relation to children and young people.
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Factors that could influence a child’s behaviour.
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The difference between poor working practices and abuse.
Section introduction Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. When working with children, young people and other vulnerable groups, you have a duty of care to keep each individual safe from harm or to be able to spot indicators of harm or abuse to a child. Each organisation that works with children and young people will have a designated safeguarding officer. In this section you will consider what is meant by safeguarding and child protection, your responsibilities in terms of prevention of harm to children’s wellbeing and ensuring a healthy and safe provision of care. Additionally, you will explore appropriate and inappropriate behaviour, taking consideration of how you can manage situations within your sessions to keep everyone safe.
Safeguarding and Child Protection Safeguarding is the wider term used when discussing anything related to a child or young person’s welfare, or factors inhibiting their healthy development. Safeguarding looks at everything from security of buildings, safe recruitment of staff, appropriateness and safety of activities for children relevant to their abilities and behaviour management for children and young people. In practice, safeguarding is the policies and practices that organisations employ to keep children safe, protect them from harm, abuse or neglect and promote their wellbeing. Child Protection is one part of safeguarding. Child Protection is a term used to describe the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Working Together to Safeguard Children (2020) defines safeguarding as: •
Protection of children from maltreatment.
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Preventing impairment of children’s health and development.
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Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
A Basic Understanding of Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People (Category 2) Manual | Version 1 | © YMCA Awards 2021
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