Safeguarding Practices (Chapter 25)

Working with babies and young children is very rewarding, but it brings with it a high degree of responsibility and accountability for their safeguarding and protection. Those who work with children have a duty of care to be proactive, take preventative measures and have policies, procedures, and strategies in place to protect children from harm and promote their welfare. The UK has a framework of legislation and guidance to support practitioners to safeguard children and take action to ensure their protection. This chapter provides an overview of this framework and the principles that underpin it. It explores the various risks that children face in relation to abuse, neglect and the internet, including within the context of the pandemic. Child protection concerns might arise at any point during work with young children and it is important that practitioners feel confident to respond appropriately if this happens. This chapter supports practitioners to identify children who might be at risk of harm and gain an understanding of how to share concerns.