Safeguarding Guidance
The safeguarding and welfare requirements (section 3) of the EYFS outline the duties and responsibilities we must follow when working with children from birth to five.
The requirements in this section explain what early years providers must do to: safeguard children; ensure the suitability of adults who have contact with children; promote good health; manage behaviour; and maintain records, policies and procedures.
You MUST know what is covered in this section and how it influences the policies and procedures within the setting.
Following the death of Victoria Climbie in 2000, Lord Laming (2003) conducted an inquiry to improve the child protection system. This then led to the Every Child Matters Green Paper in 2003 and updates within The Children Act 2004.
The Children’s Act 2004 provides a comprehensive framework for the care and protection of children. It reinforces the duty of care for all organisations to help safeguard and promote the welfare of children. It aims to improve and integrate children’s services, promote early intervention and promote accountability through a multi-agency, child- centred approach.
This document outlines the need for a child-centred, co-ordinated approach to Safeguarding. This is the statutory guidance that outlines the clear expectations of working with agencies within your local area and at a national level.
We must be alert to any issues of concern in the child’s life, recognising signs of potential abuse or neglect. Safeguarding policy and procedures in the setting detail the action we must take, who we would contact and the training we must have. As a result, we must have a designated safeguarding lead in the setting who must complete child protection training.
NOTE: Change from Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCBs) to Safeguarding Partners
Page 60 outlines the expectations for Early Years and Childcare. You MUST know how it influences the policies and procedures within the setting.
Although this guidance is for schools and colleges, it is important we understand its contents. It outlines the need for a child-centred, multi-agency approach, where everyone is alert. It highlights the need for safer recruitment, effective record keeping and information sharing to support early intervention, assessment and referrals. It also covers how safeguarding is taught within the curriculum.
This advisory document has been produced to support the practitioners in decisions when sharing information, to reduce the risk of harm and promote the well-being of children. There are seven golden rules to sharing information, made in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).(Necessary and proportionate, relevant, adequate, accurate, timely, secure, record)
We must be alert to the signs of abuse and neglect, question behaviours, and know who to ask for help, including when and who to refer to.
Have you completed SAFEGUARDING and FGM training?
This advisory document outlines how to embed British Values as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. We must promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
Look at how this is embedded within the EYFS.
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Under The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, we must have due regard for the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. We must have a general understanding and be alert to the risk factors; and to identify and support those at risk of radicalisation.
Have you completed PREVENT training?
