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Describe the roles of different agencies involved in safeguarding the welfare of children and young people
Schools have a responsibility to:
● develop children’s awareness and their knowledge of what is acceptable and not acceptable behaviour, including when using the Internet
● know, support and protect children who are identified as being at greater risk – that is, on the ‘at risk register’
● provide opportunities for professional training of all staff relating to safeguarding
● put into place policies and security systems for e-learning activities, for example, provide training for children and use filtering software
● observe for signs that abuse may be happening, changes in children’s behaviour or failure to thrive, and refer any concerns
● monitor, keep records and share appropriate information with other Agencies
Children’s social care
Children’s social care has a key role to safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are in need.
To do this, they must work in partnership with parents and other agencies. When concern has been raised about a child, and they are thought to be at risk, children’s social care has particular responsibilities to decide on the course of action to take.
If it is found that the child may be at risk of harm or abuse social workers will:
● carry out an initial assessment of children who are thought to be at risk to fi nd out about: for example, the child’s needs, the ability of parents to meet the child’s needs, family and environmental factors
● meet and conduct interviews with the child and family members
● liaise with and gather relevant information about the child and their circumstances from other agencies
● take the lead during the Child Protection Conference
● take action when a child is thought to be in immediate danger.
Police
The police work closely with children’s social care to protect children from harm.
The police have particular role to play. All forces have a Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU). Their role and responsibilities include:
● making a decision on whether a crime had been committed and if so, to begin a criminal investigation
● gathering evidence from children’s social care, other agencies and others thought to be involved
● taking emergency action if children are in immediate danger – this may involve removing the child or removing the perpetrator
● attending court to give evidence when a crime has been committed
Health professionals
Health professionals, in particular GPs and doctors in emergency departments, may examine children with injuries which they suspect may be non-accidental. They have a duty to alert children’s social care when abuse is suspected. Health professionals may also:
● carry out a medical examination or observations of a child thought to be at risk of abuse or who has suffered abuse
● contribute to children’s social care reports
● give evidence in court if a crime has been committed.
The National Society for the Protection of Children (NSPCC)
The NSPCC is a third-sector (charitable) organisation. Its role, as its name suggests, is to work to protect children from harm. The NSPCC is the only third-sector organisation (charity) which has the statutory power, alongside the police and children’s social services, to take action when children are at risk of abuse. The NSPCC also:
● provides services to support families and children
● provides a helpline for people to call who are worried about a child
● provides a helpline for children in distress or danger
● raises awareness of abuse, for example, through advertising and training materials
● works to influence the law and social policy to protect children better
● shares expertise with other professionals
Roles of Different Agencies Involved in Safeguarding. (2016, Oct 16). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/roles-of-different-agencies-involved-in-safeguarding-essay
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