All individual’s working with children and young people have a responsibility for keeping them safe and promoting their welfare. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:
Settings play a unique and important part in children and young people’s lives. Professionals get to know and see the children in their care regularly. Professionals may well be the first to notice any changes and concerns about a child or young person. The relationships school staff build with children and families means they are often the people that children, young people and / or families feel able to disclose their worries and challenges to.
Safeguarding is a big responsibility. Worries about the wellbeing of a child should not be carried alone and any emerging concerns should be raised with your settings designated safeguarding lead. Safeguarding policies are there to allow reflection, inform your thinking and guide you through the process.
If it does not increase risk, be as open and honest with the children, young people and their families about your concerns. Partnership working with other involved services and professionals is the best way to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.
In Professional Settings
Professionals should contact the Norfolk Children's Advice and Duty Service (CADS) on 0344 800 8020 for supervision and advice they will plan next steps with you.
If you think a child or young person is in immediate danger contact the police on 999.
Resources
E-Learning
'All Our Health' offer free, bite-sized e-learning sessions - to improve the knowledge, confidence and skills of health and care professionals in preventing illness, protecting health and promoting wellbeing. The sessions cover some of the biggest issues in public health including;
They contain signposting to trusted sources of helpful evidence, guidance and support to help professionals embed prevention in their everyday practice.
