Safeguarding

Question 1

Why?

Answer 1

Safeguarding rooted in policy and law: Children’s act 1989 (2004)

Today:

WHO estimates 40 million kids under 14yrs old are victims to abuse and neglect annually

Question 2

How does EPS promote child welfare?

Answer 2

Educating other professionals (e.g., about impact of their experience of abuse, attachment, events on their development)

Preventative work (parent support, drugs/violence, bullying)

Reactive work (critical incidence response and tribunals)

Risk assessment and identification

Creating safe environments (incl. policies and practices)

Support and intervention (kids and families)

Promoting mental health and well-being (and safeguarding)

Create plans that incl. safeguarding consideration and needs (incl. changing needs)

Question 3

What function does EPS serve?

Answer 3

‘Bridge’ between disciplines.

Have knowledge of:
Child abuse issues
Individual kids and families
School context
Local child protection processes and resources

Question 4

Who’s responsibility is safeguarding and why?

Answer 4

Everyone’s!
Legislative shift towards child development and welfare through “professional collaboration and shared responsibility”

Every organisation/service working with CYP is legally required to have steps, policy and training in place for safeguarding kids

Question 5

How to report/refer issue?

Answer 5

Talk about confidentiality with child - when there’s need to break it (if someone or them is at risk)

Follow school’s safeguarding procedure before leaving site (designated safeguarding lead, DSL)

After: check in with your supervisor, if busy, your PEP

Question 6

Who’s most at risk?

Answer 6

CYP with SEND at greater risk
Vulnerability (e.g., physical or learning impairment) may prevent them asking for help

Question 7

My role

Answer 7

Fear and shame (amongst others, confusion) are barriers to disclosing abuse

Work hard to:
Creating safe space - contained and not judged

Result:
Created an environment where very often confided to (sad to know how common abuse is) but means I can act to protect the child

A SENCo: Gay (cultural: shaming at home)
- Escalated it
- Art therapy (express self in safe space) (no ELSA)
- Convince family in a way that respected their wishes/culture as the young person needed this
- Very often in position where cultural barrier meant I had to carefully convince parent to agree to psych. Intervention if I felt it was in child’s best interest, and they needed advocacy.
- I left before more

Recently: touched by teacher
- Support fears
- Maintain trust
- Escalate
- Follow up: child, school