1.2. Summarise legislation, policies and procedures in relation to the safeguarding and protection of: • children and young people • adults

This guide will help you answer 1.2. Summarise legislation, policies and procedures in relation to the safeguarding and protection of: • children and young people • adults.

Safeguarding means protecting people from harm, abuse or neglect. In health and social care, safeguarding covers both children and adults. The aim is to make sure people are safe, healthy and have their rights respected. Protection is part of safeguarding and focuses on responding to risks and harm.

Both children and adults can face abuse. This might be physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect or financial exploitation. Laws, government guidance and workplace policies set out how this protection must happen.

There is a different set of laws for each group. This is because children depend more on adults for their safety and needs. Adults may still be at risk but may have the legal right to make their own decisions, even if those decisions are risky.

Safeguarding and Protection of Children and Young People

The safeguarding of children in the UK is guided by laws such as:

• Children Act 1989 – This law sets out the duty of local authorities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in their area. It introduces the concept of “parental responsibility” and describes how children in need should be supported.
• Children Act 2004 – This law updated and built upon the 1989 Act. It introduced measures to improve cooperation between agencies. It also paved the way for the “Every Child Matters” framework.
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (Statutory Guidance) – This is government guidance that outlines the duties of organisations and professionals in the UK to work together to safeguard children.
• United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 (UNCRC) – An international agreement that says children have rights to be safe, to be heard and to develop healthily.
• Keeping Children Safe in Education – Guidance for schools and colleges in England to follow in safeguarding pupils.

Workplace policies take guidance from these laws and set out clear steps for staff to follow. These include:

• Identifying signs of abuse or neglect
• Recording and reporting concerns quickly
• Making referrals to children’s social care
• Cooperating with multi-agency meetings
• Maintaining confidentiality

Key principles in protecting children:

• Best interests of the child – Actions should always focus on what is safest and most beneficial for the child.
• Early help – Providing support as soon as possible to prevent risks from becoming more serious.
• Information sharing – Sharing relevant details with the right people to protect a child.

Types of Abuse Affecting Children

Workers must know the categories of abuse defined in law and guidance:

• Physical abuse – Causing physical harm like hitting, shaking or burning.
• Emotional abuse – This includes making a child feel unloved, frightened or worthless.
• Sexual abuse – Forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities.
• Neglect – Failing to meet a child’s basic needs for health, food, shelter and emotional care.

Knowing the signs of these abuses allows workers to respond in line with policy.

Safeguarding and Protection of Adults

Adults in health and social care can be at risk of harm. This risk may be higher for those who have care and support needs. Safeguarding for adults in England is based on:

• Care Act 2014 – This law outlines the duties of local authorities to protect adults at risk of abuse or neglect. It sets out how safeguarding enquiries should happen and introduces Safeguarding Adults Boards.
• Working Together to Safeguard Adults (Local Guidance) – This may come from local safeguarding boards and follows Care Act principles.
• Human Rights Act 1998 – Protects basic rights such as the right to life, freedom from torture and the right to privacy.
• Equality Act 2010 – Protects people from discrimination related to age, disability, gender identity and other protected characteristics.

Policies base their procedures on these laws. This may include:

• Recognition of abuse and neglect signs in adults
• Conducting safeguarding adults enquiries
• Risk assessment and prevention planning
• Applying the principle of making safeguarding personal
• Multi-agency working

Types of Abuse Affecting Adults

Adults can face similar types of abuse to children but there are other categories too:

• Physical abuse – Hitting, slapping or misuse of medication.
• Emotional abuse – Threats, humiliation, isolation, controlling behaviour.
• Sexual abuse – Any sexual activity without consent.
• Neglect and acts of omission – Ignoring medical needs, withholding food or heating.
• Financial abuse – Theft, fraud, undue pressure over money matters.
• Discriminatory abuse – Harassment or ill-treatment based on a protected characteristic.
• Organisational abuse – Poor care or neglect in a service setting.

Shared Principles Across Both Groups

Although laws differ, there are shared approaches for safeguarding between children and adults.

• Prevention: Stopping abuse before it happens through awareness, education and safe working environments.
• Proportionality: Responding in a way that matches the level of risk.
• Protection: Offering quick and effective help for those who need it.
• Partnership: Working together with the person, their family and other agencies.
• Accountability: Being open and clear about safeguarding decisions.

Organisational Policies

Workplaces create safeguarding policies that reflect these laws. Staff training covers:

• How to raise concerns
• Who to report to
• How to record incidents
• Confidentiality rules
• Whistleblowing procedures
• Handling allegations against staff

Organisational safeguarding policies often include flowcharts and step-by-step processes for making referrals to social care, or contacting the police if someone is in immediate danger.

Procedures for Responding to Concerns

Both children and adults have safeguarding procedures that follow similar patterns.

For children:

1. Recognise the signs of abuse or neglect.
2. Record what you see or hear using factual language.
3. Report concerns to the designated safeguarding lead or manager.
4. The safeguarding lead makes a referral to children’s social care.
5. Cooperate with investigations and support plans.

For adults:

1. Identify risk or signs of abuse.
2. Check immediate safety and remove from danger if possible.
3. Report concerns to the safeguarding lead.
4. The lead contacts the local authority for a safeguarding enquiry.
5. Support the adult in decision-making wherever possible.

Policies on Sharing Information

Both the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR apply to safeguarding work. A common myth is that data protection laws block sharing information, but the law permits sharing if it prevents harm.

Procedures provide rules for:

• Sharing information with agencies like police or social services
• Keeping written records safe
• Using consent where appropriate
• Documenting decisions to share without consent if risk is significant

Whistleblowing and Staff Safety

Safeguarding is about protecting the vulnerable, but staff should be safe too. The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 protects staff who report safeguarding concerns about colleagues or practices.

Policies state:

• Who to contact internally
• How to contact an external whistleblowing body if needed
• That whistleblowers will not face punishment for speaking up in good faith

Multi-Agency Working

Safeguarding cannot be done by one service alone. Police, schools, GPs, social workers, hospitals and charities often work together. Laws such as the Children Act 2004 and Care Act 2014 require this cooperation.

Effective multi-agency work relies on:

• Clear communication channels
• Regular safeguarding meetings
• Agreed actions and follow-up plans
• Trusted relationships between professionals

Safeguarding Training Requirements

Regular training keeps staff up to date. Training is often tiered:

• Basic awareness for all staff
• Advanced safeguarding for those in direct care roles
• Specialist safeguarding for those making referrals or leading investigations

Training covers recognising abuse, legislation updates, reporting processes and personal responsibilities.

Record Keeping

Good record keeping in safeguarding is not optional, it is a legal requirement in many cases. Records:

• Provide evidence for investigations
• Show that policies were followed
• Can be used in court

Guidelines for good safeguarding records:

• Write in clear, factual language
• Avoid personal opinions
• Include dates, times and names
• Keep records secure

Involving the Person Being Protected

Safeguarding should not be done “to” someone without their involvement where possible. Adults under the Care Act principles should have their wishes and views considered. Children should be listened to, in line with their age and understanding, under the UNCRC and Children Act guidance.

Final Thoughts

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility in health and social care. Knowledge of the law is important because it sets the standard of what needs to be done, when to do it and how to do it. Without clear legal frameworks and strong policies, staff would be unsure of the right steps to keep people safe.

By following these laws, policies and procedures, you protect not only those at risk but also yourself and your organisation. Consistent training, awareness and cooperation between agencies keep safeguarding effective. Staying alert and acting quickly can make a real difference in preventing harm.