2.1 Explain the need to safeguard children and young people

This guide will help you answer 2.1 Explain the need to safeguard children and young people.

Safeguarding means protecting children and young people from harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It also involves promoting their health, development, and wellbeing. Every child and young person has the right to feel safe, secure, and protected. Safeguarding is a shared responsibility for all adults working with them.

Without safeguarding, children can be exposed to abuse, poor care, or dangerous environments. This can lead to long-term harm, both physically and emotionally. Workers in schools, nurseries, and youth settings must understand the need for safeguarding and the role they play in protecting children.

Legal Framework and Expectations

UK safeguarding practice is supported by laws and statutory guidance. This sets out clear duties for workers and organisations.

Key legislation includes:

• Children Act 1989 and 2004 – Gives the legal framework for the care and protection of children.
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (Statutory Guidance) – Explains the roles of different agencies.
• Keeping Children Safe in Education – Sets out duties for schools and staff.
• Data Protection Act 2018 (including UK GDPR) – Protects personal data, including safeguarding records.

These laws exist so that every child has the same level of protection wherever they live in the UK. They also make clear that safeguarding is the duty of everyone who works with children, not only social workers or child protection teams.

Why Safeguarding is Needed

Safeguarding is needed to:

• Protect children from abuse and neglect.
• Promote a safe environment for learning and development.
• Support children’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.
• Prevent harm that can affect them for the rest of their lives.

Children are dependent on adults for care, support, and protection. They cannot always recognise risks and often lack the power to stop harmful situations on their own. Workers must act quickly when they see signs of possible harm.

Types of Harm Safeguarding Protects Against

Harm can come in many forms. Understanding these helps workers respond in the right way.

Physical Abuse

This involves causing physical harm to a child. Signs may include bruising, burns, fractures, or unexplained injuries. Physical abuse can happen once or be ongoing.

Emotional Abuse

This damages a child’s emotional development. It might involve constant criticism, humiliation, or rejection. The effects can last into adulthood.

Sexual Abuse

This can involve physical contact or non-contact activities such as grooming, exposure to sexual content, or exploitation online. It may be carried out by adults or other children.

Neglect

This occurs when a child’s basic needs are not met, including food, shelter, clothing, education, or medical care. Neglect is often long-term and can affect development severely.

Bullying and Cyberbullying

This includes repeated, targeted actions intended to harm or frighten a child. Cyberbullying can happen 24/7 via mobile devices and social media.

Exploitation

Some children are exploited for criminal activity, forced labour, or sexual activity. This can happen in person or through online contact.

Risks Without Safeguarding

Without proper safeguarding:

• Abuse may go unnoticed and continue.
• Children’s development can be delayed or damaged.
• They may suffer long-term physical and mental health issues.
• They may be at higher risk of exploitation later in life.

Failing to act can leave children in dangerous environments. It can also lead to breakdown of trust between children and adults.

The Role of Workers in Safeguarding

Every worker in education or youth settings has a clear role.

This includes:

• Observing and recognising signs of harm.
• Recording and reporting concerns following procedures.
• Maintaining professional boundaries.
• Responding calmly and reassuringly if a child discloses something.

Workers must always follow safeguarding policies. They should never try to investigate themselves, but they must raise concerns without delay.

Organisational Safeguarding Policies

Organisations such as schools must have safeguarding and child protection policies. These outline steps to take if there is a concern. Policies ensure that responses are consistent and legally compliant.

Policies normally cover:

• How to recognise signs of abuse and neglect.
• How and when to record concerns.
• Who to report to, such as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
• How to store safeguarding information securely.

Multi-Agency Working

Safeguarding is most effective when organisations work together. This may involve:

• Schools
• Social services
• Police
• Health professionals

Sharing information in a lawful, timely, and appropriate way can help protect children sooner and more effectively.

Confidentiality in Safeguarding

While confidentiality is important, it cannot be used to hide concerns about a child’s safety. If a worker suspects a child is at risk, they must share that information with the DSL or the relevant authorities. The Data Protection Act supports the sharing of information if it is necessary to protect a child.

Promoting a Safe Environment

Safeguarding also means making the environment safe and supportive. This covers physical safety, such as secure buildings and playgrounds, and emotional safety, where children feel respected and valued.

Practical steps include:

• Supervision during activities.
• Safe recruitment of staff.
• Clear anti-bullying policies.
• Risk assessments for trips and events.

Recognising Early Warning Signs

Early intervention can prevent harm from becoming more serious. Common signs might include:

• Changes in behaviour
• Withdrawal from friends or activities
• Poor attendance
• Decline in academic achievement
• Repeated injuries

Not all changes mean a child is being harmed, but they should always be recorded and discussed with the DSL.

Listening to Children and Young People

Children should feel they can talk about their concerns. Workers must:

• Take what the child says seriously.
• Avoid judging or blaming.
• Reassure them they did the right thing.
• Avoid making promises that cannot be kept, such as total secrecy.

Providing a safe space for open conversation helps children feel supported.

Supporting Wellbeing and Resilience

Part of safeguarding is building children’s confidence and resilience so they can protect themselves. This might include teaching them about:

• Personal safety
• Healthy relationships
• Online safety
• Where to go for help

Clear and age-appropriate information empowers children while keeping them safe.

Responding to Disclosures

If a child discloses abuse:

• Listen without showing shock.
• Record exactly what they say, using their words.
• Report to the DSL immediately.
• Do not question them in detail, as this can affect investigations.

The speed of reporting is important for the safety of the child.

Consequences of Failing to Safeguard

Failing to safeguard children can have serious outcomes:

• The child could be injured, exploited, or emotionally harmed.
• The organisation could face legal action.
• Staff could lose their jobs or face criminal charges.
• Families may lose trust in the service.

These risks make safeguarding a top priority in every child-related job.

Continuous Training and Awareness

Safeguarding practice changes with new research and social changes. Workers need regular training to stay up to date. This includes:

• Annual safeguarding training.
• Updates on new laws or local guidance.
• E-safety awareness.
• Scenario-based learning for dealing with safeguarding situations.

Training helps keep safeguarding knowledge active and effective.

The Role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead

Every school or child care setting must have a DSL. This person is responsible for:

• Receiving and acting on concerns.
• Liaising with external agencies.
• Keeping safeguarding records.
• Supporting staff with safeguarding queries.

While the DSL has lead responsibility, all staff share the duty to safeguard.

Engaging with Parents and Carers

Parents and carers are central to a child’s life and welfare. Good communication helps strengthen safeguarding. Workers should:

• Share relevant information on safety.
• Involve families in supporting the child’s wellbeing.
• Be aware of home life factors that may increase risk.

If there are safeguarding concerns, it must be handled sensitively and in line with procedure.

Record Keeping

Accurate and timely recording of concerns is important. Records should be:

• Clear and factual
• Dated and signed
• Kept secure and confidential

This evidence may be needed by social services, courts, or other agencies.

Final Thoughts

Safeguarding is about protecting children from harm and giving them the best possible chance to grow into healthy and confident adults. Every worker plays a part in this, no matter their role. Acting on concerns promptly can change a child’s life for the better.

The laws and guidance in the UK give clear steps for safeguarding, but it is the confidence and vigilance of staff that turn these rules into real protection. By staying aware, listening to children, and following policy, we can create an environment where every child feels safe and supported.