Unit 516 Understand Safeguarding of Children and Young People.

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Unit 516 Understand safeguarding of children and young people. 1:1 “the action we take to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm - is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play.” Working together to safeguard children (HM Government 2013) Before the Children Act 1989, steps to protect a child only took place after an event had happened. Children Act 1989 This Act was a move in implementing the UN convention on the rights of the child in the UK. It said how local authority should support children and their families. Part 3 of the Children Act 1989 places a duty on local authorities to promote and Safeguard the welfare of children in need in their area. The Act is underpinned by the following principles: * Paramount: this means the childs welfare is paramount in any decisions which affect them and within this their racial, cultural and linguistic needs be considered. * Parental responsibility: states that parents have a responsibility to care for their child physically, emotionally and morally. * Partnership: professionals and families must work together to ensure the welfare of the children. * Participation: that the childrens wishes and feelings should be taken into account so that they can contribute to any decisions which may affect them. * Protection: Children must be protected from serious harm. The local authorities have a duty to investigate any report that a child is suffering, or likely to suffer, from serious harm. * Provision: states that services that are necessary to safeguard children shouls be provided. The Children Act 2004 This Act came into place following some high profile child protection cases, Victoria Climbié died in the intensive care unit of St Mary’s Hospital Paddington on 25 February 2000, aged 8 years and 3 months. Her
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