Watch this brief video outlining why safeguarding is so important.

Safeguarding is a term which is broader than ‘child protection’ and relates to the action the taken to promote the welfare of children (those under 18) and protect them from harm. 

Safeguarding is defined in ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ (2003) as protecting children from maltreatment”. This includes:
• preventing the impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development
• ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care, and
• taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility.

Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play. No single practitioner can have a full picture of a child’s needs and circumstances.

If children and families are to receive the right help at the right time, everyone who comes into contact with them has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action.