Meaning of child welfare
Child safeguarding describes the processes of caring for and protecting children from neglect and abuse. It also includes preventing children from impairment of their development and health as well as ensuring that they grow up in a secure environment.
Therefore, child safeguarding is essential in promoting children’s welfare. Child safeguarding is a multi-sectoral responsibility. Parents, guardians, adults, and other relevant caregivers have significant responsibilities and duties in the child welfare field. Additionally, the central and local authorities play an essential role in implementing effective strategies that promote child protection.
Organizations also have the responsibility of ensuring that their operations, programs, and staff do abuse or harm children.
Why promote child safeguarding?
To uphold excellent standards and practices in society.
To effectively care and protect children.
To provide agencies with targets. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
General Child safeguarding principles
All children are entitled to equal rights of protection against harm and abuse.
All individuals have a responsibility of promoting child protection
Agencies have a duty of protection and care to all children that they work with.
If agencies work with other partners, they have a duty and responsibility to assist the partners in meeting the necessary child protection requirements.
All policies, procedures, and actions on children’s protection are based on the most paramount best interests of a particular child.
Indication of child neglect and abuse
The key to raising concern about child neglect and abuse is effectively recognizing the common indicators. The symptoms and signs of various forms of maltreatment of children include:
The child:
Demonstrates sudden behavioral changes both at home and at school.
Has medical or physical problems that have not been brought to the attention of his or her parents.
Shows learning challenges that cannot be linked to specific psychological or physical causes.
Is too responsible, overly compliant, or an overachiever.
Reports to school very early and always stays late
Does not want to go to school or home.
Has unexplained bruises, bites, burns, black eyes, or broken bones.
Shrinks, when approached by an adult.
Behaves in an irrational manner
Seems depressed or apathetic as well as indifferent to other children
Ways of raising concern about possible child abuse or safety
If you identify or are suspicious of child abuse, you can raise a concern by:
Try to build a trusting, positive relationship with the child by talking to them so that you can find out what the child is undergoing
Keep a diary of all your concerns as well as monitor the child’s behavior to can assist you in spotting the child’s behavioral patterns as well as a record of all the happenings.
Talk to the child’s health visitor or teacher
Speak to other people about your worries and concerns on the child’s welfare can assist you in getting other people’s opinions and perspectives on the issue.
Talk to child helpline counselors that can provide competent advice and support.
Contacting the child protection local authority staff
Call the police
Why reporting child neglect and abuse is important
It assists the affected children to get the necessary required support
Fear of reporting child neglect and abuse expose children to potential risks of harm and continued abuse.