Btec Level 3 - Discuss How Policies and Procedures Help Children, Young People and Their Families Whilst the Child Is Being Looked After?

BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care

Unit 10 Caring for children and young people

M1 Discuss how policies and procedures help children, young people and their families whilst the child is being looked after

Safeguarding of children

Safeguarding children and young people is a very important job role. The health and social care sector is seen most for the protection and safeguarding of children and young people, especially the social care side, for example a social workers job role is to protect and support children and young people and removing them from situations that may cause them to be in or at risk of being in any sort of danger. Each action taken to succeed in safeguarding children and young people will be connected to a legislation or framework for children and young people. There are seven main legislations and frameworks that I will be explaining and they are as follows; United Nations Convention on the rights of the child (1989), the children act (1998, updated in 2004), every child matters (2003), the data protection act (1998), framework for the assessment of children in need and their parents (2000), common framework (England) and the human rights act (1998).

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 1989

The United Nations convention on the rights of the child (1989) legislation set out the lowest acceptable standard on the treatment of every child. There are three main concepts of the United Nations convention on the rights of the child (1989). The first concept states that the best way for a child to be raised is by their parents. The second concept says that it is unacceptable for a child to be abused or neglected and the third concept says that the authorities must involve themselves to stop any harm occurring to a child or young person and they will need to support any child or young person that has been harmed. This legislation will help to safeguard and protect children and young people through the three main concepts. For example; the third main concept says about how authorities, such as social services, must involve themselves to prevent or stop a child or young person from being harmed.

This act is relevant to look after children and young people because it will protect the children or young people as they would be pulled out from the situation and pulled away from being in any sort of danger.

The Children Act 1989, 2004

The children act (1998, which was then updated in 2004) was an act of parliament in England that affected the law in regard to children and young people. The aim of the children act (1998 and 2004) was to revolutionize the practise as well as proceedings that concerned the welfare of children and young people in England and Wales. A part of the children act was taken and made into its own legislation to make people more aware of safeguarding and caring for children and young people. This was called the every child matters (2003) legislation. The children act 1998 was updated in 2004 due to the case of Victoria Climbié. The children’s act 2004, purpose is to set boundaries and help for authorities when intervening for the best interests of the child. The children act 2004 will help children and young people due to the boundaries set when an authority intervene for the child’s best interest.