Unit 2.2 Understand legislation relating to the safeguarding,

protection and welfare of children

Starter Activity How good are you at following instructions?Consider:• Instructions to build a cupboard• Instructions for a new phone• Instructions for a journey to a new destination• Instructions to make a cake• Do you generally follow instructions or do you prefer to work

things out for yourself?

LO2. Understand policies and procedures for the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children [AC 2.1]

Learning outcomesUnderstand policies and procedures for the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children• Explain the roles and responsibilities of the early years practitioner in

relation to the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children• Describe the lines of reporting and responsibility to meet the

safeguarding, protection and welfare requirements of children• Explain the boundaries of confidentiality in relation to the safeguarding,

protection and welfare of children• Analyse the benefits of partnership working in the context of

safeguarding, protection and welfare of children

The early years practitioner must always follow the setting’s policies and procedures in relation to safeguarding, protection and welfare of children.On a day to day basis practitioners should:• Keep children safe• Protect children from harm• Report any worries or concerns about a child to the

appropriate person within the setting• Keep up to date with procedures within the setting.

Roles and responsibilities

LO2. Understand policies and procedures for the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children 2.1

Time: 15 mins

Imagine your friend has just seen or heard something in the setting that causes them concern. What advice would you give them?Consider:• Who they should tell• When they should tell them• Why they should tell them• The consequences of not sharing this information.

LO2. Understand policies and procedures for the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children [AC 2.1]

• Everyone in the setting has a duty to meet the safeguarding, protection and welfare requirements of all children.

• Practitioners need to be aware of the lines of reporting and responsibility in their setting.

• There will be designated people to report to within the setting if there is a concern or problem.

• Practitioners need to know who to go to if they have a concern or a question over the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children.

Lines of reporting and responsibility

LO2. Understand policies and procedures for the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children 2.2

Time: 15 mins

Lines of reporting and responsibility• Find out what you should do with any information you may

have regarding the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children in the setting.

• Ask your supervisor who you should report any safeguarding or welfare concerns to.

LO2. Understand policies and procedures for the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children 2.2

• The Data Protection Act 1998 clearly defines how personal information should be stored and used.

• In cases where the safeguarding, protection or welfare of a child are in question then accurate, detailed reports will need to be kept.

• These reports will be kept separately from the child’s records or file and may need to be shared with other professionals in order to protect the child.

Boundaries of confidentiality

LO2. Understand policies and procedures for the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children 2.3

Time: 15 mins

Each child will have a file that will contain both personal and developmental information.• What information may be found in this file?

If a setting has a cause for concern over a child’s welfare then a separate file will be kept.• What information may be found in this separate file?• Why might the two files be stored separately?

LO2. Understand policies and procedures for the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children 2.3

Partnership working for the welfare of the child

Nursery

School

Hospital

Family

Health visitor

GP

Social worker

Police

LO2. Understand policies and procedures for the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children [AC 2.4]

• It is essential that everyone concerned with the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children work together in partnership.

• Information needs to be shared effectively and accurately.• Failure to share and act on information given could have

serious consequences for the welfare of children.

The benefits of partnership working

LO2. Understand policies and procedures for the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children [AC 2.4]

Time: 15 mins

Why is it important for practitioners and other agencies to share information accurately and effectively and how can this be achieved?Consider:• When and where meetings are held• Minute taking at the meetings• Follow-up meetings• Action plans raised from the meetings• Roles and responsibilities within the meeting.

LO2. Understand policies and procedures for the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children [AC 2.4]

Time: 15 mins

Using your notes from the Pairs activity, create an information sheet for a new student outlining what to do if they are concerned over the welfare of a child.Consider:• What they may be concerned about• Who they may tell• How they may tell them• The importance of sharing concerns with the appropriate

member of staff.

LO2. Understand policies and procedures for the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children [AC 2.1]

Summary Everyone has a role to play in the safeguarding, protection and welfare

of children. There will be designated people to report to within the setting if there

is a concern over a child’s welfare. Confidentiality must be maintained at all times. Working in partnership with others is essential for the safeguarding,

protection and welfare of children.

Summary: plenary activities1. Who is responsible for the day to day safeguarding, protection and

welfare of children?2. What should you do if you have a concern about a child’s welfare?3. Name three agencies or groups who may be involved in partnership

working to safeguard children.