7.2 Safeguarding children

Wherever you work, and even if your role is only with adults, you need to have a basic understanding and awareness of safeguarding children. A visiting family might raise your concern and you need to know what action to take. In other words ῾child protection and safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility: it is not only childcare workers that have a duty to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm᾿ (Skills for Care, 2015c).

The following diagram outlines the types of abuse and neglect to look out for:

(Skills for Care, 2015c)

Figure 2 Types of abuse and neglect that cause harm to children

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The spider diagram has the words ̔Harm to children' at its centre, and seven circles radiating out showing the words physical, emotional, sexual, neglect, radicalisation, child trafficking and female genital mutilation

Figure 2 Types of abuse and neglect that cause harm to children

As with safeguarding adults, you should be aware of your workplace’s child protection policies and procedures, and be clear about what you should do if you suspect a child is being or has been abused. You must understand what action to take if you suspect child abuse or neglect is taking place, including who you should report to in the first instance. As a healthcare assistant it is likely that your policy will say you should speak first to your line manager.