The Children Act 1989 states that it’s the responsibility of parents and professionals who work with children to ensure the safety of the child. This Act includes two important sections that focus speciï¬cally on child protection, the first is that local authorities have a responsibility to investigate any situation where they suspect that a child is suï¬ering, or likely to suï¬er any signiï¬cant harm. The second states that services must be put into place to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within the area who are in need.
The Children Act 1989 ensures that the safety of the children is always at a high level and maintains the child’s welfare. The main concern when coaching children is remembering the physical and mental welfare as well as the safety, health and the future of any child. You should only physically contact the children in the following situations: Demonstrating a technique or treating an injury. You may gather some personal information about a child, any information that you find doesn’t need to be shared and for safety reasons it should be kept confidential.
The Education Act 2002 This sets out the responsibilities of Local Education Authorities (LEAs), governing bodies, head teachers and everyone who works in schools to ensure that children are safe and free from harm. This ensures that all children are being protected by local authorities.
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006) The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act extends across government departments and was created after issues were found by the 2004 Bichard Inquiry arising from the Soham murders. Within the Bichard Inquiry the report it said: ‘new arrangements should be introduced requiring those who wish to work with children, or vulnerable adults, to be registered. The register would confirm that there is no known reason why an individual should not work with these clients.’ In March 2005, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Department for Education and Skills and the Department of Health proposed that this act should be carried out by developing a central service that would bar unsuitable people from working with children and/or vulnerable adults.
The Act explains that the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will make all decisions about who should be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults. There are two separate ISA barred lists, one that bans people from working with children and one for people who are barred from working with vulnerable adults. Barred individuals can be placed on one or both of these lists. Certain offences will automatically result in a individual being barred. Relevant information about an individual can be referred to the ISA from interested parties such as employers, regulatory bodies or even concerned members of the public.
There are four types of child abuse. These are:
1. Neglect
2. Physical abuse
3. Emotional abuse
4. Sexual abuse
Neglect is when an adult fails to meet a child’ basic needs, this could include food, warmth and clothing or emotional needs for attention and affection. It also happens if children or young people are left alone or inadequately supervised or where they are exposed to danger or extreme weather conditions. neglectful child abuse is only relevant when it involves ongoing or severe failure to meet a child’s needs. There are many signs of neglect, these could include: if the child seems underweight and is very small for their age, if they are poorly clothed, with inadequate protection from the weather, if they are often absent from school for no apparent reason or if they are regularly left alone, or in charge of younger brothers or sisters.