Services for Young Children

Safeguarding

What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding is about more than child protection. Child protection is specifically about protecting children and young people from suspected abuse and neglect. Safeguarding is much wider than that. It includes everything an organisation can do to keep children and young people safe, including minimising the risk of harm and accidents and taking action to tackle safety concerns.

Safeguarding is also about being able to respond quickly and appropriately to concerns or allegations brought to the organisation, which means having the right policies and procedures in place to deal with difficult situations if they arise.

No organisation is the same and one size does not fit all. Policies and procedures should be developed with all who will be abiding by them, accessible to all and shared on a regular basis.

Taken from Children England Fact Sheet 8

Hampshire's Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) has joined with Portsmouth, Isle of Wight and Southampton's LSCB to create an umbrella partnership called the 4LSCB in order to make the best use of shared skills, knowledge and resources in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. A copy of their procedures can be found at this link.

Lead Practitioner: Safeguarding Support Groups

The name of the Child Protection Officer has now been changed to Lead Practitioner: Safeguarding. The aim of these support groups is to provide Lead Practitioners: Safeguarding with a forum in order to develop their role as a setting leader for safeguarding children. They will be held in each area during the autumn and spring terms. Dates will be published in your local newsletter.

Useful links and documents

Further information can be obtained from the safeguarding unit on 01962 876265

If you think a child is at immediate risk of significant harm phone Children’s Social Care and/or Police immediately

Hants Direct: 08456 035620

Police: 0845 0454545 (999 if an emergency)