Introduction to Safeguarding Children
Last updated: October 7, 2008
Table of Contents
1. Every Child Matters
Government identified in Every Child Matters [2003] that there is a need to create a society where children are safe, protected from harm and neglect and have access to opportunities and that without ‘radical reform’ too many children will continue to ‘fall through the cracks’ resulting in society ‘failing to protect the most vulnerable children’.
To ensure that every child and young person has the chance to fulfil their potential’ and in consultation with children and young people, Government concluded that the following 5 outcomes for children and young people matter the most, these are:
- Staying safe: being protected from harm and neglect and growing up able to look after themselves
- Being healthy: enjoying good physical and mental health and living a health lifestyle
- Enjoying and achieving: getting the most out of life and developing the skills for adulthood
- Making a positive contribution: being involved in the community and society and not engaged in anti social or offending behaviour
- Economic well being: not being prevented by economic disadvantage from achieving their full potential in life.
In relation to the staying safe outcome for children and young people the following aims have been determined; these are:
- safe from maltreatment, neglect, violence and sexual exploitation
- safe form accidental injury and death
- safe from bullying and discrimination
- safe from crime and anti social behaviour in and out of school
- have security, stability and are cared for.
