What is safeguarding?

The Children Act 2004 states that safeguarding children is about:

  • Protecting children from maltreatment, abuse and neglect
  • Minimising risks of harm to children
  • Preventing impairment of children’s health or development
  • Addressing children’s needs at an early stage rather than when serious problems have developed
  • Ensuring that every child has the opportunity to fulfil their potential
  • Promoting children’s welfare

Safeguarding is everyone’s business.

Working together to safeguard children

Working together to Safeguard children sets out a clear expectation that local agencies will work together and collaborate to identify children with additional needs and provide support as soon as a problem emerges. Providing early help is far more effective in promoting the welfare of children – and keeping them safe – than reacting later when any problems, for example neglect, may have become more entrenched.

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