Safeguarding Children (SOCA)- Level 3

Abuse can take place in any organisation from schools, educational and recreational centres, sports areas, places of work, places of entertainment etc. and is not solely isolated in the home or place of residency.

We all recognise that the welfare of the child is paramount, as enshrined in the Children Act 1989 and that we have an obligation as care providers, to ensure all children irrelevant of inequalities, race, gender, religious belief etc. are protected from potential harm or irrelevant of where the source of the abuse is. By working in partnership with those affected, alongside with their parents/ guardians, key workers, carers and other agencies etc. we can promote and safeguard the welfare of all vulnerable children, young people to keep them safe.

The purpose of this module is to ensure appropriate action is undertaken in the event where a child/young person up to the age of 18 years is suspected by mentors or care workers of being subjected to or considered at risk of abuse from parents, guardians, siblings, carers, adult visitors to the home or other responsible adults within an organisation. It will set out the key principles that are expected of all staff and workers employed within the NHS and in the health care sector, and to ensure compliance is upheld in the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk of harm or abuse. This module is applicable to all employees and workers of NHS, including, volunteers, students, honorary appointees, trainees, contractors, and temporary workers, including locum doctors/social workers, nurse and those working on a bank or agency contract working with children and young adults.

• The target group for Safeguarding Children (SOCA) Level 3 is primarily for those who work directly with and take a lead role in safeguarding children and young people in their day to day roles.
• Its aim is to provide a greater knowledge for those who work closely or directly with children and young people and to achieve the following core competencies.
• The aim of this module is to provide a greater knowledge for those who work closely or directly with children and young people and to achieve the following core competencies:
• Understand what is meant by the term ‘safeguarding’ children and young people
• Have an awareness of the guidance and legislation that is applicable in safeguarding vulnerable children and young people.
• Be able to act as an effective advocate for a child or young person.
• Achieve good outcomes in preventing and effectively responding to allegations of harm, neglect and abuse
• Draw on child and family-focused clinical and professional knowledge and expertise of what constitutes child maltreatment and identify signs of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse or neglect
• Document and report concerns, history taking and physical examination in a manner that is appropriate for safeguarding/child protection and legal processes
• Be clear about your own and colleague’s roles, responsibilities and professional boundaries and remit.
• Contribute to inter-agency assessments, the gathering and sharing of information and where appropriate analysis of risk
• Undertake regular documented reviews of own (and/or team) safeguarding/child protection practice as appropriate to role (in various ways, such as through audit, case discussion, peer review, and supervision and as a component of refresher training)
• Work with other professionals and agencies, with children, young people and their families when there are safeguarding concerns
• Work with other professionals and agencies, with children, young people and their families when there are safeguarding concerns
• Be able to refer to social care or local safeguarding team if need be
• Analyse the importance of sharing information within a team and throughout the multi-disciplinary team
• Learn and improve current child safeguarding practices
• Understand the processes for managing child death within an organisation