What is safeguarding?

It might be difficult to accept, but every child can be hurt, put at risk of harm or abused, regardless of their age, gender, religion or ethnicity.

Safeguarding legislation and government guidance says that safeguarding means:

• protecting children from maltreatment
• preventing impairment of children’s health or development
• ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
• taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcome

and the action we take to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm – is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play.

• Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023
• NSPCC Keeping Children Safe
• PANTS guide for parents/carers
• PANTS Child friendly version
• Nottinghamshire MASH – Concerned about the safety of a child?