It’s impossible to know exactly how many children are victims of abuse in the UK. However, the NSPCC estimates that more than 58,000 children needed protection from abuse in 2016. Over half of the children taken into care last year was because of abuse, which includes neglect. But child abuse is often kept hidden. Children are often too young, scared or too ashamed to tell anyone what is happening to them.
Recent high-profile child abuse cases highlight just how authorities can often become too removed from the daily lives of children in their care. They are not in a position to always spot the signs of abuse before it’s too late. Therefore, the role of those in positions of responsibility becomes even more important to ensuring the protection of vulnerable children.
Who is at risk?
Any child can be at risk. Regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, ability or disability. Abuse can happen anywhere. From at home, school, in a hospital, school, sports changing room or at a doctor’s. The child might not know the abuser, or it’s someone that they know well and trust. They can be any age, class, gender, race or sexual orientation. It can even be another child or children. In fact, in 80% of cases however, the parent themselves are the perpetrator.
Do you and your staff have the skills you need to safeguard and protect the children you work with?
Safeguarding Children training
Safeguarding protects children from any forms of abuse. It’s crucial that individuals can identify signs of abuse and address the situation quickly, while not exacerbating the situation. Any adult who comes into contact with children must know the correct procedures to safeguard children. Our Safeguarding Children e-learning course caters for anyone with a duty of care for, or contact with children in their profession. The course covers five key areas:
- Introduction to Safeguarding Children
- Types of Abuse
- How to Recognise the Signs of Abuse
- What to Do if you Suspect Abuse
- Safeguarding Legislation
This course equips professionals with a basic understanding of the key issues, ideas and frameworks regarding child protection and safeguarding. Individuals will have the opportunity to build a solid foundation of the knowledge and skills required to satisfy the appropriate safeguarding and protection responsibilities within their field of work.
Everyone has the right to feel safe, happy and treated well. Safeguarding aims to minimise and manage risks to vulnerable people. After all, the world can be a dangerous place. But it doesn’t have to be like that and if everyone has the knowledge and skills to look out for potential signs of danger, the risk will immediately reduce.