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The Legislation And Guidelines That Affect Safeguarding Of Children And Young People Essay

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There is current legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures in the UK which are in place to protect the welfare of children and young people. The policies and procedures relate to health and well being, safety and security, personal care and individual rights. The legislation and guidelines that affect safeguarding of children and young people include: The Children Act (1989) which identifies the responsibilities of parents and professionals who must work to ensure the safety of the child. This Act includes two important sections which focus on child protection. Section 47 states that the Local Authority has a duty to investigate when there is a reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Section 17 states that services must be put into place to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within the area who are in need. The local authorities have to ensure that children and young people are safeguarded and their welfare is promoted, that they are involved in decisions which affect them and they are consulted about their wishes and feelings. The Children Act 2004 provides the legal framework for Every Child Matters (2003) which includes the requirement for services to work more closely, forming an integrated service and that every child has the need to stay safe, be healthy, enjoy and achieve, to make a positive contribution and to achieve economic well-being. The Childcare Act (2006) which outlines the plans to improve

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