1. Unit 3 Providing safe environments for children
© Hodder & Stoughton Limited

2. LO3 Understand child protection.
AC 3.1 Explain the role of the early years practitioner in relation to safeguarding and protecting children.
AC 3.2 Describe signs, symptoms, indicators and behaviours that may cause concern relating to:
neglect
physical abuse
emotional abuse
sexual abuse
domestic abuse.
AC 3.3 Describe actions to take if harm or abuse is suspected and/or disclosed.
© Hodder & Stoughton Limited

3. LO3 Understand child protection [AC 3.1]
Time: 15 mins
Tell your partner a story about something that has happened in your life. When you have finished, ask your partner to write down all the key facts.
Consider:
What was the event?
How did it make your partner feel?
What was the most important part of the story?
How do you know that was important?
How much could your partner remember?
How did that make you feel?
© Hodder & Stoughton Limited

4. Roles and responsibilities
LO3 Understand child protection [AC 3.1]
Roles and responsibilities
The early years practitioner must always follow the setting’s policies and procedures in relation to safeguarding, protection and welfare of children.
On a day-to-day basis practitioners should:
Keep children safe
Protect children from harm
Report any worries or concerns about a child to the appropriate person within the setting
Keep up to date with procedures within the setting.
© Hodder & Stoughton Limited

5. When they should tell them Why they should tell them
LO3 Understand child protection [AC 3.1]
Time: 15 mins
Imagine your friend has just seen or heard something in the setting that causes them concern. What advice would you give them?
Consider:
Who they should tell
When they should tell them
Why they should tell them
The consequences of not sharing this information.
Teacher notes:
Learners should identify the importance of passing on information and explain the role of the professional.
© Hodder & Stoughton Limited

6. Signs, symptoms, indicators and behaviours
LO3 Understand child protection [AC 3.2]
Signs, symptoms, indicators and behaviours
Neglect
If a child is neglected at home they may fail to thrive and develop as expected.
Neglected children often look hungry and tired.
They may ‘scavenge’ for food and have poor social skills.
They may have ill-fitting or dirty clothes.
Children who are neglected often have poor personal hygiene.
These indicators may be apparent if an adult is not caring for a child properly.
Useful resources:
© Hodder & Stoughton Limited

7. Signs, symptoms, indicators and behaviours
LO3 Understand child protection [AC 3.2]
Signs, symptoms, indicators and behaviours
Physical abuse
If a child is being physically abused at home they may have unexplained injuries.
These injuries can include burns, bruises and broken bones.
Children who are being physically abused are often reluctant to undress for PE and may wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover injuries.
They may demonstrate a fear of physical contact in the setting.
They can show aggressive behaviour both to themselves and others.
They may attempt to run away from home to escape the situation.
© Hodder & Stoughton Limited

8. The benefits to the child The role of the practitioner
LO3 Understand child protection [AC 3.1, 3.2]
Time: 15 mins
Why is it important to know the signs, symptoms, indicators and behaviours that may cause concern?
Consider:
The benefits to the child
The role of the practitioner
Following policies and procedures.
Teacher notes:
Learners should discuss the consequences of not being aware of the signs, symptoms, indicators and behaviour that may cause concern.
© Hodder & Stoughton Limited

9. Signs, symptoms, indicators and behaviours
LO3 Understand child protection [AC 3.2]
Signs, symptoms, indicators and behaviours
Emotional abuse
A child who is being emotionally abused may have very low self-esteem.
Emotional abuse can include a child being constantly criticised and belittled.
The child may be sworn at and blamed for anything that goes wrong.
They may be told that they are worthless or useless and that others are better than them.
An emotionally abused child may be very withdrawn and nervous around others.
© Hodder & Stoughton Limited

10. Signs, symptoms, indicators and behaviours
LO3 Understand child protection [AC 3.2]
Signs, symptoms, indicators and behaviours
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse involves a child being forced into a sexual act or situation against their will, this includes watching pornography.
Inappropriate touching or the use of inappropriate sexual language is also sexual abuse.
A child who is being sexually abused may portray knowledge or behaviour that is inappropriate to their age.
They may suffer with medically-related problems such as urine infections or genital pain.
They may not trust adults and may struggle to concentrate.
© Hodder & Stoughton Limited

11. Previous history of accidents, knocks and bumps
LO3 Understand child protection [AC 3.1, 3.2]
Time: 15 mins
A child is covered in bruises on his legs; you know he is accident prone and that his mum loves him very much. How can you protect the welfare of this child?
Consider:
Previous history of accidents, knocks and bumps
Encouraging the child to play safely
The setting’s relationship with his mother
The policies and procedures of the setting.
Teacher notes:
Although this child is known to be accident prone, this discussion should identify when this should become a concern and how the practitioners can keep communicating with the parent in a way that both protects the child and upholds policies and procedures.
© Hodder & Stoughton Limited

12. Signs, symptoms, indicators and behaviours
LO3 Understand child protection [AC 3.2]
Signs, symptoms, indicators and behaviours
Domestic abuse
Domestic abuse may be going on in a child’s home.
Although domestic abuse is not ordinarily directed at a child, it can have a serious impact on the child.
They may see one of their parents/carers being physically harmed by the other one.
They may see one parent/carer being psychologically abused by the other one.
© Hodder & Stoughton Limited

13. LO3 Understand child protection [AC 3.3]
Actions to take
Practitioners must be fully aware of the setting’s policies and procedures regarding cases of abuse.
Practitioners will need training in order to comply with the setting’s policies.
If a child tells a practitioner something that causes them to believe the child is being harmed or abused, this is know as a disclosure.
One of the most important actions to take if harm or abuse is suspected and/or disclosed is to pass the information on to the appropriate person within the setting.
© Hodder & Stoughton Limited

14. LO3 Understand child protection [AC 3.3]
Actions to take
Once a child has disclosed to a practitioner the practitioner must follow the procedures of the setting.
The practitioner must listen to the child and not show any emotion or give their opinion on anything said.
Practitioners should allow the child to set the pace and not put them under any pressure to talk.
It is important not to question the child as the practitioner may unintentionally ‘lead’ their answers.
Practitioners need to reassure the child that they have done the right thing by telling someone but they must not promise to keep what they have said as a secret.
© Hodder & Stoughton Limited

15. LO3 Understand child protection [AC 3.3]
Time: 15 mins
Why it is important that a child feels reassured and not pressurised if they are disclosing to a practitioner?
Why should a practitioner remain impartial and not share their opinions or emotions with a child who is disclosing difficult information?
Why must a practitioner not promise the child they will not tell anyone?
Teacher notes:
Learners should discuss their answers and identify how to support the child.
© Hodder & Stoughton Limited

16. Policies and procedures What you would do What you would say
LO3 Understand child protection [AC 3.3]
Time: 15 mins
Create a checklist of what to do if a child discloses allegations of abuse at home.
Consider:
Policies and procedures
What you would do
What you would say
How you would react
Who you would tell.
Teacher notes:
This checklist will enable learners to identify the process and recap their knowledge.
© Hodder & Stoughton Limited

17. In this lesson we learnt that:
Everyone has a role to play in the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children.
Child protection safeguards children who are at significant risk of harm.
The signs, symptoms, indicators and behaviours that may cause concern should be known by everyone.
Signs, symptoms, indicators and behaviours that may cause concern should not be ignored.
© Hodder & Stoughton Limited

18. Name the five types of abuse covered in this session.
Who is responsible for the day-to-day safeguarding, protection and welfare of children?
Describe three things a practitioner must do if a child discloses to them.
Name the five types of abuse covered in this session.
A child is tired, hungry and dirty – what type of abuse might be going on at home?
A child is reluctant to get changed for PE – what might they be covering up?
© Hodder & Stoughton Limited