Safeguarding Children & Young People
Shining Stars Fostering Agency (SSFA) is pleased about the launch of their Safeguarding Toolkit. The toolkit has been designed for looked after children in consultation with Children and Young People.
SSFA Safeguarding Toolkit
This toolkit will enable young people to seek help in a confidential manner without being judged as often they find it difficult to talk about their experience of abuse or the perpetrator. The toolkit is easy to understand, use and jargon free. It has a visually rich design so that the young people can relate better to it. It comes in A5 folder including ten leaflets with topics ranging from ‘My Body Parts’ to ‘Cyber bullying’ and different forms of Child Exploitation. This toolkit will be provided to every child in our care.
If you have lost or accidentally damaged your toolkit please do contact us and we will provide you with a new copy of it. If you prefer reading online, please feel free to contact us and we will provide you with the digital version of this toolkit.
Safeguarding Toolkit
My Body Safety Rules
Together Against Bullying
Cyber Bullying Tips
Stop Alcohol Abuse
Together Against Drugs
Child Criminal Exploitation
Child Sexual Exploitation
What is Terrorism?
Signs of being Radicalised
Honour Based Violence
Female Genital Mutilation
What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to protect children (up to age 18 and vulnerable adults) from harm and to promote their welfare.
Safeguarding means:
- protecting children from abuse and maltreatment
- preventing harm to children’s health or development
- ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
- taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes
Ref: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/
What is Abuse?
Abuse is anything another person does that is meant to cause harm. But it is not always easy to know what abuse is, therefore we have listen some types of abuse as follows. Please note that the types of abuse are not only limited to the listed.
Ref. https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/abuse-safety/
Physical Abuse
If someone deliberately hurts or injures you or another person, it is physical abuse. You might be told that it’s your fault, or that they’re punishing you. But nothing makes it okay for someone to hurt you. Abuse is never your fault.
Emotional Abuse
It is emotional abuse if someone always puts you down, shouts at you, ignores you, or makes you feel bad about yourself.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is when someone is forced, tricked or pressurised into taking part in any kind of sexual activity with another person.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
FGM happens when a girl’s private parts are removed or altered. FGM is abuse, and it’s illegal in the UK.
Forced Marriages
Because forced marriage is illegal, it can happen in secret and can also be planned by parents, family or religious leaders. It may involve physical abuse, sexual abuse or emotional abuse. Nobody has the right to force you to do something you don’t want to do.
Please note: Forced Marriage is not the same as arranged marriage. In an arranged marriage, people always have a choice about whether they get married or not.
Child Trafficking & Modern Slavery
Child trafficking and modern slavery are child abuse. Many children and young people are trafficked into the UK from other countries like Vietnam, Albania and Romania. Children are also trafficked around the UK.
Ref. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/child-trafficking/#what-is Ref. https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/abuse-safety/
Neglect
Every child and young person has the right to be looked after properly. If you’re not getting the important things you need at home, you could be being neglected. Every child and young person needs the basics such as:
- Clean and warm clothes and shoes that fit and keep you dry
- Enough to eat and drink
- Protection from dangerous situations
- Somewhere warm, dry and comfortable to sleep
- Help when you are not well or you have been hurt
- Love and care from your parents or carers
- Support with your education
- Access and help with medication if needed.
Domestic Abuse
It is when a grown-up threatens, bullies or hurts another adult in the family. Sometimes it’s called domestic violence. And it can happen in any family. It can be very hard to deal with but remember that it’s never your fault.
GETTING HELP!
Whether you are worried about something that has happened or anything else in your life, it can really help to talk to someone you trust.
You can tell adults you trust
Example: Foster Carer, Your Social Worker, Supervising Social Worker, Family or Friend, Teacher, Doctor…
Helpline
Childline 0800 1111
Are you in immediate danger?
If you or a friend is in immediate danger or need urgent help, call 999
What if I have a problem or I am sad?
If you are worried, frightened or sad you must tell someone. There are lots of ways you can tell people and lots of people you can tell about what ever is bothering you.
You can tell adults you trust
Foster Carer
Your Social Worker
Supervising Social Worker
Family or Friend
Teacher
Children/Young People Helplines
Ofsted 0300 123 1231
Childline 0800 1111
Commissioner for Children
020 7783 8330
Complaints Officer at Local Authority
Are you in immediate danger?
If you or a friend is in immediate danger or need urgent help, call 999
Shining Stars Fostering is available 24/7 for you. Feel free to contact us on 020 8263 6260
SSFA has a range Policies and Procedures concerning Social Work Practice, HR and Finance which are used to guide staff and for tendering and commissioning purposes. If any of the issues that are not covered please do contact your supervising social worker or our registered manager who will guide you to the appropriate policy. Shining Stars Fostering Agency Tri-X policies