Safeguarding

Safeguarding is a term used to describe all the things an organisation can do to keep its clients safe from harm and abuse, particularly children, young people and adults at risk.

Emotional / Psychological abuse: Any act that damages the confidence, emotional well-being and self-esteem of the child or young person. This can be the result of a range of behaviours such as excessive criticism, withholding affection, intimidation, threatening behaviour, or exposure to domestic violence. Exposure to domestic violence can include watching or hearing a family member assault or threaten another member of the family, direct involvement or experiencing the aftermath of family violence.

Physical abuse: Physical abuse occurs when a child suffers significant harm from an injury. The injury may be inflicted intentionally or may be the inadvertent consequence of physical punishment or physically aggressive treatment of a child. Some examples of physical abuse include hitting, punching, burning or shaking a child.

Sexual abuse: Sexual abuse occurs when a person uses power, force or authority to involve a child or young person or adult in any form of sexual activity. This can involve touching or no contact at all. This may take the form of exposure to pornography, taking sexually explicit photographs or videos of children, forcing children to watch or take part in sexual acts and forcing or coercing children to have sex or engage in sexual acts with other children or adults.

Neglect: The failure to provide for the child or young person’s basic needs for life, such as food, clothing, shelter, medical attention, supervision or care to the extent that the child’s health and development are, or is likely to be, placed at risk. Includes homelessness and not being enrolled or attending school.

Carer concerns: A child/ young person is affected by carer concerns such as substance use, domestic violence and unmanaged mental health.

Risk to an unborn child: Refers to concerns for a mother's behaviour or well-being while pregnant, including substance abuse (use of alcohol or other drugs), exposure to domestic or family violence, unmanaged mental health issues or homelessness.

Danger to self or others: A child/young person is demonstrating suicidal or self-harming behaviours, or showing behaviours that endanger another child or person, such as the use of a weapon or violence.

Relinquishing Care: Parent/carer states they cannot or will not continue to provide care for a child or young person.