Safeguarding

Safeguarding refers to the measures and protocols put in place to protect the health, well-being, and human rights of individuals. These measures allow individuals, especially children, young people, and vulnerable adults, to live free from abuse, harm, and neglect.

Definition

Safeguarding is a term used in the United Kingdom and other countries to denote measures to protect the health, well-being, and human rights of individuals, which allow people — especially children, young people, and vulnerable adults — to live free from abuse, harm, and neglect.

Principles

The principles of safeguarding apply to every individual, regardless of their age, ability, or status. These principles include:

• Prevention: It is always better to take action before harm occurs.
• Proportionality: The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.
• Protection: Support and representation for those in greatest need.
• Partnership: Local solutions through services working with their communities.
• Accountability: Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding.

Safeguarding Children

Safeguarding children involves protecting children from maltreatment, preventing impairment of children's health or development, ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care, and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

Safeguarding Adults

Safeguarding adults involves protecting adults' rights to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about people and organizations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect.

Legislation

In the United Kingdom, the Children Act 1989 and the Care Act 2014 provide the legislative framework for safeguarding children and adults respectively.

See Also

• Child protection
• Adult protection
• Vulnerable adult
• Child abuse
• Elder abuse

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