Unit 21- Looked after children and young people
Learning Outcome 3- Know the responsibilities of those involved in the care of children and young
people
P5- Describe the responsibilities of those involved in the care of looked-after children and young
people
Laura Palmer
Stacey Tanner
This poster will describe the legal responsibilities of all involved in the care of looked after children
and young people. I will also define and state how effective safeguarding is for those who may be
vulnerable. Additionally, I will describe why the care needs to be child-centred and coordinated.
Finally, I will explore the importance of collaborative working practice.
Legal Responsibilities
, Over recent years the term safeguarding has been introduced. It
refers to promoting children’s welfare and putting measures in
place to improve
The responsibility children’s children
for safeguarding safety and prevent
belongs to abuse. Child
everyone.
protection is the part of the safeguarding process
Children will only be safe if families, communities, and where it is
necessary work
professionals to intervene
togetherwhen there istheir
to promote a reasonable
welfare. belief that a
All children
should be safe and able to develop to their full potential. The2022)
child is at risk of significant harm. (Tanner.S, Class notes,
protection of vulnerable children is vital and child protection
procedures must be effective and work consistently across
organisational boundaries. (Tanner.S, Class notes, 2022)
Section 22(3) of The Children Act 1989 sets out the general
duty of the local authority looking after a child to safeguard
and promote the welfare of the child. This duty underpins
all activity by the local authority in relation to looked after
children. This duty has become known as ‘corporate
parenting’. In simple terms, ‘corporate parenting’ means the
collective responsibility of the council, elected members,
employees, and partner agencies, for providing the best
possible care and safeguarding for the children who are
looked after by the council. (Tanner.S, Class notes, 2022)
Legal responsibilities- Integrated Multi-agency responsibility (The Health and Social Care Act 2012)
Local area teams will provide Local Safeguarding Children Boards
assurance that the local health (LSCBs)
system including CCGs and
designated professionals are LSCBs will continue to be the key
meeting their responsibilities statutory mechanism for agreeing how
effectively. The role will include- the relevant organisations in each
local area will co-operate to safeguard
Assuring through the annual review and promote the welfare of children
process that the NHS is delivering in that locality, and for ensuring the
improved outcomes for children. effectiveness of what they do.
Co-ordinating and supporting local Through its annual report, the LSCB
leadership of external reviews. will provide a comprehensive analysis
of safeguarding children in the local
Working with LSCBs and Health and area. Local CCGs and the NHS