Practising Safely

This chapter supports the development of educators academic and practical knowledge and skills in relation to safeguarding. Having confidence in their abilities and knowing who to talk to when they are worried and supporting the child are crucial aspects of working safely in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). Therefore, understanding their role as a student practitioner and being clear about their responsibilities will contribute to them becoming a confident and capable early years practitioner. This chapter challenges them to reflect on legislation and previous serious case reviews that have influenced current practice. Early years practitioners are in the privileged and influential position of working with children and their families in their earliest and most informative years of life. The chapter focuses on the child protection system in England; however, it is significant to recognise that each nation in the United Kingdom is understood to follow a set of shared principles when keeping children and young people safe from harm.