Developing Child-Centred Practice for Safeguarding and Child Protection: Strategies for Every Early Years Setting

Placing children at the centre of safeguarding principles and practices is vital for ensuring the best child protection. This essential resource provides early years practitioners with all that they need to be confident and competent as they fulfil their roles and obligations to safeguard and protect children.

Exploring the main factors that impact on the lives of young children in the current safeguarding climate, this book is a starting point for understanding the risks and categories of abuse and neglect. Grounded in best practice, it gives practitioners encouragement and advice to help shape and drive practice forward with child-centred motives, practices and perspectives.

The book offers:

• Insights into the current safeguarding climate backed by practical examples
• An introduction to managing the different safeguarding challenges faced by early years professionals
• Methods for contextualising these for children in the early years
• Guidance on supporting vulnerable children, their families and other agencies working alongside them
• Reflections, case studies and a wide range of example scenarios
• Voices and insights from across the sector woven throughout for a holistic understanding of safeguarding

With accessible chapters drawing on best practice from across the sector at every level, this is a valuable resource for all those working in the early years, whether just starting out or highly experienced in the field.

Rachel Buckler is a highly experienced practitioner, trainer and consultant working in support of safeguarding and child protection practices. During her 30-year career in children’s service social care, she has developed and managed services including Sure Start Children’s Centres and been a strategic lead for early intervention services delivered in Greater Manchester. Rachel continues to deliver training to local authorities’ early years workforces, as well as providing training and consultancy for independent nurseries and childcare providers across the country. Rachel is co-founder of the Early Years Hub and creator of the Safeguarding Hub.