Child Protection & Welfare in ECCE Settings

This new and unique Open College designed Child Protection and Welfare in ECCE Settings continuous personal development (CPD) course will highlight the importance of having a clear and detailed background knowledge about Child Protection and Welfare Issues of Children. It is essential to have this knowledge in order to protect the Children in your Care.

You as an Early Childhood Education and Care Practitioner play a central role in ensuring that the Children in your care are Happy, Healthy and Safe. It will provide a deep knowledge about Child Protection and promote the development of the Skill of Dealing with Child Protection Concerns when raised, in line with the Children’s First Act 2015.

Early Detection and/or Intervention can protect a Child from dangerous situations that they might be exposed to in relation to Abuse.

The course will further explore the Legislation relating to Child Protection and will allow learners to develop a Clear Knowledge of the Signs and Symptoms of the 4 main types of Abuse. The emphasis throughout this course is on learning to recognise the Signs and Symptoms of Child Abuse and then in turn learn the correct procedures for reporting any suspicions of Abuse or if a Disclosure is made by a Child.

It is essential to know how to react with a Disclosure when it is made. Correct Policies and Procedures must be in place in every Early Childhood Education and Care Setting to ensure each Early Childhood Education and Care Practitioner know the exact procedures to follow as they are listed in the Settings Child Protection Policy.

On completion of the course it is hoped the learner will have developed upon their existing skills and knowledge base, in order to confidently by able to have awareness of Child Protection and Welfare Issues and Support and from there, have a clear understanding of the importance of support, care and reporting to ensure the Safety of every Child is paramount.

Topics Covered Include:

Unit One: Legislation

Following this unit, the learner will gain an understanding of:

• History of Legislation to Ensure Children are living Safe and Happy Lives
• United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child 1989
• Childcare Act 1991
• Children’s First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 1999,2011
• Our Duty to Care 2002
• Children’s First Act 2015
• PPRCAA 1998, Children’s Act 2001, National Vetting Bureau Act 2012.

Unit Two: Definitions and Indicators of Child Abuse

Following this unit, the learner will gain understanding of:

• The Role and responsibility of the ECEC Practitioner in recognising Child Abuse
• Signs and Symptoms of Neglect, how might it be seen in an ECEC Setting
• Signs and Symptoms of Emotional Abuse, how might it be seen in an ECEC Setting
• Signs and Symptoms of Physical Abuse, how might it be seen in an ECEC Setting
• Signs and Symptoms of Sexual Abuse, how might it be seen in an ECEC Setting
• Signs and Symptoms of Bullying.

Unit Three: Keeping Children Safe

Following this unit, the learner will gain understanding of:

• Keeping Children Safe – Our Duty to Care,2002
• Child Protection and Welfare Documents
• Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016
• Siolta, the National Quality Framework, 2006
• Aistear, the National Curriculum Framework, 2009
• Children’s First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011
• Children Protection Policy in Early Childhood Education and Care Settings.

Unit Four: Recognising and Responding to Concerns 

Following this unit, the learner will gain understanding of:

Recognising Abuse

• Considering the Possibility
• Looking for Signs and Symptoms
• Responding and Recording a Disclosure of Abuse
• Supporting the Child after the Abuse Disclosure
• Talk to the Designated Liaison Person – Who is the Designated Liaison Person
• Requirements for Documents within an Early Childhood Education and Care Setting.

Unit Five: Procedures to follow when a Child Protection Concern arises

Following this unit, the learner will gain understanding of:

• Procedures to follow when a Child Protection Concern Arises
• Information Required when making a Report
• Awareness of the Standard Report Form.

Visit our Course Page below for more detailed information.