Shc 32 1.2 Essay

All aspects of my job role are regulated by policies and current legislation. The mandatory training that we attend has been designed to cover all aspects of legislation such as the Children's Act, which provides a Code of Practice to enable us provide the best possible care and support for children and young people. We also have inspections from OFSTED who ensure we are meeting, not only care standards, but also those relating to behaviour and

Being aware of the National Quality Standards and ethical and legal requirements involved in working in an early learning centre eg. understanding (and acting accordingly) that it’s paramount to treat staff, children and families with respect, to value their input, to treat people with equality despite their beliefs, disabilities and backgrounds, ensuring personal information is treated confidentially (eg. discussions about the children’s needs/ challenging behaviours with the parents are not done in front of other parents and documentation is kept out of reach and view of the public) etc.

All work with children should be underpinned by the principles and values as stated in the National Occupational Standards in Children’s Core Learning and Development. These principles and values are stated below:

Statutory Framework for the early Years Foundation Stage (2008), covering all aspects of children’s welfare (safeguarding, suitable people, suitable premises and equipment, organisation, documentation) and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (which gives the overall responsibility for health and safety to the employer and duties to

Here are some of the National, local guidelines and policies and procedures for safeguarding that affect day-to-day work with in our nursery. In the following ways:

The National Occupational Standards (NOS) are performance standards that specify what skills and knowledge a HLTA should have in order to perform in their role. NOS provide a valuable resource to schools that use them to assist in the creation of job descriptions and roles and responsibilities, as well as underpinning training, progression and supporting development needs of staff. They were developed by representatives and different employers in a variety of sectors within education. HLTAS can target the use of the national occupational standards in a variety of ways from supporting and assisting with the development of frameworks used for the organisation, promoting and supporting equal opportunities to ensuring confidentiality but to name a few. Other National occupational standards are applicable to HLTAS from roles outside of education for example self-assessment for competence and opportunities for professional development and improvement of skills all of these help staff and HLTAS be able to perform their role to a correct standard and increase their competency within their role.

1.1 Legislation is a set of laws that have been created by the government to make sure all childcare settings are run correctly. To promote positive behaviour, legislation’s such as the Children Act 1989, Human Rights Act 1998, Every Child Matters 2004, Equality Act 2010 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 are followed by the setting. These Act’s include rules and regulations that a setting is required to follow in order to promote positive behaviour.

This Act which is born from parent’s needs has a specific impact on childcarer's practice, but not only, as course handout 1a (2012, p2) confirms This Act is ‘for all those who are responsible for planning, running and using early childhood services’.

There are regulatory requirements that underpin a positive environment for young children. There are two compulsory register for child care providers working with children under 5 years:

Ofsted give clear guidelines on how the setting should run on a daily basis. This is evaluated by ongoing paperwork and meeting targets. Policies and procedures put into place guidelines on all care standards and regulations that all staff should adhere too. This is evaluated through appraisals and reflective practice. For example: When starting in the setting, I observed a staff member ‘doing for’ the children, rather than encouraging them. This was regarding the children’s independence and found that rather than staff giving out the children’s cutlery and cups during lunch- the children help each other to hand it out. I enforced this by having an informal chat with my Manager after careful observation.

Legislations and procedures are put into place to protect the welfare of children, schools and childcare settings. Adults who work with children will need to understand about current legislations and familiarise themselves with them. Legislations are reviewed constantly so it is important to keep up to date with reading the relevant publications.

National Occupational Standards are used to identify what skills are required for work posts and if you have the ability, skills and knowledge to do what is required for the post. As in my role as an Outreach Worker the NOS are there to ensure that I have the skills and knowledge to support vulnerable families, show respect and support families into becoming self-reliant, independent. NOS ensures that I can continue to develop and obtain training for my role and continue my professional development.

1.3 Analyse how national and local guidelines, policies and procedures for safeguarding affect day-to-day work with children and young people

The ‘Children’s Act 2004’ was continuously updated and developed into the ‘Children’s Act 2006’. This act states that all settings have to follow the Early Years Framework Stages (which were renewed in 2012). The Early Years Framework Stages (EYFS) is aimed to fulfil the five aims of ‘every child matters’ and the previous children’s act of 2004. The intentions are to achieve these aims by setting standards, promote equal opportunities and through a framework of partnerships, improve quality and consistency and lay secure foundation for all learning and development, present and future. By improving the quality the service and experiences are improved for all children and families. Safeguarding children is a vital part of improving all childcare services/settings.

I always try to respect race, religion and cultural identity as there is the need for continuity and security, This is one of the reasons why I always address each young person by his/her name.