If you were a nursery assistant within this setting your responsibility would be to inform the supervisor and take an account of everything you have seen and hear, also date it as this case could go to court if the alleged allegations where to be true. The legislation which would be used would be the protection of cruelty to children act 1989, this act has a duty to investigate - if a child is suffering, or likely to suffer, 'significant harm'.
Emotional abuse
An example of emotional abuse in a child care setting would be if you worked in a school and you seen a child who was indiscriminately affectionate to members of staff yet had poor concentration and became withdrawn from activities. This could be symptoms that the child may be getting emotionally abused at home.
If you were a classroom assistant you would be responsible to inform you supervisor of what you suspect looks like emotional abuse they may then look into it and the legislation which would be used for this would be the child protection policy.
Neglect
An example of neglect would be a child in a primary school setting who was continually late to school and never wore a coat throughout the whole winter. Inadequate clothing which is not suitable for the weather conditions.
If this were to happen in your primary school setting your responsibility would be to inform your supervisor and they might look into the case. The legislation that is but in place for neglect would be human rights act 1998 this is to ensure the child has the right to life; it includes the right to education.
Un Conventions on the rights of a child;
Article 19
States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parents or any other person who has the care of the child.
Childrens Act 2004
This act is a United Kingdom act that was passed on 15th November 2004. The principles of the act was to: allow children to be healthy, allow children to remain safe in their environment, help children to enjoy life, assist children in their quest to succeed, help make a positive contribution to the lives of the children and to help achieve economic stability for our children’s futures. The idea of the Children’s act is to ensure that children between the ages of 5 and 13 are in regular attendance at school, reduce the risk of crime carried out by children between these ages and also ensure that they have the best possible start in live.
UN Convention Order 1989
The main aim of the Order is the protection of the child and the protection of their welfare. The principles of the 1989 UN convention on the Rights of the Child for example, support the view that concerned attention should be given by families and the State to various aspects of children’s lives, including education, care, recreation, culture and health, and children’s social behaviour. The act places duty on local authority social services departments to investigate and take steps to prevent child abuse taking place.
