According to the government, safeguarding protects children from:
- Abuse and maltreatment
- Neglect
- Impairment of their health or development (both physical and mental)
- Harm from adults or other children who might pose a risk
- Unsafe or ineffective care environments
Safeguarding also involves promoting the welfare of children so they grow up in safe and effective care, and taking action to ensure they have the best possible outcomes
. In summary, safeguarding is the process of protecting children from abuse, neglect, and any harm that could impair their health or development, while ensuring they have safe care and support to thrive
. Child protection, a part of safeguarding, specifically focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm
