What Is Safeguarding?
Learn what safeguarding means in the context of childcare, why it’s essential for protecting children’s wellbeing, and how early years professionals can create a safe and supportive environment.
Introduction
When you’re working with children or vulnerable people, your number one priority should be their safety and wellbeing. That’s why safeguarding is a fundamental part of any career in childcare, and something we take seriously from day 1 in our apprenticeships.
Whether you’re just starting out in your care career, or looking to build on your knowledge, understanding what safeguarding is and how to apply it to real world settings is essential for creating a safe and supportive environment.
In this blog, we’ll explore what safeguarding involves, why it’s so important, and how it’s applied in real-life settings — particularly in childcare, where creating a safe and supportive environment is key to helping children grow and thrive.
What Is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding is all about keeping people safe, in particular children and vulnerable adults. It involves making sure they’re protected from harm, abuse and neglect, and knowing who to report it to. But it’s more than just reacting when something goes wrong, it’s about creating a safe and supportive environment where people feel protected, respected and listened to.
In childcare, safeguarding covers a wide variety of things. It could be making sure staff are properly vetted, knowing the signs that something isn’t right with a child, or having clear steps to follow if there is ever a concern. It’s a part of everyday life for childcare workers in nurseries and schools.
There are also laws and guidelines in place to help make sure everybody working with children knows their responsibilities, such as the Children Acts (1989 and 2004), and policies like Keeping Children Safe in Education. These help create a consistent approach so every child gets the protection they deserve.
Why Safeguarding Matters
Children and vulnerable adults rely on the adults around them to keep them safe, both physically and emotionally. That’s why safeguarding is such a big deal when you’re working in childcare. When children feel safe and supported, they’re much more likely to grow in confidence, form healthy relationships and enjoy learning.
In a childcare setting, safeguarding helps create an environment where everybody knows what’s expected. Staff are trained to spot the signs that something might be wrong, whether it’s a change in a child’s usual behaviour, physical signs of harm, or something a child says. It’s also about encouraging open conversations so children feel like they can speak up if they’re worried about something.
Whether you’re a teacher, nursery practitioner, support worker, or an apprentice just starting out, safeguarding is a shared responsibility. Everybody plays a part in making sure children are protected, listened to and given the best possible start in life.
Safeguarding in Action - What Childcare Professionals Are Expected To Know
Safeguarding isn’t just a policy or a training session you can tick off, it’s something that needs to be a part of your everyday practice as a childcare professional. Whether you’re new to the sector or have years of experience, it’s important to understand your responsibilities and how to act on them.
Childcare professionals are expected to:
- Recognise the signs of abuse or neglect - physical, emotional, sexual, or otherwise.
- Know the procedures for reporting concerns, including who to speak to and how to record information clearly and confidently.
- Promote a safe and inclusive environment, where children feel safe to express any concerns they might have.
- Follow safeguarding policies put into place by their workplace, and contribute to a culture where safety is everybody’s priority.
Training plays a big role in safeguarding. Most childcare roles involve regular safeguarding refreshers, and new staff are introduced to safeguarding legislation, risk assessments and safer working practices as part of their onboarding. As a part of our apprenticeships, we prioritise teaching our students about the importance of safeguarding, to prepare them to enter the workplace with confidence.
In short, safeguarding is a team effort, and relies on everyone staying alert, informed and confident in how to act when something doesn’t feel right.
Key Elements of Safeguarding Policies
Every childcare setting should have a clear safeguarding policy in place, and it’s essential all the staff understand it. These policies should outline the steps taken to protect children and explain what to do if there is ever a concern.
While the exact details can vary depending on the organisation, most childcare settings will have the following safeguarding policies in place:
- Safe Recruitment - making sure all the staff and volunteers are properly vetted, including an Enhanced DBS check and reference checks before they start working with children.
- Clear Reporting Procedures - a step-by-step guide on what to do if you’re worried about a child’s welfare, including who to report to, and how to report concerns accurately.
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) - Every childcare setting should have at least one trained DSL who takes the lead on safeguarding matters and supports staff in dealing with concerns.
- Whistleblowing Policies - staff should feel safe to raise concerns about poor practice, even if it involves a colleague. Whistleblowing policies make sure those concerns are taken seriously and handled fairly.
- Online Safety and Risk Assessments - with children getting access to technology at rapidly younger ages, safeguarding also needs to include keeping them safe online and ensuring risks are managed physically and digitally.
Examples of Safeguarding Concerns
Safeguarding concerns can show up in many different ways - some are clear and immediate, while others might be more subtle and develop over time. Being able to recognise the signs is key to keeping children safe.
Here are some common examples of situations that could raise safeguarding concerns:
- A child frequently comes into nursery or school with unexplained bruises or injuries.
- A normally chatty and cheerful child becomes withdrawn, anxious or aggressive.
- A child shows knowledge or talks about adult topics that aren’t age appropriate.
- You notice a child is reluctant / scared to go home.
- A child discloses something directly to you, even if it's vague or seems minor.
- A staff member behaves in a way that seems inappropriate, secretive, or overly familiar with a child.
These situations don’t automatically mean abuse is happening, but they’re red flags that shouldn’t be ignored. If something doesn’t sit right with you, trust your gut! It’s always best to report it and let the safeguarding lead take the next steps.
What To Do If You Have a Concern
If you ever have a concern about a child’s safety or well-being — no matter how small it might seem — it’s important to act. Safeguarding isn’t about jumping to conclusions, but it is about speaking up when something doesn’t feel right.
Here’s what to do:
- Report it to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in your setting as soon as possible. Every organisation should have someone in this role.
- Record your concern clearly and factually, including what was seen, heard, or disclosed — avoid making assumptions or trying to investigate yourself.
- Follow your workplace's safeguarding procedure — if you're ever unsure, ask a manager or DSL for guidance.
- Trust your instincts — you don’t need to have proof to raise a concern. It’s always better to say something than to stay silent.
Remember, safeguarding is a shared responsibility. You’re not alone, and support is always available — whether that’s from your team, your DSL, or external agencies if needed. For all of our apprentices, we offer an inhouse safeguarding reporter called TootToot, to allow you to make your concerns heard easily.
Conclusion
Safeguarding is at the heart of high-quality childcare. It’s not just about spotting signs of harm — it’s about creating an environment where children feel safe, supported, and able to thrive. Whether you’re new to the sector or have years of experience, safeguarding is something that should be embedded in everything you do.
By staying informed, following your setting’s procedures, and trusting your instincts, you’re playing a vital role in protecting children and giving them the best possible start in life. And remember — you’re never alone when it comes to safeguarding. There’s always support available, and raising a concern is always the right thing to do.
Both the Impact Futures and The Childcare Company brands are used interchangeably for both Impact Futures Training Limited and The Child Care Company (Old Windsor) Limited.