1.1 Explain what it means to have a duty of care in own work role
Duty of care is the level of service that is expected, as a minimum, to be provided to the children within my setting, taking on legal responsibility to safeguard the welfare and well-being of the children in my care.
As a practitioner, I have a duty of care to the children within my setting to ensure they are properly cared for, also to the parents of those children who expect that, as a carer I will look after their child appropriately.
1.2 Explain how duty of care contributes to the safeguarding or protection of individuals
When a child or young person is in my care, I take on the same responsibilities as that of the childs parent (Loco parentis), putting their well-being at the centre of everything I do and ensuring that childrens rights are promoted and their needs met.
The Children Act 1989 recognised that children have rights themselves and that they should be treated accordingly. Highlighting that parents have a responsibility to their child, rather than rights over them. Under this Act, children have the right to:
Discuss their concerns
Be listened to
Be told what their rights are
Have their wishes considered when decisions that affect them are being made
Have details about their age, culture, gender and race considered when decisions are made
Be told about decisions that are made
Be heard if they are involved in a court case, and to have their own solicitor to represent them
Refuse a medical examination if they understand what that entails and do not want to have it done
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child contains articles referring to the rights and needs of children. These include:
Children have the right to protection
Children have the right to a family life
Parents and guardians have the right to support in carrying out their parental responsibilities
Children have the right to have their views listened to
Childrens views should...