These qualifications have been developed at the specific request of the NSPCC, who have been significantly involved in the development process. Designed to meet a need in the child care sector and beyond, they promote awareness and sensitivity to safeguarding issues. They emphasises the need for all workers, irrespective of their specific role within an organisation, to take responsibility for ensuring concerns are acted upon in an appropriate manner. The two qualifications available are:

• City & Guilds level 3 Award in Safeguarding Children and Young People (3597-02)
•  City & Guilds level 3 Certificate in Safeguarding Children and Young People (3597-03/93)

 

 Award in Safeguarding Children and Young People (3597-02)

The smaller Award is aimed at those people who work with children and young people in various settings and organisations, who wish to extend their knowledge and awareness of Safeguarding issues. It may also be used as a CPD qualification. It should be noted that this Award is not a full or professional qualification for those wanting to specialise in Child Protection.
 
In order to achieve the level 3 Award, learners can choose any 3 units which are appropriate to their area of responsibility and interest.

 

Certificate in Safeguarding Children and Young People (3597-03/93)

The Certificate is for people who are in regular contact with children and young people through their work or voluntary activities, and it is for those who have responsibility for ensuring the safety and welfare of the children and young people in their care.  It is also suitable for those people who work with children in their own or others' homes. This qualification requires learners to have some experience and builds on a basic awareness of child protection.

To achieve the level 3 Certificate, learners must complete 8 mandatory units (Units 001-008) and 1 optional unit (from units 009-013). There is also a 'unit route' available for those learners who do not wish to complete a full qualification (3597-93).

 

3597 'Safeguarding' Units

• Unit 001 The context for safeguarding children and young people
• Unit 002 legal and policy frameworks for safeguarding children and young people
• Unit 003 Understanding children and young people's development needs and their right to express themselves
• Unit 004 The family and environmental context of safeguarding children and young people
• Unit 005 Recognising signs of abuse, harm and neglect of children and young people
• Unit 006 What to do when there are concerns about children and young people's safety and welfare
• Unit 007 Communication and working relationships in safeguarding children and young people
• Unit 008 Creating safe environments for children and young people to prevent abuse, harm and neglect
• Unit 009 Development and implementation of polices for safeguarding children and young people
• Unit 010 Good Practice in Recruitment, Employment and Deployment of Staff and Volunteers for safeguarding children and young people
• Unit 011 Supporting and developing others to safeguard children and young people
• Unit 012 Supporting children and families after abuse has been disclosed
• Unit 013 Safeguarding children and young people in a home-based setting

Units are assessed by written assignments which are marked by the centre.

 

Learning materials

City & Guilds has endorsed the distance learning programme 'Someone to Turn to' produced by NSPCC Educare. These learning materials fully support the City & Guilds Safeguading Children and Young People qualifications. Visit the NSPCC's webpages to find more information about these materials.

 

Fast track approval

Centres already approved for the Level 3 Certificate in Safeguarding Children and Young People (3597-03/93) will be given automatic approval for the level 3 Award (3597-02).

For centres currently offering the N/SVQs and VRQs in Children' Care, Learning and Development (3171/3174/3177), a fast track approval process is available for the level 3 3597-02 Award. Download and complete this Fast Track Approval form (FTAP) and send to your local City & Guilds office.

Other centres must go through the standard qualification/centre approval process.