Table Of Content‘ This comprehensive book explains the complex and critical issues
of early years safeguarding sensitively and in-depth. Rachel’s knowl-
edge, insights and fi rst-hand experiences are evident throughout the
book, especially in the Refl ective sections. The breadth of content
makes it an ideal resource for both the designated safeguarding lead
and anyone else working directly with children and their families. I
would highly recommend it as compulsory reading for everyone in
the early years sector.’
– Kathy Brodie, Founder of Early Years TV and
the Early Years Summit
‘ This excellent book provides early years professionals with every-
thing they need to know about child protection and safeguarding in
the early years. As with Rachel’s training delivery, her writing style
makes the content accessible to all, understandable, informative and
easy to translate to practice. At Thrive Childcare we have been in
receipt of Rachel’s Child Protection and Safeguarding training for
many years now, across both England and Scotland, and I cannot
recommend this book enough.’
– Ursula Krystek-Walton, Head of Early Years
Thrive Childcare and Education
‘ This book will be hugely welcomed by early years leaders and prac-
titioners alike. It is highly relevant and insightful, whilst being really
accessible and straightforward, fulfi lling a real need in the sector.
I ts content is validating for those carrying out the really tough job
of safeguarding children in early years settings. Rachel has drawn on
her extensive personal experience to create a reference book as well
as a guidebook for DSLs and practitioners, providing regular refl ec-
tion points for readers.
T he book covers critical concepts such as professional curiosity,
and wariness of inappropriate optimism to name just a couple. She
reminds us about self-care and the importance of taking action and
critically that safeguarding knowledge is about keeping children safe,
not keeping Ofsted happy!’
– Jo Kinloch, Managing Director,
Mulberry Bush Nursery Group
‘ I’ve had the privilege to have known Rachel for over 20 years. She has
provided training and support to our local childminder networks and to
many childminders personally, me included. Rachel has always been
such a wonderful advocate for childminders, and this continues to be a
strong feature in this brilliant book which highlights the challenges and
experiences of many of us working to safeguard and protect children. The
book recognises the real issues which are often diffi cult and hard to work
around but Rachel acknowledges this and offers useful and helpful strate-
gies for childminders to engage with and apply in practice. This book will
be a real game changer. It simplifi es a diffi cult subject; it reminds us of
how vital our roles as childminders are when working with children and
families and it challenges us to build upon what we already know and do.
I can’t wait to use it for training in my own team.’
– Charlotte Cassidy , Childminder, Bury
‘This book is second to none in terms of its breadth and depth of what
remains a deeply complex and ever-evolving subject. Rachel Buckler’s
expertise shines through in each of the seven chapters, providing informa-
tion that is accessible and pertinent – and directly applicable to child care
practitioners. She prioritises the empowerment of practitioners through
equipping them with the diverse strategies provided throughout the book,
as well as through broaching subjects that some might fi nd it diffi cult to
think about – let alone talk about and most importantly act on – when it
comes to safeguarding and protecting children.’
– Dr Mine Conkbayir , Early Years author,
trainer and researcher
Developing Child-Centred
Practice for Safeguarding
and Child Protection
Placing children at the centre of safeguarding principles and practices
is vital for ensuring the best child protection. This essential resource
provides early years practitioners with all that they need to be confi dent
and competent as they fulfi l their roles and obligations to safeguard and
protect children.
Exploring the main factors that impact on the lives of young children
in the current safeguarding climate, this book is a starting point for
understanding the risks and categories of abuse and neglect. Grounded
in best practice, it gives practitioners encouragement and advice to help
shape and drive practice forward with child-centred motives, practices and
perspectives.
The book offers:
• Insights into the current safeguarding climate backed by practical
examples .
• An introduction to managing the different safeguarding challenges
faced by early years professionals.
• Methods for contextualising these for children in the early years .
• Guidance on supporting vulnerable children, their families and other
agencies working alongside them.
• Refl ections, case studies and a wide range of example scenarios .
• Voices and insights from across the sector woven throughout for a
holistic understanding of safeguarding.
With accessible chapters drawing on best practice from across the sector
at every level, t his is a valuable resource for all those working in the early
years, whether just starting out or highly experienced in the fi eld.
R achel Buckler is a highly experienced practitioner, trainer and consultant
working in support of safeguarding and child protection practices. During
her 30-year career in children’s service social care, she has developed and
managed services including Sure Start Children’s Centres and been a strategic
lead for early intervention services delivered in Greater Manchester. Rachel
continues to deliver training to local authorities’ early years workforces, as well
as providing training and consultancy for independent nurseries and childcare
providers across the country. Rachel is co-founder of the Early Years Hub and
creator of the Safeguarding Hub.
This book is dedicated to my Mom, Hilda, who was with
me when I began to write but sadly didn’t see me complete
it. I know she would have liked it! And for Theo and Grace,
the latest arrivals in our family.
Little Minds Matter:
Promoting Social and Emotional Wellbeing in the Early Years
Series Advisor: Sonia Mainstone-Cotton
The L ittle Minds Matter series promotes best practice for integrating social
and emotional health and wellbeing into the early years setting. It introduces
practitioners to a wealth of activities and resources to support them in each key
area: from providing access to ideas for unstructured, imaginative outdoor play;
activities to create a sense of belonging and form positive identities; and, impor-
tantly, strategies to encourage early years professionals to create a workplace
that positively contributes to their own wellbeing, as well as the quality of their
provision. The Little Minds Matter series ensures that practitioners have the tools
they need to support every child.
Outdoor Play for Healthy Little Minds
Practical Ideas to Promote Children’s Wellbeing in the Early Years
Sarah Watkins
Supporting the Wellbeing of Children with SEND
Essential Ideas for Early Years Educators
Kerry Payne
Supporting Behaviour and Emotions in the Early Years
Strategies and Ideas for Early Years Educators
Tamsin Grimmer
A Guide to Mental Health for Early Years Educators
Putting Wellbeing at the Heart of Your Philosophy and Practice
K ate Moxley
Supporting the Wellbeing of Children with EAL
Essential Ideas for Practice and Refl ection
Liam Murphy
Building Positive Relationships in the Early Years
Conversations to Empower Children, Professionals, Families and Communities
Sonia Mainstone-Cotton and Jamel Carly Campbell
Developing Child-Centred Practice for Safeguarding and Child Protection
Strategies for Every Early Years Setting
Rachel Buckler
Little Brains Matter
A Practical Guide to Brain Development and Neuroscience in Early Childhood
Debbie Garvey
Developing
Child-Centred
Practice for
Safeguarding and
Child Protection
Strategies for Every Early Years Setting
Rachel Buckler
Designed cover image: Me and my friend by Hiro
First published 2023
by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 Rachel Buckler
The right of Rachel Buckler to be identifi ed as author of this work has been asserted in
accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any
form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented,
including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice : Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered
trademarks, and are used only for identifi cation and explanation without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 978-0-367-68347-4 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-367-68349-8 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-13705-4 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003137054
Typeset in Optima
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
Contents
Acknowledgements x
Foreword xii
Preface: a letter for every early years practitioner xiii
1 Safeguarding and child protection practice in the early years 1
2 Recognising and responding to abuse and neglect in early
childhood 28
3 The role of the designated safeguarding lead 53
4 Identifying risk factors in the lives of young children 83
5 Taking action to safeguard and protect children 109
6 Working with others to achieve the right outcomes for
children. Parents and carers/multi-agency practice 135
7 Creating a safe culture – child-centred practice in the
early years 162
Final thoughts 189
Index 191
ix
