Safeguarding

Description

SAFEGUARDING:

The Safeguarding component is crucial for ensuring the physical, emotional, and psychological safety of learners. It requires knowledge of national policies and the practical application of child protection measures.

• Foundational Principles and Policies 26.3%
• Recognizing Signs of Abuse and Reporting Mechanisms 31.6%
• Prevention and Awareness 26.3%
• Professional Ethics and Conduct 15.7%

 

Foundational Principles and Policies (26.3%)

Content Breakdown

• The difference between child protection and safeguarding
• Principles of safeguarding
• The legal and ethical basis for safeguarding in Nigeria
• Key components of the National Policies and legal frameworks (e.g., roles and responsibilities, risk assessment)
• Implementing physical and psychological safety standards

Teacher Competencies

• Define the core principles of safeguarding for learners
• Articulate the key provisions of national school safety policies
• Apply minimum safety standards to the school environment

Resources

Child Rights Act 2003

National Policy on Inclusive Education 2023

National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools

Minimum Standards for Safe Schools

Minimum Standards for Safe Schools Poster

Handbook on Psychosocial Support Skills and Managing Children in Emergencies

UBEC Teachers Handbook on School Safety

 

RECOGNISING SIGNS OF ABUSE AND REPORTING MECHANISMS

Content Breakdown

• Physical, sexual, Psychological and emotional, neglect and negligence indicators of different types of abuse
• Identifying risks faced by learners and impact
• Online violence and abuse
• Confidentiality, do no harm and getting informed consent
• Step-by-step process for making a referral
• Documentation requirements for safeguarding incidents

Teacher Competencies

• Identify potential signs of abuse/violence or neglect of learners
• Respond appropriately to disclosure
• Identify and follow the correct, established procedure for reporting concerns
• Document safeguarding incidents accurately and confidentially

Resources

National Safeguarding Referral Pathway

Violence Against Children/Learners: Safeguarding Principles and Reporting Pathways in Schools/Learning Centers

Managing Violence in Schools: Handbook for Schools and Learning Centres

Training Manual on Psychosocial Support Skills and Managing Children in Emergencies

 

PREVENTION AND AWARENESS

Content Breakdown

• Developing a safe school culture
• Ways of curbing violence in schools
• Age-appropriate curriculum for teaching personal safety to all learners
• Training requirements for staff
• Components of a comprehensive school safeguarding, evacuation and risk assessment action plan
• School community collaboration on safeguarding and school safety

Teacher Competencies

• Identify and demonstrate preventative safeguarding, evacuation and risk assessment activities
• Educate the school community on child protection and safeguarding
• Contribute to the development and execution of the school’s action plan

Resources

National Safeguarding Action Plan

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND CONDUCTS

Content Breakdown

• TRCN Code of Conduct (e.g., integrity, professionalism, relationship with learners)
• Maintaining appropriate physical and digital boundaries
• Understanding the process for investigating allegations of misconduct

Teacher Competencies

• Understand and demonstrate professional ethics and conduct
• Understand the legal and ethical implications of a teacher’s role
• Understand the process/procedure for investigating misconduct and possible sanctions

Resources

TRCN Code of Conduct (download from TRCN website)