CHILD PROTECTION LEVEL

To increase participants’ awareness of the key aspects of child maltreatment To feel more confident in where to go and what to do with any concerns you may have. Aims

By the end of the course participants will be able to: Recognise potential indicators of child maltreatment. Understand the impact of a parent/carer’s physical and mental health on a child. Understand the importance of children’s rights in the safeguarding/child protection context. To know what action to take if you have concerns. To demonstrate an understanding of the risks associated with the internet. To understand the basic knowledge of legislation. Learning Outcomes

Treat everyone with equal value and respect Don’t be afraid to ask questions – avoid side discussions Sensitivity about feelings, issues and experience Have respect for diversity – identity, culture and role Confidentiality - personally & professionally Listen to each other – one voice at a time Time keeping – joint responsibility Certificates will only be given for a full attendance Participants are requested not to use mobile devices during the session Learning Agreement

A child is anyone under 18 years old. For the purposes of Child Protection, we include the unborn child as well. All staff who come into contact with children and young people have a responsibility to safeguard and promote their welfare and should know what to do if they have concerns about child protection. Child Protection is Everyone’s Business

South West Child Protection Procedures: Working Together to Safeguard Children (GOV UK 2013) What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused (dfes 2006) Children Act 1989 and 2004 Nice Guideline CG89 -when to suspect maltreatment. Where would you find your local guidance? Relevant Legislation and Guidance

Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm or failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused by someone in their family, an institution or in community settings, by those known to them or more rarely by those unknown to them (e.g. via the Internet). Abuse can include radicalisation, child trafficking or sexual exploitation (e.g. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)) What is Child Abuse?

Physical abuse This can include: hitting, shaking, poisoning, burning, suffocating, fabricated/induced illness, FGM and domestic abuse. Sexual abuse: This can include forcing/enticing a child to take part in sexual activities (including non-contact activities), sexual exploitation and trafficking Neglect: This can include persistent failure to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, protection from harm and access to medical care. Emotional abuse: This can include persistently telling children they are worthless, unloved or inadequate, exploiting/corrupting children, causing children to feel frightened or in danger, radicalisation and domestic abuse. Types of abuse

Children giving out personal information on-line Circulation of abusive images on-line Children randomly targeted by offenders through on-line media Cyber bullying Use (or lack of use) of parental control Professional safety when using social networking sites Grooming for sexual exploitation Potential Risks of the On-line World

What is the effect of abuse on children? 1.How might a child present? 2.How might a child behave? 3.What could they say? 4.What rights does the child have? 5.Why might you miss abuse? 6.What could prevent concerns being reported? 7.What would the impact of adult illness have on a child?

National Guidance clearly states that information should be shared when: A child’s health and development are exposed to possible harm. A parent may be in need of help and not able to care for a child adequately or safely. Someone may pose a risk of harm to a child. Information Sharing

Always discuss with your manager or supervisor. Record concerns, discussions and plan. Ensure any agreed actions/plans are completed. If you are unhappy with the outcome discuss this with your Named Professional. Refer to South West Child Protection Procedures: What to do if you are concerned

Practitioner has concerns about child’s welfare Practitioner discusses with Manager and/or other senior colleagues as they think appropriate. Further advice may be sought from the safeguarding team. No longer has concernsStill has concerns Practitioner refers to Multi Agency Referral Unit (MARU) on and follows up in writing within 48 hours Good practice to inform parents if safe to do so, but consent is not needed if child protection No further child protection action, although may need to ensure service provision provided or consider whether a CAF is required. Referral form can be accessed on-line. Consent is needed to refer for CAF or Child In Need What to do if you are worried about a child being abused

Telephone MARU on Follow up in writing within 48 hours using the multi-agency referral form. Referral can be sent via but must be sent to the safe address and be encrypted. Be prepared to give information about: Child’s name, age, address Your concerns identifying the risk Your name and contact details Other children in the family Making a referral to Children’s Social Care

If you do not agree with the advice you are given and feel that a child remains at risk it is your responsibility to take further action. You can contact: Your Named Professional for Child Protection. The Safeguarding Children Standards Unit on The Multi Agency Referral Unit for advice on Use the Safeguarding Children’s Board escalation policy/resolving professional differences for guidance cios.co.uk/ cios.co.uk/ LADO and Senior HR personnel have processes to deal with concerns about professional abuse allegations Professional differences or concerns about the behaviour of another Professional

Looked After Children

Countywide Designated Nurse for Child Protection - Judith Parsons ( ) Designated Doctor for Child Protection - Dr Roger Jenkins ( ) RCHT Named Nurse - Alison O’Neill ( or via switch board) Named Midwife - Teresa Phillips (via switchboard) Named Doctor – Dr Chris Williams (via switchboard) Cornwall Foundation Trust Named Nurse - Elizabeth Cox ( or mobile ) Named Doctor – Dr Ellen Wilkinson (via switchboard) Peninsula Community Health Named Nurse - Dee Hore ( ) Named Doctor – Dr Janine Glazier (via switchboard) Contact Numbers for NHS Organisations

Is there a person in your department who takes a lead in Child Protection/Safeguarding Children? Do I need further Safeguarding training? If unsure ask! Think! Frequently Asked Questions

Ongoing Updates Quarterly Newsletters via Provider communications Child Protection Health Intranet Website: ction/ChildProtection.aspx Local Multi-Agency Safeguarding Children Procedures: Safeguarding Children Board: