Child Protection Awareness Raising

Introductions

Course Aims The aim of this course is to raise the awareness of all staff and volunteers about their responsibilities to protect children from harm, so that they can respond appropriately to concerns about children

Course Outcomes Participants will be able to: state the key needs of children as outlined in GIRFEC RECOGNISEdescribe key terms in relation to child protection and RECOGNISE indicators of abuse RESPOND RECORDRESPOND to a concern that a child may be at risk of significant harm, and RECORD information

Recognise Respond Record

Timetable Fire alarm and exits Phones Housekeeping

Participation  Join in!  Ask questions  Listen and don’t talk over each other  Be respectful Confidentiality Feelings Learning Agreement

Turn to the person next to you, and discuss for a couple of minutes: What are the things a child needs to grow and develop into a healthy adult?

What Children Need

“Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting, or by failing to act to prevent, significant harm to the child. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional setting, by those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger. Assessments will need to consider whether abuse has occurred or is likely to occur.” National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2010 Para. 31 What is Child Abuse?

Risk – likelihood of significant harm, given presence of adverse factors in a child’s life Significant Harm – one off incident or build up of concern Child Protection – action taken by agencies to protect a child from abuse

In small groups: Look at the risk indicators you have been given, and describe the things you might see if this was taking place.

Specific Risk Factors: Physical abuse Sexual abuse Neglect Emotional abuse Children placing themselves at risk Child exploitation Domestic abuse Parental alcohol misuse Parental drug misuse Non engaging family Parental mental health problems Other What is Child Abuse?

Legal Framework UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Protection Provision Participation

“Procedures and guidance cannot in themselves protect children; a competent, skilled and confident workforce, together with a vigilant public, can… Guidance enables managers and practitioners to develop a shared understanding of their common objective – to support and protect children, particularly those who are most vulnerable” (para 1) Legal Framework

westofscotland/ Legal Framework

In small groups: Read through the scenarios and decide how you would respond. Responding to concerns

If a child discloses… Take seriously Reassure Clarify (don’t probe) Explain what you will do next Share with manager Record Responding to concerns

If you observe something… Note what you see Fact and opinion Share with manager Keep monitoring over time Share with other agencies Responding to concerns

If someone else raises a concern… Listen to their concern Clarify Record and share with manager Advise them to pass on to relevant agency Responding to concerns

If you witness an incident… Ensure child is safe Call for support (e.g. police) Record Responding to concerns

Consider the possibility of child abuse and explore Suspect child Abuse and follow CP procedures Exclude child abuse if a suitable explanation is given Responding to concerns

Practice Issues Cultural sensitivity Confidentiality If in doubt… speak to someone Responding to concerns

It’s everyone’s job to make sure I’m alright Responding to concerns