Unit 10 Caring for children and young people. Policies and Procedures

M1 Discuss how policies and procedures help children, young people and their families whilst the child is being looked after.

The Question In order to complete M1 use the evidence above (P1 and P2) discuss how policies and procedures help children and young people and their families whilst they are being ‘looked after’.

Policies and procedures There are numerous policies and procedures that HSC practitioners must follow to ensure that all children’s needs are met, prior to, during and after children are looked after.

Main policies and procedures United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) Every Child Matters (2003) Children Act (1989) (2004) Human Rights Act (1998) Data Protection Act (1998) Common Assessment Framework Continuum of Need Framework

A reminder It is important to remember that each law, framework and regulation will influence the policies of organisations. This will then affect the procedures that HSC workers follow.

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child In 1989, the world's leaders officially recognised the human rights of all children and young people under 18 by signing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. All UN member states except for the United States, South Sudan and Somalia have signed Why do you think that a United Nations convention would be needed ?

The Convention says that every child has: The right to a childhood (including protection from harm) The right to be educated (including all girls and boys completing primary school) The right to be healthy (including having clean water, nutritious food and medical care) The right to be treated fairly (including changing laws and practices that are unfair on children) The right to be heard (including considering children's views)

Exercise Look through the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which ones particularly relate to ‘looked after children’ ?

CA –The Key Principles Paramountcy principle Children should remain with their family Parental responsibility Children ‘in need’ should be supported Children ‘at risk’ should be protected Delays should be avoided Children should be informed

Why are these principles essential for ‘looked after’ children ? Key Principles. What do these principles mean ? Why are these principles essential for ‘looked after’ children ?

Paramountcy principle In relation to the upbringing of any child, the welfare of the child is paramount. This means any actions taken by professionals and courts must be seen as in the best interest of the child. See the welfare checklist

Children should remain with their family Wherever possible the child should remain with their immediate family or their extended family.

Parental responsibility ‘ All rights, duties, powers and responsibilities and authority, which, by law, the parent of the child has in relation to that child and his property’. This is immediately granted to the Mother, Father if married to Mother or on the child’s birth certificate and it can be applied for.

Children in need. Unlikely to achieve , or maintain, or have the opportunity of maintaining a reasonable standard of health (holistic) for development. Their health for development is likely to be significantly impaired. The child has disabilities

Children at risk. Local Authorities must investigate where a child is suspected of suffering significant harm and their must be interventions if necessary. If a child is regarded at risk, they are put on the child safeguarding ‘at risk register’ under specific categories.

Delays should be avoided Children should not spend unnecessary time uncertain of their future. All decisions made by courts, parents and professionals should be made a.s.a.p. once all assessments have been completed.

Children should be informed Children should always be central in decisions that are being made about their care.

Child Protection If a child can not remain at home there are specific actions that local authorities can take: Emergency protection orders Care orders Education supervision

Common Assessment Framework

CAF This focuses on all the needs of the child to ensure ‘Every Child Matters’ issues are addressed. By using this model a practitioner can quickly identify the child’s needs by using the headings. It is a standardised way for measuring how childrens needs can be met. Now explain why this is useful for ‘looked after’ children .

Continuum of need framework

Continuum of Need This is a measure that indicates to the practitioners what level of need the child has. Explain why this ‘measure’ is useful for ‘looked after children.

Other Acts to consider: Human Rights Data Protection How would these relate to ‘looked after’ children and their families ?

Summarise and conclude For M1 you need to conclude how these policies create procedures that work in the children’s ‘best interest’ and so their holistic needs are met and they are placed in stable surroundings either with parents or in alternative care.

Bibliography/Further reading Fisher, A (2006) Applied AS Health and Care. Folens. Dunstable. Fisher (2006) OCR National Level 3 Health, Social Care and Early Years. Heinemann. Oxford. Langridge, E et al (2006) NVQ 3 Health and Social Care. Candidate Handbook. Nelson Thornes. Cheltenham. Miller, J (2005) Social Care Practice. Hodder and stoughton.London. Moonie, N (2005) GCE AS Level Health and Social Care. Heinemann. Oxford. Stretch,B (2007) Core Themes Health and Social Care. Heinemann. Oxford.