An Introduction to Child Protection

Outcomes Understand that it is everyones responsibility to protect children Be aware of signs, indicators, definitions and effects of child abuse or neglect Know what to do if you are worried about a child or young person Know your agencys Child Protection responsibilities

What Children Need All Scotland's children and young people need to be nurtured, safe, active, healthy, engaged in learning, achieving, included, respected and responsible if we are to achieve our ambition for them. Getting it right for every child Scottish Executive, 2005

What Children Need Promotion of welfare of children in need A local authority shall; –safeguard and promote the welfare of children in their area who are in need; and –so far as is consistent with that duty, promote the upbringing of such children by their families, by providing a range and level of services appropriate to the childrens needs.

NEW DEFINITION! National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2010 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.

What is Child Abuse? Since 1998 in Scotland we have referred to the five types of child abuse and up until now they have been used as categories when children are placed on the Child Protection Register. This changed in 2011 with the introduction of the new national guidance Children will now simply be placed on the Register when at risk of significant harm identified through indicators of concern.

Indicators of Concern domestic abuse parental alcohol misuse parental drug misuse non engaging family parental mental health problems physical abuse sexual abuse emotional abuse neglect child exploitation child placing themselves at risk other risk

Physical Abuse Physical abuse is the causing of physical harm to a child or young person. It may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning or suffocating. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes, ill health to a child they are looking after. National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland

Sexual Abuse Sexual abuse is any act that involves the child in any activity for the sexual gratification of another person, whether or not it is claimed that the child either consented or assented. Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities. May involve physical contact, including penetrative or non-penetrative acts. May include non-contact activities, such as involving children viewing of, or in the production of, pornographic material or in watching sexual activities, using sexual language towards a child or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways. National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland

Emotional Abuse Emotional abuse is persistent emotional neglect or ill treatment that has severe and persistent adverse effects on a child's emotional development. May involve conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. May involve the imposition of age- or developmentally- inappropriate expectations on a child. May involve causing children to feel frightened or in danger, or exploiting or corrupting children. National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland

Neglect Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child's health or development. May involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. May also include neglect of, or failure to respond to, a child's basic emotional needs. National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland

Children with Additional Support Needs Children with disabilities are more vulnerable to abuse: Inability to recognise appropriate behaviours Reduced opportunities for socialisation Increased experiences of intimate care Impaired communication skills Low self-esteem and self image

Child Protection Procedures Multi Agency Child Protection Procedures are held by every Child Protection Committee and accessible to staff in Health, Social Work, Police, Housing, Scottish Childrens Reporters Administration (SCRA) Voluntary Organisations and Education & Skills However each agency must also have its own Child Protection Procedures in place!

What they do! Child Protection Procedures Set out how agencies and professionals should work together to protect children. Identifies roles and tasks of different professionals and agencies. Ensure staff know what do do. Promotes collaborative working.

Identifying concerns A child telling you or someone else about an experience Observation and changes in a childs behaviour Concerns expressed by a third party e.g. neighbour, other child, parent Witnessing an incident involving the parents and/or child

Identifying concerns If a child discloses… Listen Reassure Clarify (NEVER Investigate!) Explain what you will do next Share immediately with CP Coordinator or seek advice from Head of Service Record (in childs own words)

Identifying concerns If someone else raises a concern… Listen to their concern Clarify what is alleged Record and share with CP Coordinator Advise them to pass on to relevant agency

Roles/Responsibilities Its everyones job to make sure Im alright Identifying concerns

Referral SW Assess SW / Police Investigate Assess / decide CP Conference Consider Registration CP Plan Review The Child Protection Process Explained

Key Documents Standard Circular L3 Understanding Child Protection (Self Learning Pack) Protecting Children in North Ayrshire (A guide for staff working in schools)