Child Protection Level 1
2012
• 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 they may have.
Aims
By the end of the course participants will be able to:• Recognise potential indicators of child maltreatment
• Recognise the potential impact of a parent/carers physical and mental health on the well-being of a child or young person
• Understand how to share information appropriately
• Identify who to contact for advice and support
• Access and use child protection policies and procedures
• Show an awareness of their responsibilities in relation to Child Protection
Key Outcomes
Treat everyone with equal value and respect
Don’t be afraid to ask questions – avoid side discussions
Sensitivity – 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
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
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 in the family, institutions or in community settings, by those known or more rarely by those unknown to them eg. Via the internet.
They may be abused by adults or by other children. (WTTSC 2010)
What is Child Abuse
South West Child Protection Procedures www.swcpp.org.uk Working Together to Safeguard Children dfes 2010
What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused (dfes 2006)
Childrens NSF
Children Act 1989 and 2004
Nice Guideline CG89 -when to suspect maltreatment.
Relevant Legislation and Guidance
Physical abuse This can include: hitting, shaking, poisoning, burning, suffocating, fabricated/induced illness.
Sexual abuse:Including forcing/enticing a child to take part in sexual activities (including non contact activities)
Neglect:Including persistent failure to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, protection
from harm, access to medical care.
Emotional abuse:Including persistently telling children they are worthless, unloved or inadequate,
exploiting/corrupting children, causing children to feel frightened or in danger.
Types of abuse
• Children giving out personal information on line • Circulation of abusive images on-line• Children randomly targeted by offenders through
online media• Cyber bullying• Use (or lack of use) of parental control• Professional safety when using social networking
sites
Potential Risks of the On Line World
• Looked after children are particularly vulnerable.
• All looked after children will have a social worker
• If they are accessing treatment it needs to be clear as to who has parental consent.
• Contact details for the Children in Care team and information re consent issues can be found on the intranet.
Looked After Children
Always discuss with manager or supervisor
Record concerns, discussions and plan
Ensure actions 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
www.swcpp.org.uk
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 SRU services for children and young people following up in writing within 48 hoursSingle Referral Unit Children’s Social care 03001231116
No further child protection action, although may need to act to ensure service provision or consider whether a CAF is required. Referral form can be accessed on line.
What to do if you are worried about a child being abused
National Guidance clearly sates that information should be shared when:
• A child’s health, development and exposure to possible harm.
• A parent who may be in need of help and not able to care for a child adequately or safely.
• Those who may pose a risk of harm to a child
Information Sharing
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: • The Safeguarding Children’s team.• The Single referral unit for advice.• Use the LSCB escalation policy for guidance
http://www.safechildren-cios.co.uk/
Professional differences
• Telephone 03001231116
• Follow up in writing within 48 hours using the multi-agency referral form.
• Referral can be sent via email but must be sent to the safe email address and be encrypted
• Be prepared to give information about:
Child’s name, age, address
Your concerns identifying the risk
Your name and details
Other children in the family
When a referral is made to Children’s Social Care:
Named Doctors and Nurses for NHS Trusts
RCHT
Named Nurse Alison O’Neill 01872 252596 or via switch board
Named Midwife Bernie Dolan via switchboard
Named Doctor Graham Taylor
Cornwall Foundation Trust
Named Nurse Elizabeth Cox 01208 256292 mobile 07500975537
Named Doctor Ellen Wilkinson
Peninsula Community Health
Named Nurse Sue Greenwood 07825754153
Countywide
Designated Nurse Judith Parsons 01872 254555
Designated Doctor Debbie Galbraith
Contact Numbers
Is there a person in your department who takes a lead in Child Protection/Safeguarding Children
Where are the Local multi agency Safeguarding Children Procedures? www.swcpp.org.uk
Child Protection health intranet websitehttp://intra.cornwall.nhs.uk/Intranet/AZServices/C/ChildProtection/ChildProtection.aspx
Safeguarding Children Board www.safechildren-cios.co.uk
Do I need further Safeguarding training?
If unsure ask!
South West Child Protection Procedures Website.url
Think!