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!