Multi-agency working

in

STRUCTURE1 Why do we have to protect children?1.1 Reasons for child protection1.2 Definitions of child abuse2 The cases of Victoria Climbié and Baby P2.1 What went wrong in both these cases?3 The importance of multi-agency working3.1 Definition of multi-agency working 3.2 Framework for assessment3.3 Significant harm3.4 Key sections4 Who is responsible for child protection?

1 WHY DO WE HAVE TO PROTECT CHILDREN?1.1 Reasons for child

protectionChildren are protected against: accidents the consequences of poverty underdevelopment child abuse and sexual abuse illness suicide

1.2 Definitions of child abuse

physical abuse emotional abuse sexual abuse neglect

2 THE CASES OF VICTORIA CLIMBIÉ AND BABY P

Victoria:

born on 2nd November 1991 in Abidjan October 2008: moved to France, later to London from 14 July 1999 to February 2000: victim of physical

and sexual abuse by her great-aunt and her boyfriend several local authorities involved 25 February 2000: Victoria‘s death Death caused by multiple injuries arising from months

of ill-treatment and abuse 128 separate injuries found on her body

Baby P:

• born on 1 March 2006 in London• from 18 September 2006 to August 2007: Baby P

suffered more than 50 injuries• Baby P registered for physical abuse and neglect• he was seen nearly 60 times by local authorities• 3 August 2007: Baby P‘s death• He had a broken back, broken ribs, several bruises, a

thooth missing and marks on his head

2.2 What went wrong in these cases?

failure of the system including agencies, social workers, doctors …

poor gathering, recording and sharing of information lack of urgency, action in response to reasonable

inference not enough checking on the parents agencies acting in isolation without effective co-

ordination and co-operation poor child protection plans failure in implementing the Children Act

3 THE IMPORTANCE OF MULTI-AGENCY WORKING

3.1 Definition of multi-agency working

• all agencies working together• information sharing and good communication• no agency has the total responsibility for the safety of

a child

Child

child

‘s d

evel

opm

enta

l nee

ds

parenting capacity

family & enviromental factors

3.2 Framework for assessment

3.3 Significant harm a concept of the Children Act 1989 justifies intervention into family life

Children Act 1989 replaces the public law

3.4 The key sections

S.17 Provision of services for children in need, their families and others

S.20 Provision of accommodation for children S.31 Care and supervision orders S.44 Orders for emergency protection of children S.47 Local authorities´ duty to investigate S.8 Private law orders

4. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CHILD PROTECTION?Teachers

Police

Social worker

Social Services Department

Health Visitor

Doctors and nurses

EVERYONE