Safe-guarding and protection of children and young people

The difference between “need” and risk

A child can be considered “in need” without being at risk. A child maybe in need due to disability for example. They may become “at risk if their parents are unable to cope or the required services are not in place for the family.

What is child abuse?

Physical- may include hitting, shaking, burning, drowning, scratching, poisoning, throwing. Anything that causes physical harm to a child including fabrication of, or inducement of symptoms of illness in a child.

Emotional- Maltreatment, telling a child or making them feel unworthy of love, over protection including preventing a child from engaging in social interaction, bullying, exploitation.

Sexual- Forcing or bribing/inciting a child into sexual activity, whether or not this includes penetration, prostituting a child, allowing children to view sexual activity, pornographic material or to behave in sexual ways.

Neglect- Not providing adequate food, shelter, clothing. Not ensuring proper child care. Not protecting a child from harm or danger. Not getting medical treatment for a child. Also included is to not respond to a child’s emotional needs.

TIP- See my link to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs

Promoting safety and protection

We might do this by:

Teaching stranger danger

Teaching road crossing techniques

Ensuring that only people with the right to access a child can do so (use of password systems, checking ID)

Providing young people with personal alarms

Observing children’s safety while they play

Potential forms of abuse

Internet via social networking sites like face book (bullying, inappropriate relationships)

Letters and e-mails, texts and phone calls (unauthorised people may try and contact a child this way.)

Care workers- very sad to think about but a very real fact.

Media- if the material is inappropriate for their age

Working with organisations to protect children and young people

Other organisations or professionals may be

Child line

NSPCC

Police

Social workers

Therapists

Teachers

Medical staff

You might work with these agencies to identify, report or prevent abuse. You might also work with these agencies to support children and young people who have been abused and to protect them from further abuse.

Disclosures

You might not always see them coming, or realise what you are hearing until half way through. I personally have never heard the words “I need to tell you a secret”. It tend to be more casual like “I went to see x when I was on home leave. It was great. We did x and x and x. He then did y and y and y which I didn’t like. It ruined the day”.

Interrupt as soon as you become aware they are disclosing and just check that they know who you will need to tell.

YOU DO NEED TO ENSURE

That you don’t ask leading questions, or any questions if possible. Just let them speak. If you ask for information or detail the disclosure may be inadmissible in court. Not only will they then have been abused but they will also have been let down because a conviction could be impossible.

Write it down word for word, in their own words if possible. Seal in an envelope and date it.

Report it. If the child or young person could be at further risk then call a manager or child protection officer (every organisation should have a child protection officer). If it is unlikely they are at immediate risk then inform a manager or CPO within 24hrs.

Tell the child exactly who you need to tell, why and when someone will come and talk to them about it further.

REMEMEMBER- When a child discloses to you it is terrifying for them. They have given you some control over the information, their MOST personal information. Make sure they are always informed of who knows and what will happen next.

TREAT THE INFORMATION AND THEM WITH THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE!!!!!!!!!

LEGISLATION

Here is a list of relevant legislation and guidance you will need to be aware of and use in your evidence:

The UN Convention on the rights of the child 1989

Children’s Act 1989 and 2004

Protection of children Act 1999

Human Rights Act 1998

Care standards 2000

Equal opportunities Act

Anti- discrimination Act

Data protection Act 1984

THE MAIN GUIDANCE IS “THE WORKING TOGETHER TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN MARCH 2010.” Your organisation should have a copy available. This will be an invaluable resource for you.

Your organisation should have policies and procedures that detail how the relevant legislation is implemented in the workplace.

Hope this all is helpful

Find more resources for nvq and Diploma in Health and Social Care on my website Baffled by NVQ 

Kels