2. Child Protection Process
Introduction
• Child protection process starts from
recognition of concern through to
multiagency plan to safeguard child
• Child protection process varies across UK
• All Wales Child Protection Procedures 2008
is useful document
3. Child Protection Process
• Protection of children from harm is
responsibility of all individuals and
agencies working with children and
families
• Effective protection requires agencies to
work together
Introduction
4. Child Protection Process
• Safeguarding children broader than child
protection
• Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
children
– Protecting children from abuse and neglect
– Preventing impairment of their health and
development
– Ensuring they receive safe and effective care
Introduction
5. Child Protection Process
Learning outcomes
• Understand responsibility of doctors in
child protection process
• Understand child protection process
to safeguard children
6. Child Protection Process
What is Child Abuse?
‘Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by
inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent
harm. Children may be abused in a family or in
an institutional or community setting; by those
known to them, or, more rarely, by a stranger.’
Safeguarding Children: Working Together Under the Children Act 2004
7. Child Protection Process
Protecting children and young people: the
responsibilities of all doctors GMC 2012
• ‘All doctors must act on any concerns they have
about safety or welfare of child and young person.’
• ‘Doctors must have confidence to act: this is
justified as long as concerns are honestly held and
reasonable, and appropriate action taken.’
• www.gmc-uk.org/childprotection
8. Child Protection Process
Recognition of child abuse
and neglect
• Health professionals need to be able to
recognize child abuse and neglect, then act
on their concerns
• NICE guidelines identify alerting features of
child maltreatment and ongoing action
9. Child Protection Process
• CONSIDER
– Look for other alerting features now or historical AND
– Discuss concerns with colleague
– Gather more information
– Review child at appropriate time
• SUSPECT
– Refer to social services
• EXCLUDE
• Record actions/ outcome
When to suspect child maltreatment
NICE clinical guideline 2009
10. Child Protection Process
The Child Protection Process
Receipt of referral
Initial assessment
Strategy discussion
Strategy meeting (where appropriate)
Section 47 enquiries by social services and/or the police
Initial child protection conference
Preparation and implementation of a child protection plan
Decision
Acknowledgement
Feedback
11. Child Protection Process
Making a referral for a child at risk
• Is a professional and contractual obligation
• Threshold is concern that the child may be at risk of
significant harm
• Must be timely
• Telephone referral followed by written referral within
48 hours.
• Use local referral form
• Provide contact details
• Refer to ‘All Wales Child Protection Procedures 2008’
12. Child Protection Process
Making a ‘Child In Need’ Referral
• Refer if child in need of services from the
Local Authority
• Parental Consent required.
• Specify CIN on referral form
• Same form (Multiagency Referral form)
• Give as much detail as you can
• You will be informed of outcome
14. Child Protection Process
After the referral
• Whether child at risk or CIN you have a responsibility
to follow up your referral and check it has been acted
upon
• Always assist promptly with requests for further input
• Attend Case Conferences and other meetings if you
can, or provide a written report
• If called to attend court, don’t panic! Seek advice
from colleagues, child protection professionals
15. Child Protection Process
Conclusion
• Listen to child/ young person
• Communicate effectively both within health
and between agencies
• Document findings/ outcome
• Follow through on concerns
• Keep child focus
16. Child Protection Process
Further reading
• All Wales Child Protection Procedures 2008
• Safeguarding Children: Working Together Under the
Children Act 2004
• When to Suspect Child Maltreatment Nice Clinical
Guideline 89, July 2009
• Protecting children and young people: the
responsibilities of all doctors GMC 2012
• www.core-info.cf.ac.uk
Editor's Notes
Numerous definitions of child abuse, basically something that an individual or institution does or fails to do that adversely affects a child ’ s wellbeing & development Stress can be act of omission as well as commission
If alerting feature prompts you to consider child maltreatment you should…(read from slide) Suspect maltreatment…(read from slide) Exclude maltreatment, if suitable explanation found. Maybe the conclusion after discussion with a more experienced colleague or from gathering further information Ensure at all stages you record all actions taken and the outcome
Explain the above process with timescales: Follow up verbal referral in writing within 2 working days Ensure that all staff are aware that if a child, parent or member of the public expresses concern about a child ’ s welfare, then the professional/employee MUST make the referral Decision within 24 hours Initial assessment completed within 7 days of referral. The person carrying it out must see or communicate with the child. Strategy Discussion regarding next course of action should be held within 24hrs, or without delay if there is immediate concern for the child Strategy discussion may decide that a strategy meeting maybe required. This should be held asap, but no later than 8 working days from the receipt of the referral Initial Child protection Conference should take place within 15 working days of the last strategy meeting/discussion
