Child Protection Flashcards
What is the definition of child protection?
Child protection is when a child requires protection from child abuse or neglect. For a child to require protection, it is not required that child abuse or neglect has taken place, but rather a risk assessment has identified a likelihood or risk of significant harm from abuse or neglect
What is the child protection register?
The responsibility of maintaining a central register of all children, including unborn children is by local authorities. Such children are the subject of an inter-agency Child Protection Plan. This is called the Child Protection Register. The register has no legal status but provides an administrative system for alerting practitioners that there is sufficient professional concern about a child to warrant an inter-agency Child Protection Plan.
What are the four forms of child abuse?
- physical
- sexual
- emotional
- neglect
Describe physical abuse
(1)Physical abuse- is deliberate act to harm a child which causes bruises, cuts, burns or broken bones. In babies, shaking or hitting them can cause non-accidental head injuries.
Any physical abuse can have serious consequences for children as they grow up and can cause long lasting harm.
Describe sexual abuse
The age of consent is 16 years old. Below that age, the law states a young person cannot consent to sexual acts.
Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, including prostitution, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities can include acts such as kissing, touching or fondling the child’s genitals or breasts, vaginal or anal intercourse or oral sex.
Describe emotional abuse
This is also known as psychological abuse. Emotional abuse is the ongoing emotional maltreatment. It can involve deliberately trying to scare or humiliate a child. It can also involve isolating or
Describe Neglect
This is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It can occur during pregnancy e.g through maternal substance abuse and then after birth through a variety of mechanisms.
What are some risk factors associated with child protection cases?
Domestic abuse Parental Alcohol and Drug Misuse Child/Adolescent Mental Health Difficulties Parental Mental Health Difficulties Children with disabilities Non-engaging families Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Harmful or Problematic Sexual Behaviour Honour Based violence & forced marriage Fabricated or induced Illness Child trafficking Hidden children Under-age sexual activity Children or young people who are missing
Describe a notification of concern
In this case then there is enough information at the time of consult and from other professionals and agencies to initiate a Notification of Concern (NOC). It is important to be open and honest with Maria why you require to notify the CPU and Social Work Services. The main reasons are that the children may come to significant harm from domestic abuse and neglect if the appropriate intervention is not sought.
In NHS Greater Glasgow, a notification of concern (NOC) pathway is used to guide health care staff on how to raise a concern (see appendix 1).
All initial referrals regarding a notification of concern should be made to the Social Work Service (SWS) by telephone. This allows for discussion of the case with the team leader and decide upon appropriate action. However, if a child or children are felt to be in danger than the Police on 999 must be contacted.
It is imperative a notification of concern referral form is made electronically to the CPU and also the Social Work Department. This is sent via a secure email and a copy should be appended to each of the children’s medical files. This written documentation requires to be submitted within 48 hours of a notification being raised.
It is also vital that all concerns relating to the children are recorded chronologically in the children’s medical notes.
The family should also be discussed at practice level at the monthly child protection meeting. It is important to liaise with the CP lead in your practice, to ensure all the children are coded as ‘vulnerable’ until further information is accrued.
What law protects children rights in Scotland?
Children & Young People (Scotland) Act 2014
What is the Children & Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 law?
Children rights in Scotland
What is ‘Getting it fight for every child’?
The Scottish Government produced a key document called GIRFEC – ‘Getting it Right for Every Child’. It outlines the principles and values to support children and young people. It is a national approach to encourage the wellbeing of children in Scotland, and is based upon the UNCRC.
What is the child protection plan?
In 2016 the Scottish Government implemented the Child Protection Improvement Plan (CIPC) to review CP procedures and legislation. The main focus is to raise the awareness of emotional abuse and child neglect and improve recognition of these forms of child abuse. This resulted in a revision of Section 12 of the Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937 (the child cruelty provision). This 80-year-old law has been deemed as too narrow to allow recognition and intervention at earlier stages of abuse.
Who has the legal responsibility to investable child protection concerns?
Social work and Police
Describe sharing of child family cases
When information is shared then a record must be made who the information has been shared with and the reasons for doing so. It should also be recorded if the disclosed information was with informed consent or without. Also if the decision is made not to share information then this should be recorded.
If families move between authority areas - whether temporarily or permanently - the original authority will notify the receiving authority immediately, then follow up the notification in writing.
