CHILD SAFEGUARDING Flashcards
What is abuse/neglect?
Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. 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. They may be abused by adults or another child.
Assessment framework triangle
When would you immediately refer to social care?
• Children at immediate risk of significant harm
• Children with unexplained injuries with dodgy explanation
• Children under two who have unexplained bruising.
• Child victims of trafficking.
• Children where there is evidence of repeated domestic violence witnessed or experienced by a child; adult mental health issues and substance use issues (toxic trio).
• Children who are experiencing, or at risk of, sexual abuse
substance use issues.
• Where there are serious concerns regarding the risk of significant harm to
an unborn baby.
• Children who live or have contact with adults who are known to pose a risk
to children.
• Children left ‘home alone’
• Children who allege abuse, including sexual abuse or evidence of grooming
• Children who are primary age and reported to be self-harming
What 4 categories of abuse are there
Physical
Sexual
Emotional
Neglect
What is physical abuse
Any physical harm to a child e.g. drowning, hitting
Or when a parent fabricates the symptoms of illness in a child
What is sexual abuse.
Involves forcing a child to take part in sexual activities. The child might not be aware of what is happening.
Can also include no contact activities e.g. pornography or watching sexual activities
What is sexual exploitation?
A form of child sexual abuse
When someone takes advantage of a child to manipulate them into a sexual activity in exchange for something they want or need for the financial benefit of the abuser
What is neglect?
Is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the impairment of the child’s health/development
Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse.
What is medical neglect?
Minimising or ignoring the child’s illness and failing to seek medical help
Also applies to pregnancy - women who fail to have antenatal care and place baby at risk via behaviour e.g. substance misuse
What is emotional abuse?
Persistent emotional maltreatment that causes impairment of child’s emotional development
May involve telling children they are worthless and unloved, not listening to them, silencing them, making fun of what they say
May expect the child to do things beyond their age and over protect or prevent normal social interactions
Why do we review child deaths?
Establish a causes of child deaths
Identify any modifiable factors
Provide support to family
Learn to prevent future child deaths
When is a child’s death suspicious and needs a joint agency response?
No apparent cause
Unattended still birth
Sudden collapse with poor prognosis
Death circumstances are suspicious and might not be natural
What does the law commission define abuse as;
Physical, sexual, financial, emotional or psychological violation or neglect of a person unable to protect themselves, or to prevent from happening, or to remove themselves from abuse, or potential abuse from others
What are some other forms of abuse?
Domestic violence Trafficking Radicalisation Modern slavery FGM forced marriage Discrimination
