Transcript Safeguarding Level 2 Children

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This is very important!
Safeguarding Children
Level 2
Safeguarding Children
A child is defined as anyone up to their 18th
birthday and may also include the unborn
The Legal Framework for Safeguarding
Children is the Children Act 1989
This introduces two key areas
1. Section 17 - Safeguarding a child in
need of additional help and support
2. Section 47- Protecting a child where
significant harm or abuse is suspected
The Children Act 1989 (Section 17)
The Children Act 1989 (section 17) defines a
child in need; as children or young people
who because of their vulnerability, will need
the provision of services in order to reach or
maintain a satisfactory level of health or
development
Where a child in need is identified,
practitioners working with the child will
complete a Common Assessment
Framework (CAF) which may then be
forwarded to a local multi agency group for
a co-ordinated response and delivery of
services to the child/young person and their
family.
The assessment triangle is a tool for staff
to use when making a holistic
assessment of the child and family.
Consent from the parent and/or young
person is central to this process.
Assessment Framework Triangle
Health
Education
Identity
Family & Social
Relationships
Social
Presentation
Emotional &
Behavioural
Development
Self-care Skills
Social
Presentation
CHILD
Safeguarding
& Promoting
Welfare
Family and Environmental Factors
Family History & Functioning, Wider
Family, Housing, Employment, Income,
Family’s Social, Integration, Social
Resources
Basic Care
Ensuring Safety
Emotional Warmth
Stimulation
Guidance &
Boundaries
Stability
The Children Act 1989 (section 47)
The Children Act 1989 (section 47)
introduced the concept of significant
harm as a definition of abuse; harm
means ill treatment or the impairment of
health or development including
impairment from seeing or hearing the ill
treatment of another.
Significant relates to the child’s health
and development and the comparison
with that which could reasonably be
expected of a similar child.
Where a child or young person has been identified as at risk of significant harm
the Local Authority (Social Care) has a legal duty to make enquiries and take
appropriate action to ensure the safety of the child/young person. Consent for
these enquiries is not obligatory, but agencies will always seek to work with
parents where this does not place the child or young person at increased risk.
Who abuses children
Children may be abused by:
Someone the
child knows
well or more
rarely a
stranger.
Abuse can occur within the family, an
institution or community setting. Abuse can
occur in all social groups regardless of age,
gender, race, religion, culture, social class or
financial position.
By an
Adult(s)
By a
child/young
person
All staff who work with children or adults, from any service have a responsibility in safeguarding
children when they become aware of or identify a child at risk of harm. This includes considering
the implications for children of parents behaviours and the impact these may have on their
parenting capacity.
Four Categories of Child Abuse
Physical Abuse
Involves a range of physical injuries including
hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning,
scalding, drowning or suffocating and also includes
fabricated and/or induced illness.
Signs that could indicate physical abuse
include:
Bruising is more likely to be non
accidental :
On a non-mobile baby or child
On any fleshy, non-bony part of the
body,(face, neck, buttocks or back )
Multiple bruising or clusters e.g. finger prints
Bruises with a defined outline
Fabricated or Induced Illness is classed
as a physical abuse where a parent/carer
fabricates or deliberately induces illness
in a child
Burns & Scalds
Burns include scalds from hot liquids,
contact burns from hot objects (such as
an iron) or caused by flames, chemical
and electrical. Burns with a clear outline
or uniform depth for example may be
more indicative of non accidental injury.
A recent UK study estimates that of the
children admitted to burns units, 10%
had sustained burns that were the result
of abuse
Any injury which the child, parent, carer
tries to hide or give several different or
unlikely explanations, should raise
concerns. In these circumstances advice
should always be sought.
Bites
Bites can leave a clear impression and abuse
should be considered as a possibility
especially when it is thought unlikely to have
been caused by a young child.
An animal bite on a child may indicate neglect
for example: inadequate supervision of the
child or failure to protect from danger.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a
child or young person to take part in sexual
activities, including sexual exploitation whether
or not the child is aware of what is happening.
This may involve sexual physical
contact or non-contact activities
including coercing or grooming children
by the use of pornographic material or
watching sexual activities including
those via the internet, webcams,
cameras, mobile phones, or
encouraging children to behave in
sexually inappropriate ways.
Two thirds (65.9%) of contact sexual
abuse experienced by children aged
0-17 was perpetrated by someone
aged under 18 (NSPCC 2011)
Trust staff must report any known
cases to their line manager and
the Trust Safeguarding Team and
a referral made to Children’s
Social Care. It may also be
appropriate to contact the Police if
the situation is urgent, although
social care will always liaise with
police
It is important to recognise that
children & young people can be
sexually abused by adult males,
females and other children & young
people
‘I was chatting to a boy who is
15 years old on the MSN this
evening. He flashed his private
parts to me via webcam. I am
scared and worried.’
(Girl aged 9)
A child under 13 years is not legally
capable of consenting to sexual
activity (The Sexual Offences Act 2003)
If you are aware of a child that has contact with an
adult with prior allegations or convictions of sexual
abuse you must seek advice from the
Safeguarding team and your line manager with a
view to making a child protection referral.
Sexual activity with a child under 16 years is also an offence, however where it is
consensual it may be considered less serious, although there may still be serious
consequences for the welfare of the child/young person and consideration about
whether there is a need to share information with other agencies in order to protect
the child/young person should be given in every case.
Signs which could
indicate sexual abuse
include:
Changes in
behaviour such as
withdrawn, or
aggressive, risk
taking such as
running away or
substance misuse
Sexually
transmitted
disease
Sexually
inappropriate
relationships, such
as discrepancy in
age or position of
power or trust
Pregnancy or
concealed
pregnancy in a
young person
Child/Young
person has
money or
gifts that they
cannot account
for
Self Harming
behaviour,
including eating
disorders and hair
pulling
Wetting and/ or
soiling especially
where a child has
been previously
toilet trained
Children displaying
inappropriate
sexualised
behaviour or
language for their
age and stage of
development
Being emotionally
unavailable to the child
because of adult
behaviours or factors
including parental
substance misuse,
mental ill health or
domestic abuse
Emotional Abuse
Persistent emotional maltreatment which causes
severe and persistent effects on the child or young
persons’ emotional development. This can occur
where there is persistent emotional unavailability and
unresponsiveness from the parent or carer towards a
child and in particular towards a baby.
Using the child for
the fulfilment of the
adult’s needs (for
example, children
being used in
marital disputes).
Rejecting or
scapegoating
a child or
young
person.
“Mum and Dad split up. Since
then I feel like they’ve used me
as a go-between in their
arguments. Mum and Dad don’t
speak to each other and I am
expected to pass messages.”
Girl, aged 16 NSPCC
Where there
is domestic
abuse within
the family
Imposing age or
developmentally
inappropriate
expectations on
a child/young
person
Causing a child to
feel frightened or
in danger or the
exploitation or
corruption of a
child/young person
Conveying to a child they
are worthless or unloved
and may include not giving
a child the opportunity to
express their views,
deliberately silencing them
or ‘making fun’ of what they
say or how they
communicate
Allowing a child
to see or hear
the ill treatment
of another,
including pets
Indicators.
An emotionally
abused child or
young person
may present
with:
Increased
risk taking
behaviour
Self harming
behaviours
including
eating
disorders
Changes in
behaviour, clingy,
fearful, withdrawn,
attention seeking,
constantly seeking
to please
Depression
Low self
esteem
Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child or young
person, although it may also occur alone
Neglect
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet the
child’s basic physical and or psychological
needs, likely to result in the serious
impairment of the child or young person’s
health and/or development. Neglect may
occur during pregnancy as a result of
maternal substance misuse. Neglect has
harmful physical, emotional and social
Frequently having
consequences for children and young
ingrained dirt on
people and can ultimately be fatal
clothing and body,
Missing significant
amounts of school,
including children and
young people that are
caring for others in the
home and are unable to
access education and
social activity
may smell of
urine, faeces or
body odour
Significant
untreated
childhood
conditions such as
head lice
infestation, eczema
A neglected child or
young person may
present with:
Delayed
Development
Significant
dental
caries
Persistently
hungry, may steal
food from other
children at school
Missing
routine health
appointments
Significantly
under or over
weight
Neglect may involve a
parent or carer failing
to:
Protect a
child/young person
from physical and
emotional harm or
danger, including
domestic abuse
Provide adequate
food, clothing and
shelter (including
exclusion from home
or abandonment) and
a clean safe
environment
Ensure adequate
supervision including
the use of inadequate
care givers, or leaving
young children home
alone
Ensure children
and young
people have
access to
appropriate
education
Ensure
appropriate
access to medical
care or treatment,
including
attending health
appointments
These categories overlap and an abused child
frequently suffers more than a single type of
abuse.
What factors may increase risk to
children
Factors that may affect parenting capacity and
impact on a child/young person’s safety and
welfare include, domestic abuse, parental
mental ill health and parental substance
misuse.
The risk to the child when these factors coexist is significantly increased and a
referral to Children's Social Care MUST take
place
Ways in which these
factors can impact on
parenting capacity
include:
Children may be
expected to fend for
themselves and care
for the parent and/or
younger siblings
A parent may be
unpredictable,
inconsistent and
ineffective with their
children
Neglect of Emotional
needs by being
emotionally
unavailable
Neglect of
physical needs
Domestic abuse
This includes issues of honour based
violence, female genital mutilation (FMG) and
forced marriage
Domestic abuse is any incident of threatening
behaviour, violence or abuse between adults
who are or who have been intimate partners or
family members, regardless of gender or
sexuality
Facts about domestic
abuse:
Domestic abuse
often starts or
escalates when a
woman is pregnant
Research indicates a
strong link between
domestic abuse and
other forms of child
abuse and also animal
cruelty.
Children can be at risk
of physical injury
including harm to the
unborn child, either by
direct injury or from
attempting to protect the
non abusing parent
UK evidence
suggests
domestic abuse
is a known issue
in 1 in 3 child
protection cases.
Prolonged and /or
regular exposure to
domestic abuse can
have a serious long term
impact on a child’s
health, development and
emotional wellbeing.
Children and young people
may express distress through
their behaviours in different
ways for example:
Running away
from home
Become involved in
substance misuse
Be unable to
concentrate on
learning or play
and begin to fall
behind
developmentally
Have sleep
disturbance such as
nightmares or
bedwetting
Display
aggressive and
bullying behaviour
Become
withdrawn and
isolated
Become
anxious and or
depressed
Self harming
Miss school
because they
are concerned
about what is
happening at
home
“Dad sometimes hits mum when he’s angry. I think it
may be my fault because I can never get things right
with my dad” Natalie 14 yrs (quote from ChildLine
2007)
Two women are killed each week in England and
Wales by a partner or former partner, 30% of cases
start during pregnancy and 90% of children are in the
same or next room when violence occurs (Home
Office, 2007).
Women living in households where there is
Domestic Abuse are at an increased risk when
pregnant. Domestic Abuse can affect the unborn
child through physical injury, (kicks/punches to
the abdomen) stress and anxiety to the mother
and a failure to attend ante natal appointments.
Parental drug and alcohol misuse
Misuse of drugs (prescribed or illegal) and
or alcohol is strongly associated with
significant harm to the unborn child,
children and young people. Evidence
shows that when parents have problems
with substance misuse this often adversely
affects their ability to respond to the needs
of their children.
Non compliance with
treatment often indicates a
difficulty parents have with
organising their own lives,
they may neglect their own
needs and in turn neglect
the needs of their children.
Lives are often chaotic
with little regard for
routines, boundaries
and supervision.
Misuse of drugs (prescribed or illegal) and
or alcohol is strongly associated with
significant harm, especially when
combined with other features such as
domestic abuse and mental illness.
Many of the children who rang ChildLine
told us that physical, sexual and emotional
abuse and neglect were all linked in their
lives with alcohol and drug misuse. This is
evidence that the emotional volatility, the
reduced ability to parent responsibly and
the reduction in normal inhibitors can have
the most serious impact on children’s lives
(NSPCC 2010)
What type of abuse is this? Select the
correct answer to continue
“My dad broke my nose
last year when he was
drunk. My sister has left
home. I feel empty and
hurt” Milly 12yrs (quote
from ChildLine 2007)
Sexual
Physical
Emotional
Continue
Neglect
Children can experience problems
outside the home as a result of
parental alcohol or drug misuse
these include;
Children report being
worried, frightened and
confused by their parents’
alcohol and drug misuse
Problems with
concentration at
school due to lack of
sleep or worries over
their parents or
siblings.
Being bullied
at school
Missing school
to look after
their parents or
siblings
However, for some children, school
can provide respite from their
problems at home,
“Mum goes out drinking. She doesn't
come back until the morning. I am left
to babysit my little brother and little
sister. I can't sleep when Mum is out
as I can hear noises downstairs.”
Adrian, aged 14, (quote from ChildLine
2010)
Parental Mental Ill Health
It is essential that staff working with
adults consider the implications of a
parent/carers mental health on children's
welfare and parenting capacity.
The majority of parents who suffer mental
illness are able to care for and safeguard their
children, however nationally 25% of children
who are subject to Child Protection
Conferences have a parent with mental health
problems.
What type of abuse is this? Select the
correct answer to continue
Sexual
Physical
“Mum’s always miserable. She
never asks me how I am. She just
sits in front of the telly all day. I
could be dead for all she cares”
Wayne 13 years (quote from
ChildLine 2007)
Emotional
Continue
Neglect
Indicators
The following associated risks
may justify a referral to social
care for an assessment of the
child’s needs and must be
discussed with Team
managers or the Trust
Safeguarding Team:
Suicidal thoughts
involving a child
Delusional beliefs
which include the
child
Non compliance
with treatment
Children witnessing
parental self
harming behaviour
Unsupported
and/or isolated
parent with
mentally
illness
Conditions affecting
parenting capacity e.g. post natal
depression
This is also a wider issue which often indicates difficulty parents have
with organising their own lives, they may neglect their own needs and
in turn neglect the needs of their children.
Think Family
We cannot assume that someone else is
talking with children and young people, and
we should ensure that we communicate and
work with other professionals where
appropriate in order that children and young
people can make sense of their parent’s
illness and feel supported.
Are there
children in the
family
Do the
children have
someone to
talk to
How is the
parent’s
illness
affecting the
children
Who is
looking after
them
Are the
children safe
Other professionals that can help with this includes:
•Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service;
•Health Visitors & School Nurses;
•Children’s Social Services;
•School Counsellors;
•Voluntary Sector.
Previous history of safeguarding
concerns =
Where a previous child/young person has been
subject to a child protection plan (formerly
known as the child protection register)
Where a previous child/young
person has been removed by the
local authority (social care)
Adults or young people known to
be a Risk to a Child (formerly a
Schedule 1 Offender)
Vulnerability Factors
•Age of the child, Children under one year are particularly vulnerable
•Children and young people with any kind of disability are more vulnerable to abuse
and neglect
•Looked after children/young people (LAC) those in private or local authority foster
care or children’s homes
Young People and Self Harm
Self harm is a significant event
and should form part of the
chronology of events in the child’s
life. Indicators may include:
Risk taking
behaviour such as
substance misuse
Self mutilation
for example:
cutting, hair
pulling.
Eating
disorders such
as bulimia
Suicide threats, although
serious suicidal intent is
difficult to detect, 50% of
completed suicides have a
history of self harm.
Self Harm can be a sign of a
child experiencing abuse
Recognising factors that may Stop
Children Telling
It is important for practitioners to be
aware of any factors that may prevent
a child or young person from making a
disclosure, the following is not an
exhaustive list:
May not recognise
that what they are
experiencing is
abusive
Direct threat to the
child or young person
not to ‘tell’
Fear about reprisals,
what may happen as
a result of them
‘telling’
Silence
to protect
others
Feelings of guilt or
shame, children often
feel the abuse is
somehow their fault
Lack of
opportunity
to be heard
May have been
made to feel
‘special’ by the
abuser
Lack of
appropriate
vocabulary due
to age or
disability
Fear of not being
believed, particularly
where an abuser has
told the child they
won’t be believed
Recognising factors that may Stop
Adults Telling
It is important for practitioners to be
aware of any factors that may prevent
adults from making a disclosure
Child or young
person’s
attempt to bind
them to secrecy
A perception of not
wanting to damage
the relationship with
a family
Fear of
being wrong
Not believing
the child
Their own
Not believing that the
Uncertainty
unresolved
abuser could have
About
feelings
perpetrated the abuse,
procedure and
particularly if the
consequences
abuser is someone
close or someone they
work with Always seek advice from your line manager or the Trust
safeguarding children team if you are unsure about a disclosure
Confidentiality and Consent
Staff cannot give assurance of confidentiality where
there are concerns about a child as information may
need to be shared in order to protect the child, and
decisions relating to the child’s welfare can be taken
in light of all relevant information.
Giving consent is a
process, not a one-off
event.
Consent to share information should
always be sought where possible,
except when;
In the public interest: when
gaining consent would place a
child, young person or adult at
risk of significant harm, crime
prevention, fraud, public at risk
if information not shared
For children and
young people: young
people 16 – 17 years
can consent to their
own treatment.
Court order: this
cannot be argued
Young people under 16 where assessed as Gillick Competent
can consent to treatment.
As long as you can
understand and weigh up
the information you need to
make a decision, you should
be able to make it.
- Department of Health,
2001
What to do if you are concerned for
the welfare of a child
If you are concerned about a child or young person
you must seek advice from the Safeguarding team
and your line manager. Outside normal working hours
contact the Manager on call via switchboard
You may need to ensure the
child or young person’s
immediate safety
by accessing emergency
assistance
If you are unable to contact your
line manager or a member of the
safeguarding team you should seek
advice directly from the Local
Authority children’s social care
You MUST record
all information and
actions clearly with
your name,
designation,
signature and date.
Remember to
complete a DATIX
and attach the
referral
Referrals to children’s social care must be made within one
day of identifying the concern . Any telephone referral must
be followed up with a written referral within 48 hours.
If the referrer has no contact from social care then they
have a responsibility to follow up the outcome of the referral
within 3 working days.
For more information or to download
these leaflets make a note of and go
to the following website:
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/inform/traini
ngandconsultancy/learningresources
/coreinfo/coreinfo_wda54369.html