Child Protection Level

To increase participants awareness of the key aspects of child maltreatment. To feel more confident in where to go and what to do with any concerns they may have. Aims

By the end of the course participants will be able to: Recognise potential indicators of child maltreatment Recognise the potential impact of a parent/carers physical and mental health on the well-being of a child or young person Understand how to share information appropriately Identify who to contact for advice and support Access and use child protection policies and procedures Show an awareness of their responsibilities in relation to Child Protection Key Outcomes

Treat everyone with equal value and respect Don’t be afraid to ask questions – avoid side discussions Sensitivity – feelings, issues and experience Have respect for diversity – identity, culture and role Confidentiality - personally & professionally Listen to each other – one voice at a time Time Keeping – joint responsibility Certificates will only be given for a full attendance Learning Agreement

A child is anyone under 18 years old – for the purposes of child protection we include the unborn child as well. All staff who come into contact with children and young people have a responsibility to safeguard and promote their welfare and should know what to do if they have concerns about child protection. Child Protection is everyone’s business

Abuse and Neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm or failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in the family, institutions or in community settings, by those known or more rarely by those unknown to them eg. Via the internet. They may be abused by adults or by other children. (WTTSC 2010) What is Child Abuse

South West Child Protection Procedures Working Together to Safeguard Children dfes 2010 What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused (dfes 2006) Childrens NSF Children Act 1989 and 2004 Nice Guideline CG89 -when to suspect maltreatment. Relevant Legislation and Guidance

Physical abuse This can include: hitting, shaking, poisoning, burning, suffocating, fabricated/induced illness. Sexual abuse: Including forcing/enticing a child to take part in sexual activities (including non contact activities) Including sexual exploitation Neglect: Including persistent failure to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, protection from harm, access to medical care. Emotional abuse: Including persistently telling children they are worthless, unloved or inadequate, exploiting/corrupting children, causing children to feel frightened or in danger. Types of abuse

Children giving out personal information on line Circulation of abusive images on-line Children randomly targeted by offenders through online media Cyber bullying Use (or lack of use) of parental control Professional safety when using social networking sites Grooming for sexual exploitation Potential Risks of the On Line World

Looked after children are particularly vulnerable. All looked after children will have a social worker If they are accessing treatment it needs to be clear as to who has parental consent. Contact details for the Children in Care team and information re consent issues can be found on the intranet. Looked After Children

Always discuss with manager or supervisor Record concerns, discussions and plan Ensure actions any agreed actions/plans are completed If you are unhappy with the outcome discuss this with your Named Professional Refer to South West Child Protection Procedures What to do if you are concerned

Practitioner has concerns about child’s welfare Practitioner discusses with Manager and/or other senior colleagues as they think appropriate. Further advice may be sought from the safeguarding team. No longer has concernsStill has concerns Practitioner refers to MARU services for children and young people following up in writing within 48 hours Multi Agency Referral Unit Children’s Social care No further child protection action, although may need to act to ensure service provision or consider whether a CAF is required. Referral form can be accessed on line. What to do if you are worried about a child being abused

National Guidance clearly sates that information should be shared when: A child’s health, development and exposure to possible harm. A parent who may be in need of help and not able to care for a child adequately or safely. Those who may pose a risk of harm to a child Information Sharing

If you do not agree with the advice you are given and feel that a child remains at risk it is your responsibility to take further action. You can contact: The Safeguarding Children’s team. The Multi Agency referral unit for advice. Use the LSCB escalation policy for guidance LADO and Senior HR have processes to deal with concerns about professionals to ensure Staff, Patients and Children are safe Professional differences or concerns about the behaviour of another Professional

Telephone Follow up in writing within 48 hours using the multi-agency referral form. Referral can be sent via but must be sent to the safe address and be encrypted Be prepared to give information about: Child’s name, age, address Your concerns identifying the risk Your name and details Other children in the family When a referral is made to Children’s Social Care:

Named Doctors and Nurses for NHS Trusts RCHT Named Nurse Alison O’Neill or via switch board Named Midwife Bernie Dolan via switchboard Named Doctor Graham Taylor Cornwall Foundation Trust Named Nurse Elizabeth Cox mobile Named Doctor Ellen Wilkinson Peninsula Community Health Named Nurse Sue Greenwood Countywide Designated Nurse Judith Parsons Designated Doctor Debbie Galbraith Contact Numbers

Is there a person in your department who takes a lead in Child Protection/Safeguarding Children Where are the Local multi agency Safeguarding Children Procedures? Child Protection health intranet website px Safeguarding Children Board Do I need further Safeguarding training? If unsure ask! Think!