HSCB Inter-agency Child Protection Safeguarding Children Procedures Brenda McLaughlin Head of Child Protection

Objectives To introduce the HSCB inter-agency Child Protection, Safeguarding Procedures To assist people in understanding that these are not optional extras. Opportunity to navigate the procedures by using case scenarios.

HSCB Inter-agency Child Protection Safeguarding Children Procedures Underpinning Principle The welfare of the child is paramount (CA1989)

We would not begin an important journey without some research/guidance. To get from A to B there are rules that we must follow. The Procedures are our rules to assist us in achieving the following outcome for all children in Hertfordshire. Road Map

Process for protecting children from abuse or neglect, preventing impairment of their health and development, and ensuring they are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care that enables children to have optimum life chances and enter adulthood successfully. ( WT 2010 ) Safeguarding

Procedures, Guidance Procedures ( NOT OPTIONAL) Procedures indicate what must or may be done in specified circumstances and define the limits of professional discretion. The procedures have the status of instructions to practitioners from Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children's Board to member organisations. Any supplementary internal procedures developed by organisations should also refer to, and comply with these procedures. Guidance Guidance provides contextual information or addresses the question of why specified actions may be required.

How will they do that? E.g. Serious Case Review In Hertfordshire 5 SCR completed in past year 3 deaths and 2 serious injuries 3 under 5 years old 1 teenager Parental mental health problem3 cases Domestic Violence4 cases Parent with learning disability1 case Substance misuse1 case Neglect5 cases

Themes from Serious Case Reviews Keeping a focus on the child Working across adult and children's services Lack of robust Assessment Understanding the impact of cumulative risk factors on parenting ability In families where children suffered long term neglect, children’s social care often failed to take account of past history and adopted the ‘start again syndrome’. (Gardner 2007) Well over half of the children had been living with domestic violence, or parental mental ill health, or parental substance misuse. These three problems often co-existed

Using the procedures The procedures are intended to be used as a directory, with professionals accessing the section they need as appropriate. This requires that all staff are sufficiently familiar with the document to know where to look Aids to this are: A section called: ‘Quick Guide to using the Procedures’ Detailed contents pages at the front of each section Cross-referencing Easy electronic access and the facility to download each section separately Key words section A search facility

ACCESS TO THE HSCB PROCEDURES The procedures are available from the HSCB’s website.

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