11.1.13 Developing a Child Protection Policy (Guidance for Agencies)

Manual Version: 1 (16/01/2008) | Chapter Revision: 1 (12/07/2007)

Contents

1. A statement of the agency’s statutory obligations
2. Clarification of Individual Responsibilities
3. Expressions of openness towards children
4. Staff Issues
   
   

1. A statement of the agency’s statutory obligations

Section 27 and 47 of the Children Act 1989 place duties on a number of agencies, including local education authorities, local housing authorities and the health authority to assist local authority children's services authorities acting on behalf of children in need or enquiring into allegations of child abuse

It is important that parents appreciate that staff are bound by inter-agency procedures which require them to act on concerns which are raised.  This includes any evidence of injury which may be non-accidental, statements which children make which may arouse concerns or suspicions that children may be at risk of Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Emotional Abuse or Neglect.

Safeguarding children and child protection should not be a covert process though guidance may be needed in individual cases about how much information should be given to parents - foir further information, see the Information Sharing Protocol.  It will help to minimise any hostility towards staff who do their duty in this way if parents are given a copy of the policy (or a more “user-friendly” summary), and made fully aware of the agency’s responsibilities.

It is also helpful to stress the limits to these duties, that agency staff do not carry out investigations, and that a referral is not an accusation of abuse by any person.

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2. Clarification of Individual Responsibilities

A professional or staff member who may encounter concerns about the well-being or safety of a child or children should know:

• What services are available locally, and how to gain access to them;
• What sources of further advice and expertise are available, who to contact in what circumstances, and how; and
• When and how to make a referral to the lChildren and Young People’s Services Social Care Division as set out in the Referrals Procedure.

It is expected that staff

• are familiar with the warning signs of abuse and know what to do in the event of a significant concern - for guidance on this, see the guidance contained in the chapter: Recognition of Significant Harm Procedure
• attend appropriate training courses
• are aware of the boundaries of appropriate practice
• should be prepared to contribute to the Child Protection Conference process

It is particularly important that all staff are aware of the Referrals Procedure and the arrangements within the agency for consultation.  Staff should be aware of the whereabouts of key documents, especially how to access this electronic Safeguarding Children Board Procedures Manual.

Parents are entitled to reassurance that staff are trained to act professionally; neither jumping to conclusions unreasonably nor failing to act on genuine concerns.  There should also be some statement about confidentiality; both the need to act on information from a child without a prior assurance of absolute confidentiality and recognition of appropriate care in the passing of information to others.  Suitable procedures for keeping written records of concerns are essential.

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3.  Expressions of openness towards children

Each child is unique.  Action taken on behalf of any child or young person should be child-centred, taking account of the child’s cultural, ethnic, religious, gender and developmental context.

The welfare of the child is paramount.

The child has a right to be consulted about actions to be taken on his/her behalf.

The key to ensuring good practice in child protection is appropriate and caring relationships between staff and children.  It is vital that children receive a signal that their worries and concerns will be taken seriously.  If staff, albeit unconsciously, give the impression that they are too busy, even children experiencing major trauma will not feel able to disclose.  Children should be listened to and their own perspective on their situation valued. 

Agencies may wish to consider formal listening services, as well as more informal arrangements.  Information should be displayed about “Childline”, NSPCC Helpline and the “Samaritans”.

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4.  Staff Issues

It is essential to include recognition of the possibility of abuse by professionals who may seek to abuse their trusted relationship with children.  It is also important to have adequate procedures in place to protect those who are accused falsely.

Agencies need to demonstrate appropriate care in making appointments and the necessary awareness of local inter agency procedures should an allegation of abuse be made against a member of staff.  The agency’s own procedures in relation to this issue should seek to strike a balance between the interests of all those involved, whilst demonstrating visible commitment to the paramouncy of the child’s welfare.

There are occasions when children accuse adults of physically or sexually abusing them.  In some cases those accusations are false or unfounded.  Regrettably, however, in some cases the allegations are true.  Agencies need to have procedures in place for dealing with them.

Procedures for dealing with allegations should be in line with Safeguarding Children Board practice - see Managing Allegations against People who Work with Children Procedure - Under Review - and should not compromise child protection, but should help to keep the damaging effects of false allegations to a minimum

Care should be exercised over the appointment of staff, paid and unpaid, who are subject to Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks - see the chapter on Safe Recruitment, Selection and Supervision Procedure. 

All staff should feel able to question any inappropriate behaviour in others and to ask that colleagues are made available to assist them when they feel vulnerable to false allegations. 

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