“It’s Everyone’s Job to make Sure I’m Alright”

Protecting Children

Key Learning Points

• Raise awareness what child abuse is and the five categories of abuse.

• Introduce signs and symptoms of child abuse.• Be aware of how to respond to a child.• Be aware of the procedures to be followed when abuse

is suspected/identified

• The Council is committed to the protection of children and vulnerable adults.

• All employees have a responsibility to support this commitment

Why are we focused on Child Protection?

The Children Scotland Act 1995

The needs of the child are paramount

Each child has the right to protection from all forms of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

R

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

2002 2004 2006 2008

City

Shire

Moray

Scotland

Number of Children on Child Protection Register

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

0 - 4yrs

5 - 10yrs

11 -13yrs

14 - 16yrs

Total

Male

Female

Children on Child Protection Register at 31st March 2008

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

City Shire Moray

Emotional

Physical

Physical N

Sexual

F to T

% of Abuse by category by area

What is Child Abuse?

“ Children may be in need of protection where their basic needs are not being met, in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development, and they will be at risk through avoidable acts of commission or omission.”

Protecting Children: A Shared Responsibility, 1998

Child AbuseTypes

Physical Injury Physical Neglect

Sexual Abuse

Emotional Abuse

Non-organicFailure to thrive

Basic need for food, warmthSafety, education & medical

attention

This is when a child is hurtor injured . Includes hitting

Etc other ways of inflicting pain,Or injury eg toxic substances

Denying love, affection, constantlyThreaten or humiliate, degrading punishments

Rubbishing etc

Child is used sexually, Kissing, touching, intercourseEncouraging child to look at

pornography

Children who significantly

fail to reach normal developmental

milestones

Behaviouralindicators

Physical indicators

• Frequently dirty, hungry or inadequately dressed• Left in unsafe situations or without medical attention• Constantly put down, insulted or sworn at.• Seems afraid or parents / carers• Unexplained bruising in soft tissue areas, black eyes, repeated injuries• Burns, scalds & bites• Marks from implements• Injuries to the mouth• Inconsistent stories about the injuries

• Inappropriate sexual awareness

• Domestic violence in the home

• Drug alcohol abuse in the home

• Unexplained changes in behaviour

• Difficulty in making friends

• Distrustful of adults

• Excessive attachment to adults

• Reluctance to go home

• Reluctance to remove clothing

• Change in attendance patternBUT

If you have a concern…….

Any concerns about the well being of a child need to be shared.

No matter how good we are at evaluating and assessing matters to do with children we cannot evaluate and assess potential risks as we only know a tiny part of the whole picture.

We must share our concerns with the Child Protection Co-ordinator at the school, (the Head Teacher or Senior staff , Mentor)

No single individual can protect children by acting alone

(Safe and Well 2005)(Safe and Well 2005)

Observ

e , Reco

rd, R

eport

Responding to the Child

• Stay calm.

• Listen. Do not promise to keep secrets. Reassure the child that they were not to

blame and have done the right thing in telling you

Do not ask questions Follow procedures

What Exists to help you ?• Designated staff in each establishment

Child Protection Coordinator Head Teacher Mentor

• Training

• Procedures “ Protecting Children and YP in Aberdeenshire”

School Procedures NESCPC Guidance

Making Notes

Factual, Accurate Timely

Behaviour & emotional state

Comments

Confidential

Sign and Date

Signs of Physical Injury

Your Actions

Responding to Child Protection Concerns

“ If a member of staff has any concerns relating to a childAt risk from any form of abuse, the following procedureMust be followed “

“Protecting Children and Young People in Aberdeenshire”

• Hard copies issued to all establishments• Can be accessed on

www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/parentscarers/childprotection.asp

Responding to Child Protection ConcernsConcerns about a child?

Discuss with CP Coordinator, MentorHead Teacher Or senior member of staff

If concerns immediate& you cannot make

contact

Possible concern about a child

Observe , Record, Report

What if I’m Wrong ?• You can only know what you know

• Its everyone’s job to make sure I’m alright

Raise the concern with staff at the school •

• Protecting your relationship with a family or individual is never an option where there are child protection concerns. The welfare of the child is always paramount.

• Treat all children and young people with respect

• Ensure your conduct is a good example to children