Child Protection in Care at Home Policy

Policy Statement

This document describes the policy of {{org_field_name}} on safeguarding children, for whom the service might have some responsibility. It should be linked to the agency’s main support and protection of vulnerable adults policy concerning definitions of abuse and its overall approach to safeguarding. It also should be linked to local child protection policies and procedures, which will reflect a commitment to the 10 core principles described in Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) and the current National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland.

{{org_field_name}} is also aware of the importance of achieving the national health and social care standards, My Support, My Life, particularly section 3. “I have confidence in the people who care for and support me” under “Wellbeing” states:

“3.20 I am protected from harm, neglect, abuse, bullying and exploitation by people who have a clear understanding of their responsibilities.

3.21 I am protected from harm because people are alert and respond to signs of significant deterioration in my health and wellbeing, that I may be unhappy or may be at risk of harm.

3.22 I am listened to and taken seriously if I have a concern about the protection and safety of myself or others, with appropriate assessments and referrals made.

3.23 If I go missing, people take urgent action, including looking for me and liaising with the police, other agencies and people who are important to me.

3.24 If I might harm myself or others, I know that people have a duty to protect me and others, which may involve contacting relevant agencies.

3.25 I am helped to feel safe and secure in my local community”.

In line with the above, this document is based on the conviction that:

the children we encounter in the course of providing services may be at risk of abuse or harm in various forms
abuse may be committed by the staff of agencies providing care or by others who could be in a trusting relationship with a child
our agency has a duty to do everything possible to prevent abuse, but also to report and address it wherever we meet it.

The policy should be used with reference to the Support and Protection from Harm Overarching (Scotland) Policy.

Procedures

Recognising abuse

It is the duty of all members of staff to be vigilant regarding the welfare of children with whom we have contact in the course of providing services. Staff likely to be in contact with children and their families will be trained to recognise the signs of abuse when they occur, as for example, described in National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland, and to respond in line with national and local child protection policies and procedures.

Reporting abuse

Any member of staff who knows or believes that abuse of a child is occurring has a duty to report it as quickly as possible preferably to their manager, but if necessary, as a direct alert to the local child protection team, and where there is evidence of criminal abuse to the police. With any decision, the safety of the child must be the paramount consideration, and staff who report abuse of children will, in doing so, be protected by the service’s whistleblowing policy.

Action in emergency situations

If the situation is an emergency, with a child in immediate danger, staff should take urgent action to intervene and call for assistance as soon as possible. They should give any necessary first aid and contact appropriate emergency services if necessary. If the abuser remains present, staff should seek to calm the situation. Staff have a right to avoid putting themselves at risk of violence or other harm.

Immediate action to be taken by managers

When a manager receives a report of suspected, imminent or actual abuse of a child, they should refer the matter immediately to the local child protection team and care should be taken not to prejudice any action to be taken by police or social services. If the suspected abuser is a member of staff, the manager should initiate appropriate steps under the disciplinary procedure. Staff will take all possible steps to co-operate with further investigations by social services or the police.

Referral to Children’s Services/Local Child Protection Team

Referrals should be reported without delay to the local authority children’s services department and/or child protection team (or where in operation, multi-agency protection of vulnerable people hubs), which will carry out its own investigation under local procedures, involving other agencies as necessary. Care Inspectorate notification procedures should also be followed.

Reporting to the police

If it is suspected that a criminal act might have been committed, the situation should be reported to the police. Every effort should be made not to interfere with possible evidence.

Contact details

The contact details of relevant organisations are as follows:

Local Authority Children’s Services [insert details]
Local Children Team/local equivalent [insert details]
Police [insert details].

Action to be taken in the absence of further evidence

In instances where an investigation by the local child protection services, police or others against a member of staff of this service is inconclusive, the appropriate manager should nevertheless proceed with an internal inquiry within the disciplinary policy, should take any necessary steps to safeguard the child as far as possible, and should keep the situation under review in case it becomes possible or necessary to take further action.

Keeping records

All details associated with allegations of abuse will be recorded clearly and accurately. The record will be securely kept and the agency’s rules on confidentiality carefully followed. Reports will be made available as required to the Care Inspectorate.

Recruitment

The service takes great care in the recruitment of staff, carries out all possible checks on recruits to ensure that they are of a high standard and will co-operate in all government initiatives regarding the sharing of information on staff who are found to be unsuitable to be involved in work which brings them into contact with children.

Government guidance

{{org_field_name}} is committed to working within the current Scottish Government guidance and laws on multi-agency policies and procedures to protect children from abuse, the application of GIRFEC and its registration requirements.

Training

All relevant staff will be trained in child protection and safeguarding and in carrying out their responsibilities under this policy. Training will be updated as required.

Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}

Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}

Next review date: this policy is reviewed annually (every 12 months). When needed, this policy is also updated in response to changes in legislation, regulation, best practices, or organisational changes.

DS24. Child Protection in Care at Home