Child Protection Child Protection Awareness TrainingAwareness Training

RITeS Seminar September 2009RITeS Seminar September 2009

Aim of the session

Background Roles and Responsibilities - Management

Circular 57 Procedures Signs of Abuse

Child Abuse

Some Facts about Child Abuse In the UK one child dies every week as a result

of child abuse More than 35,000 children are at risk and require

protection from professionals At least 110,000 adults have been convicted of

sexual offences against children

(NSPCC 2001)

Child Protection in Glasgow

A total of 259 children’s names on the register

184 physical neglect 20 sexual abuse 7 emotional abuse 45 physical injury 3 non-organic failure to thrive Not an even distribution Tip of the iceberg – 1 child in every class (Register as at 09.03.04)

Domestic Abuse

An estimated 100,000 children and young people in Scotland are living with domestic violence

90% of children are in the same room or the next room

In the context of domestic abuse, 40% - 60% of children are also physically assaulted by the perpetrator

Two thirds of child protection cases also identified domestic abuse, when this was routinely asked.

Child ProtectionEducations 5 dimensional role

Prevention Responding to concerns Support Training Inter-Agency collaboration

Child Protection‘It’s Everyone’s job’

“We all need to work together to ensure children are protected”

Audit Report 2002

Child protection referral procedures Management Circular 57 Evidence or suspicion of abuse “It is the responsibility of staff to report concerns…to the

appropriate member of the senior management team.” Head Teacher will decide if there are grounds for suspicion Decide if emergency action is required by police or medical service

and if so, call them Duty Practice Team Leader (or Practice Team Leader for child if

child is “open” to Social Services) at local office. Discussion as to whether to involve:

GP/Hospital Police Parents

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/8FC104DF-981D-4A71-BBEE-D108F3259CB3/0/MC57_0109.PDF

Physical Injury Sexual Abuse Emotional Abuse Failure to Thrive Physical Neglect

Child ProtectionCategories of Registration

Physical Neglect

“ “Physical neglect occurs when a child’s essential needs are not met and this is likely to cause impairment to physical health and development. Such needs include, food, clothes, cleanliness, shelter and warmth. A lack of appropriate care results in persistent or severe exposure, through negligence, to circumstances which endanger the child”.

Sexual Abuse

Any child below the age of 16 may be deemed to have been sexually abused when any person(s), by design or neglect, exploits the child, directly or indirectly, in any activity intended to lead to the sexual arousal or other forms of gratification of that person or any other person(s), (including organised networks). This definition holds whether or not there has been genital contact and whether or not the child is said to have initiated the behaviour.

Physical Injury

“Actual or attempted physical injury to a child under the age of 16, where there is definite knowledge, or reasonable suspicion that the injury was inflicted or knowingly not prevented”.

Emotional Abuse

“Failure to provide for the Child’s basic emotional needs such as to have a severe effect on the behaviour and development of the child”

Non-Organic Failure to Thrive

“Children who significantly fail to reach normal growth and development milestones (ie physical growth, weight, motor, social and intellectual development) where physical and genetic reasons have been medically eliminated, and a diagnosis of non-organic failure to thrive has been established”.

Possible Signs of Neglect

constant hunger poor personal hygiene constant tiredness poor state of clothing emaciation frequent lateness or non-attendance at school untreated medical problems destructive tendencies low self-esteem neurotic behaviour (eg rocking; hair twisting; thumb sucking) no social relationships chronic running away compulsive stealing or scavenging

Possible signs of sexual abuse

Children under the age of 5 may: show extreme fear of a particular person become hysterical when clothing is removed, particularly

underclothes have soreness or bleeding in the throat, anal or genital areas behave in a way sexually inappropriate to their age, being obsessed

with sexual matters as opposed to normal exploration stare blankly, seem unhappy, confused, sad become withdrawn, stop eating, have chronic nightmares, begin

wetting again when previously dry play out sexual acts in too knowledgeable a way with dolls or other

children produce drawings of sex organs such as erect penises stop enjoying activities with other children, such as stories or games repeat obscene words or phrases said by the abuser say repeatedly that they are bad, dirty or wicked become aggressive and hurtful act in a sexually inappropriate way towards adults

Possible signs of sexual abuse

Children from the ages of five to twelve may hint about secrets they cannot tell say that a friend has a problem ask if you will keep a secret if they tell you something have unexplained sources of money start wetting themselves exhibit sudden inexplicable changes in behaviour such as becoming

aggressive or withdrawn stop enjoying previously liked activities, such as music, sports, art, scouts

or guides, going to summer camp, gym club be reluctant to undress for gym become fearful of or refuse to see certain adults for no apparent reason,

show dislike or a particular babysitter, relative or other adult act in a sexual way inappropriate to their age draw sexually explicit pictures depicting some act of abuse have urinary infections, bleeding or soreness in the genital or anal areas have soreness or bleeding in the throat

Possible signs of sexual abuse

Young people from the age of 12 onwards may: be chronically depressed use drugs or drink to excess self-mutilate, show self-hatred become anorexia or bulimic run away frequently be inappropriately seductive be fearful about certain people like relatives or friends not be allowed to go out on dates or have friends round have soreness/bleeding in the genital or anal areas or in throat find excuses not to go home or to a particular place have recurrent nightmares/be afraid of the dark be unable to concentrate, seem to be in a world of their own have a ‘friend with a problem’ and then tell about the abuse of the friend sexually abuse a child, sibling or friend exhibit a sudden change in school/work habits, become a truant be withdrawn, isolated, or excessively worried have outbursts of anger or irritability have unexplained sums of money

Possible Signs of Emotional Abuse

physical, mental and emotional development lags admission of punishment which appears excessive over-reaction to mistakes sudden speech disorders fear of new situations inappropriate emotional response to painful situations neurotic behaviour (eg rocking; hair twisting; thumb sucking) self mutilation fear of parents being contacted extremes of passivity or aggression drug/solvent abuse chronic running away compulsive stealing/scavenging

Possible Signs of Physical Abuse

unexplained injuries or burns particularly if they are recurrent improbable excuses given to explain injuries refusal to discuss injuries untreated injuries admission of punishment which appears excessive fear of parents being contacted bald patches withdrawal from physical contact arms and legs kept covered in hot weather fear of returning home fear of medical help self-destructive tendencies aggression toward others chronic running away

Possible signs of non-organic failure to thrive

significant lack of growth Weight loss Hair loss Poor skin or muscle tone Circulatory disorders

Absence of proof is not proof of absence

Checklist for staff

You should OBSERVE,RECORD and REPORT Respond without showing signs of disquiet, anxiety or

shock Enquire casually how an injury was sustained or why

a child appears upset Confidentiality should not be promised to children Observe carefully the behaviour or demeanour of the

child Record in detail what you have seen and heard Do not interrogate or enter into detailed investigations

A Child’s Needs Following Disclosure

To be safe To be given the opportunity to express and

explore feelings To develop a sense of belonging To be treated as “normal” To learn about relationships and boundaries

of behaviour Help to restore ability to form relationships To be with adults who show they can be

trusted To develop a sense of self worth

More Information

http://www.glasgowchildprotection.org.uk/

http://connect.glasgow.gov.uk/YourService/SocialWorkServices/Sections_Teams/Children_FamilyServices/ChildProtection/

http://www.hmie.gov.uk/documents/inspection/GlasgowCitySFC.pdf

Children need you to see them, hear them and protect them.

The difference between child abuse or child protection could be you.