Here is an excerpt from our child safeguarding protocol.
All those that come into contact with children and families in their everyday work, including people who do not have a specific role in relation to child protection, have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
This protocol will address:
- Key staff training
- Documentation
- Reporting
- Local procedures
KEY FACTORS
- The welfare of the child is paramount
- Be prepared to consult with colleagues
- Be prepared to take advice from local experts
- Keep comprehensive and clear records
- Be aware of GMC guidance about sharing confidential information
RECOGNISING CHILD ABUSE
There are 4 main categories of child abuse:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Neglect/failure to thrive
These are not however exclusive, and abuse in one of these areas may easily be accompanied by abuse in the others.
Physical abuse may include:
- Hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, or other forms of physical harm
- Where a parent or carer deliberately causes ill-health of a child
- Single traumatic events or repeated incidents
Sexual abuse may include:
- Forcing or enticing a child under 18 to take part in sexual activities where the child is unaware of what is happening
- May include both physical contact acts and non—contact acts
Emotional abuse may include:
- Persistent ill-treatment which has an effect on emotional development
- Conveyance of a message of being un-loved, worthless or inadequate
- May instil feeling of danger, being afraid
- May involve child exploitation or corruption
Neglect may include:
- Failure to meet the child’s physical or psychological needs
- Failure to provide adequate food or shelter
- Failure to protect from physical harm
- Neglect of a child’s emotional needs
Common presentations and situations in which child abuse may be suspected include:
Disclosure by a child or young person
- Physical signs and symptoms giving rise to suspicion of any category of abuse
- The history is inconsistent or changes.
- A delay in seeking medical help
- Extreme or worrying behaviour of a child, taking account of the developmental age of the child
- Accumulation of minor incidents giving rise to a level of concern, including frequent A&E attendances
Some other situations which need careful consideration are:
- Disclosure by an adult of abusive activities
- Girls under 16 presenting with pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease, especially those with learning difficulties
- Very young girls requesting contraception, especially emergency contraception
- Situations where parental mental health problems may impact on children
- Parental alcohol, drug or substance misuse which may impact on children
- Parents with learning difficulties
- Violence in the family