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Child Protection

Awareness Training
RITeS 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 childrens 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 Protection
Educations 5 dimensional
role
Prevention
Responding to concerns
Support
Training
Inter-Agency collaboration

Child Protection
Its Everyones 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 concernsto 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

Child Protection
Categories of Registration
Physical Injury
Sexual Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Failure to Thrive
Physical Neglect

Physical Neglect
Physical neglect occurs when a childs
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 Childs 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 nonorganic 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 nonorganic 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 Childs 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/YourSe
rvice/SocialWorkServices/Sections_Te
ams/Children_FamilyServices/ChildPro
tection/
http://www.hmie.gov.uk/documents/in
spection/GlasgowCitySFC.pdf

Children need you to see


them, hear them and
protect them.
The difference between child abuse
or child protection could be you.

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