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Everyone working with children and young people has a duty to keep them safe. The agencies which have a legal right to intervene if child abuse is suspected are Social Services, the Police and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). When different agencies and professionals share information and work together effectively they can protect children and young people from harm as well as safeguard their welfare. Once a child's name is placed on the child protection register it is essential that agencies and professionals remember that they are all responsible for implementing a plan to protect the child.
The job of the social worker is to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. They work with families/carers and with other professionals to keep children safe and healthy. They may become involved with families/carers due to poverty, child abuse, mental health problems, disabilities or conditions such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hypersensitivity Disorder). Their job includes doing their best for the family and keeping it together if possible.
The police works alongside other agencies to share the information it has. If records have been kept for adults involved with the child in question the police will need to check those records and specifically identify whether there is a history of unlawful treatment and drugs or alcohol. They will also need to consider any history of violence including domestic abuse, sexual offences and any other matter relevant to the welfare of the child. The police will share information with other agencies in child protection conferences.
This is a voluntary organisation with a statutory right to apply for a court order to safeguard children. It has a team of social workers who work together with local social workers. Its goal is to prevent abuse and it works with those children who are most vulnerable. NSPCC staff and volunteers go into schools regularly to give information to children about keeping safe from harm and the importance of speaking to someone if someone is hurting them.
In accordance with the Children Act 2004 all local authorities in Wales are required to establish a Local Safeguarding Children Board. As a result, they will be able to keep order and monitor the work of other agencies as well as ensuring that everyone works together effectively to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and their families/carers. This will all comply with local policies and procedures.
Health Visitors carry out several functions including supporting and advising families/carers. For example, if a mother is suffering from postnatal depression they can help her and ensure that she is getting the right care and accessing the services which are available to support her. In caring for a family they can come across problems including child abuse. They are in a good position to identify which children are suffering or are likely to suffer neglect or harm as they monitor the growth and development of children. They work with families/carers with children on the child protection register as well as providing support to victims of domestic violence. Health visitors often have the closest contact with the family/carers in the home and they can build good contacts with other agencies which are beneficial to children.
Medical workers will collect all the relevant medical information and prepare written reports on children, young people and adults if necessary. When children visit the surgery regularly staff can see when a family/carers is under pressure and discover whether there are any signs of abuse or neglect. They have a responsibility to pass on this information to social services and take appropriate action to safeguard the welfare of the child.
Staff in early years and childcare settings observe children regularly. They have a clear understanding of the stages of child development and can recognise the signs of abuse or neglect. They collect and check all relevant records, including the child's school attendance and any matter they feel is important to record for the welfare and protection of the child. They prepare written reports.
Psychologists deal with problems relating to emotional, social and intellectual development. They assess children and help them to deal with stress in their lives such as family break ups, a death in the family and abuse. They assess children and take into consideration their circumstances. They discuss their findings with the family/carers and other professionals. They are trained to be able to give a diagnosis for children with mental disorders and treat them through counselling sessions or behavioural therapy.
In accordance with the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 all local authorities have a responsibility to establish and maintain a Youth Justice Service. The Justice Service is a multi-agency partnership which works together with the police and the national probation service to provide intervention and support for young people 10-18 years old and their families/carers. One of its aims is to prevent antisocial behaviour where young people regularly break the law. They try to meet the needs of the young people and prevent them from re-offending. This can be done by providing intervention programmes resulting from a court order and by implementing these actions sooner there is more hope of preventing regular offending.
Probation officers are responsible for supervising offenders. If they are concerned for the safety of a child living in the same house as the offender they can contact social services immediately. They also work in prisons, courts, hostels and day centres across the country. Their goal is to change the way the offender lives and challenge their behaviour, which may prevent them from re-offending. They also arrange counselling sessions for offenders suffering drug or alcohol addiction.
Spin the wheel and discuss the questions.
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Social Services, the Police and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
The job of a social worker is to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and keep children safe and healthy.
Its goal is to prevent child abuse and work with the most vulnerable.
In caring for a family they can come across problems including child abuse. They are in a good position to identify which children are suffering, or are likely to suffer, neglect or harm as they monitor the growth and development of children. They work with families/carers with children on the child protection register as well as providing support to victims of domestic violence. Health visitors often have the closest contact with the family/carers in the home and they can build good contacts with other agencies which are beneficial to children.
The Youth Justice Service is a multi-agency partnership which works together with the police and the national probation service to provide intervention and support for young people 10-18 years old and their families/carers. One of its aims is to prevent antisocial behaviour where young people regularly break the law. They try to meet the needs of the young people and prevent them from re-offending.
Probation officers are responsible for supervising offenders. If they are concerned for the safety of a child living in the same house as the offender they can contact social services immediately. Their goal is to change the way the offender lives and challenge their behaviour, which may prevent them from re-offending. They also arrange counselling sessions for offenders suffering drug or alcohol addiction.