Harrow Safeguarding Children Board. Child Protection Level One. In Harrow we believe when it comes to safeguarding children;

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1 Harrow Safeguarding Children Board Child Protection Level One In Harrow we believe when it comes to safeguarding children; - The child s welfare is paramount. - Safeguarding children and young people is the responsibility of everyone. - All children and young people have the right to protection from abuse regardless of their race, ethnicity, immigration status, religion or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. This includes unborn children and children aged 0-18 years and 19 if they are looked after. This rises to 25 if they are physical or learning disabled. - All allegations and suspicions of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. They must not be ignored. - If somebody believes that a child may be suffering, or is at risk of suffering significant harm, they should always refer the concern to the MASH Team via the Golden Number or the Police. - Everyone working with children/young people and their families in a paid or unpaid capacity, and directly or indirectly must take all reasonable measures to ensure that risks of harm to children and young people are minimised. This workbook is for any employee who needs to complete Level One Child Protection training. This includes everyone who works with children and young people plus staff in infrequent contact with children, young people and/or parents/carers who may become aware of possible abuse or neglect. For example, librarians, GP receptionists, community advice centre staff, groundsmen, recreation assistants or environmental health officers. You need to complete this training every 3 years. You need to read this workbook, complete the quiz at the end and return it to Dimple Patel by (lscb@harrow.gov.uk ) (or the linked safeguarding department) or post. If you pass the quiz we will send you a certificate of completion and your record in the centralised database will be updated. If you don t pass the quiz the Harrow Safeguarding Children Board Learning and Development team will contact you and suggest that you attend face-to-face training. If you don t send your completed quiz your record will not be updated and you and your manager will be notified that you are not compliant with your essential training requirements. Safeguarding Children Level 1 workbook Janine Young April

2 The following staff groups will need to include Level Two or Three training: Level Two: Those in regular contact or have a period of intense but irregular contact, with children, young people and/or parents/carers including all health clinical staff, who may be in a position to identify concerns about maltreatment, including those that may arise from the use of CAF (the common assessment framework). For example, housing, hospital staff, YOT staff and staff in secure settings, the police other than those in specialist child protection roles, sports development officers, disability specialists, faith groups, community youth groups, play scheme volunteers. Although we recommend our multi agency training at level 2 and above we have a desk based Introduction to Safeguarding level 2 safeguarding training available via the Learning Pool. Contact Dimple Patel for more details. Level Three: for all staff working directly with children and young people. Members of the workforce who work predominantly with children, young people and/or their parents/carers and who could potentially contribute to assessing, planning, intervening and reviewing the needs of a child and parenting capacity where there are safeguarding concerns. For example, paediatricians, GPs, youth workers, those working in the early years sector, residential staff, midwives, school nurses, health visitors, sexual health staff, teachers, probation staff, sports club welfare officers, those working with adults in, for example, learning disability, mental health, alcohol and drug misuse services, those working in community play schemes. Designated leads, supervisors, advisors, managers and operational managers. This workbook has been produced by Harrow Local Safeguarding Children Board utilizing Harrow safeguarding guidance The Blue Book and The Green Book ( ), Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015, statistics gathered from Harrow Council and the NSPCC and based on the Camden NHS workbook. Safeguarding Children Level 1 workbook Janine Young April

3 Aim of this workbook By the end of this workbook you will be able to: What is normal child development What is child abuse and neglect Identify the signs and indicators of abuse suffered by children Understand how children might be effected by abuse and identify the signs of abuse Maintaining a child focus Know what to do if you suspect a child is being abused Child development All children deserve the opportunity to achieve their full potential. In 2003, the Government published the Every Child Matters alongside the formal response to the report into the death of Victoria Climbié. The Green Paper set out five outcomes that are key to children and young people s wellbeing: To achieve the five Every Child Matters outcomes, children need to feel loved and valued, and be supported by a network of reliable and affectionate relationships. They need to feel they are respected and understood as individual people and to have their wishes and feelings consistently taken into account. If they are denied the opportunity and support they need to achieve these outcomes, children are at increased risk not only of an impoverished childhood, but also of disadvantage and social exclusion in adulthood. Abuse and neglect pose particular problems. When we look at a child s normal development we look at their ability to develop in the following areas: health, education, emotional and behavioural development, identity, family & social relationships, social presentation and self care skills. These should be appropriate development for their age and ability. Patterns of family life vary and there is no single, perfect way to bring up children. Good parenting involves caring for children s basic needs, keeping them safe and protected, being attentive and showing them warmth and love, encouraging them to express their views and consistently taking these views into account, and providing the stimulation needed for their development and to help them achieve their potential, within a stable environment where they experience consistent guidance and boundaries. Safeguarding Children Level 1 workbook Janine Young April

4 What is safeguarding? Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children means: protecting children from mistreatment; preventing impairment of children s health or development; ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and undertaking that role so as to enable those children to have optimum life chances and to enter adulthood successfully. (Source: Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015) What is child protection? Child protection is a part of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are at risk of suffering, significant harm. Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 places a duty on Local Authorities to make enquiries into the circumstances of children considered to be at risk of significant harm and, where these enquiries indicate the need, to undertake a full investigation into the child s circumstances. (Source: Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015) Parenting can be challenging. Parents themselves require and deserve support. Asking for help should be seen as a sign of responsibility rather than as a parenting failure. Harrow provides a wide range of services and professionals to support families in bringing up children. Only in exceptional cases should there be compulsory intervention in family life for example, where this is necessary to safeguard a child from significant harm. We will now look at what significant harm may be. What is child abuse and neglect? Child abuse and neglect is a form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others (e.g. via the internet). They may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children. Types of Child Abuse On the 31st March 2014 there were 48,300 children subject to a child protection plan for various forms of child abuse in England. Children are abused in four different ways: physically, through neglect, emotionally or sexually. Sometimes children will suffer a number of different types of abuse at the same time. Abuse occurs not only when someone does something to harm a child but also when parents or carers do not take action to keep a child safe. Some types of abuse can be seen quite clearly but often abuse is hidden and difficult to identify, for example, sexual abuse is often hidden. At 31 March 2014 the breakdown was as follows: 43 per cent neglect; 33 per cent emotional abuse; 10 per cent physical abuse; 9 per cent multiple reasons; and 5 per cent sexual abuse. Safeguarding Children Level 1 workbook Janine Young April

5 Physical abuse Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, suffocating or deliberately physically hurting a child in any way. It can including Female Genital Mutilation/female circumcision and may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child. Children do suffer injuries which are not deliberate e.g. a child might be climbing on a wall and accidentally fall, but abuse is a deliberate act to harm or lack of attention to the child s safety and wellbeing. On the 31st March 2013 the names of 4,670 children were subject to a child protection plan in England specifically in relation to physical abuse. Highest incidences were among children under 1 year and boys. Approximately 30% of parents suspected of having abused their children had themselves been abused. The consequences of physical abuse are that children may experience poorer physical and intellectual development, poor peer-relationships, exhibit more difficult and aggressive behaviour and are arrested more often for violent juvenile crime than their peers. Physical signs - injuries which the child cannot explain, or explains unconvincingly - untreated injuries or injuries that have been treated inadequately - injuries on parts of the body where accidental injury is unlikely, such as the cheeks, chest or thighs - bruising in babies and in children who are not independently mobile - bruising to the face, back, abdomen, arms, buttocks, ears and hands - bruising which reflects an imprint of an implement or cord, or hand or finger marks - multiple bruises in clusters or of uniform shape human bite marks - fractures in children under 18 months - fractures that are inconsistent with the child's developmental stage - scalds, especially those with upward splash marks where hot water has been deliberately thrown over the child, or tide marks - rings on the child's arms, legs or body where the child has been made to sit or stand in very hot water multiple burns, burns with a clearly defined edge and burns affecting unusual areas of the body such as the back, shoulders or buttocks Behavioural signs - reluctance to have their parents contacted aggressive behaviour or severe temper outbursts - running away or showing fear of going home - flinching when approached or touched - reluctance to get undressed for sporting or other activities where changing into other clothes is normal - covering arms and legs even when hot depression or moods which are out of character with the child's general behaviour - unnatural compliance with parents or carers Safeguarding Children Level 1 workbook Janine Young April

6 Neglect Neglect occurs when a child s basic physical, psychological or emotional needs are not met, which is likely to result in the serious impairment of the child s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. On the 31st March ,930 children were subject to a child protection plan specifically for neglect. It is accepted that these figures may well underestimate the number of children who are actually experiencing neglect. Children suffering neglect may experience a serious absence of care including: Lack of adequate food or clean clothing. Uncertainty over when the next meal will be available means that neglected children may often seem very hungry and eat constantly. Not protecting a child from physical and emotional harm or danger Not ensuring adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers) Not ensuring access to appropriate medical care or treatment Lack of a safe home environment Being locked out of their home for unreasonably long periods Not being taken to the doctor when ill Being left to look after themselves when their parents are away Lack of supervision e.g. children under 10 being left alone at home overnight without adult supervision or children under 14 being allowed to stay out overnight without parents knowing their whereabouts. Neglected children may have no concept of a regular bedtime; they may be left unsupervised at night or left in charge of younger siblings and may fall asleep in class or during out of school activities. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child s basic emotional needs. Physical signs - abnormal growth including failure to thrive - underweight or obese - recurring infection - unkempt dirty appearance - smelly - inadequate and/or unwashed clothes - hunger - lack of adequate supervision Behavioural signs - attachment disorders - indiscriminate friendliness - poor social relationships - poor concentration - developmental delays - low self esteem Safeguarding Children Level 1 workbook Janine Young April

7 Emotional Abuse Emotional abuse occurs when a child is persistently emotionally maltreated. Persistent hostile or indifferent behaviour by parents or carers may damage a child s self-esteem and their emotional development. All types of abuse include emotional abuse e.g. physical abuse will frighten a child and therefore also be emotional abuse, but emotional abuse can exist alone. On the 31st March ,640 children were subject to a child protection plan specifically for emotional abuse. Emotional abuse may involve persistently: Threatening to abandon a child, scapegoat a child, or giving them responsibilities that are not age appropriate Preventing a child from participating in normal social activities Bullying or terrorizing e.g. deliberately cultivating a climate of fear or threat Ignoring a child e.g. failing to respond to the child s behaviour or emotions and acting in a cold, disinterested way to the child Exploitation or corruption encouraging a child to participate in illegal activities Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child/young people which can have severe and persistent effects on the child s emotional development. It can include: Conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. Not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or making fun of what they say or how they communicate. Inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond the child s developmental capability. Overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. Seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another such as witnessing domestic violence (DV) in the home. Serious bullying (including cyber bullying), causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Emotional abuse may lead to a child having delayed emotional development and may cause a child to become silent or angry. Silent. Children learn that any kind of emotion can create a negative or hostile reaction. The child becomes silent, not because they are emotionless but because they are miserable and apathetic or frozen. Angry. Some children who are emotionally abused react by becoming angry or aggressive. These children are more likely to be noticed by professionals when their inappropriate behaviour spills out into the school environment. Emotionally abused children may also over-react to mistakes and be afraid of their parents being contacted. They may suffer sudden speech disorders or compulsive behaviours like rocking, thumb-sucking, hair twisting and may have low self esteem i.e. think they are not Safeguarding Children Level 1 workbook Janine Young April

8 worth anything. Physical signs: - a failure to grow or thrive - sudden speech disorders - delayed development physical or emotional - stress related illnesses (e.g. eating disorders) - over-reaction to mistakes - continually putting themselves down - fear of new situations Behavioural signs: - the child seeing themselves as unworthy of love and affection - excessive lack of confidence, (not just shyness), or low self esteem - compulsive nervous behaviour - self-harming - wetting or soiling - excessive need for approval, attention or affection Safeguarding Children Level 1 workbook Janine Young April

9 Sexual abuse Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. On the 31st March ,030 children were subject to a child protection plan specifically for sexual abuse. The activities may involve: - physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) - non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing - non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet) Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children. The effect of any form abuse can be traumatic. Sexual abuse is particularly so because it may have remained undetected for a long time. The damaging physical, emotional and psychological effects can last a lifetime. If a child has been abused by someone they know and trust, it can lead to feelings of insecurity and distrust of those around them and in future relationships. Children can feel powerless and helpless because they think they may not be believed or they have been silenced by threats. Children may also feel guilty and ashamed because they have been made to believe that the abuse is their fault. Physical signs: - Pain, itching, bruising, or bleeding to genital or anal areas - STDs, recurrent genital discharges or urinary tract infections without apparent cause - stomach pains or discomfort when the child is walking or sitting - Unexpected pregnancy, especially in very young girls Behavioural signs: - Sexual knowledge inappropriate for age - sexualised behaviour in young children - Sexually provocative behaviour or promiscuity - Sudden or unexplained changes in behaviour - Nightmares, bedwetting, eating disorders, hysteria attacks, selfharms or suicide attempts - Reluctance to change for sports - Sexual bullying of other children Safeguarding Children Level 1 workbook Janine Young April

10 Child with child protection plans in Harrow There were 195 children/young people with Child Protection Plans in Harrow as of the end of April of those children are from ethnic minorities. 103 Emotional Abuse 13 Emotional and Physical Abuse 4 Emotional Abuse and Neglect 64 Neglect 5 Physical Abuse 4 Sexual Abuse Not recorded 2 Who abuses? There is no typical individual who commits sexual offences against children. (Grubin 1998) It is impossible to say who might abuse children and who might not. People who abuse may often be well respected members of the community. They may be skilled at gaining the confidence of other adults and making friends with children. Children may abuse other children as has been seen in the rise of peer-on-peer abuse. Why don t children tell about abuse? Children may not tell about being abused because they love their abuser and don t want him or her to get into trouble. Children may not tell because their abuser has tried to silence the child with threats or bribes or by making the child feel guilty or responsible for the abuse. Children may be told by their abuser that the abusive behaviour is normal, or tell them that no one will believe them. The child may not tell also because: They are trying to protect a younger sibling They fear losing privileges or affection Some disabled children don t have the ability or vocabulary to tell Children don t always understand what is happening or what they could do to stop the abuse What if a child confides in you? Don t ignore or silence a child or put a child off: they may think you don t want to listen and may not choose to tell again. Do not promise to keep secrets you may have to tell people to stop the abuse. Stay calm and be reassuring. - Your job is to listen. - Keep your responses brief, slow and gentle Don t ask leading questions. If you do any evidence may be invalidated. You may repeat back what the child has said using their own words to check that you have understood, but do not interrogate a child, your role is to listen. Safeguarding Children Level 1 workbook Janine Young April

11 Do not discuss what the child has said with the abuser Tell the child what is going to happen next Make an accurate record of what the child has told you as soon as possible. Record date, time, any names, to whom information given. Sign and date your record. Do not act alone or keep a confidence to yourself. Report what the child has to said to your line manager and/or the named Child Safeguarding Lead Record the discussion and outcome Refer to the MASH Team via the Golden Number: Keeping confidentiality afterwards is vital. Breaching confidentiality can be damaging, or dangerous, to child and their family, and may obstruct child protection investigation. Only tell other people on a need to know basis. Keeping the child in focus Lord Laming reiterated the importance of frontline professionals getting to know children as individual people and, as a matter of routine, considering how their situation feels to them. Ofsted s evaluation of 50 Serious Case Reviews conducted highlighted the failure of all professionals to see the situation from the child s perspective and experience; to see and speak to the children; to listen to what they said, to observe how they were and to take serious account of their views in supporting their needs as probably the single most consistent failure in safeguarding work with children. The importance of keeping the child in focus is Harrow Council s adoption of The Child s Journey strategy as part of the Children s workforce development strategy. What to do if you are concerned about a child Everybody working with children, either directly or indirectly, paid or voluntarily have a duty to report any concerns about suspected abuse and neglect no matter how trivial they may seem. Do not act alone. 1. Discuss your concerns with your line manager and/or the named child protection lead, together a decision should be made on a course of action. Remember, it is not your responsibility to decide whether the child is being abused or at risk, that is the job of social services, together with other agencies who make up the child protection network. 2. If there a further concerns inform the MASH Team (Children social services) via the Golden Number: You should do this immediately and without delay. All professional who refer by telephone must confirm their referral in writing within 24 hours. All referrers should expect to be contacted by a Social Worker about their referral in order to ensure that their information has been properly understood. They should initiate this contact if they have not heard from a social worker within 24 hours of making the referral. 3. Keep a precise and detailed written record of your concerns, and share it with the social worker Care should be taken to record exactly what was observed and heard by a child or parent/carer or referrer, because the details and exact words used can be very Safeguarding Children Level 1 workbook Janine Young April

12 significant. Care should be taken to distinguish between fact and opinion, and to identify the information and thinking that supports it. Safeguarding Children supportive documents All organisations working with children and young people should have up-to-date child protection procedures in place, which are compliant with the London Child Protection Procedures (5 th edition, 2015), They should follow should follow statutory guidance as set out in the 2015 edition of Working Together to Safeguard Children document; king_together_to_safeguard_children.pdf Harrow Safeguarding Children s Board have also an updated What to do if you are worried about a child our local guidance to safeguard children in Harrow. It can be found here; (scroll to the bottom to find it) Harrow SCB Multi-Agency Threshold Guidance In order to help agencies assess and identify a child s level of need, a Threshold Document, broken down into four levels is available for all individuals, practitioners and staff. The guidance does not remove the need for workers to make a professional judgement when considering the identified needs of children. It can be found here; pdf Summary Safeguarding Children Using the 5 R s: Harrow LSCB believes that remembering the 5 R s acts as a good summary for understanding your safeguarding responsibilities Recognise: What is child abuse. Definitions can be found in this document and in Working Together to Safeguard Children Signs and symptoms. If it is not a disclosure from a child or young person directly, staff and volunteers should be aware of the possible signs. Respond: Appropriately. Is this an allegation from a child or young person against a member of staff/ volunteer; a disclosure from a child or young person; suspicions regarding the conduct of other staff members; or concerns from a staff member regarding a child or young person? If the information is coming from a child or young person: do not lead or probe with questions, simply remain calm, listen and reassure them that you will talk to other people who will be able to work out with them Safeguarding Children Level 1 workbook Janine Young April

13 how to keep them safe. Do not make false promises about being able to keep the information safe. Asking leading questions or interviewing parents or carers may jeopardise any investigation. If the information is from a volunteer or staff member, ensure that policies are followed regarding how the information is recorded and how the staff member who is the subject of the allegation is to be dealt with and supported. Report: To your line manager, designated worker or their deputy. Every organisation working with children and young people must have a designated worker who deals with child protection issues. It is their responsibility, not yours, to make further decisions. This person should be named and their contact details displayed in an accessible place. It is advisable to have a deputy-designated worker. If there a further concerns inform the MASH Team (Children Social Services): Record: Exactly what has happened, using the words used by the child/young person (if they disclosed). This information should be signed and dated and kept in a secure place, as agreed in your confidentiality policy. Refer: This will be the role of the designated officer and they will make all further decisions. The only agencies that can investigate child protection cases are the police, the Children and Families Team and the NSPCC. Further Information What to do if you re worried a child is being abused DfES Publications London Child Protection Procedures 5 th Edition 2015; Working Together To Safeguard Children 2015 HM Government The Stationary Office Keeping children safe in education - What to do if you are worried about a child being abused 2015; t_to_do_if_you_re_worried_a_child_is_being_abused.pdf National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Thank you for completing this workbook. Please complete the quiz on the following page and return it to Dimple Patel by lscb@harrow.gov.uk (or the linked safeguarding department) or post. Safeguarding Children Level 1 workbook Janine Young April

14 Child Protection Level One Quiz: Please circle the correct answer Name Date Workplace Question A B C 1. If a child discloses abuse to you which of the following should you do? Choose 1 2. Do you have to decide if a child is being abused before you report your concerns? Choose 1 3. If you suspect a child may be being abused what should you do? Choose 1 4. Please give the contact details of the named Child Safeguarding Lead in your workplace 5. List the four types of abuse children may suffer Ask leading questions Yes Talk to the abuser and ask them what is happening Dismiss or disbelieve what has been said No. Ask the child if they are being abused Reassure the child and report the incident to your line manager Talk to your line manager and explain your concerns 6. If you have told your manager you think a child is being abused and your manager appears not to have done anything what should you do? Choose 1 7. How many children were on child protection plans in Harrow at the end of March Choose 1 8. What is the Multi Agency Threshold document? 9. List the 5 R s Give up you tried, it is now you managers responsibility Contact your service manager or another manager 2,220 None 195 Talk to the parent about your concerns 10. Name 3 areas that you may look at to see if a child is developing according to their age and ability When you have completed this quiz please return this page to Dimple Patel lscb@harrow.gov.uk. If you have any questions please contact her on Thank you. You have now completed your Child Protection L1 training. Safeguarding Children Level 1 workbook Janine Young April