Child Protection Appendix C
Role of other
agencies
The Police
The police have the right to speak
with a child without parental consent when it is in the best
interests of the child. They may do so on school premises or, as
appropriate, in special premises where a video can be made.
However, they cannot take a child off school premises without the
agreement of the Head teacher. This would normally be given. In
exceptional circumstances, where the reasons for refusing are
explicit and after legal advice has been sought a Head teacher can
refuse permission. The action and the reason for refusal must be
recorded and the Divisional Educational Officer (or equivalent in
each area) informed. For the police to proceed a Police Protection
Order would then be required.
When the police interview a child,
a member of staff known to the child should provide appropriate
support.
Medical
Personnel
Where emergency medical help is required arrangements should be
made immediately for the child to be taken to hospital or to a
general practitioner whichever is more appropriate. Then refer to
the Social Services Department if this has not already been
done.
Where there is evidence of physical
abuse but no immediate need for medical treatment the
responsibility for seeking medical opinion rests with the Social
Services Department investigation team.
Involving the
Parents
Parental permission is not required:
- To contact Social Services
- To contact the Police, or
- In seeking medical treatment
Parents should not be contacted until their involvement has been
discussed with Social Services or the Police at an early stage, and
a course of action agreed, including decisions about who will talk
to them, when and where. The timing of parental involvement is
crucial.
Say very little to the child once
abuse is suspected until the issue has been discussed with Social
Services.
Giving the child time to talk may
be appropriate but do not probe or ask leading questions.
Investigation is not your responsibility. Undue or inappropriate
questioning at this stage may prejudice evidence needed in possible
court hearings.
Record as accurately as possible
exactly what the child says, with the date.
Do not promise to keep secrets.
Indicate that you may have to talk
to someone else.
The Social Services Department is
responsible for calling an initial case conference if initial
checks, subsequent investigations and strategy discussions confirm
the need for one. Relevant reports are then required. All initial
conferences should normally take place within eight working
days.
Any report given should be
objective, based on evidence and distinguish between fact,
observations, allegation and opinion. Any agency/school can request
Social Services to call a case conference. If you choose to do so a
letter should be sentmaking a formal request to the local Child
Protection Co-ordinator (or equivalent in each area).
After the
referral
If a decision is made to place a child’s name on the register a
Key Worker will be appointed with the responsibility to act as the
lead worker for interagency activities. The key worker acts as the
focus of communication, for schools, other agencies, professionals
and the family.
If you need to contact the key
worker do not leave messages with administrative staff. If the key
worker is not available ask to speak to the Team Manager or Duty
Officer.
All staff should be alert to the
possibility of abuse by pupils against other pupils. Abuse between
pupils, whether verbal, physical, or sexual should be seen as the
extreme of a dimension including teasing, harassment and bullying.
Whole school policies on bullying should include the possible need
to consult with Social Services, particularly if there is evidence
of sexual abuse.
Where an older pupil is thought to
have sexually abused other children considerable care should be
taken in determining work experience placements in case this puts
other children at risk. If there is doubt about the abuse, consult
with Social Services.
Pupils with special
educational needs
Children with special educational needs present particular
difficulties in the context of child protection. They are often
more vulnerable as well as in many cases more dependent. There is
evidence that they are at increased risk of abuse compared to other
groups of children.
The child protection
register and case conferences
The initial case conference is central to the procedures. The
purpose is not to make a formal decision on whether a person has
abused a child (that is a matter for the courts), but a) to
determine whether a child has experienced abuse, or is at risk of
being abused, and b) to enable the family and professionals to
share information and concerns, to analyse risk, and recommend
responsibility for action.
The Social Services Department
convenes and co-ordinates the conference but the outcome is the
joint responsibility of those attending. The parents and the child
(where appropriate) are invited to attend as well as relevant
professionals. All professionals are expected to prepare for it.
School staff should ensure that they have relevant files and
reports available. If they experience concern about the possible
presence of the parents and/or the child they should discuss these
concerns with the chairperson in advance.
Placing a child’s name on the
register is only appropriate if a formal inter-agency child
protection plan is needed to ensure a child’s safety, and in the
light of
considering the alternatives to
this. If a decision is taken to place the child’s name on the
register then:
- A key worker is appointed.
- The elements of a child protection plan are agreed – possibly
closely involving the school.
- The professionals needed to carry out the work are
identified
- Recommendations are made to specific agencies.
Two other types of case
conferences may be called:
- A review conference of a child already on the register.
- An incident conference when further suspected abuse is
reported.