Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook - Health Service ...

Contents
Foreword vii
Acknowledgements ix
1 Introduction to the Handbook 1
1.1 How to use the Handbook 2
1.2 Key principles of best practice in child protection
and welfare 3
1.3 Glossary of Terms 4
1.4 Definitions of the four categories of child abuse 10
1.4.1 Definition of ‘emotional abuse’ 10
1.4.2 Definition of ‘sexual abuse’ 10
1.4.3 Definition of ‘physical abuse’ 12
1.4.4 Definition of ‘neglect’ 14
1.5 Child Neglect – the most common type of abuse 14
2 Allied professionals and all others who work
with children and their families 23
2.1 Roles and Responsibilities in identifying and responding
to child protection and welfare concerns 25
2.1.1 HSE staff
2.1.2 Designated Liaison Persons – Agencies and
services outside the HSE (including voluntary and
25
community sectors) 28
2.2 What constitutes reasonable grounds for a child
protection or welfare concern 30
2.3 What to do if reasonable grounds for concern exist 30
2.4 Questions that may help staff when they are concerned
about a child’s welfare 31
2.5 Responding to a child who discloses abuse
– suggested guidelines 32
2.6 What to do if you are concerned about a child’s
safety and/or welfare 34