Annual Reports and Business Plans (PDF, 2.3MB) - Falkirk Council

Falkirk CPC
Chair: Margaret Anderson
(margaret.anderson@falkirk.gov.uk)
Address: Housing & Social Work Services
Brockville, Hope Street
Falkirk, FK1 5RW
Tel: 01324 506527
Fax: 01324 506543
Lead Officer: Catriona Laird
(catriona.laird@falkirk.gov.uk)
Administrator: Debbie Luke
(debbie.luke@falkirk.gov.uk)
Address: Children’s Services Team
Rooms 16-19, Haypark Business Centre,
Polmont, FK2 ONZ
Tel: 01324 503812
Fax: 01324 503801

Page
3
4
5
5
7
7
8
8
8
CONTENTS
Preface from Chief Officers
Preface from Chair of Child Protection Committee
1.0 – Introduction
1.1 – The Role, Remit and Function of Falkirk Child Protection Committee
1.2 – Role of Chief Officers
1.3 – The Forth Valley Child Protection Strategy Group (FVCPSG)
1.4 – Falkirk Child Protection Strategy Group
1.5 – Forth Valley Health Board Child Protection Action Group
1.6 – Challenges
9 2.0 – Evaluation and Inspection
10
10
11
12
20
21
21
21
22
23
24
25
27
28
29
30
Appendices
3.0 – Fulfilling the Functions of the Child Protection Committee
3.1 – Public Information
3.2 – Polices, Procedures and Protocols
3.3 – Management Information
3.4 – Quality Assurance
3.5 – Promotion of Good Practice
3.6 – Training and Staff Development
3.6.1 – The Scottish Executive Reform Programme
3.6.2 – Training Responsibilities of the Child Protection Committee
3.6.3 – Interagency Training
3.6.4 – Single Agency Training in Falkirk Council
3.7 – Communication and Cooperation
3.8 – Planning and Connections
3.9 – Listening to Children and Young People
4.0 – Conclusion
5.0 – Future Plans and Action Plan
1 – Falkirk Child Protection Committee Constitution
2 – Falkirk Child Protection Committee/Sub-Group Membership
3 – Management Statistics
4 – Proposed Schedule for Inter-Agency Training (June 07 – March 08) / FVCPSG Training Framework
5 – CP Training Audit of Falkirk Council Staff up to 31 st May 2007 / NHS Forth Valley Training 2006-07
6 – Report to CPC from Child Protection Training and Development Officer (CPTDO)
7 – Planning Structure
8 – Committee Responsibilities of Falkirk Child Protection Committee
9 – Multi-Agency Locality Model

PREFACE FROM CHIEF OFFICERS TO FALKIRK CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE
The Falkirk Child Protection Committee annual report highlights the progress made, areas for
development and the plans to build on the Continuous Improvement agenda for Child Protection.
The Forth Valley Child Protection Strategy Group (FVCPSG) has met regularly during the last year
to ensure the commitment to leadership in Multi-Agency Child Protection work across the Forth
Valley. This group operates on behalf of, and links to, the Chief Officers Group (G9).
As part of the effort to Self-Evaluate the FVCPSG intends to review its constitution, which was
drawn up prior to the “Protecting Children and Young People: Child Protection Committees”
(February 2005) Guidance being issued. The aim of this review is to maximise the strategic
leadership support offered to all partner agencies. This constitutional review will include a review
of the resources required to implement the actions contained within each of the three Child
Protection Committees’ (Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling) Annual Plans.
The FVCPSG recognises the importance of a consistent high quality approach to Strategic
Leadership and oversight of Child Protection developments across the Forth Valley area. Joint
projects have been undertaken covering Hidden Harm (Scottish Executive publication to address
the issues for children and young people affected by parental substance misuse) protocols,
Statistical Reporting, Constitutional Review (currently underway) and various responses to a
number of Scottish Executive Consultations.
The FVCPSG responded to the second letter of assurance in recognition of the importance of
issues of substance abuse to Child Protection and acknowledgment of the role of agencies, such
as Police and Health, who work across Forth Valley. There are strong processes in place to
identify issues, which are of strategic importance across Forth Valley and a concentration on
strategies for communications, developing quality assurance frameworks for Forth Valley,
reviewing Child Protection Guidelines and developing a Training strategy and, in particular,
developing an information sharing protocol for use across the Forth Valley area.
The FVCPSG has also strengthened its links with the Forth Valley Substance Action Team by
establishing an annual joint meeting.
The Lead Officer’s posts have been implemented and established over the past year, one for
Falkirk Child Protection Committee and the other for Stirling and Clackmannanshire Child
Protection Committees. The Lead Officer for Stirling and Clackmannanshire Child Protection
Committee supports the work of the FVCPSG and both Lead Officers contribute to the work of this
group.
The Chief Officers acknowledge the commitment and hard work from members of the FVCPSG,
members of the Child Protection Committees group and endorse this Annual Report and Business
Plan.
Mary Pitcaithly Andrew Cameron Fiona Mackenzie
Chief Executive Chief Constable Chief Executive
Falkirk Council Central Scotland Police NHS Forth Valley
Page 4

PREFACE FROM CHAIR OF CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE
In presenting this annual report on the work of the Falkirk Child Protection Committee to
Chief Officers, I would like to record my thanks to the members of the Committee for their
hard work and dedication to promoting a strong and effective approach to protecting
Falkirk’s children. I would also like to express my appreciation of the support provided by
Christine Simpson, Child Protection Training Co-ordinator, who retired this year after many
years of service. The Committee is also grateful for the dedicated support of the Lead
Officer, Catriona Laird, and the Child Protection Committee Administrator, Debbie Luke
who have played a key role in co-ordinating and promoting the work of the Child Protection
Committee. The last year has been an extremely busy one with increased child protection
activity at both a policy and practice level. The Committee set itself a challenging action
plan and this annual report sets out what action we have taken forward individually and
collectively over the last year in pursuance of stronger and more effective child protection
services. The report also contains an action plan for the year ahead in which a number of
commitments are made which are designed to ensure continuous improvement of the
services we provide across the Falkirk area.
Margaret Anderson
Head of Service
Falkirk Council
Page 5

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Falkirk Child Protection Committee (CPC) is a multi-agency forum responsible for the
development, co-ordination and review of child protection inter-agency policy and practice
across Falkirk. The CPC is responsible for ensuring that child protection activity complies
with national and local standards and aims to promote better outcomes for children and
young people.
The CPC arrangements in Falkirk have been set up in line with the Scottish Executive (SE)
Guidance (Protecting Children and Young People: Child Protection Committees), published
in 2005, which aims to ensure the delivery of integrated, high quality, child protection
services supported by the commitment and leadership of Chief Officers.
The SE Guidance states that the CPCs are the key local bodies for developing and
implementing child protection strategy across and between agencies with core functions
under public information, continuous improvement in child protection practice and strategic
planning.
1.1 The Role, Remit and Function of Falkirk Child Protection Committee
The role, remit and function of the CPC is as follows:
• to produce and disseminate public information about protecting children and young
people
• to play a key role in the continuous improvement of child protection work
• to ensure that clear and robust inter-agency procedures are in place
• to maintain an overview of child protection management information including
analysis of trends to ensure that these inform the inter-agency child protection
strategy
• to establish mechanisms for quality assurance of inter-agency child protection
practice
• to identify and promote good practice, address issues of poor practice and
encourage learning from practice
• to have an overview of single agency child protection training and promote,
commission and quality assure inter-agency training
• to contribute to strategic planning in conjunction with Children’s Services Planning
and Community Planning
• to promote effective communication and co-operation within and between
professions and agencies
• to clarify where CPCs link into other multi-agency partnerships and structures
• to prepare and submit to the SE an annual report and development plan
Falkirk CPC meets six times a year. It is chaired by Falkirk Council’s Head of
Housing and Social Work Services, (Children and Families and Criminal Justice).
The membership of the CPC comprises staff who are of sufficient seniority to commit
Page 6

their agency to the decisions of the CPC, which is a requirement in the Guidance. The
membership comprises the following agencies:
• Falkirk Council
Housing & Social Work Services
Community Services
Education services
Legal Services
• Central Scotland Police
• NHS Forth Valley
• Authority Reporter
• Chair of Children’s Panel
• Council of Voluntary Service (Falkirk and District), The Children’s Services Forum
represented by Barnardos and by the Voluntary Sector Child Protection Training
and Development Officer
• In attendance
- Child Protection Co-ordinator
- Lead Officer Child Protection
- Child Protection Corporate Training Co-ordinator
- Child Protection Inter-Agency Training Facilitator
(See Appendix 2 for membership of the CPC and sub-groups at 31 st March 2007)
The CPC has three sub-groups which meet at six-weekly intervals to progress the
work of the CPC . These sub-groups have identified their role and remit and work to
the Action Plan progressing the work of the main CPC. The three sub-groups
comprise:
• Training Sub-Group
• Monitoring/Audit Sub-Group
• Communications Sub-Group
There are challenges for the partners in committing themselves to the work of the
sub-groups within the CPC, as a number of the partners work across all three CPCs
in Forth Valley. Over the past year there have been challenges in developing these
sub-groups but there has been active support for the work from all partners and the
sub-groups have developed a stronger identity and purpose over the course of the
year.
Lead Officer
The Falkirk Lead Officer took up post in May 2006 and has now developed strong
links with all partner agencies and this has strengthened links with Health, through
attendance at the Child Protection Action Group and through regular meetings with
the Police and establishing strong links with the Voluntary Sector. Developing strong
connections and partnerships has been a theme during the year and there are now
well established links with the Domestic Abuse Forum and the Substance Action
Team. The Lead Officer is based within the Integrated Children’s Services Team,
which is a multi-agency grouping, moving forward the agenda of the Integrated
Children’s Services Plan. This ensures links with a number of key themes in
community planning, the new Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) Pathfinder
Domestic Abuse Project, the development of the Integrated Assessment Framework
and the development of a multi-agency electronic messaging system. The Lead
Officer’s post was originally funded by the SE and is now funded by the Changing
Children’s Services Fund (CCSF).
Page 7

Resources Dedicated to CPC
A full time Lead Officer (Child Protection) and part time Administrator post is funded
through the Changing Children’s Services Fund (CCSF)
An Inter-Agency Child Protection Training Facilitator and part-time Administrator
works across Forth Valley, funded jointly by Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire
Councils, Central Scotland Police and NHS Forth Valley. These posts provide interagency
child protection training for all 3 CPCs.
A Child Protection Corporate Training Co-ordinator is employed by Falkirk Council
and this post has recently been extended for a further 2 years. The cost of this post
and the Training provided is met by all Council Services.
Budget
£76,000 has been provided by the Changing Children’s Services Fund (CCSF).
Staffing costs account for £53,135 of this sum and the remainder is available to
support child protection activity outlined in the Action Plan.
1.2 Role of Chief Officers
Working within the accountability structures of their respective organisations, chief
officers work collectively to identify and commission inter-agency activity with respect
to protecting children and young people.
Within Forth Valley, the chief officers meet regularly as a group to discuss common
issues, including child protection. The Chief Officers’ Group fulfils the role for chief
officers in the SE Guidance and has established the Forth Valley Child Protection
Strategy Group (FVCPSG), which is chaired by a member of the Chief Officers’
Group.
1.3 The Forth Valley Child Protection Strategy Group (FVCPSG)
The FVCPSG has been established by the Chief Officers’ Group to co-ordinate and
add value to the work of the Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Child Protection
Committees.
The Strategy Group draws its membership from:
• Central Scotland Police
• Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling Councils
• NHS Forth Valley
• Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration
• Key voluntary agencies
The FVCPSG has prepared and agreed a Strategic Plan on behalf of the Chief
Officers, which takes account of operational priorities for protecting children and is
underpinned by two key documents, namely:
• Protecting Children and Young People: The Children’s Charter (SE 2004)
• Protection Children and Young People: The Framework for Standards (SE 2004)
Page 8

The FVCPSGs strategic plan focuses on the following areas of work which are
relevant across the Forth Valley and which complement and support the work of the
CPCs:
• Quality Assurance
• Communication
• Inter-Agency Guidance
• Training and Development
• Integrated Assessment Framework
1.4 Falkirk Child Protection Strategy Group
This group, chaired by the Chief Executive, has met regularly over the past year to
discuss a variety of child protection corporate concerns within Falkirk Council area.
Members of the group are senior members of staff from all services and this group
has continued to be instrumental in actively encouraging all employees to see the
relevance of child protection and endorsing the view that all employees have a role to
play. The commitment of this group has been evident in the establishment of the post
of Child Protection Corporate Training Co-ordinator, raising awareness within the
Council and Voluntary Sector. This initiative has led to significant numbers of staff
and volunteers receiving basic awareness training and providing networking and
communication links by releasing staff to engage with each other on this challenging
topic. This group has been active in considering issues of safe recruitment practice,
implications of joint inspection reports in respect of Falkirk, in supporting the need for
a budget for the CPC and in considering child protection agenda issues where there
is a corporate initiative.
1.5 Forth Valley Health Board Child Protection Action Group
This group consists of representatives from across health and is chaired by the
Deputy Director of Nursing. This group has been active in moving forward the health
agenda and in developing a detailed action plan. There has been a substantial
amount of work around child protection training, with the full implementation of the
training strategy and further development of the training programme to meet the
needs of specific staff groups. Within the action plan other areas have been
considered, for example, communication, strategic issues which affect the breadth of
the organisation, audit and guidelines.
The group will develop sub groups, when required, to look at specific issues eg
sexual health, forensic medicals.
The group also consider child protection activity within health in the form of referrals,
attendance at case conferences and reports etc.
1.6 Challenges
The main challenges have been:
• Disseminating information and training to ensure that all employees of partner
agencies understand that “It is Everyone’s Job to Make Sure I’m Alright”. This has
linked into many of the significant initiatives, such as GIRFEC, Information Sharing
and Data Messaging
• Developing strong multi-agency links and partnerships and responding to issues
where agencies have a different agenda, eg sexual health
Page 9

• Developing a more comprehensive data set of management information is work
still in progress
• Implementing the National Guidance on Significant Case Reviews has been a
learning process and we have identified the need for training for staff conducting
these reviews
• Moving from our established Inter-Agency Training course into the new JIIT course
was challenging in terms of resourcing and time for staff
• Responding to an increasing volume of child protection referrals
In terms of future good practice, much of the work over the past year will provide a
good practice framework:
• We have developed both inter-agency and single agency child protection training
within a Training Strategy
• We have moved forward in terms of public awareness and developing our ideas for
public consultation
• We have undertaken self-evaluation exercises on Hidden Harm and also using
performance indicators from the self-evaluation framework
• We have developed our plan for consulting with children and young people and
moved forward in this area through work undertaken within an Audit of Children’s
Services
• We have also strengthened our links with the Domestic Abuse Forum, the
Substance Action Team and the Children’s Rights Officer
2.0 EVALUATION AND INSPECTION
Following a presentation from HMIe on the Child Protection Inspection process, the CPC
partner agencies have all taken forward single agency self-evaluations and these have
detailed actions required to improve performance, indicating a strong commitment to
continuous improvement.
The CPC held a seminar on Hidden Harm and, using the self-evaluation and performance
indicators, evaluated practice and actions requiring to be addressed. These actions were
then taken forward by partner agencies.
The CPC also held a workshop using self-evaluation and quality indicators to consider
multi-agency strengths and areas requiring improvement. This work has also been
progressed by single agencies.
Falkirk Council Housing and Social Work Services commissioned an internal audit
examining current arrangements against national standards and the final report has been
received and actions are being implemented.
Education Services has recently had an Inspection of Education Authorities (INEA) and
developed a detailed action plan also noting areas for improvement.
The Police produced a very detailed evaluation of their service and have now produced an
Action Plan.
Page 10

NHS Forth Valley have also produced a comprehensive action and training plan noting
areas for development and progress made in these areas.
Central Scotland Police and NHS Forth Valley are currently involved in the
Clackmannanshire Joint Inspection of Children’s Services
Through work on a number of forums within Falkirk, the CPC has contributed to work which
highlights some issues on both a national and local level. The CPC is contributing to a
working group which is considering the issues of vulnerable young women and
alcohol/substance misuse.
3.0 FULFILLING THE FUNCTIONS OF THE CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE
The 2006-2007 Action Plan for Falkirk Child Protection Committee reported under the
headings of Public Information, Continuous Improvement and Strategic Planning, but this
report will follow the 9 elements suggested by the CPC. This inevitably results in some
overlap.
3.1 Public Information
This work has been taken forward by the Communications Sub-Group, which meets 6
weekly. Most proposed activity has been completed but, due to lack of a budget
throughout the year, some have been rolled over to the forthcoming year.
The following is a summary of the work completed:
We held an exhibition in the main Falkirk Council Library, where we also promoted a
range of books and material on child abuse. This exhibition then moved to the
Council Chambers in the Municipal Buildings for a month and is now regularly moved
around public buildings, for example to the Child Support Agency Learning at Work
Day and the Annual Parents’ Conference.
The library campaign involved publishing 80,000 bookmarks and this will run for a full
year. The first bookmark was distributed in every library book in Falkirk libraries and
gave information on how to report child protection concerns. The second bookmark
promoted the role of the CPC, the third one how to keep a child safe and the last
bookmark of the year will promote 16 Days of Action on Violence Against Women and
children. Health services also distributed the bookmarks through Books for Babies
and they have been circulated to Education Services.
We have also published child protection information in various booklets. The
Community Safety Booklet, which contained a section on child protection, went to
every household in Falkirk and a high quality Football Brochure is currently being
prepared for young people involved in sport. Education Services have produced a
leaflet for parents and the Communications Sub-Group is also producing a leaflet for
parents. It is our intention in forthcoming years to bring diverse and separate
initiatives together into a themed and identifiable CPC leaflet.
We have developed a Communications Strategy and involved 2 Communications
Officers from various services. We have produced a logo which identifies the CPC
and sits within the Integrated Children’s Service Team, who produce the Integrated
Children’s Service Plan.
We had intended to hold a World Café Conversation – “Protecting Children”, for the
public. Although this has not yet come to fruition, the preparatory work has been
completed
Page 11

We have made an application for a public awareness worker, based in the Voluntary
Sector, whose role would be to ensure the involvement of the public in consultation
about child protection matters and in disseminating information to sectors of the
public.
In a CPC seminar on Hidden Harm, we identified the need to build in further public
information work which identified issues of hidden harm and child protection.
Our planned staff conference has not taken place due to funding difficulties and we
will continue to try to prioritise this.
We are presently working with the Voluntary Sector to apply for funding for a
conference, which would involve community groups, small voluntary organisations
and grassroot organisations. This will hopefully be run on 19 th November, which is
the World Day Against Child Abuse. As part of this campaign, we are involved in a
sub-group of the Domestic Abuse Forum, set up to run events for the 16 Days of
Action on Violence Against Women and Children, which runs from 25 th November to
10 th December 2007. This joint work with the Domestic Abuse Forum will provide an
integral link between child protection and domestic abuse and will also be a high
profile public awareness event.
We have developed Falkirk Council’s Website to include information on child
protection. Information has been posted on a new Housing and Social Work website
and this includes the Inter-Agency Child Protection Procedures. This will be
developed in future years.
The posters from the Child Protection Information Line have also been disseminated
to some offices, although not yet actively promoted. Leaflets are on order from the
SE.
3.2 Policies, Procedures and Protocols
Falkirk CPC has been active in considering a variety of issues requiring further
procedures or protocols. This is mainly dealt with at the full CPC and sub-groups are
then developed, either within Falkirk or across Forth Valley. The following is a
summary of the main activities over the last year:
We have provided responses to a number of consultations:
• Scottish Vetting and Barring Scheme
• Draft Guidance for Local Authorities and their Community Planning Partners on
Street Prostitution
• Draft Scottish Contribution to UNCRC Report and also attendance at Scottish
Executive Seminar
• Child Trafficking UK Action Plan
• Code of Practice on Sharing Information
• Data Sharing Partnerships
• Scoping Study on Young Runaways
• Consultation on Significant Incident Reviews
• FVCPSG responded to the second Letter of Assurance regarding Children with
Drug Misusing Parents
• Draft Strategic Framework – Violence Against Women Agenda
Forth Valley Inter-Agency Child Protection Procedures were published by Central
Scotland Police on behalf FVCPSG in November 2006. Briefing sessions on the
Page 12

evised procedures and training on new protocols will be available throughout the
year.
Within Health, there has been discussion and a framework developed for Initial
Referral Discussions with other agencies. This has been presented to all three CPCs
and the FVCPSG and is being piloted within Stirling.
There has also been considerable discussion about under-age sexual activity and a
local protocol has been drawn up by NHS Forth Valley. The protocol has been
presented at the Child Protection Action Group for discussion but has not been
endorsed by the CPC. National Guidance, promised some time ago, is not yet
available and it is intended to discuss the West of Scotland Protocol. This issue has
highlighted the difficulties of a multi-agency response for agencies charged with very
different responsibilities and has been contentious throughout Scotland. While
acknowledging the difficulties, we have been active in Forth Valley in trying to
address the issue.
Within Falkirk CPC we have developed two procedures this year - a procedure for
Children of Arrested Persons and a procedure for locating Children Missing from
Education. Linked to Children Missing from education system is the Missing Family
Alert system which is being piloted in all NHS areas.
Within Forth Valley we are developing a protocol on Young People Affected by
Prostitution and also an over-lapping strategic protocol on Child Protection and
Substance Misusing Parents, to be underpinned by a Forth Valley wide operational
agreement.
In response to concerns about sexual assaults on young women who are under the
influence of alcohol, a problem-solving partnership was formed and have held a
planning day on changing the culture of drinking and developing an action plan. This
identified the child protection concerns within this issue.
The Police and Social Work Services have introduced an electronic system for
disseminating Vulnerable Person Reports (VPRs) from the Police to Social Work.
A new resource, “Keeping Myself Safe” has been purchased using Anti-Social
Behaviour Strategy monies for Primary and Secondary schools in the area. Training
will be delivered in August. This resource will be used with P6 and P7 as well as S1
and S2 and will allow some education prevention work around safety and possible
risks when drinking alcohol, including lack of inhibitions leading to unsafe/unplanned
sex and possibly sexual assault/rape.
Through CCSF, a Child Protection Training and Development Officer was funded and
based within the Voluntary Sector. This ensures that small voluntary organisations
have compatible child protection policies, procedures and protocols.
One area identified on our last Action Plan, which we have not addressed, is a policy
relating to children with disabilities. This will be rolled over to our next Action Plan
and given high priority in recognition of the under representation of this group of
children, both in our Child Protection Register and nationally, despite the known
vulnerabilities of this group of children.
3.3 Management Information
Management information has been discussed extensively at the CPC and is the remit,
also, of the Monitoring/Audit Sub-Group. Feedback on last year’s Annual Report
identified that we were not collating sufficient management information and we have
Page 13

een very aware on the need to improve our performance in this area. The issue has
been discussed at the FVCPSG and it has been agreed that the Chair of Falkirk CPC
will convene a sub-group to address this issue. We should shortly have an agreed
data set of management information throughout Forth Valley.
Falkirk has a population of 149,150, with 35692 being children.
Falkirk Area Statistics
Children's Population by Age Groups
(2005)
26%
27%
0-4 5-9 10-14 15-19
23%
24%
Major Settlement Populations (2004)
7%
7%
10%
5% 5% 5%
14%
17%
30%
Falkirk Grangemouth
Bo'ness Stenhousemuir
Denny Larbert
Carron/Carronshore Polmont
Bonnybridge
Page 14

Housing Stock - Owned By (2004)
65%
3%
27%
5%
Falkirk Council Housing Associations
Owner Occupied Private Rented
Unemployment (April 2006)
25%
Males Females
Similarly to most local authorities, Falkirk has seen a reduction in people claiming
workless benefits and is similar in numbers to West Lothian, North Ayrshire and
South Ayrshire. Falkirk is around a middle range in Scotland for the number of
working aged people in employment, education and training at 79% (71,000 of people
in 2005). In terms of gross weekly earnings, Falkirk is performing reasonably well at
earnings of £402.70 per week, which is around the middle band of the 32 local
authorities.
Report on Child Protection Statistics from the Child Protection Co-ordinator
This is a standard part of the CPC agenda and consideration is given to the numbers,
types of referrals and sources of referral. Following the HMIe presentation it has been
agreed that Child Protection Orders (CPOs) Child Assessment Orders (CAOs) and
Exclusion Orders will also be incorporated in future statistical information.
75%
Child Protection Statistics 1 st April 2006 – 31 st March 2007
Referrals
• There were 486 children referred, an increase of 115 from the previous year.
Whilst this is a significant increase it can in part be explained by a number of
factors:-
Page 15

Increased public awareness
Corporate and multi-agency training programme has been implemented
across all Falkirk Council Services resulting in increased understanding of
the nature of child protection and awareness of the referral process and
outcomes
A change in policy within adult substance misuse services resulting in early
referral of parents with young children who are at risk of being discharged
from the service
Improved recording systems within Social Work Services
The highest number of monthly referrals was 40, equalled in both May 2006 and
Feb 2007. This is almost double the lowest months of June and September 2006
(22). The average monthly figure is 31 referrals and the most common source of
referral is Education following disclosure from the child involved.
The majority of Child Protection investigations were undertaken jointly by Police
and Social Work. All of whom are proficient in forensic interviewing having
completed Joint Investigative Interviewing Training (JIIT) organised regularly
across the Forth Valley area.
Case Conferences
• 134 children were the subject of an Initial Case Conference and of those 92 were
placed on the child protection register. Where children were not registered, they
tended to be either the subject of a continued Initial case conference where the
Protection Plan had been effective in reducing risk or they had been placed with
other family members or accommodated via the Hearing system and the
placement had been secured by statutory means in the interim.
• 7 children were the subject of Transfer case conferences from other local
authorities and of these 6 were placed on Falkirk Council’s Child Protection
Register.
Pre-Birth Case Conferences
• The number of children conferenced pre-birth in this statistical period was the
same as last at 12.
These conferences are convened for a number of reasons namely:-
previous child protection concerns in relation to one or both parents
children at risk from parental substance misuse
concerns regarding the mothers mental health
Whilst in the main these conferences are scheduled approximately 6-8 weeks prior to
the expected delivery date, in case of substance misuse these are increasingly held
earlier, as a number of these babies tend to be born pre-term.
If registration is agreed, this takes place at birth. 3 of the 12 children have been the
subject of successful CPO applications following their birth.
A total of 13 Child Protection Orders were granted over the period.
Page 16

Child Protection Register at 31 st March 2007
• There were 81 children on the Register compared with 55 the previous year.
• The rate per 1000 children on the Register is 2.5 children under 16 years of age.
This is slightly above the national average of 2.4 children per 1000.
• The following graph illustrates the variable trend throughout the year. The lowest
recorded month was October 2006 with 56 names on the register and thereafter
registrations increased consistently month on month to a high of 81 in March
2007.
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Graph 1
Child Protection: Monthly Register
Apr-06 May-06 Jun-06 Jul-06 Aug-06 Sep-06 Oct-06 Nov-06 Dec-06 Jan-07 Feb-07 Mar-07
• The following graph illustrates the trend in category of registration throughout the
year.
55
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Apr-06 May-06 Jun-06 Jul-06 Aug-06 Sep-06 Oct-06 Nov-06 Dec-06 Jan-07 Feb-07 Mar-07
• Neglect continues to be the most used category of registration. This is in line
with national trends and largely reflects the number of children affected by
parental substance misuse.
Neglect
Physical Injury
Sexual Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Increasingly, registration under the twin categories of Physical Injury and
Emotional Abuse reflects the referrals from the Police via VPRs of children in
households where domestic abuse is the primary source of risk.
Page 17

• The following table provides the supporting figures for each category over the
period.
Apr
06
May
06
Jun
06
Jul
06
Aug
06
Neglect 43 40 42 41 41 37 39 38 44 47 48 48
Physical Injury 15 16 14 20 20 12 13 19 20 23 24 23
Sexual Abuse 2 2 2 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3
Emotional
Abuse
16 18 20 27 28 21 15 21 21 29 30 36
Total 76 76 78 92 93 74 71 82 89 103 106 110
Number of
Children
registered
under 2
categories
Sept
06
13 15 14 22 24 16 17 20 20 24 26 29
• The following table provides a breakdown of the figures for each of the 8 area
teams along with the categories of registration. Over 50% of the registrations are
shared by 3 of the teams – Denny, Camelon and Grangemouth.
Oct
06
Child Protection Stats as @ 31/03/2007
Total No. On Register 81
Bo’ness 5
Camelon 15
Children with Disabilities 0
Denny 18
Grahamston 11
Grangemouth 14
Laurieston 8
Stenhousemuir 10
Categories
Neglect 48
Physical Injury 23
Sexual Abuse 3
Emotional Abuse 36
Failure to Thrive 0
Total
110
No of Children registered under 2 categories: 12
Nov
06
Dec
06
Jan
07
Feb
07
Page 18
Mar
07

• The following graph illustrates the breakdown by age and gender of children on
the register. In common with previous years and reflecting earlier referrals from
Health, the greatest number of registrations is in the 0-10 age group where there
are a total of 69 children registered.
Number of Children
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Deregistrations
0-4 5-10 11-15 16+ Total
Age Group
Age Group and Gender
• In percentage terms, the 61 children whose names were removed from the
register during the year, length of time on the register is as follows:-
Less than 6 months 33%
6 - 12 months 37%
12 - 18 months 23%
18 months – 2 years 4%
2 years or more 3%
NHS Forth Valley
There has been substantial departmental activity in terms of:
Future inspections
The National GIRFEC Pilot
Significant incident reviews
Developing a draft policy on clinical supervision
Sexual health for young people
Lessons from inquiries
Procedures ad protocols
NHS Child Protection Guidelines – all NHS child protection documents have been
collated
Documentation and new guidance
o Incident Reporting
o School Nursing Attendance at Cp Conferences
o Ratification of documents
o Draft Guidance for Management of Vacant Caseloads
See Appendix 3 for statistics from NHS Forth Valley.
Page 19
Female
Male
Total

Women’s Aid
Bearing in mind the new Domestic Abuse Pathfinder Pilot in Falkirk and the activity of
Women’s Aid, it is important to note that in Falkirk there were requests for
accommodation from women with 208 children last year. There were 1000 incidents
of domestic abuse reported involving 1062 children. Women’s Aid were able to
accommodate 89 of these young people and 33 were admitted to Falkirk Council
Temporary Accommodation. See Women’s Aid Statistics (Appendix 3).
SCRA
In the year to 31st March 2007, the total number of referrals received was 4,287, of
which 3,055 related to care and protection issues and the balance to offending
behaviour. A total of 1,132 hearings took place and, as at 31st March 2007, 296
children were the subject of supervision requirements.
The increase illustrated is typical of the Scottish national picture as the referral rate
continues to rise and is not unique to Falkirk.
Falkirk experienced a 15% increase in care and protection referrals and a 19%
decrease in offence related referrals. The national picture is varied with many areas
experiencing an increase. In other Forth Valley Councils, Clackmannanshire
experienced a rise of 23% and Stirling 19% (provisional figures).
The issue of increasing referrals nationally has been considered by a ministerial task
group, which has established as a priority a reduction in referrals, which did not meet
the criteria of compulsory measures of care. SCRA and the Police have implemented
a filtering system with a significant reduction in referrals.
Open Secret
Open Secret is an organisation which offers a range of services to male and female
survivors of childhood sexual abuse, aged 12+ and also to non-abusing parents of
children who have experienced sexual abuse. From 31 st March 2006 to 1 st April
2007, they offered a service to 18 0-15 year olds and 16 parents. Referrals for young
people were made by:
self – 9
social work – 4
health – 1
voluntary organisations – 2
other – 2
Referrals of parents were made by:
self – 10
social work – 3
health – 1
other – 2
Previously, Housing & Social Work Services funded a Parents Support Worker to
work with parents, but this service is currently undertaken by volunteers. Parents are
currently accessing the service for a short period of time and this is felt to be a
valuable service for non-abusive parents experiencing the trauma of disclosures and
child protection investigations.
Page 20

3.4 Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance issues are addressed by the full CPC and also by the
Monitoring/Audit Sub-Group. Part of the remit of this group is to consider significant
documents and take forward the issues within Falkirk. The following is a summary of
the work undertaken over the last year:
We have collated information from a range of policy documents relating to substance
use, including Hidden Harm Next Steps and the Aberlour Childcare Trust – Have we
Got our Priorities Right. These were considered in detail by the CPC through a
specific seminar the outcome if which was an action plan to be progressed across all
agencies.
The CPC addressed self-evaluation using quality indicators and agreed that all
agencies would conduct single agency evaluations. We then followed this up with a
CPC multi-agency self-evaluation event, where we identified strengths and areas for
improvement and considered what all agencies required from each other to achieve
best practice.
The Monitoring/Audit Sub-Group has considered Inspection Reports from Midlothian,
East Lothian, Highland, Angus and Borders. We have noted implications for practice
in Falkirk and noted areas to be addressed and where we can improve. This
information is provided both to CPC and to the Falkirk Child Protection Strategy
Group.
We have updated a Significant Case Review held in 1999, commissioned a new
Significant Incident Review within the resources of our CPC and also considered a
further case, which was reviewed, but where it did not meet criteria for proceeding
further.
Falkirk CPC conducted an evaluation with Headteachers of all local secondary
schools to consider their views on child protection systems, referrals and action times
and this has provided us with useful information, particularly for Social Work Services.
The process of auditing the services providing long-term therapeutic work to children
has begun in developing good links between voluntary sector agencies and the CPC
and making these agencies aware of the need to report to the CPC and to be
supported by the CPC. This work will be continued in next year’s Action Plan.
The Child Protection Co-ordinator fulfils a quality assurance role as there is
independent oversight of all investigations. An externally commissioned audit in 2002
noted that Team Managers of Children and Families teams found this external view to
be useful and welcomed. The Child Protection Co-ordinator is alerted to all child
protection referrals resulting in detailed incident reports and can independently
recommend case conferences.
Falkirk Council conducted an audit of 285 cases from all partner agencies using the
Dartington Social Research Unit Matching Needs and Services Tool, which
considered outcomes for children, rather than provision of services. This took place
between March to December 2006. This was fully supported by all services within the
Council at a senior level and our partners, Health, Police and Voluntary Sector, who
were all involved in the audit. In addition to the multi-disciplinary staff group, the audit
involved a young person’s group, a parent’s group and the Voluntary Sector
Children’s Forum. 17 information sessions took place throughout May and June
2006, attended by 309 staff, a cross-section from all agencies.
Page 21

3.5 Promotion of Good Practice
The promotion of good practice is the responsibility of every agency and is tackled
through agencies own working practices, through discussion at the CPC, through
considering a wide range of documents which are provided to the CPC for
dissemination and through the Lead Officer linking with all services and ensuring
there is understanding of each others values and expectations.
The CPC has considered a wide range of documents, both within the Monitoring/Audit
Sub-Group and the main CPC and these include:
• Danielle Reed Inquiry
• Colyn Evans Inquiry
• A Seminar on Hidden Harm and all associated papers.
The Monitoring/Audit Sub-Group organised a presentation on HALL4. NHS Forth
Valley distributed leaflets to GP surgeries and held roadshows.
Links have been made with abuse organisations within Falkirk, such as Open Secret,
Women’s Aid and Rape Crisis, encouraging an openness and a sharing of
information in work with young people. Falkirk CPC are very keen to be inclusive and
supportive of all agencies working with child abuse. The Lead Officer has met with
abuse agencies and will continue to do so and hopefully this will form the basis of
developing a reference group of service users, with whom we can consult on a
regular basis. Through the Matching Needs and Services Audit Consultation, there
were meetings held with service users of all of these projects to inform planning.
Falkirk CPC has developed a Peer Support Network to support the wider group of
multi-agency staff working in child protection and to demonstrate this inclusive
approach. We held our first meeting in June 2007 and this attracted the support of 86
staff. Dr Sarah Nelson spoke of her research work on consulting with young people
and this subsequently led to Education Services pursuing some of the
recommendations young people had made, such as ensuring there was information
available in private, rather than public spaces.
Falkirk is a pilot site for one of the GIRFEC Domestic Abuse Pathfinder Pilots and the
Co-ordinator and the Lead Officer of the CPC are co-located within the Children’s
Services Team. The aim of the Pathfinder is to identify better outcomes for children
in domestic abuse situations and this is a very high priority issue for the CPC. The
CPC is represented on the Project Board of the Pathfinder Project ensuring an
integral approach to early intervention and ensuring children get the support they
need when they need it. To ensure the success of the Pathfinder Project, there has
to be a multi-agency response through all of our strategic channels to improve
response, increase reporting and increase community safety.
The CPC are represented on a Sub-Group of the Domestic Abuse Forum, where the
aim is to set up a groupwork service for young people affected by domestic abuse in
line with the Canadian Model recently presented at the SE.
3.6 Training and Staff Development
3.6.1 The Scottish Executive Reform Programme
As part of the Child Protection Reform Programme, it was agreed that a Child
Protection Strategic Training Group (CPSTG) should be set up within the SE
to develop multi-agency child protection training at a national level. This
Page 22

Group provided a strategic lead for inter-agency training and commissioned a
national suite of training materials.
The CPSTG has compiled a tiered, multi-disciplinary training framework. It is
envisaged that a resource bank of consistent, high quality, evidence-based
and theoretically sound material will be developed and maintained, taking
account of accreditation and continuing professional development needs.
The CPSTG initiative will inform our own CPC training and development
strategy and training programme and support Falkirk CPC to quality assure
what it offers in relation to training and development opportunities in child
protection.
Levels or tiers of training had already been established in the Forth Valley
area but are being reviewed in the light of guidance from the CPSTG. The
Training Co-ordinator was a member of the Sub-Group established by the
CPSTG to produce this multi-disciplinary training framework.
Training materials are reviewed and updated in line with national
developments and learning from Inquiry Reports.
Training and development opportunities offered in the Forth Valley area in
2007/2008 are detailed in Appendix 4 along with the Training Framework.
3.6.2 Training Responsibilities of the Child Protection Committee
The National Guidance on CPCs and Protecting Children and Young People:
Framework for Standards (2004) lay out the expectation that CPCs are
responsible for promoting, commissioning and assuring the quality and
delivery of inter-agency training and will:
• have an overview of single agency child protection training and consider
the implications for inter-agency training
• plan, review and quality assure inter-agency training
• have in place and review, at least annually, a programme for inter-agency
child protection training
• ensure that relevant, effective and consistent inter-agency training is
provided for practitioners, managers, non-statutory agencies and for CPC
members themselves.
The Training Co-ordinator has prepared a Training Grid outlining a tiered
approach to child protection training which has been shared with
representatives with training responsibilities in the Joint Planning Group to
ensure a consistent approach and implementation.
It has been agreed that there should be single agency ownership of Level 1
child protection training, which covers basic awareness and recognition of and
response to child abuse. This allows the CPC to concentrate on a spectrum of
multi-agency training, which can respond to the various needs of staff across
Falkirk.
Page 23

3.6.3 Inter-Agency Training
Inter-agency Child Protection Training which took place in 2006/2007 is as
follows:
Level 2 Training: Working Together in Child Protection
This training is aimed at a multi-disciplinary audience from Social Work,
Health, Education, Community Services, Police and Voluntary Agencies.
Delegates should have had some basic training/awareness raising and be
aware of their own agencies’ referral procedures.
The content includes:
- Recent developments in child protection
- Effective partnership working
- The roles of the agencies
- Lessons from Inquiry Reports
- The effect of abuse and neglect on child development
- Thresholds of risk in child protection
- The function and purpose of the child protection case conference and
planning meeting
- Domestic abuse and its links to child abuse
This training took place in Falkirk in September and December 2006 and
in March 2007.
Level 3 Training
(i) Joint Training for the Investigative Interview
The training took place over two weeks in November 2006. The first
week included several key health and education professionals in
addition to police and social work delegates and provided a
comprehensive overview of many aspects of child protection work,
including the roles and responsibilities of the whole range of agencies
working with children and families.
The second part of the training was for police officers and social
workers only and concentrated on the forensic interviewing of
children. Role-play was a prominent feature of this part of the
training. The initial evaluations of both parts of the training were
positive and the group which planned this training meets regularly to
review the content in the light of the evaluations and national
developments.
(ii) Giving Evidence in Court
This one-day training addresses the needs of those practitioners who
may be required to give evidence in court in child protection cases. It
was delivered to a mixed group from the three council areas including
hospital and community health staff, social workers and education
staff in May 2006 and January 2007.
This course is designed:
Page 24

(i) to enable the participants to understand the basic principles and
practicalities of the court system.
(ii) to prepare them to give evidence clearly and confidently and to
deal with cross-examination.
The morning session consists of a presentation by the Authority
Reporter, Falkirk. This is followed by exercises and preparation for
the afternoon session. The afternoon session takes place in the Court
and each participant has the opportunity to experience giving
evidence in a role-play of a child protection proof hearing before a
Sheriff. The Authority Reporter is assisted by a Reporter colleague.
Level 4 Training
Seminars
Level 4 Training Seminars took place on the following themes:
- Drugs Misuse: Protecting Children (June 2006)
- Understanding Sexually Harmful Behaviours in Children and Young
People (October 2006)
3.6.4 Single Agency Training in Falkirk Council
World Café Training
Falkirk CPC have developed an innovative approach to Level 1 Training,
which is currently available to all staff within Falkirk Council on a corporate
basis and to the Voluntary Sector. World Café Conversations in Child
Protection is based on the importance of conversation and the reality that
our experience and conversations produce patterns of behaviour and
ownership of issues. The World Café is a metaphor which allows us to
explore questions that matter for our families, organisations and
communities. The principles of the World Café are that we meet in a
hospitable space, connect diverse perspectives, listen together and notice
patterns, share collective discoveries and encourage everyone’s
contribution. This generates energy, focuses enquiry and allows
assumptions and myths to surface. It also allows new possibilities and a
deeper reflection to emerge. The cafés depend on using facilitators from
a multi-agency background and perspectives, and as people move around
the café, meeting with different people the evaluations often remark on the
different, but shared world view of facilitators and this assists in creating a
web of connections. The value of this method is that we are not trying to
tell people how to think or be in the world, but are trying to create the kind
of society, which we want to see in Falkirk, to keep our children safe. In
the spirit of “It’s Everyone’s Job to Make Sure I’m Alright”, we are
encouraging total involvement by staff employed by the council. Falkirk
Council has taken a decision that all staff who are disclosure checked as
a means of ensuring safe recruitment will be given the opportunity to
undertake this training. This is a substantial number of people, who also
live as members of communities in Falkirk. This training is located within
and linked to the Integrated Children’s Services Plan, “for falkirk’s bairns”
The World Café has also been filmed for the SE Child Protection
Workspace, by Scottish Institute of Excellence in Social work Education
Page 25

(SIESWE) and supporting information has been provided in order to share
this with others. Comments from the World Café have included:
• Very good format – ‘café style’ discussions
• Extremely worthwhile and very informative
• Enjoyed hearing other peoples views
• Very informative course and made me realise that I should be taking
more active role in child protection
• Good idea having small informal groups
• Really useful course for me as a student, very interesting and good to
talk to other people from different agencies
• I found this course very useful and informative. I now know who to
contact in the event of child abuse
• Interesting to be made aware of different attitudes
See Appendix 5 for number of people who have attended Falkirk Council’s
Basic Awareness Training.
NHS Forth Valley
NHS Forth Valley has a full programme of child protection training. The
training strategy, taking a tiered approach has been fully implemented
with awareness raising having been carried out with managers. Enhanced
training opportunities have been targeted at specific groups eg accident
and emergency staff. A training programme for medical students and
nursing students is now in place. See NHS Forth Valley CP training audit
2006 (Appendix 5)
Level 1 Training – Voluntary Sector
A post, based in the Council for Voluntary Services (CVS), has been
funded through the CCSF to ensure compliance and support on child
protection matters for organisations and staff within this sector. The post
holder represents the Voluntary Sector Children’s Forum on the CPC and
works closely with the Child Protection Corporate Training Co-ordinator.
(Appendix 6).
3.7 Communication and Co-operation
Falkirk CPC has established a range of links with staff at various levels and we are
striving to make the work of the CPC more accessible to others. Public information,
such as bookmarks and newsletters, have contributed to enhanced communication.
We have produced a newsletter containing information on the CPC. The CPC
Newsletter will continue to be published on a bi-monthly basis and used to make links
with relevant issues and interest groups and identify the web of connections linking to
child protection.
The Peer Support Network, in addition to the more strategic groups ensures that
communication and co-operation are strengthened and there is a flow of information
from groups, such as the Children’s Services Forum in the Voluntary Sector or subgroups
of the main strategic groupings.
Falkirk CPC Lead Officer is based within the Integrated Children’s Services Team and
therefore ideally based to communicate across all agencies, all of whom are
represented within the Team.
Page 26

It had been agreed that Falkirk Council Website would host all child protection
material. A new Housing & Social Work site hosts the child protection materials,
which includes the Inter-Agency Child Protection Guidelines. This will be added to
and developed over time with the central aim of developing communication.
The Communications Sub-Group of the CPC has been active in developing links and
includes communications officers from a variety of services. We will continue to use
this method of adopting relevant people on our Committees to broaden the base of
our Action Plan. We have produced a Communications Strategy and are currently
consulting with service user groups and young people through Health, Social Work
and the Voluntary Sector.
In Falkirk, the Children’s Commission is the multi-agency strategic group responsible
for the:
• development and implementation of the Children’s Services Plan, including regular
monitoring of the Plan and reporting progress to the Children and Young People
Cross Cutting Theme Group (which is the Children’s Commission Executive
Group);
• proactive examination of services for children and young people across agencies,
in consultation with young people and their families, for opportunities to enhance
services by greater integration/collaboration in order to meet need;
• monitoring of services for vulnerable children and young people (including child
protection) – ensuring standards are met and that regular reports are made to the
Chief Executives of Council, Health, Police and the Health Theme Group;
• co-ordinated consultation on and responses to national documents and those
arising from individual agencies;
• provision of an informed resource from which individual agencies can get a coordinated
perspective on services/issues relating to children and young people;
• monitoring of policies and expenditure across NHS Forth Valley, Falkirk Council,
Voluntary and private agencies and commenting, as necessary, on any
relationship to children and young people, specifically to recommend expenditure
proposals for any earmarked “partnership monies” that relate to children and
young people.
The primary function of this group was to develop the Integrated Children’s Services
Plan – “for falkirk’s bairns”. Falkirk has been commended for the partnership working
in this plan.
The CPC provides regular reports to the Children’s Commission.
Prior to the Commission, initiatives such as the Integrated Learning Communities
(ILCs) had developed a locality model of working. The eight ILCs particularly
strengthened the early intervention services with developments such as Family
Support Workers in schools.
Currently there is a model for multi-agency locality working being developed. This will
prototype two models of a multi-agency locality delivery team and this may be aligned
to the Police GIRFEC Model for domestic violence responses. The aim of the pilot is
to bring professionals together to meet the needs of an individual child or group of
children and this will be a co-located multi-agency team. The model relies on a team
supporting all agencies delivering universal services in a locality. The multi-agency
team would receive referrals from universal services, but deliver services at tier 2 for
assessments of a child “with unmet need” based on the principles of the Children’s
Service (Scotland) Bill. The Locality Team Model will also pilot the use of the
Integrated Assessment Framework, which has been developed locally, based on the
Scottish Executive guidelines. There will be responsibility for agreeing a Children’s
Page 27

Action Plan and co-ordinating and delivering a package of support through relevant
agencies. A Co-ordinator will be appointed, who will be responsible for co-ordinating
and leading multi-agency assessment, action planning and delivery. It is intended
that the Co-ordinator will chair a local children’s partnership and be supported by a
Locality Champion from the Children’s Commission. This will be supported at a
strategic level and will establish good links with local community planning and
community health groups.
3.8 Planning and Connections
The Strategic Community Plan 2005/2010 has 5 key themes:
• improving the performance of the local economy and tourism;
• enhancing lifelong learning and opportunity;
• creating a sustainable local environment and improving transport;
• regenerating our communities;
• enabling our citizens to live safely;
• improving health and well-being.
All issues concerning children and young people are reported through the Children
and Young People Cross Cutting Theme Group (which is the Children’s Commission
Executive Group).
The diagram of Planning Structure (Appendix 7) indicates that the CPC reports to the
Children’s Commission Executive, which reports to the Health Theme Group and then
to the Community Planning Board and Falkirk Council/NHS Forth Valley. The chair of
the CPC is a member of the Commission Executive, which is chaired by the Director
of Housing and Social Work.
The structure allows other links to be made and maintained between strategic
planning through to operational delivery of services.
Child Protection is a standing item at meetings of the Children’s Commission and the
links between the Child Protection Action Plan and the Children’s Services Plan are
achieved through them.
Membership of the CPC is drawn from senior staff in partner organisations and these
members then provide the links to other relevant planning bodies, as outlined in
Appendix 8.
Where members of CPC either identify issues for other strategic groups relevant to
the CPC or, alternatively, the CPC identifies issues which need to be raised in
another forum, the CPC member takes responsibility for leading on the issues.
Throughout the past year, the CPC have attempted to make wider connections about
child abuse on a global scale, for instance by acknowledging the UNICEF Report on
Children in the UK and the need to co-ordinate activities regarding children and
domestic violence, by responding to the publication on Human Trafficking, by linking
with IPSCAN, the international branch of BASPCAN and by contributing to the UK
response on the review of the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child.
This work has assisted us to locate child protection and child abuse issues within a
broader context.
The Chair and Lead Officer have participated in the National Child Protection
Networks and subsequently disseminated information or implemented issues
discussed at these National Forums.
Page 28

3.9 Listening to Children and Young People
The CPC is committed to developing and building relationships with children and
young people. Through the past year, the main focus has been on the work of the
Integrated Children’s Services Team and the Children’s Commission and the work of
the Dartington Audit. There was substantial consultation with young people based
around the “SHANARI” 1 principles to ensure that the views of children and young
people were included in the planning and development of new multi-agency
approaches to services and the development of a pilot project. In total, 75 groups of
children, young people and adults were consulted between December 2006 and
March 2007, with 426 people participating in total. The young people and their
parents working with abuse projects within the Falkirk area were all consulted as part
of this exercise. The Multi-Agency Locality Model, which is being developed in
Falkirk, is attached (Appendix 9)
Through the CPC links with the Domestic Abuse Forum, there is involvement in a
sub-group which aims to to develop groupwork for young people experiencing
domestic violence, based on the Canadian Model promoted by the SE. Forth Valley
have stated their interest to the SE and are included within plans to move this issue
forward.
Forth Valley NHS, Education Services in Falkirk and Open Secret, a Voluntary Sector
survivors of sexual abuse organisation, have all been involved in developing a sexual
health programme for young people, called, “Feel, Think, Do”. This is an extremely
imaginative and interactive programme which was initially piloted in Stirling and
Clackmannanshire. Evaluations by children and young people have been extremely
positive and this is currently being launched in Falkirk at St Margaret’s Primary
School in Polmont and Denny High School.
Links have been made with various abuse projects in Falkirk and this will be extended
further in the forthcoming year, both to support these projects and ensure that they
are integral to planning and development, but also to ensure that our overall service
has a consistency and cohesion which benefits young people. Therefore, initial
contacts have been made in terms of auditing therapeutic work with young people
and this will be rolled over into the next year’s action plan.
Strong links have been made with the Children’s Rights Officer, who is employed by
Quarriers and offers an independent service to young people.
Central Scotland Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Centre Youth Support Service
This support service is delivered two days a week within Braes High, Falkirk. Any
pupil can access the service by making an appointment during the day or attending
the lunch and break time drop-ins. They don’t need to get permission from parents or
teachers. The service is confidential (within the bounds of child protection) and pupils
can come to talk about anything from exam stress and bullying to more serious issues
like domestic violence or abuse of any type. Each individual decides how often they
come back and, if they find it easier, they can bring a friend with them. Sessions
provide each pupil with the space to talk about what ever is troubling them and
discuss any options in a safe, non-judgmental environment at their own pace. Long
term work can include working on self-esteem, positive thinking, coping mechanisms
and anger management. If any issues arise such as police or court proceedings, the
support worker can work with the young person throughout and beyond, if the
individual wishes, to ensure continuity of support for as long as the pupil feels they
need it. It takes an individual approach to each pupil, asking and listening to what
they feel they need and allowing them to decide on the next steps forward.
1 Safe, Healthy, Accepted, Nurtured, Active, Respected and Included Page 29

4.0 CONCLUSION
The project has been delivered since October 2006 (initially only one day a week). By
the end of May 2007, 43 pupils had accessed the service 231 times.
The CPC has had an exceptionally busy year focussing on the many aspects of the Child
Protection Reform Programme, developing and strengthening sub-groups to take forward
the CPC Action Plan:
• Responding to SE consultations and initiatives
• Developing multi-agency processes
• Undertaking self-evaluations as single agencies and jointly as members of the CPC
Future developments include:
• Developing financial processes and budgets
• Developing management information systems
• Developing our consultation processes with the general public and young people
• Developing the strategic lead of the CPC in terms of multi-agency child protection
activity
Page 30

ACTION PLAN
2007 - 2008
Page 29

5.0 FUTURE PLANS AND ACTION PLAN
While much has been achieved in the past year, there is a great deal still to be worked on. The following represented the agreed priorities for the
Child Protection Committee for the year ahead.
PUBLIC INFORMATION
FALKIRK CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE – Action Plan 2007 - 2008
FUNCTION PROPOSED ACTIVITIES TIMESCALE
Develop, implement and review
communications strategy which:
o Raises awareness of child protection
issues within communities and the
general public, including children and
young people
o Promotes child protection work to the
public at large
o Provides information to general public
about how to raise concerns
World Café, Protecting Children Event for members of
the public (100).
Organise Child Protection Conference in partnership
with the Voluntary Sector targeted at community groups
and communities.
Development of links to child protection information from
Council, Police and NHS websites. Continue to develop
child protection information on Falkirk Council website,
both on the Intranet and internet.
Distribution of general information leaflets through public
buildings, libraries, sports bulletin, Active Schools
promotion etc.
Agencies will explore feasibility of single point of access
through e-mail.
Promote National single telephone numbers for public to
raise concerns.
November 2007
November 2007
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
RESOURCES
REQUIRED
REPRESENTATIVE
Lead Officer
(LO)/Child Protection
Corporate Training Coordinator
(CPCTC)
LO/CPCTC/Child
Protection Training &
Development Officer -
Vol Sector (CPTDO)
Communications Sub-
Group
LO
Communications Sub
Group
LO
Page 30

FALKIRK CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE – Action Plan 2007 - 2008
FUNCTION PROPOSED ACTIVITIES TIMESCALE
Use opportunities to have child protection exhibitions in
public agencies at various events and promotional
activities – 1 per month.
Voluntary Sector – 6 roadshows.
Provide opportunities for general public to contribute to
child protection activity. Organised reference group of
service users and general public to contribute to
consultation and change process.
Provide further leaflet for members of the public,
including ethnic community language.
Review and revise content of information leaflets.
Provide information to public on child abuse issues.
Provide information for parents – leaflets plus multiagency
training in respect of leaflets
Ensure leaflets are available in all public access areas.
Run specific events, such as 16 Days of Action – 25 th
November to 10 th December 2007, and organised
events for World Day Against Child Abuse – 19 th
November 2007.
Work on providing a parenting booklet perhaps in
conjunction with Stirling CPC.
Apply for funding from the SASDF to develop public
awareness sessions and involve service users.
Monthly
Aug/Sept 2007
October 2007
October 2007
Ongoing
Ongoing
July 2007
Aug/Sept 2007
Ongoing
Nov/Dec 2007
Ongoing
August 2007
RESOURCES
REQUIRED
Funded by CVS
REPRESENTATIVE
CPTDO
LO
Communications Sub
Group
Communications Sub
Group
Education Services
Education Services
LO
16 Days Sub-Group
LO
LO
Page 31

FALKIRK CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE – Action Plan 2007 - 2008
FUNCTION PROPOSED ACTIVITIES TIMESCALE
POLICES, PROCEDURES AND
PROTOCOLS
o Ensure that constituent agencies
have these in place
o Regularly develop, disseminate and
review inter-agency policies and
procedures
o Ensure all voluntary sector agencies
and community groups are supported
to be aware of child protection
policies, procedures and protocols
o Ensure that relevant protocols are
developed
Collate information on policies, procedures and
protocols in each agency relating to child protection. All
agencies should take responsibility to submit these for
collation to Lead Officer.
Ensure that agencies represented in the Child Protection
Committee require any third parties, who they contract
with in the provision of services to children, to have
compatible child protection policies, procedures and
protocols.
Launch revised Inter-Agency Procedures and
disseminate through the Child Protection Committee.
Also provide training on procedures and associated
protocols to ensure staff have access to information.
Agree policy relating to children with disabilities to reflect
recommendations of National Working Group on Child
Protection and Disability.
Contribute to the FVCPSG working arrangements
between areas providing treatment to substance
misusing parents and the Child Protection Committee.
Contribute to the revision of Falkirk Council’s corporate
policy on Management of Sex Offenders in the
Community, including MAPPA and High-Risk Young
People.
Ongoing
Ongoing
Sept/Oct 2007
Sept/Oct 2007
December 2007
RESOURCES
REQUIRED
REPRESENTATIVE
LO
LO/CPCTC/CPTDO
FVCPSG
FVCPSG/Inter-Agency
Child Protection
Training Facilitator
(IACPTF)
LO
LO/Service Manager,
Children & Families
(H&SW)
LO/Chair of CPC
Page 32

FALKIRK CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE – Action Plan 2007 - 2008
FUNCTION PROPOSED ACTIVITIES TIMESCALE
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
o Receive regular reports from
constituent agencies and address
implications
o To receive accurate information and
child protection statistics which will
inform child protection training,
communication and planning
QUALITY ASSURANCE
o Agree, implement and review multiagency
quality assurance
mechanisms and ensure that these
contribute to continuous improvement
Develop work with SAT (Substance Action Team) on
young people and alcohol/drugs through relevant subgroup.
Work on agreed approach to needs of young runaways
through FVCPSG.
All partners to contribute information to allow the
identifications of trends.
Data set for Police and NHS to be agreed via Forth
Valley Child Protection Strategy Group.
Management information relating to child protection to
be collated by all agencies and sent to Lead Officer.
Ensure all agencies represented on the Child Protection
Committee, understand their responsibility to the Child
Protection Committee and have a pro-active approach to
providing management information.
All partners should submit quality assurance work to the
Child Protection Committee Monitoring Sub-Group for
scrutiny eg reports in single agency audits.
Implement agreed priorities of Child Protection
Committee Monitoring Sub-Group.
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
By Oct 2007
By Oct 2007
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
RESOURCES
REQUIRED
REPRESENTATIVE
LO
FVCPSG
All agencies
All agencies/FVCPSG
All agencies
All agencies
All
agencies/Monitoring
Sub-Group
Monitoring Sub-Group
Page 33

FALKIRK CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE – Action Plan 2007 - 2008
FUNCTION PROPOSED ACTIVITIES TIMESCALE
o Contribute to the preparation for the
integrated system of inspection of
child protection services
o Report on the outcome of these
activities
PROMOTION OF GOOD PRACTICE
o Have mechanisms to identify and
disseminate lessons from practice
and to review significant cases
Conduct small scale self-evaluation exercises on a
locality cluster basis.
Conduct a small scale multi-agency audit of 6 child
protection cases (27 th /28 th Sept)
Conduct an evaluation of the Child Protection
Committee Using QI’s
Consider inspection reports and implications for Falkirk
Provide regular reports to the Children’s Commission on
a quarterly basis on progress of Action Plan.
Provide Induction Packs for new Child Protection
Committee Members and Elected Members.
Identify and review cases which meet the content of
National Guidance on Significant Incident Reviews
Each agency to take responsibility for identifying cases
which highlight good practice or areas where
improvements are required.
Review practice in the light of inquiry inspection reports.
Identify training and implement the national approach to
significant case reviews.
Implement identified action points regarding Hidden
Harm.
January 2008
September 2007
January 2008
Ongoing
3-monthly
By Nov 2007
Ongoing
Ongoing
November 2007
Ongoing
RESOURCES
REQUIRED
REPRESENTATIVE
LO/All agencies
Monitoring Sub-Group
Monitoring Sub-Group
LO
LO/CPCTC
All agencies
All agencies
LO/Chair of CPC
All agencies
Page 34

FALKIRK CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE – Action Plan 2007 - 2008
FUNCTION PROPOSED ACTIVITIES TIMESCALE
o Develop processes to share practice
issues
o Develop processes to involve children
and their families
o Disseminate informative articles of
research, information etc
TRAINING AND STAFF
DEVELOPMENT
o Have an overview of single agency
training and consider implications for
inter-agency training
o Plan, review and quality assure interagency
training and development
activities
Identify and develop good practice and guidelines in
sexual health and child protection.
Identify National and International links and issues to
increase staff awareness of child abuse.
Develop bi-monthly multi-agency Child Protection
Forum.
Consult service users on views of service received by
following up participants of Case Conferences.
Distribute to Child Protection Committee members for
onward distribution, plus develop distribution list from
Child Protection Interest Group, Child Protection
Network and Forum, Newsletter etc.
Identify need for inter-agency training and ensure that
this is communicated to Inter-Agency Child Protection
Training Facilitator and is reflected in Forth Valley Child
Protection Training Strategy.
The Inter-Agency Child Protection Training Facilitator
and Falkirk Child Protection Corporate Training Coordinator
should work through Forth Valley Joint
Planning Group to ensure Falkirk’s views are
represented.
Child Protection Inter-Agency Training Facilitator to
submit regular reports to Child Protection Committee.
December 2007
Ongoing
Bi-monthly
Sept 07
onwards
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
RESOURCES
REQUIRED
REPRESENTATIVE
FVCPSG/Sub-Groups
LO
LO
LO
LO/CPCTC/
Communications Sub-
Group
IACPTF/CPCTC/
Training Sub-
Group/Joint Planning
Training Group
IACPTF/CPCTC/
Training Sub-
Group/Joint Planning
Training Group
IACPTF/Training Sub-
Group
Page 35

FALKIRK CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE – Action Plan 2007 - 2008
FUNCTION PROPOSED ACTIVITIES TIMESCALE
o Have in place and review at least
annually an inter-agency training
programme for child protection
o Ensure that relevant, effective and
consistent training is provided for
practitioners, managers, nonstatutory
agencies and for Child
Protection Committee members and
Elected Members
o Provide evaluation of training for
Child Protection Committee and
systematic approach to consider
lessons from evaluations
COMMUNICATION AND
CO-OPERATION
o Promote effective communication
between agencies
Share information at each Child Protection Committee
on single agency and inter-agency training activity, with
a view to continuous development of training strategy.
Inter-Agency and Corporate Training Co-ordinators to
develop training plans with trainers from partner
agencies
Undertake training audit of all agencies identifying staff,
who require training and level of training required.
Implement training and evaluate process and content.
Contribute to work on child protection progressed by
Children’s Commission and multi-agency development
of locality model.
Promote Peer Support Network to provide a forum for
practitioner discussion on important topics.
Promote Inter-Agency Child Protection Interest Group
meetings to provide a more informal discussion of
professional issues by child protection professionals.
Develop, implement and review Communications
Strategy.
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Bi-monthly
Ongoing
August 2007
RESOURCES
REQUIRED
REPRESENTATIVE
IACPTF/CPCTC/
Training Sub-
Group/Joint Planning
Training Group
IACPTF/CPCTC/
Training Sub-
Group/Joint Planning
Training Group
IACPTF/CPCTC/
Training Sub
Group/Joint Planning
Group
All agencies
LO/CPCTC
Health
Communications Sub-
Group
Page 36

FALKIRK CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE – Action Plan 2007 - 2008
FUNCTION PROPOSED ACTIVITIES TIMESCALE
o Establish effective means of
communication to staff and partner
agencies
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND
CONNECTIONS
o To plan child protection work in
conjunction with other planning
structures or priorities
o Demonstrate effective communication
between other inter-agency bodies
Develop effective joint work with Domestic Abuse Forum
and SAT.
Review cases to determine whether there are
communication issues which require to be addressed.
Representation on Project Board of Domestic Abuse
Pathfinder Project.
Produce a bi-monthly newsletter for all partners.
Through the membership of the Child Protection
Committee, ensure that the child protection agenda is
reflected in the Integrated Children’s Service Plan, CHP
plans, Criminal Justice plans, Education Service plans.
Ensure child protection activities are located within key
themes of community planning eg enabling our citizens
to life safely and improving health and well-being.
Contribute to planning of Forth Valley wide sharing of
information through CP messaging system.
Identify and, where possible, resolve any issues
between agencies.
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Bi-monthly
Ongoing
Ongoing
RESOURCES
REQUIRED
REPRESENTATIVE
LO/Domestic Abuse
Co-ordinator
Monitoring Sub-Group
Service Manager,
Children & Families
(H&SW)/ Nurse
Advisor (Child
Protection) (Health)
LO
CPC
CPC
Service Manager,
Children & Families
(H&SW)
Chair of CPC/LO
Page 37

FALKIRK CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE – Action Plan 2007 - 2008
FUNCTION PROPOSED ACTIVITIES TIMESCALE
o Demonstrate effective
communications about the work of
the Child Protection Committee with
staff in constituent agencies
o Identify opportunities to share
knowledge and skills with other Child
Protection Committees
o Prepare for National Multi-Agency
Inspection
All agencies should ensure the involvement of the Child
Protection Committee Chair and Lead Officer or the
Forth Valley Child Protection Strategy Group (FVCPSG),
if appropriate where issues emerge and have a
commitment to review practice and policy.
Ensure the strategic structures of child protection are
understood.
Through provision of information, newsletters, forums
and training promote an understanding of the different
role of FVCPSG and Falkirk CPC.
Undertake an annual CP Committee conference to
promote the development of child protection work in
Falkirk.
Develop protocols / guidance to formalise
communications, if necessary.
Chair and Lead Officer to participate in national Child
Protection Networks and provide feedback.
Agree budget and find funding arrangement for 2007-
2008. Finalise decision at FVCPSG.
Agree protocols, procedures, personnel to be
implemented (see appendix).
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
November 2007
Ongoing
Ongoing
August 2007
July 2007
RESOURCES
REQUIRED
REPRESENTATIVE
All agencies
LO
Communications Sub-
Group
CPC Sub-Groups
Chair of CPC/LO
FVCPSG
CPC
Page 38

FALKIRK CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE – Action Plan 2007 - 2008
FUNCTION PROPOSED ACTIVITIES TIMESCALE
LISTENING TO CHILDREN AND
YOUNG PEOPLE
o Demonstrate that children and young
people are involved in consultation
and implementation of child
protection processes
o Responding to research
Involve children and young people, by working closely
with the Integrated Children’s Services Team.
Ensure the views of children and young people on child
protection issues are represented on the Integrated
Children’s Services Plan.
Ensure Child Protection Committee interests are
represented in the locality model developments.
Ensure the views of children and young people are
sought from workers involved in the child protection
process and from children and young people
themselves.
Consult with children and young people regarding future
developments through involvement with the Children’s
Rights Officer, Children’s Commission and youth
organisations.
Provision of posters in schools within confidential areas
in response to research on young people’s views –
linked to education leaflets for parents series
Organise a competition for children to design a logo on
keeping children safe.
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
RESOURCES
REQUIRED
REPRESENTATIVE
LO/CPCTC
LO
LO
LO
LO/Children’s
Commission
CPCTC/Education
Services
CPCTC/Education
Services
Page 39

Roles and Responsibilities in relation to the HMIE inspection process
Identified Contacts Responsibilities Named Person
Chief Officer/Executives Notify Child Protection Leads within two working days
Falkirk CPC Chair
Identified person to communicate
with HMIe
Co-ordinator of Inspection identified –
will also be named person available to
inspection team during visit
Convene meeting of agency members within ten working
days of notification by Chief Officer
Lead planning and implementation of inspection
Should be Head of Service or Senior Manager
Make contact with HMIe to identify themselves as contact
Liaise with HMIe on behalf of Falkirk CPC and vice versa
Guardian of information portal
Lead the co-ordination of inspection programme
Be available to the Inspection team during inspection visit
Mary Pitcaithly,
(Chief Executive,
Falkirk Council)
Andrew Cameron,
(Chief Constable,
Central Scotland
Police)
Margaret Anderson,
CPC Chair
(Head of Children &
Families and Criminal
Justice, H & SW)
Margaret Anderson,
CPC Chair
(Head of Children &
Families and Criminal
Justice, H & SW)
Catriona Laird,
(Lead Officer Child
Protection)
Fiona Mackenzie
(Chief Executive, NHS
Forth Valley)
Rosie Bolton,
CPC Vice-Chair
(Service Manager,
Children &
Families, H & SW)
Catriona Laird,
(Lead Officer Child
Protection)
Page 40

Roles and Responsibilities of Member Representatives
DURING INSPECTION
Identified Contacts Responsibilities Named Person
Identified group to convene and meet
6 times in 12 weeks
Identified Policy/documentation
co-ordinator
Identified staff briefing co-ordinator
Organise programme for inspection
Identify policy, guidelines and protocols relevant to
inspection
Ensure information is made available to person identified
to communicate with HMIe
Plan and undertake multi-agency staff briefings
Individual agencies to undertake staff briefings
Chief Officers Presentation
Margaret Anderson,
CPC Chair
(Head of Children &
Families and Criminal
Justice, H & SW)
Catriona Laird,
(Lead Officer Child
Protection)
Catriona Laird,
(Lead Officer Child
Protection)
Susanne Goetzold,
(Forth Valley Child
Protection Training
Facilitator)
Mary Pitcaithly
(Chief Executive,
Falkirk Council)
Rosie Bolton,
CPC Vice-Chair
(Service Manager,
Children &
Families, H & SW)
Other reps
Debbie Luke,
(Child Protection
Training Administrator)
Evelyn Kennedy,
(Child Protection
Corporate Training
Co-ordinator)
Supported by
Catriona Laird,
(Lead Officer Child
Protection)
Page 41

Roles and Responsibilities of Member Representatives
DURING INSPECTION
Identified Contacts Responsibilities Named Person
Identified support and link with HMIe Responsible for activities determines by Inspection team
Identified admin support and
link with HMIe
Identify and secure appropriate accommodation for
Inspection team to work from
Provide maps etc, for Inspection team
Undertake all administrative duties in relation to inspection
Support person identified to communicate with HMIe
Catriona Laird,
(Lead Officer Child Protection)
Debbie Luke,
(Child Protection Training Administrator)
Page 42

APPENDICES

1. TITLE
APPENDIX 1
Falkirk Child Protection Committee
CONSTITUTION
1.1 The Committee will be titled “Falkirk Child Protection Committee” (herein referred
to as “the Committee”).
2. AIMS OF FALKIRK CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE
2.1 Aims
• To promote the protection and welfare of children through collaboration and cooperation
between agencies, government and the general public in the Falkirk
area
• To improve strategic leadership and enhance the development and delivery of
child protection services in Falkirk
• To contribute to the development of a Forth Valley approach to communication,
quality assurance, training and development, the development of interagency
procedures and other child protection issues which impact at a Forth Valley level.
3. FUNCTIONS OF THE FALKIRK CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE
3.1 The Committee will achieve these aims by carrying out the following functions:
• Increasing public awareness of child protections issues, the work undertaken by
local agencies to address child protection concerns, and how to raise concerns.
• Agreeing, implementing and reviewing multi-agency QA mechanisms and ensure
that these contribute to continuous improvement
• Developing and promoting approaches to self-evaluation of services in
preparation for external inspection
• Ensuring that services are underpinned and supported by relevant policies,
procedures and protocols and that these are regularly reviewed and updated
• Analysing local trends which have a bearing on the protections of children and
taking appropriate action to address these
• Identifying and disseminating lessons from practice and reviewing significant
cases
• Identifying training needs of staff and members of the CPC and ensuring that
appropriate mechanisms are in place to address these
• Ensuring that the planning of child protection work takes account of and links
effectively with other planning structures

APPENDIX 1
• Identifying and overcoming any barriers to effective interagency communication
and co-operation
• Identify opportunities to share knowledge and skills with other CPCs
• Identify ways of obtaining feedback form children and families on local service
provision
4. RELATIONSHIPS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES BETWEEN THE CHILD
PROTECTION COMMITTEE AND OTHER STRUCTURES
4.1 The Child Protection Committee will operate in a way that takes account of key
organisational structures and accountabilities. In particular, the Child Protection
Committee will look to the Forth Valley Chief Executive Group for strategic
leadership in relation to child protection and for agreement on the constitution and
membership of the Committee.
4.2 In exercising their collective responsibilities for child protection, the Chief Executives
Group have agreed to establish a Forth Valley Child Protection Strategy Group
which brings together:
• Central Scotland Police
• Falkirk, Clackmannanshire and Stirling Councils
• NHS Forth Valley
• Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration
• Key voluntary agencies
4.3 The key issues which the Forth Valley Child Protection Strategy Group will address
are:
• Communications
• Quality Assurance Framework
• Interagency procedures
• Child Protection Inter-agency Training
• Any other child protection issues which impact at a Forth Valley-wide level
4.4 The Forth Valley Child Protection Strategy Group will fulfil these functions, which
have a Forth Valley relevance, in order to support the work of the Child Protection
Committees across the Forth Valley. The work of the Forth Valley Strategy Group
will be set out in an annual plan and the Falkirk Child protection Committee will take
account of this in developing its own annual work plan.
4.5 The Falkirk Child Protection Committee will also ensure that appropriate links are
maintained with:
• The Falkirk Children’s Commission
• The Falkirk Community Planning Structure
• Other Child protection Committees
• The Community Safety Partnership
• The Substance Action Team
• The multi-agency partnership on Domestic Abuse
• Community Care and Criminal Justice planning structures
• The voluntary sector

5. Responsibilities and Membership of Falkirk Child Protection Committee
APPENDIX 1
5.1 To fulfil its role and responsibilities, Falkirk Child Protection Committee requires
members from each of the main agencies responsible for working together to
safeguard and protect children. Member agencies must appoint representatives
whose role and seniority within their agency enable them to contribute to the
effective implementation of agreed strategies and to ensure that local child
protection services are adequately resourced. They should have authority to speak
on behalf of their agency in matters of policy and practice development.
5.2 Representation on the Falkirk Child Protection Committee will be drawn from:
• Social Work Services
• Education Services
• Community Services
• NHS Forth Valley
• Central Scotland Police
• SCRA
• Procurator Fiscal
• Housing Services
• Representative from the Voluntary Sector
5.3 The role and responsibilities of agency representatives are:
• To represent their agency at meetings of Falkirk Child Protection Committee and
contribute to decision-making with the full authority of their agency as delegated
by their Chief Officer
• To reflect agency accountability in inter-agency decision making at this level
• To collate the views of agency staff/officers on particular issues as necessary
and ensure that these are made available to the Committee
• To fully participate in the work of the Committee and it’s sub-groups between
meetings
• To ensure that decisions of the Committee and the implications of such decisions
are communicated to and understood by staff/officers at all levels in their agency
• To ensure that obstacles to their agency’s full participation in collaborative child
protection practice and decision-making are addressed and overcome
• To ensure, in partnership with others, that inter-agency strategy in relation to
child protection is implemented in accordance with the decisions of the
Committee

APPENDIX 1
• To ensure, in partnership with others, that agreed standards of practice in child
protection are met and sustained
• To remain cognisant of current issues concerning child protection and their
relevance to the work/deliberations of the Committee
• To arrange, with the approval of the Chief Officer of their agency, for an
appropriate substitute to attend meetings of the Committee when the
representative is unable to attend
• To arrange for minutes of Committee meetings to be available to relevant agency
staff as appropriate
5.4 Mechanisms for raising issues
Agency representatives on the Committee can raise issues on behalf of their
agency or any member of their agency by either placing the item on the agenda for
the Committee meeting or raising it as an item of ‘any other business’ during a
Committee meeting.
Members of the Forth Valley Child Protection Strategy Group may also have items
placed on the agenda of Committee meetings.
Items should be placed on the agenda of the Committee by contacting the Lead
Officer for the Falkirk Child Protection Committee.
6. ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEAD OFFICER
6.1 The Lead Officer will support the implementation of the core functions of the Child
Protection Committee.
6.2 This will include:
• Assisting in the development and implementation of quality assurance
mechanisms
• Ensuring the CPC is informed of national developments, including changes in
legislation, Scottish Executive policies, regulations and guidance
• Taking forward specific tasks as identified by the Child Protection Committee and
the Chair
• Assisting to develop, monitor and report on the implementation of the Child
Protection Committee’s annual plan
• Being responsible for the administration of the Committee and, where
appropriate, its sub-committees through the preparation of agendas, circulation of
papers and ensuring that accurate records are kept of the work of the committee

APPENDIX 1
6.3 The Lead Officer will be employed by Falkirk Council but will be accountable on a
day to day basis to the Chairperson of the Falkirk Child Protection Committee. The
cost associated with this post will be met in the first instance from the ring-fenced
monies made available from the Scottish executive and thereafter from the
Children’s Service Development Fund. In the event of the funding for this post being
discontinued, the Child Protection Committee will collectively endeavour to secure
an alternative funding package.
7. ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRAINING FACILITATOR (CHILD
PROTECTION)
7.1 The key functions of the Training Facilitator will include:
• Co-ordination of local inter-agency child protection training involving all relevant
agencies
• Development and delivery of inter-agency training programmes throughout the
Forth Valley area
• Development and maintenance of effective consultation and evaluation systems
7.2 The Training Facilitator will be employed by Stirling Council, with the cost
associated with this post shared between Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire
Councils, Central Scotland Police and Forth Valley NHS.
8. ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHAIR
8.1 The Chair of the Committee will be responsible for:
• Chairing Child Protection Committee meetings
• Ensuring the Committee effectively fulfils its functions
• Managing the Lead Officer
• Agreeing the resource requirement for the work of the Committee
• Ensuring the development of the annual business plan and report
• Reporting to Chief Executives Group, the Forth Valley Child Protection Strategy
Group and elected members
• Ensuring that the Committee collaborates with other Child Protection Committees
9. ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VICE-CHAIR
9.1 The Vice Chair will be responsible for:
• Assuming the responsibilities of the Chair at the request of the Chair or
Committee
• Assisting the Chair in ensuring that the Committee effectively fulfils its functions

10. APPOINTMENT OF OFFICE BEARERS AND TERMS OF OFFICE
APPENDIX 1
10.1 By agreement of the Chief Executives Group, the Chief Social Work officer
or his/her representative will undertake the role of Chairperson for an initial 2 years
following approval of this constitution. The Chief Executives Group will consider
nominations from the Committee for the role of Chair and Vice Chair, provided
always that nominees have the approval of their senior managers to undertake
these responsibilities.
11. MEETINGS
11.1 The Child Protection Committee will meet at regular intervals as determined by the
Chair and membership. Meetings will be considered quorate when attended by
representatives of at least four agencies plus the Chair or Vice Chair.
12. CONFIDENTIALITY AND INFORMATION-SHARING
12.1 It is crucial that, within the CPC, certain issues can be explored in a safe
environment. The working assumption for the Committee is that members will treat
sensitive information as confidential unless specifically agreed otherwise. Otherwise
CPC agendas and minutes will be widely available.
13. SUB-COMMITTEES OF THE CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE
13.1 Falkirk Child Protection Committee will establish three standing sub-committees as
follows:
• Training Sub-Committee
• Audit Sub-Committee
• Public Awareness Sub-Committee
It may also appoint ad hoc Sub-Committees for specific purposes.
13.2 Each Sub-Committee will have its own membership, aims and objectives. All are
accountable to Falkirk Child Protection Committee and will provide reports to its
meetings.
13.3 Sub-Committees will meet as frequently as is necessary to conduct their business
13.4 The Chair of each Sub-Committee should be a suitably experienced member of
Falkirk Child Protection Committee, except by agreement of the members of the
Committee.

14. ANNUAL REPORT
APPENDIX 1
14.1 Falkirk Child Protection Committee will produce an annual report. The report will
set out a work programme for the forthcoming year, which will include:
• An account of the year’s child protection work against the previous year’s plan
• Information on the quality of interagency child protection work
• Management information on child protection work in the previous year
• A plan and budget for the coming year
• Information for staff in partner agencies and the public about the work of the
Child Protection Committee
14.2 A copy of the report will be provided to the partner agencies represented on the
Child Protection Committee, the Forth Valley Child Protection Strategy Group, the
Scottish Executive, Chief Executive of Falkirk Council, Chief Executive NHS Forth
Valley and the Chief Constable, Central Scotland Police. It will be the responsibility
of the Lead Officer to draft the Report for the Committee.
15. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
15.1 Proposed amendments to the Constitution must be submitted in writing to the Child
Protection Committee. If approved by the Committee and the Chief Executives
Group, the amendments will be accepted into the Constitution.

Membership of Falkirk Child Protection Committee at 31 st March 2007
APPENDIX 2
Margaret Anderson (Chair) Head of Children & Families and Criminal Justice, H & SW
George Anderson Chair of Children’s Panel
Dr Ishaq Abu-Arafeh Consultant Paediatrician, NHS Forth Valley
Rosie Bolton Service Manager, Children & Families, H & SW
Ewen Cameron Authority Reporter, SCRA
Pat Castle Quality Improvement Manager, Education Services
Eddie Kane Children’s Service Manager, Barnardo’s Cluaran Services
Evelyn Kennedy Child Protection Corporate Training Co-ordinator, H & SW
Catriona Laird Lead Officer Child Protection, H & SW
Liz MacEwen Service Manager, Tenancy, H & SW
Mary Mitchell Child Protection Co-ordinator, H &SW
Colin Moodie Legal Services Manager, Law & Admin Services
Dorothy Morgan Child Protection Nurse Advisor, NHS Forth Valley
Effie Rodger Lead Nurse, NHS Forth Valley
Superintendent Gordon Samson Falkirk Area Commander, Central Scotland Police
DI Pat Scroggie Central Scotland Police
Christine Simpson Child Protection Training Co-ordinator
Sue Selwyn Head of Cultural & Lifelong Learning
Joyce Waddell SPPA

Falkirk Child Protection Committee Sub-Groups – Membership
• Training Sub-Group
Mae Bell, Child Protection Training & Development Officer, CVS Falkirk
Marian Boyle, PSD Support Teacher, Education Services
Rosie Bolton, Service Manager, Children & Families, H & SW
Tricia Graham, Training Officer, Community Services
Catriona Laird, Lead Officer Child Protection, H & SW
Dorothy Morgan, Nurse Advisor (Child Protection), NHS Forth Valley
Mary Mitchell, Child Protection Co-ordinator, H & SW
Christine Simpson, Child Protection Training Co-ordinator
• Monitoring/Audit Sub-Group
Dorothy Morgan, Nurse Advisor (Child Protection), NHS Forth Valley
Mary Mitchell, Child Protection Co-ordinator
Frank Kennedy, Service Manager, H & SW
Sylvia Tate, Team Manager, H & SW
Joyce McKenzie, Social Worker, Resourcing, H & SW
Jennifer Clason, Senior Child Care Worker, H & SW
DS Stuart Allan, Family Unit, Central Scotland Police
Pat Castle, Quality Improvement Manager, Education Services
Sandra Jackson-Bass, Cluaran Service, Barnardos
Catriona Laird, Lead Officer Child Protection – H & SW
• Communications Sub-Group
Detective Superintendent Alan Moffat, Central Scotland Police
Audrey Stewart, Project Manager, H & SW
Catriona Laird, Lead Officer Child Protection – H & S
Diane Cherry, Communications Officer, Education Services
Dorothy Morgan, Nurse Advisor (Child Protection), NHS Forth Valley
Eddie Kane, Children’s Service Manager, Barnardo’s Cluaran Services
Joanna Lister, Communications Officer, H & SW
Mae Bell, Child Protection Training & Development Officer, CVS Falkirk
Mike Watson, Community Development Manager, Community Services
Sylvia Tate, Team Manager, H & SW
APPENDIX 2

Women’s Aid Statistics
Ages of Children and Young People Admitted to
Refuge
16
18%
36
40%
2
2%
22
25%
13
15%
0-2 3-4 5-12 13-16 16-19
Ages of Children and Young People Admitted to
Falkirk Council Temporary Accommodation
18
55%
Central Scotland Rape Crisis Statistics
School
3
9%
0
0%
4
12%
8
24%
0-2 3-4 5-12 13-16 16-19
Central Scotland Youth Project
Delivery of Project in Falkirk Schools 2006/7
1st
Year
2nd
Year
3rd
Year
Total No
of
Classes
Ave No
of Pupils
Bo'ness Academy 0 25 0
Total
No of
Pupils
Braes High 12 12 25 300
Denny High 0 25 0
Falkirk High 12 12 25 300
Graeme High 9 10 19 25 475
Grangemouth High 8 7 15 25 375
Larbert High 16 16 25 400
St Mungo's 0 25 0
Total 74 1850
APPENDIX 3

NHS Forth Valley
APPENDIX 3
Health Professionals Referrals to Social Work for Serious Child Care/Child Protection
Concerns:
Number of
Referrals
to Social
Work
Health Plan Indicators
Intensive Additional Core
Invites to
Case
Conference
Brief
Enquiry
Reports
Sept 2006 5 182(2%) 2531(33%) 5017(65%) 14 1
Oct 2006 8 182(2%) 2531(33%) 5017(65%) 18 2
Nov 2006 9 182(2%) 2531(33%) 5017(65%) 11 5
Dec 2006 15 159 (2%) 2580 (33%) 5167 (65%) 11 3
Jan 2007 3 159 (2%) 2580 (33%) 5167 (65%) 14 1
Feb 2007 8 159 (2%) 2580 (33%) 5167 (65%) 12 2
Case Discussions Held with Child Protection Advisors:
Sept 2006 23
Oct 2006 15
Nov 2006 16
Dec 2006 10
Jan 2007 7
Feb 2007 9

PROPOSED SCHEDULE FOR INTER-AGENCY TRAINING
2007/2008
June 2007 Working Together – Foundation (Level 2)
July/August 2007
Giving Evidence in Court (Level 3)
September 2007 Working Together – Foundation (Level 2)
Direct Work with Children (Level 3)
JIIT Training (Level 3)
October 2007 Working Together – Foundation (Level 2)
Giving Evidence in Court (Level 3)
APPENDIX 4
Child Protection and Children with Additional Support Needs (Level 3)
November 2007 Working Together – Foundation (Level 2)
Direct Work with Children (Level 3)
December 2007 Working Together – Foundation (Level 2)
Giving Evidence in Court (Level 3)
January 2008 Working Together – Foundation (Level 2)
Child Safety and the Internet (Level 3)
February 2008 Working Together – Foundation (Level 2)
Giving Evidence in Court (Level 3)
March 2008 Working Together – Foundation (Level 2)
Direct Work with Children (Level 3)
Child Protection & Children with Additional Support Needs (Level 3)
Managing Child Protection (Level 4) – to run in each area as often as required.
Seminars or conferences on other specialist training events (Level 4) – to be run on themes
as identified by training officers and CPCs.
For more information tel: 01786 442508

Level One Training – AWARENESS-RAISING
Aims
To raise awareness of staff responsibilities in child protection
To explore attitudes and values
To learn how to recognise children who might be in need of protection
To learn about the referral process
Forth Valley Child Protection Strategy Group
NEW FRAMEWORK FOR CHILD PROTECTION TRAINING
APPENDIX 5
Target Group This training is intended for all staff in all agencies, practitioners and managers who may come into contact with vulnerable
children and families as part of their duties and who have not had any previous child protection training or as a refresher.
Level Status Theme Components Presentation
Level 1
(Single Agency)
Mandatory for all
staff who have no
previous child
protection training or
as a refresher
Awareness-raising sessions using a
variety of methods for including:
♦ E-module
♦ DVD materials
♦ Audio-package
♦ Basic information – based course
♦ World Café Conversations
♦ Distance Learning
♦ Leaflets/information cards
• Why protecting children is everyone’s
responsibility. Understanding your role.
• Risks to children: current concerns
• What you might see or hear that may concern you
• What you should do?
• What happens after referral?
• Explore attitudes and values (case scenarios)
• Understand the need for supporting staff
Training Officers
Delivery & Frequency This is the responsibility of training officers and managers in individual agencies. It is acknowledged that some staff e.g. social work will
already have knowledge and experience of child protection through qualifying training and subsequent work. Agency training officers will be aware of individual child
protection training needs.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to
Recognise the signs and indicators of child abuse and neglect
Understand their role in child protection
Be aware of the referral process and their own agency’s child protection guidelines
Level One training must be included in the induction process for all new employees who must be clear about their responsibilities in relation to
protecting children.

Level Two Training – FOUNDATION
Aims
To examine specific issues of child protection work
To promote partnership, co-working and local ‘networking’
To promote more effective case conference participation
APPENDIX 5
Target Group All staff, carers and volunteers who are in regular contact or carry out direct work with vulnerable children and families and may play a supportive role
in child protection cases
Level Status Theme Components Presentation
Level 2 (2 days)
(Inter-agency)
DAY 1
Mandatory for
appropriate staff
‘Its everybody’s job to make sure I’m
alright’
Working Together in Child Protection
DAY 2 Partnership Working Case
• Legislation/guidance/policy context
• Children’s Rights
• Children’s Hearings
• Roles/Responsibilities of different agencies
• The child protection process
• Lessons from public inquiries
• Effects of different types of abuse on child
development
• Case Studies
(i) Domestic Abuse
(ii) Substance Misuse
(iii) Mental Health Issues
(iv) Sexual Health
• Assessing and managing risk – The Integrated
Assessment
• Sharing information & recording
• Effective communication
• Introduction to Child Protection Case Conferences
Delivery & Frequency This will be determined by the Inter-agency Training Co-ordinator in consultation with the Joint Planning Group.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to
Show a sound understanding of principles and processes for effective collaboration
Understand the effects of abuse and neglect on child development
Appreciate own role in child protection and that of other agencies
Understand thresholds for intervention in the lives of children in need, risk factors and the need for a shared perspective
Be familiar with local arrangements, services and sources of advice for supporting families and protecting children
Training Coordinator
CP Co-ordinator
Lead Officer
Nurse Advisor
Reporter
Police
Education
Representatives

Level Three Training – INVESTIGATION AND ASSESSMENT - JOINT INVESTIGATIVE INTERVIEW TRAINING (JIIT)
APPENDIX 5
Aims
To equip police officers and social workers to carry out a joint investigative interview with a child in accordance with “Guidance on Interviewing Child Witnesses in
Scotland” and to apply a range of strategies to recognise and address problematic areas.
Target Group Social workers and police officers who carry out child protection investigations
Level Status Theme Components Presentation
Level 3 (5 days)
(Police/S W)
Police & Social Work
only.
Joint Investigative Interview Training
(JIIT)
Context and Background Child Development
Memory, Trauma and Abuse Interview Process
Interview Practice
Court Practical
Delivery & Frequency This will be determined by the Inter-Agency Training Co-ordinator in consultation with Police and Social Work.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the programme, participants will be able to
Describe the principles underpinning joint investigative interviews of children
Explain the dynamics of memory, trauma and abuse on the child’s abilities to describe events
Describe linguistic and developmental issues in communication with children
Plan a joint investigative interview
Conduct a joint investigative interview
Describe the evidential requirements for both civil and criminal proceedings
Police & Social
Work Trainers

Level Three Training INVESTIGATION/ASSESSMENT – GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT
APPENDIX 5
Aims
This course is designed to enable the participants to understand the basic principles and practicalities of the court system and to prepare them to give evidence
clearly and confidently and to deal with cross examination.
Target Group Practitioners or voluntary workers within the three authorities who are likely to have to appear as witnesses in child protection proceedings
Level Status Theme Components Presentation
Level 3
(Inter-agency)
Optional
Giving Evidence in Court
• Presentation on courtroom skills
• Exercises using scenarios
• Role-play of a proof hearing
• Debrief
Delivery & Frequency This will be determined by the Inter-Agency Training Co-ordinator in consultation with the Joint Planning Group
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the programme, participants will:
Have a greater understanding of the court process and their role as a witness
Know how to give evidence in an appropriate and confident manner
Understand the process of cross examination
Training Coordinator
Reporters (2)

Level Three Training INVESTIGATION AND ASSESSMENT - CHILD SAFETY & THE INTERNET
Aims
To gain a basic introduction to the history of the Internet, types of Internet users, types of Internet offenders, rules for keeping safe on the Internet
To find useful web sites and how to report anything that is inappropriate
Target Group All staff, carers and volunteers who carry out direct work with children, young people and families
APPENDIX 5
Level Status Theme Components Presentation
Level 3 (½ day)
(Inter-agency)
Optional
Child Safety & the Internet
• A basic introduction to the Internet
• Information about those who access child
pornography
• What you can do to keep children and young
people safe
• Police input on dangers of the Internet
• Local arrangements
Delivery & Frequency This will be determined by the Inter-agency Training Co-ordinator in consultation with the Joint Planning Group.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to
Understand the types of offenders who access child pornography
Understand how to keep safe on the Internet
Understand the process for reporting concerns
Have a general awareness of the dangers of using the Internet
Training Coordinator
Police
Representatives
(local and
national)
Education
Representative

Level Three Training INVESTIGATION AND ASSESSMENT - THE CHILD PROTECTION PLAN FOR INTERVENTION
PREVENTION AND RECOVERY – DIRECT WORK WITH CHILDREN
APPENDIX 5
Aims (both courses)
To equip participants to contribute to the child protection case conference and assessment of risk and to implement child protection plans; to carry out preventative
and therapeutic work; to understand and apply a range of strategies to promote resilience; to understand attachment and the effects of trauma and loss on children.
Target Group (both courses) Staff who have lead roles in both preventative and investigative work; key personnel in all agencies who are involved in risk
assessment and/or intensive work with families where children are vulnerable to, or recovering from, child abuse or neglect.
Level Status Theme Components Presentation
Level 3 (1 day)
(Inter-agency)
Level 3 (1 day)
(Inter-agency)
Attendance to be
decided by training
officers & managers
in individual agencies
Attendance to be
decided by training
officers & managers
in individual agencies
The Child Protection Plan for
Intervention
Direct Work with Children
• Child Protection Case Conferences & Registration
• The Child Protection Plan – your
role/responsibility
• Core Groups
• Working with non-abusing parents
• Working with perpetrators
• Evaluating interventions
• Emergency protection measures
• Assessment of risk/Integrated Assessment
Framework
• Frameworks of abuse
• Communicating with children
• Recovery from abuse
• Resilience/protective factors
• Understanding attachment
• Effects of trauma & loss
• Promoting parenting skills
• Supporting child witnesses
Delivery & Frequency This will be determined by the Inter-agency Training Co-ordinator in consultation with the Joint Planning Group.
Learning outcomes: To be developed in line with programme components
Child Protection
Co-ordinators
Specialist
Workers/
Commissioned
Training

Level Four Training ADVANCED OR SPECIALIST DEVELOPMENT - CHILD PROTECTION & CHILDREN WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS
Aims
To raise awareness of child protection generally
To raise awareness of child protection as it relates to children with additional support needs and to explore their vulnerability to abuse
To explore the legislative context
To explore communication issues for children with additional support needs
To explore good practice in intimate care
To inform about child protection procedures
Target Group Staff Working with Children with Additional Support Needs
APPENDIX 5
Level Status Theme Components Presentation
Level 4 (2 days)
(Inter-agency)
Optional
Child Protection & Children with
Additional Support Needs
• Legislative Context
• Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect
• Vulnerability of Children with Additional Support
Needs
• Children with Social & Emotional Difficulties
• Good practice in Intimate Care
• Communicating Creatively
• The Parents’ Perspective
• Procedural Response
Delivery & Frequency This will be determined by the Inter-agency Training Co-ordinator in consultation with the Joint Planning Group.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this training participants should:
Understand that children with additional support needs are vulnerable to all types of abuse and know the reasons for this
Be able to describe communication issues for children with additional support needs
Be familiar with communication techniques which can be used with children with additional support needs
Should understand the legislative context - (The Education) Additional Support for Learning (Scotland) Act 2004
Understand good practice in intimate care
Understand the parents’ perspective
Know about child protection procedures
Training Coordinator
Educational
Psychologist
Participation
from parents

Level Four Training MANAGING CHILD PROTECTION/ADVANCED OR SPECIALIST DEVELOPMENT
Target Group *Staff who manage child protection as part of their duties.
Practitioners who have specialist roles in child protection.
Staff who have responsibilities for any of the following:
• Supervising and supporting workers who are involved in child protection work including joint investigations
• Assessing risks when allocating cases
• Chairing child protection case conferences
• Developing child protection strategies, policies and procedures
• Conducting audits
APPENDIX 5
Level Status Theme Components Presentation
Level 4
(Inter-agency)
Level 4
Level 4
Level 4
Optional
Managing Child Protection
• Understanding your child protection responsibilities
as a manager
• Supervising & supporting staff involved in child
protection work
• Child Protection training needs of staff
• Chairing Child Protection Case Conferences
• Auditing services in line with Quality Indicators
• Taking part in Child Protection core groups and
planning meetings
Optional Certificate in Child Protection Studies
Optional Diploma in Child Protection Studies
Optional
*NB To attend Level
4 seminars it is not
necessary to have
progressed beyond
Level 1
Themes of specific interest identified
by the Child Protection Committees
Interagency seminars or other specialised Child
Protection training events
Delivery and Frequency In line with needs identified by Child Protection Committee Lead Officers, managers and training officers/co-ordinators and
those responsible for training in the relevant agencies.

CHILD PROTECTION TRAINING – AUDIT OF FALKIRK COUNCIL STAFF TRAINING UP TO 31 ST MAY 2007
Training Course Training Provided Trainer Service
Corporate
1. Managers Child Protection Training
Briefing Sessions
2. Councillors Child Protection Training
Briefing Sessions
Services
1. Level 1 – Basic Awareness Child Protection
Training
6 x 2 hour sessions
2 x 2 hour sessions
2½ hour course
Catriona Laird
Catriona Laird
Catriona Laird
• Community Services
• Corporate & Commercial
• Development Services
• Education Services
• Finance Services
• Housing & Social Work
• Law & Admin
• Member Services
• Community Services
• Corporate & Commercial
• Development Services
• Education Services
• Finance Services
• Housing & Social Work
• Law & Admin
• RSNH
APPENDIX 5
Numbers
10
15
13
19
9
16
4
7
188
7
20
38
1
319
1
2

Training Course Training Provided Trainer Service
2. Level 1 – World Café Conversations –
Protecting Children
3. Level 2 – Child Protection Training
4. Probationary Teachers Child Protection
Training
5. Slamannan Primary School In-Service
Child Protection Input
6. Comely Park Primary School In-Service
Child Protection Input
7. Headteachers
8. Nursery Headteachers
9. Grangemouth High School In-Service Child
Protection Input
3 hour course
2 x 2 day courses
2 x 2 hour sessions
Catriona Laird
and a pull of
facilitators from
various
Services/
Groups/Service
Users
Catriona Laird
Catriona Laird
Catriona Laird
Catriona Laird
Catriona Laird
Catriona Laird
Catriona Laird
• Community Services
• Development Services
• Education Services
• Housing & Social Work
• Law & Admin
• Education Services
• Housing & Social Work
• Education Services
• Education Services
• Education Services
• Education Services
• Education Services
• Education Services
APPENDIX 5
Numbers
86
4
27
345
1
18
14
50
12
28
50
30
50

Training Course Training Provided Trainer Service
10. Residential Care Workers
11. NSPCC Educare Child Protection
Awareness Programme
12. St Mungo’s High School In-Service Child
Protection Input
13. Graeme High School In-Service Child
Protection Input
Distance Learning
Catriona Laird
Sue Johnson/
Catriona Laird
and a pull of
facilitators from
various
Services/
Groups/Service
Users
Marion Gillooly/
Catriona Laird
and others
• Housing & Social Work
• Housing & Social Work
• Education Services
• Education Services
APPENDIX 5
Numbers
8
2
109
90
Total Number: 1561

NHS Forth Valley CP Training 2006-2007
APPENDIX 5
Child protection training - title Date Number of Health Staff in attendance
New Health Records 14/03/2006 10
Interagency child protection 22/03/2006 6
Interagency child protection 23/03/2006 5
Basic child protection 05/04/2006 11
Basic child protection 06/04/2006 8
New Health Records 10/04/2006 9
Basic child protection 11/04/2006 13
Basic child protection 12/04/2006 9
Basic child protection 18/04/2006 14
New Health Records 19/04/2006 20
Basic child protection 24/04/2006 14
Basic child protection 26/04/2006 9
Basic child protection 08/05/2006 10
Basic child protection 15/05/2006 12
Basic child protection 18/05/2006 9
Child Protection / Domestic Abuse 22/05/2006 9
Basic child protection 24/05/2006 12
Basic child protection 25/05/2006 7
Basic child protection 30/05/2006 7
Basic child protection 31/05/2006 5
Basic child protection 01/06/2006 14
Basic child protection 05/06/2006 9
Basic child protection 06/06/2006 3
New Health Records 07/06/2006 9
Interagency child protection 08/06/2006 2
Basic child protection 12/06/2006 5
Drugs Misuse & CP Seminar 13/06/2006 47
Basic child protection 14/06/2006 19
Basic child protection 20/06/2006 14
CREATE Basic child protection 20/06/2006 12
Basic child protection 21/06/2006 12
Basic child protection 28/06/2006 7
Basic child protection 29/06/2006 9
Basic child protection 18/07/2006 15
Basic child protection 27/07/2006 19
Basic child protection 07/08/2006 12
Report Writing 10/08/2006 9
Basic child protection 16/08/2006 19
Basic child protection 24/08/2006 8
Basic child protection 30/08/2006 22
Basic child protection 04/09/2006 25
Interagency child protection 14/09/2006 4
Interagency child protection 20/09/2006 6
Report Writing 21/09/2006 18
Basic child protection 27/09/2006 30
Interagency child protection 28/09/2006 3
Basic child protection 05/10/2006 12
Basic child protection 11/10/2006 12
Report Writing 19/10/2006 6
Basic child protection 23/10/2006 11

APPENDIX 5
Child protection training - title Date Number of Health Staff in attendance
CREATE Basic child protection 24/10/2006 23
Basic child protection 25/10/2006 7
Basic child protection 27/10/2006 14
Basic child protection 03/11/2006 14
Basic child protection 10/11/2006 9
Basic child protection 13/11/2006 7
Basic child protection 17/11/2006 16
Report Writing 19/11/2006 4
Basic child protection 21/11/2006 13
Basic child protection 22/11/2006 15
Basic child protection 23/11/2006 11
Basic child protection 30/11/2006 20
Interagency child protection 01/12/2006 10
Interagency child protection 07/12/2006 1
Report Writing 11/12/2006 8
Basic child protection 11/12/2006 8
Interagency child protection 13/12/2006 2
Basic child protection 14/12/2006 10
Basic child protection 09/01/2007 11
CREATE Basic child protection 16/01/2007 9
Report Writing 16/01/2007 6
Basic child protection 17/01/2007 5
Basic child protection 25/01/2007 14
Basic child protection 29/01/2007 11
Basic child protection 06/02/2007 8
Basic child protection 08/02/2007 17
Basic child protection 14/02/2007 5
Basic child protection 15/02/2007 14
Report Writing 19/02/2007 4
Basic child protection 20/02/2007 15
Basic child protection 21/02/2007 8
Basic child protection 26/02/2007 10
Basic child protection 28/02/2007 5
Basic child protection 06/03/2007 14
Basic child protection 07/03/2007 12
Basic child protection 08/03/2007 8
Basic child protection 12/03/2007 11
Total number of health staff trained 971

APPENDIX 6
Report to CPC from Child Protection Training and Development Officer (CPTDO),
Voluntary Sector based at CVS Falkirk and District
Requirements of Post
Provide Support by….
By contacting new and existing groups and helping them comply with new legislation in
Child Protection
Helping to develop appropriate Child Protection Policies and Procedures
Including updates and relevant information in the CVS Newsletter “Inform” and in the
CVS E-bulletin
Promote and Provide Training by….
Finding out what your training needs are
Developing a training calendar on issues relating to safeguarding children
Providing appropriate training opportunities for your organisation
Informing of inter-agency Child Protection training available
Helping you access and informing about other methods of participating in child
protection training
Provide Information and Guidance by….
Providing a helpline to give guidance on issues relating to safeguarding children and
young people
Creating an “Information Bank” of organisations which produce leaflets, posters,
booklets on keeping children safe and advising organisations how to obtain these
Developing resources which can be used by Voluntary Organisations and Community
Groups
Provide an Effective Network by….
Organising events in your community to raise awareness of how we can all contribute
to safeguarding children and young people
Putting you in contact with other Voluntary Organisations and Community Groups to
share information
Establishing what your concerns are in keeping children and young people safe and
then liaising with the appropriate statutory agencies and committees on your behalf

Planning Structure
APPENDIX 7

Social Work
Health
Police
Committee Responsibilities of CPC Members
(in addition to partnerships noted on Action Plan and Appendix 7 Planning Structure)
• CHP
• Substance Action team
• Children’s Commission
• National Child Protection Chairs network
• Mental Health and Wellbeing strategy group
• CAMHS steering group
• GIRFEC pilot project
• Locality Model project board
• Falkirk Youth Justice Strategy Group
• Forth Valley Youth Justice Strategy group
• Forth Valley Child Protection Strategy Group
Area Reporter
• LAC Monitoring Group
• Through Care and After Care Steering Group
• Action for Change Group
• West of Scotland Records Group
• West of Scotland Child Protection Nurse Advisors Group
• East of Scotland Nurse Advisor Group
• Child Protection Action Group
• Child Protection Clinical Team
• Child Health Records Group
• GIRFEC Pathfinder Domestics Abuse Pilot
• Falkirk Area Command Tactical Process
• ACPOS Child Protection National Group
• Links through Domestic Abuse Unit to Domestic Abuse Forum
• Child Protection and Vulnerable Persons Forum
• Computer Crime Unit
• ACPOS Computer Evidence Working Group
• Link to member of Stirling and Clackmannanshire CPCs
• GIRFEC Pathfinder Domestic Abuse Pilot
• Forth Valley Domestic Abuse Strategy Group
• Falkirk Domestic Abuse Forum
• Falkirk Youth Justice Strategy Group
• Forth Valley Youth Justice Group
• SACRO Restorative Justice Group
• Girfec Pathfinder Domestic Abuse Project
• RAMAS (Racist Attacks and Harassment Multi-Agency Strategy)
• Race Resource Group
• BAPSCAN
APPENDIX 8

Locality
champion
Local Children’s
Partnership
steering group
determining local
priorities – including
young people / families
Link in with
Local
Community
Planning
+
Community
Health
Groups
Support
MULTI-AGENCY LOCALITY MODEL
Chair
Governance & Accountability
Children’s Commission
Strategic
issues
Problem Solving Group
Locality Coordinator *(x7)
Multi-agency locality team
Universal service delivery
Young People and families
Universal
Tier 2
Agreed referrals criteria
Common assessment
APPENDIX 9
strategic
operational