Child Protection Procedures - East Ayrshire Council

Families) or equivalent. It will be the chairperson’s decision whether
to initiate a Child Protection investigation and if so how and by whom
this would be carried out. Although no decision can be taken on
registration the Case Discussion should be minuted and the minute
circulated to all those in attendance within five working days.
8.5.6 The management of Child Sexual Abuse investigation is of crucial
importance given that there is often less likelihood of physical
evidence/corroboration of abuse and the child’s account of what
happened therefore assumes greater significance.
8.5.7 The following points must be considered:
• It is essential that interviews with children and other
relevant people are well planned and recorded
appropriately. Children should not be subjected to
unnecessary interviews.
• If the Police are not involved in the investigations and a
parent is the alleged perpetrator of the offence, Police
permission requires to be obtained by the Team Leader
before any interviews take place.
• Careful consideration should be given to providing support
and security to the child. Discussion with the Team Leader
will look at how this may be best achieved whilst ensuring
that necessary corroboration and a thorough scrutiny of the
facts takes place.
• The child should be interviewed in a relaxed setting using
interview techniques commensurate with the age and
developmental understanding of the child.
• What steps should be taken and by whom, if parental
involvement is thought to place the child at significant risk.
• Medical examination should only take place when
absolutely necessary to assess the health of the child, to
reassure the child or to gain forensic evidence.
• The child should not be subjected to repeated medical
examinations. Therefore, a Police Surgeon and/or
Consultant Paediatrician should be involved.
• The medical examination should be conducted in an
appropriate child-centred clinical setting. The views of the
child in relation to the gender of the medical practitioner
should also be taken into account.
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