Child Protection Procedures - East Ayrshire Council

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APPENDIX 2 What to Look for – Possible Indicators of <strong>Child</strong> Abuse The identification and diagnosis of child abuse is rarely simple. The signs are made up of a complex mixture of medical symptoms, behavioural characteristics and background factors. The diagnosis of all suspicious injuries is a clinical issue and not within the scope of this brief guide. It is important to remember that a child’s physical condition is only part of any diagnosis. Of equal importance is the child’s emotional, developmental and nutritional state. The recognition of abuse is a multi-disciplinary affair with, for example, health professionals diagnosing medical problems; social workers interpreting family dynamics; school staff identifying changes in behaviour. No individual should ever feel that the burden rests solely with him/her. The aim of this section is to help staff be alert to and recognise those factors which can indicate abuse. It also gives some guidance on distinguishing between every day minor bumps and bruises which occur accidentally and injuries which may have been inflicted. It is essential to keep in mind the importance of seeking appropriate professional advice whenever child abuse and neglect, including sexual abuse, is suspected. Presentation <strong>Child</strong> abuse may occur in the form of an isolated incident or may be chronic or repeated. There are numerous signs, some or all which can indicate that child abuse is taking place, or that there is serious risk of abuse. It is important to note that it is beyond the scope of this guide to provide comprehensive information on child abuse. The forms of harm to children and young people that constitute child abuse are Failure to Thrive, Physical Injury, Physical Neglect, Sexual Abuse, Psychological, Developmental or Emotional Abuse. These have already been defined in Section 1. Physical Abuse Falls and accidents can often produce only a single bruise – usually a bony prominence. Multiple bruises can also occur from a child running and falling forwards – leading to bruises on the front of the body and marks on the forehead, knees, shins, as well as on the hands if the fall is broken. Bruises sustained accidentally are usually on outer surfaces or limbs. Staff should be alert to the following: (a) An explanation of injury not consistent or compatible with the findings. 124
(b) (c) (d) (e) No explanation of the injury. Delay in reporting the injury or in seeking treatment. Bruising on the young infant or less mobile child. Reports of recurrent injuries which only occur in one situation with one carer in particular. Examples of Injuries in Cases of Physical Abuse Injuries to the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Most common – in the form of bruises and skin marks. Multiple bruises in various stages of healing is a characteristic sign. The following list includes areas of the body where abuse-related injuries are most common. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Head, ears, cheeks, mouth. Chest, stomach, upper arms. Thighs and buttocks. Lips or gums. Genital or rectal area. Finger Marks require considerable force: they may be caused by a: (a) (b) (c) Slap Pinch Grasp Bite Marks and Scratches Human bite marks are usually distinctive as a circle of two discontinuous semi-circles corresponding to the upper and lower teeth. There is usually no central bruising although this area may be swollen. Black Eyes Two black eyes are rarely accidental, and even a single black eye is of serious concern in the immobile child. Accidental black eyes are often accompanied by bruises to other parts of the face, such as the forehead or the bridge of the nose. 125
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CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURES The Eas
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CONTENTS Foreword Section 1: Defini
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Section 5: The Child Protection Reg
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APPENDICES Appendix 1: The Main Tas
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1.0.4.1 If it is agreed that a join
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1.3 Sexual Abuse 1.3.1 “Any child
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SECTION 2 Investigation of Suspecte
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Team Leader will liaise with the Se
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interviews by a Police Officer and
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e widely available to general pract
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2.8 Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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properly investigating them can als
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person with whom the child shares h
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(i) (j) (k) (l) Once a referral has
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for formal intervention in this par
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public interest to prosecute. It is
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(Article 19 of the UN Convention on
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made available. The criminal aspect
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3.7 Convicted Offenders 3.7.1 A sep
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serious addiction by the parent who
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3.12 Children with a disability or
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3.14.1.3 Any such concerns should b
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3.14.8 Deciding on How the Matter s
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3.14.13.3 The Link Worker/Family Pl
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3.15.1.4 Attention to young peoples
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3.15.4.6 While the possible need fo
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• deciding that there is an alleg
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The safety of other children 3.15.6
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3.15.7.8 An assessment of the immed
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3.15.7.21 At an appropriate stage t
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3.15.7.35 Any involvement of a youn
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3.17.2.2 There are two important el
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3.17.4.2 Social workers must submit
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3.19 The Data Protection Act 3.20.1
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3.21.6.5. A child may have to give
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eport this to the Service Unit Mana
Page 73 and 74: of making this decision. It may wel
Page 75 and 76: 4.6 Professionals and Others 4.6.1
Page 77 and 78: his or his wishes and feelings and
Page 79 and 80: 4.13.1 Once a child’s name has be
Page 81 and 82: 4.18 Key worker 4.18.1 A key worker
Page 83 and 84: Section 5 The Child Protection Regi
Page 85 and 86: 5.7.1 There are two Child Protectio
Page 87 and 88: (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (l) (m) (n)
Page 89 and 90: 5.15 A Registered Child moving into
Page 91 and 92: SECTION 6 Informing and Consulting
Page 93 and 94: 6.5.4 Family members will need to k
Page 95 and 96: • The procedure for making an app
Page 97 and 98: 7.5 Information required for an app
Page 99 and 100: to any person or class of person sp
Page 101 and 102: 7.12 Procedure for making an applic
Page 103 and 104: for recall or variation the Team Le
Page 105 and 106: 7.16.3 The sheriff when considering
Page 107 and 108: notification for the application fo
Page 109 and 110: 7.22.7 If an emergency authorisatio
Page 111 and 112: (e) (f) (g) (h) Having undertaken i
Page 113 and 114: procedures for application to a She
Page 115 and 116: Families) or equivalent. It will be
Page 117 and 118: there is significant concern for th
Page 119 and 120: 8.7.8.5 The Team Leader will inform
Page 121 and 122: (o) Where there is disagreement abo
Page 123: It will be the responsibility of ea
Page 127 and 128: Abdominal Injuries In a few cases,
Page 129 and 130: • Unusual genital odour. • Anxi
Page 131 and 132: APPENDIX 3 Referral/Reporting Conta
Page 133 and 134: Glossary of Medical Terms and Condi
Page 135 and 136: Appendix 5 HIV and other blood-born
Page 137 and 138: • Should worker’s aim for a sam
Page 139 and 140: APPENDIX 6 List of Sign Language In
Page 141 and 142: APPENDIX 8 East Ayrshire Council Ch
Page 143 and 144: Risk Assessment Risk Assessment is
Page 145 and 146: for each release in a planned progr
Page 147 and 148: Assessment and Supervision of Sex O
Page 149 and 150: • is over sixteen • is a convic
Page 151 and 152: Help To: The Director of Social Wor
Page 153 and 154: APPENDIX 11 EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL E
Page 155 and 156: Signed: Print Name: Status: Date: S
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