Child Protection Procedures - East Ayrshire Council

2.8 Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinical Psychology, Ayrshire Central
Hospital
2.8.1 A number of professionals, psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric
nurses and social workers work in this clinic. If evidence suggestive
of child abuse comes to light during a course of therapy, the same
referral mechanism operates as for other personnel i.e. the case
worker should advise the duty social worker in the child’s local area.
The clinic is not involved in investigations of suspected abuse.
However, cases may be referred for therapy at a later date.
2.9. Hospital Departments
2.9.1 Any child brought to the Accident and Emergency Department should
have an examination and a detailed history taken. If there is any
suspicion of abuse, the following steps should be taken:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
Casualty Officers must follow their local Child Protection
guidance and discuss their concerns with the Consultant
Paediatrician or, if not available, the Paediatric Registrar.
Consideration will then be given to the child being admitted to
the hospital.
The Consultant or appropriate deputy must ensure that the
Social Work Department is contacted immediately (N.B.
Guidance on Disclosure of Information issued by the
General Medical Council in October 1995).
Whenever possible, the parents or carers of the child should
be advised of action being taken by the hospital staff.
When the clinical investigations are completed, a confidential
medical report must be compiled including date and time of
occurrence, reason for concern and explanation given by child
and/or parents for the injury. A medical report will be required
by any Case Conference and may be required by the
Procurator Fiscal or the Children’s Reporter.
The Consultant Paediatrician and/or the examining doctor, or
appropriate deputy must attend the Case Conference or if
unavailable, can send a written report.
2.10 Community Nurses
2.10.1 Health Visitors, School Nurses, Midwives, District Nurses, Family
Planning Nurses, Community Psychiatric Nurses, Community Nurses
(Learning Disabilities), Practice Nurses.
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