Child Protection Procedures - East Ayrshire Council

SECTION 3
Specific Guidance
3.1 Sexual Abuse
3.1.1 In recent years there has been an increased recognition that adults
are involving children in sexual practices; such abuse of power and
trust is physically and emotionally damaging to children both in the
short and long term. Both boys and girls are abused by males and
females. Because of the power of the abuser to silence children,
sexual abuse is often kept secret and there may well be little in the
way of physical evidence or corroboration.
3.1.2 Child Sexual Abuse does not necessarily call for an immediate
emergency response or removal of a child from home. After the
referrer has been interviewed, we must consult with other
professionals within 24 hours unless there is an immediate significant
risk to the health and welfare of the child.
3.1.3 If after necessary consultation with other professionals, the Team
Leader makes a decision not to take immediate action but to
convene a Case Discussion prior to making contact with the family,
this decision must be endorsed by the Manager, Children and
Families.
3.1.4 The Case Discussion is a formal mechanism which allows
professionals to consult with each other, co-ordinate information
already known about the child and family and plan how best to
proceed. If a Case Discussion is to be held it should normally be
convened within five working days of the initial referral being made.
The reasons for any deviation from this standard must be recorded in
the case file. It must be chaired by the Team Leader/Service Unit
Manager (Children and Families). It must 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.
3.2 Consensual Sexual Activity
3.2.1 Sexual activity involving a child who has achieved sufficient
understanding to be capable of making up his or her own mind on the
matter, while illegal, may not necessarily constitute sexual abuse as
defined for the purposes of this guidance. The decision to initiate
child protection action in such cases is a matter for professional
judgement, and each case should be considered individually. While
the sexual relationship may be assessed as being not abusive, the
welfare of the parties must be considered and appropriate services
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