Child Protection Procedures - East Ayrshire Council

3.12 Children with a disability or special needs.
3.12.1 Children with multiple disabilities can be very dependent on others to
meet their very personal care needs. They may be subject to
medical procedures which are intrusive and will undoubtedly come
into close contact with a range of individuals at home, school or in
other caring establishments or situations on whom they will rely to
look after them. This makes them vulnerable and susceptible as
greater opportunities are created for an abusive situation to occur.
3.12.2 Concerns regarding suspected abuse of children with a disability
should be reported in the usual way. However, the Team Leader will
give active consideration as to whether or not to involve a specialist
worker and in particular whether they should be involved in the
interview.
3.12.3 The detection of abuse in children with a disability can be particularly
difficult. The impact of the disability on the child and his/her level of
functioning and development should always be taken into account.
3.12.4 A child with a visual impairment will often encourage or seek out
greater levels of physical contact than others. They may have fewer
chances than others to learn the differences between appropriate,
inappropriate and socially acceptable behaviour.
3.12.5 Some children may be more prone to bumps and bruises because of
their particular disability. It is therefore important not to mis-interpret
this as abuse whilst being careful not to overlook any obvious signs.
3.12.6 Not all children are able to impart or express what is happening to
them verbally. They may communicate using British Sign Language,
Makaton or symbol boards. These other ways may not have words
which represent the particular type of abuse the child has
experienced. This is where a specialist, who has particular
knowledge about the child’s condition or skills in communicating with
the child, is important. They should be briefed beforehand regarding
the questions the interviewer wishes to ask the child. No person who
is implicated in alleged or suspected abuse should be asked to assist
in the investigative process with the child. Careful thought should
also be given to the most conducive environment for the interview.
3.12.7 The Children and Disabilities Team can be contacted at the Civic
Centre, John Dickie Street, Kilmarnock KA1 1BY, Telephone:
(01563) 576912 or (01563) 574859.
3.12.8 In order to access an approved interpreter from the list of service
providers please refer to Appendix 6.
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