Child Protection Procedures - East Ayrshire Council

3.15.3.3 The Senior Manager is also responsible for any
subsequent fact-finding exercise as a result of a child
protection investigation. In instances where an
accumulation of concerns arise in respect of a residential
establishment which may suggest an oppressive regime,
but which do not appear to warrant a child protection
investigation the Senior Manager is responsible for coordinating
and monitoring the investigation. Within East
Ayrshire Council the Service Unit Manager (Services) will
be responsible for co-ordination and monitoring of these
enquiries.
3.15.4 Allegations of abuse perpetrated by staff members
Deciding how the allegation should be responded to
3.15.4.1 It is important to differentiate between complaints about the
standard of service and allegations of abuse.
3.15.4.2 Investigations into allegations or suspicions of abuse of
children in residential establishments must have an
element of independence from the external management.
3.15.4.3 When a young person makes an allegation a decision has
to be made about whether or not it is in fact an allegation
of abuse. If it appears that the young person has suffered
significant harm at the hands of a member of staff then it
should be dealt with as an allegation of abuse.
3.15.4.4 At any stage in the process the possibility of convening a
case discussion should be considered to share information
and decide on how to progress the investigation.
3.15.4.5 There are several courses of action in deciding how the
allegation should be responded to. These include deciding
that:
• the allegation is unclear and agreeing who should
approach the child for more information in order to
clarify the allegation
• it is not an allegation of abuse and utilising the
complaints procedure
• there is an allegation of abuse against a member of
staff and agreeing on the following:
(1) referral to the police
(2) investigation under child protection procedures.
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