Safe Parenting Handbook (PDF 1.07 Mb) - Department of Health ...

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Parents are responsible for their children’s safetySocial services become involved once concern is sharedDecisions about abuse need careful assessmentProfessionals want to work in partnership with familiesVery few children are removed from home following allegations orinvestigations of abuseChildren are best cared for by their own familiesrealities and myths“Child abuse can take many forms such as physical injury, neglect, sexual oremotional abuse. Abuse takes place in a variety of places and can be perpetrated by adultsor other children. Abuse can be perpetrated by those known to children or by strangers.Social workers work in partnership with families where there are concerns to make surethey get support before things reach a crisis.”WARNING SIGNS ACTIONWHAT TO SAY PREVENTION CONTACTSChildren suffering A social worker If you are worried It is important that • Your local HSSabuse may display (and/or sometimes about your own or children know: Trust (see page 44)physical or behavioural a police officer) will someone else’s • what to do when • Your social workersigns such as: meet with the treatment of a they feel unsafe. • Your health visitor• acting out in an family when abuse child, seek advice • how to say NO to • PSNIinappropriate sexual is reported. They about whatadult requests 028 9065 0222way, perhaps with will also talk with practical and which make them • NSPCCtoys or objects; other professionals emotional support feel uncomfortable; 0808 800 5000• becoming withdrawn in order to make is available. • that you will listen 24 hr free helplineor excessively decisions aboutcarefully to them • Parents Adviceclinging;how to help youwhen they are Centre• personality changes; and your child.telling you about 080 8801 0722becoming insecure;things which causeregressing tothem concernyounger behaviour• who to talk to andsuch as bedwettinghow to get to aor thumb sucking.safe place orMake sure you knowperson when theywhat child abuse is -feel uneasy orcontact the helplinesfrightened.in the Contacts columnfor more information.10Some adults abuse children deliberately andmost often, when abuse does happen, familiesneed support, not punishment or the removal oftheir children.Social workers and other professionals getinvolved when parents may be unable to protecttheir child from harm and need additional helpand support. A specialist PSNI team willinvestigate allegations of abuse with socialworkers to help protect children and decidewhether an offence has been committed againsta child.Many myths exist about protecting children.The realities are:1. Reporting child abuse rarely resultsin the child being removed from home.Removing children from their carers is not themain aim of child protection investigations andrarely happens. Social workers can onlyremove children from home with a court order,having demonstrated that there is a serious andimmediate risk to their wellbeing. The policealso have powers in emergency situations toprotect children when they consider it necessary.2. Children may not tell anyone of theirabuse even those trusted by them.Children may not be able to tell that they havebeen abused or understand what has occurred.They may however show signs which alertparents and carers to what has happened to them.3. Child abuse is not always easyto recognise.Often an assessment of the child and family isneeded in order to find out what has happenedand to determine what support and protectionwill best help. As a result, it can at times bedifficult to avoid some intrusion into family life.A social worker will ask questions about thefamily circumstances, consider the frequencyand the seriousness of the incident and theeffect on the child. All of these factors will helpto decide what should happen next to supportand protect the child and family.Social workers and the police have aresponsibility in law to investigate child abuse.The NSPCC also has a power, under currentlegislation, to investigate and bring careproceedings in its own right.4. Professionals are not solelyresponsible for protecting children.It is not just the responsibility of social workersto make sure that children are safe. They rely oninformation from parents, family, otherprofessionals and the local community whoall play an important part in identifyingconcerns about children with whom they are incontact. This helps to ensure that families areoffered support before the situation becomesmore difficult.11
WARNING SIGNS“John is 7, and I was very careful to visit and discuss his needs withthe staff at the after-school club. It now means I can work a full day knowing hisneeds are being met and he is in a safe environment. He has made lots of newfriends; not just other kids but members of staff too. I can relax and get on withwhat I need to do… life is so much easier.”how do I make the right choice?12All childminders and day care providers (this includes playgroups, crèchesnurseries and after-school clubs) in Northern Ireland are registered 1 andinspected by local Health and Social Services (HSS) TrustsYou should always ask to see the certificate of registrationMake a list of questions and take it with you when you visit each childcare centreTalk to other parents; personal recommendations are helpful, but you should takeup at least two referencesMake sure the childcare provider knows how to contact you in an emergencyand who is authorised by you to collect your childIf you are considering a private foster carer, you must notify the HSS Trustbefore placing your child so that it can make checks to ensure arrangementsare appropriate for your childChildren may notwant to go to thechild minder or daycare provider.Sometimes, childrenare not always ableto tell you if somethingis wrong so notechanges in theirmoods, behaviourand physicalappearances and tryto establish whythese changes haveoccurred.WEBLINKSACTIONSpeak promptly tothe person incharge about anyconcerns you haveabout your child.If you have seriousconcerns about yourchild’s safety,remove your childimmediately andcontact the EarlyYears Team at yourlocal HSS Trust.See page 45 forcontact numbers.• www.childcarechoices.n-i.nhs.ukWHAT TO SAYTell your child whowill be looking afterthem, where theyare going, how longfor and whom theyneed to ask for theirdaily needs.Find out about whata typical day orsession consists ofand let your childknow what toexpect. Be preparedand ask plenty ofquestions.PREVENTIONTake up references ormake enquiries fromothers who have useda particular childcareservice. Look fortrained andexperienced staff.Visit the facilities andlook for confident,happy, busy andrelaxed children.Check how you willbe informed aboutyour child’s progressand in case ofemergency how youwill be contacted.CONTACTS• Your localEducation andLibrary Board(see page 44)• NICMA -Northern IrelandChildmindingAssociation028 9181 1015• NIPPA - The earlyyears organisation028 9066 2825• Employersfor Childcare0800 028 3008As a parent you are often the best judge ofwhether a childcare service will meet yourchild’s needs.When you leave your child in the care of others,you might want to check that:• Their needs are being met and respected.• Their cultural background is recognised.• They will be happy there.• The atmosphere feels right.• There is a settling-in arrangement.• A stable group of children attends so yourchild can make friends.• Mealtimes are relaxed and fun.• The outside area is well planned and spacious.• Activities are varied and carefully plannedand facilitate learning through play.Ensure that your child is left in secure premisesand that well trained and experienced staff arecaring for your child. You will also want theopportunity to get involved and know what yourchild is doing day to day.The main types of childcare available are:Registered Childminders - A registeredchildminder is a person who looks after one ormore children aged under 12 for reward ondomestic premises. Parents and child mindersnegotiate the terms and conditions.Day nurseries - for the under 5s for the lengthof the working day. Voluntary organisations,private companies, individuals, business orcommunity groups run these facilities. They areregistered and inspected by HSS Trusts.Playgroups - are normally for children agedbetween 3 and 5. Exceptionally, someplaygroups may take children aged under 3.Sessions usually last no longer than fourhours. Most of them are run by groups ofparents or community groups with one or twopaid staff. They are registered and inspected byHSS TrustsOut-of-school clubs, - or kids clubs, providesessional play and care for school-aged childrenfrom 3 upwards. These include breakfast clubs,after-school clubs and holiday playschemes.They are registered and inspected by HSS Trusts.Free pre-school education places - Ifyour child is in their immediate pre-school yearthey are entitled, if you so wish, to a year's freepre-school education. Places are provided at arange of settings including statutory nurseryschools and classes and voluntary/privateplaygroups. Funded places are usually providedon a part-time basis although some statutorynursery schools and classes offer free full-timeprovision. All funded pre-school places are onlyavailable during school term time. Contact thePre-School Education Advisory Group of yourlocal Education and Library Board for moreinformation.Private fostering - is very different from thecare provided by Trusts through approvedfoster carers. It occurs when a child under 16 islooked after for more than 28 days by an adult,who is not a relative. It is a private arrangementbetween the parent and the carer. If you arethinking about placing your child with a privatefoster carer, or becoming a private foster carer,the first thing you must do is contact your localHSS Trust. Social services are required by lawto assess and monitor such arrangements. Theprospective private foster carer will need asmuch information as possible about your child(including medical history) and the HSS Trustwill provide you with information to guide yourdecision making. As the birth parents, youretain full parental responsibility for your child.You must remain in touch with the private fostercarer and participate in all decisionsconcerning your child’s life.1 Those looking after children in the child’s home are not required to be registered. Registration is not required when a child is being looked after by a close relativeor if service is provided for less than 2 hours in domestic premises or when service is provided for no payment or reward.13
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Page 24: Useful PublicationsBullyingA toolki

Safe Parenting Handbook (PDF 1.07 Mb) - Department of Health ...

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