Worried About A Child?

Phone the Children's Duty and Assessment Team:

01925 443400

01925 444400(Out of Hrs - runs Mon - Fri from 5:00-8:30am and 24hrs at weekends and bank holidays)

Referral Poster - can be displayed in your office

Do:

ü   Listen to the child

ü   Take what the child says seriously

ü   Act fast

ü   Share your worries with Children’s Safeguarding Service, the Police or the NSPCC – they are there to help  you

ü   Continue to offer the child support

Don’t:

û         Put it off

û         Press the child for explanations

û         Leave it to someone else to help the child

û         Be afraid to voice your concerns, the child may need urgent protection and help

û         Tell the parents if sexual abuse is suspected  

Remember:

Any child anywhere can be abused at any time.

Disabled children are especially vulnerable.

Child abuse can be committed by anyone – adults or children

What will happen?

The person you speak to in the Access to Social Care Team will take your concerns very seriously and refer your case to a social worker trained in child protection who will contact you. Whatever you say will be treated in confidence. The social worker will check whether the family is known to the service already and will discuss the case with a manager.

Enquires often begin by asking other people in contact with the child, such as teachers, health visitors or doctors, to see if they have any concerns about the child too. In most cases there will be a discussion between the social worker, the parents and the child. Sometimes it soon becomes clear that there is nothing to worry about, but if concern remains about the welfare of the child, the formal Child Protection Enquiry procedures will begin immediately. This work is highly confidential, you may not be kept informed as the enquiry continues, but your alertness will have been the important first step in protecting the child.

What is Child Abuse?

It takes many forms: Signs tolook out for

Type of Abuse

Definition

What to Look out For

Physical Abuse

When children are hurt or injured by others, for example by hitting, shaking squeezing or biting.

·        Unexplained injuries, bruises or marks

·        Fear, watchfulness, over anxiety to please

·        Small, round burns or bite marks

·        Frequent absences from school

Sexual Abuse

When others use children to meet their own sexual needs. This might include sexual activity involving the child or showing the children pornographic material on videos or the internet.

·        Comments about sexual activity

·        Sexual knowledge or comments which are not what you would expect from a child

·        Sexual behaviour which is not what you would expect from a child

·        Unexpected reactions of fear or wariness to people

·        Repeated urinary or genital infections

·        Pregnancy/sexually transmitted diseases  

Emotional Abuse

When children are persistently denied love and affection. Children will suffer if they are always shouted at, made to feel stupid, rejected, used as scapegoats or live in a violent environment

·        Unexplained gifts or money

·        Withdrawn, anxious behaviour, lack of self-confidence

·        Self-harm and eating disorders

·        Demanding or attention-seeking behaviour

·        Unwillingness to communicate

·        Repetitive, nervous behaviour such as rocking, hair twisting or scratching  

Neglect

Where no one meets children’s basic needs for food, warmth, protection. Education and care, including health care

·        The child’s clothes are often dirty, scruffy or unsuitable for the weather

·        No one seeks medical help when child is ill or hurt

·        The child is smelly and dirty

·        The child is left alone or with unsuitable carers

·        The child is thin, pale, lacking in energy

·        Lots of accidents happen to the child

·        The child is exposed to risks or dangers, such as dangers in the home or drugs or needles being left around

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