Child Protection Guidelines

Your organisation’s Child Protection Procedures (see example Procedures ) should detail the steps which will be followed where there are concerns that a child or young person could be experiencing abuse and/or neglect. The procedures should help to ensure a speedy and effective response for dealing with such concerns.

When developing your child protection procedures, you should make sure that they reflect the procedures detailed in your local area Child Protection Committee’s Child Protection Procedures or Guidelines. Copies of these procedures can be obtained from your local area Social Work office. Contact details of each Social Work area office are available from the Scottish Executive’s website – www.scotland.gov.uk

It is important that all workers understand how concerns about a child or young person’s safety can come to light; for example:

• a child or young person alleges that abuse has taken place or that they feel unsafe;
• a third party or anonymous allegation is received;
• a child or young person’s appearance, behaviour, play, drawing or statements cause suspicion of abuse and/or neglect;
• a child or young person reports an incident(s) of alleged abuse which occurred some time ago;
• a report is made regarding the serious misconduct of a worker towards a child or young person.

Where there are grounds for concern that a child or young person could be at risk of abuse or neglect the key tasks for any voluntary organisation are observing, reporting, recording and co-operating with the child protection agencies. It is never the responsibility of any voluntary organisation or individual worker to:

a) investigate suspected or alleged abuse and/or neglect;
b) evaluate the grounds for concern; or
seek proof before making a referral to the child protection agencies
c) seek proof before making a referral to the child protection agencies