Education and Children's Services
Western Isles Child Protection Committee
Revised Inter-agency Child Protection Procedures and Guidelines
Background Information
1. Revised National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2010
The existing national guidance on child protection; Protecting Children A Shared Responsibility 1998 has been updated in response to legislative and practice developments. The guidance is intended to support local procedures and once implemented the various key changes such as removal of categories of registration and revised timescales for child protection processes will be phased in over the next 12 months.
The Scottish Government has committed to work with Child Protection Committees over the course of this year so as to integrate the national guidance with local procedures.
These local procedures will be web based and will be regularly updated in line with the implementation of national guidance and changes to legislation and local processes.
2. Summary of Key Changes to the revised Western Isles Child Protection Committee Inter-agency Procedures
Domestic Abuse (Section 2. 2.6)
Domestic abuse is now widely recognised as a significant factor in many cases involving child abuse. A clear definition of domestic abuse is included and the section has been expanded to provide detailed information on various aspects of this offence.
Whilst issues around domestic abuse are included in most child protection training, it is intended that specific, focused training will be delivered this year within the inter-agency child protection training programme.
Parental Substance Misuse (Section 2. 2.7)
Many children are affected by parental substance misuse and issues around assessment of risk and the various factors which have to be recognised and taken into account are included in this section. It also now provides a link to the relevant Western Isles Inter-agency Guidelines and Framework for Reducing Harm.
Internet and Mobile Technology (Section 2. 2.8)
The dangers associated with misuse of computers, mobile phones and other aspects of technology are now well known. A comprehensive programme, taking in every school in the Western Isles, is underway to raise awareness not only among children and young people but also among parents and other adults with responsibility for the care and safety of children.
Concerns and allegations relating to Young Persons aged 16-18 Years (Section 3. 3.1.5)
In line with introduction of the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 this section addresses the interests of children and young people aged 16-18 years given that child and adult protection procedures can overlap in particular cases.
Initial Risk Assessment and Inter-Agency Referral Discussion (Section 3. 3.3)
Initial risk assessment and inter-agency discussion is critically important following any referral. This section is expanded to include more detail around initial risk assessment in particular, and also various additional factors which have to be considered prior to moving to the next stages.
School Child Protection Co-ordinators (Section 3. 3.19)
This revised section outlines the specific responsibilities of school Child Protection Co-ordinators and the procedures they will follow in the event of a referral.
Role of Case Conference Chair (Section 5. 10.1)
This section has been expanded to include more detail around the role of the case conference Chair. It is intended that more detailed statistical information will be collated in terms of attendance and timescales and quality of reports to case conferences will be recorded and used for audit purposes in the future.
Child Protection Register (Section 8. 8.2)
The information recorded in respect of a child whose name has been added to the child protection register has been widened considerably to include every relevant aspect which should be considered as part of the care plan for the child.
Transfer of Records (Section 8.4)
National guidance for the transfer of child protection records throughout Scotland are in place and the section takes account of that process. Transfer between England and Scotland is more problematic. This is being addressed at a national level.
Child Protection Investigation Process Flowchart (Appendix 1 and Appendix 1A)
A full revision of the flowcharts has been completed in line with changes to investigative and medical procedures and planning.
