POLICY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION

Ref No CP-08-05

POLICY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION AREA:

Trust Wide

POLICY SPONSOR:

Named Nurse for Child Protection

IMPLEMENTED:

June 2004

REVISED:

September 2005

DUE FOR REVIEW:

September 2008

TO BE APPROVED BY:

Date Approved

Older People’s Governance team Children’s and Specialist Governance Team Adult Governance team Learning Disabilities Governance Team MAC NAC Joint Governance team DISSEMINATED TO:

Added to Intranet by:

September 2005 September 2005 September 2005 September 2005 October 2005 September 2005 July 2005

Operational Directors All Ward/Department/Unit Managers Medical Director Medical Staffing Manager( for Induction packs) Clinical Governance department

Margaret Kettlewell Date added: 2 November 2005

Directorate: Risk Management Directorate

CHILD/Standard Forms//Initial Conference Report March 2005

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POLICY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION 1.0

INTRODUCTION

1.1

The Trust conforms to the recommendations as described in the Inter Agency Child Protection Procedures document (November 2000), in which the text follows the guidance provided in “Working Together to Safeguard Children” (1999) and “Framework for the Assessment of Children in need and their Families” (2000).

1.2

This policy should be read in conjunction with the “Employment of ex offenders Policy”, “Visiting Service Users within in patient units” Policy and the publication “What to do if you are worried a child is being abused” (2003).

2.0

NAMED PROFESSIONALS

2.1

The Trust has named Doctors and a Named Nurse in accordance with child protection requirements. Details of all the contacts for Dorset are listed Appendix 1

3.0

CHILD PROTECTION TRAINING

3.1

The Trust implements training in accordance with the Dorset and Somerset Strategic Health Authority recommendations and all training is on a multi agency basis :

Level 1

Induction Every member of staff without exception and including sub contracted staff within the Dorset and Somerset health community should receive a basic level of child protection training included as part of a mandatory induction programme. It is not envisaged that the training would consist of anything more complex than advice on how to identify and act on concerns preferably with a flow chart to outline the process and details of appropriate local contacts. This should take no more than 15 minutes.

Level 2

Basic This should be directed at staff who work where children and young people or parents may be seen and treated. It should also cover staff who may have significant contact with children but have no professional


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relationship e.g. domestic staff in children’s wards or units. This level of training would also be the appropriate level for Ambulance Technician and Paramedic staff. The training content should cover all aspects of Level 1 in greater detail as well as report/note writing, identifying abuse, the effects of child abuse on the child, young person and the family, addressing the attitudes and feelings of practitioners and confidentiality issues. The duration of this training would be no more than 1 day and would be provided on a single agency but multi disciplinary basis. The local Health sub group of the Area Child Protection Committee working in collaboration would determine the precise content of the training for both this level and Level 1. This level would be pertinent for professionals working in the field of adult and older people’s mental health. Level 3

Advanced This training is relevant for health professionals working directly with children in need and their families who require a more in depth knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, for example general practitioners, health visitors, children’s nurses, school nurses, midwives, paediatricians, professionals working in sexual health and Genito-Urinary Medicine services, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, including the Early Intervention Team and Accident and Emergency staff. The training content should include enhanced aspects of Level 1 and 2, a focus on multidisciplinary and interagency aspects of child protection, listening to the child, fabricated illness, domestic violence and legal aspects child protection. This training would be provided on a multi agency, multi disciplinary basis dependent on the staff involved and their role and is already in place via Area Child Protection Committee training throughout the health community. Refresher training for Levels 2 and 3 should be on a three yearly basis.

Level 4

Specialist This training would be relevant for Named and Designated professionals, consultant paediatricians and others at a policy/advice giving level. There is currently a lack of local training available for these staff and although national events are organised the expense of attending is often beyond the ability of employers to meet. The suggestion is to provide facilitated action learning sets separately in Dorset and Somerset with a clear educational focus linked to continuous professional development at the Universities of Bournemouth and Plymouth. Attendance at the action learning sets would be mandatory and the training would be on an ongoing basis. Further discussion will be required to identify precisely how the continuous professional development needs could best be met by the academic sector.


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3.2

Staff are required to complete details of the training undertaken for the Clinical Governance Department data base.

4.0

DOCUMENTATION

4.1

All Trust areas have a copy of the Inter agency Child Protection Procedures (November 2000) accessible to all staff. Updates will be disseminated by the named professionals.

5.0

CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU INVESTIGATION

5.1

All new staff and existing staff will be subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check. Existing staff working wholly or partly with children and vulnerable adults will be required to complete an annual declaration stating they have had no convictions with regard to offences against children. (Ref: Employment of Ex offenders Policy).

6.0

TRUST ACCESS TO INTERPRETER SERVICE

6.1

The Trust has access to interpreters and a list is maintained by the Clinical Governance Department. In addition, the Trust is a member of Language Line who provide interpreting services. Access to Language Line is via Department Operational Managers.

6.0

CHILD PROTECTION DEPARTMENT

6.1

The Child Protection Department for East Dorset is based at 11 Shelley Road and provides a service to all Trusts in East Dorset. Those staff who have concerns are encouraged to make contact and discuss their cause of concern with one of the child protection team. In their absence the local social service office can be contacted for advice.

6.2

Access to the Child Protection register to ascertain if a child(children) is registered or family known to Social Services is via the relevant Social Service Custodian of the Register and, out of hours, from the Social Service Out of Hours Service. (Appendix 1)

7.0

REFERRAL PROCESS (Ref. Chapter 5 Inter Agency Child Protection Procedures November 2000)

7.1

Referral to social services should be carried out in accordance with the Dorset Inter Agency Procedures. (Local arrangements may be in place within each Trust area and these should be ascertained)( Appendix 2)

7.2

Referrals made to Social Services can be verbal but must always be followed up in writing within 24 hours. In addition, social services must be contacted in the following 24 hours to ensure the outcome of the referral is known and understood (Laming Report 2003)


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7.3

In the event of a difference in opinion regarding whether a child is at risk of harm then reference should be made to Chapter 5 of the Inter Agency Procedures (Paragraph 1.0 to 1.6) and advice sought from the Child Protection Department and/or the relevant Social Services.

7.4

The Inter Agency Procedures apply to all children and further information regarding those living in different circumstances can be found in Chapter 6 of the Inter Agency Procedures or advice can be sought as in 7.3 of this policy.

7.5

In the event of an enquiry or advice being needed outside normal office hours, then the Social Service Out of Hours Service may be contacted telephone number 01202 668123. (Appendix 1)

8.0

RECORD KEEPING

8.1

Front line staff regularly coming into contact with families with children must ensure they identify vulnerable children via risk assessment and that once that identification has been made, procedures as detailed in the Inter agency Procedures should be followed which will include basic information about the child being recorded, the child’s name, address, age, the name of the child’s primary carer, the child’s GP and the name of the child’s school if the child is of school age. Any gaps in this information must be passed to the relevant authority. (Laming Report 2003)

8.2

When concerns about abuse of a child have been raised, all staff must ensure that comprehensive and contemporaneous notes are made of the concerns in accordance with record keeping guidelines. In addition details of sessions where a child is suspected or known to be at risk of harm must be recorded in the Child’s health record immediately.

8.3

All information recorded and /or reported to other agencies must be based on fact. (Laming Report and Inter Agency Child Protection Procedures Chapter 7 Paragraph 13 )

9.0

CHILD PROTECTION CONFERENCE

9.1

In the event of a child protection conference being convened by Social Services, anyone with relevant information should attend. The matter may be discussed with a member of the Child Protection Department prior to the conference date.

9.2

A comprehensive report will be required for the conference regardless of attendance. Agreement will be sought as to who will present the report in the absence of the member of staff attending.

9.3

The report is required to form a part of the decision making process of the conference.


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10.0

CHILD PROTECTION CONFERENCE MINUTES

10.1

A copy of the minutes will be sent to the clinician involved and these should be retained securely within the main case file.

10.2

If registration on the child protection register has occurred then a review conference will be arranged. Once de-registered, the date of de registration should be noted on the main file. The social service department will retain the original details should additional information be required at a later date.

11.0

INVESTIGATION

11.1

On occasion it may be necessary to investigate particular circumstances surrounding a family. This investigation is usually initiated by Social Services and may take the form of a case audit, case review or internal management review. Those staff involved will be required to participate in the review as requested. Assistance will be provided by the child protection department if required. Notes will only be removed from the area of work in extreme cases.

12.0

CONFIDENTIALITY

12.1 Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership have developed a multi agency information sharing protocol in keeping with Caldicott Principles, the purpose of which is to identify, safeguard and promote the welfare of vulnerable children at risk of social exclusion.


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Appendix 1 SAFEGUARDING DORSET HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST In the event of Safeguarding concerns in relation to any patients the relevant procedures outlined in the Inter-Agency Procedures should be followed. USEFUL ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS Social Services

Bournemouth 9 Madeira Rd Bournemouth BH1 1QN Tel No. 01202 458000 - Fax 458020 Poole Children & Families Tel No. 01202 735046 - Fax 715589 Dorset Ferndown: 01202 877445 Christchurch: 01202 474106 Purbeck (Wareham) 01929 553456 Dorchester 01305 251414 Bridport 01308 422234 North Dorset 01258 472652 Sherborn 01935 817207 Weymouth and Portland 01305 760139

Out of Hours Social Services Tel No.

01202 668123

Police Child Protection Investigation Units: Poole – Tel No. 01202 552099 Bournemouth Tel No. 01202 552099 Dorchester Tel No. 01305 251212

If you require advice re Safeguarding the following Personnel are available: Daphne Rose Consultant Nurse for Safeguarding 01202/851216 or mobile 07876142735 SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN TEAM c/o Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust Shelley Rd Bournemouth BH1 1JQ Joan Waddingham: Tel No. 01202 443151 - Mobile 07887 546861 Margaret Mabbot-Smith: Tel No. 01202 443153 - Mobile 07990 515218 Kate Roberts: Tel No. 01202 443151 - Mobile 07717 571852 Geraldine Wakely: Tel No. 01202 443151

DORSET HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST Named Nurse for Safeguarding : Helen Duncan Jordan Tel. 07876131625 Named Doctor for Safeguarding : Dr Stephen Turberville Tel. 646300

Paediatric advice should be sought from Community Paediatric Consultant on call @ Poole Hospital or Dr Julie Doherty Designated Dr for Child Protection Tel No. 01305 255183 CHILD/Standard Forms//Initial Conference Report March 2005

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APPENDIX 2 DORSET HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURES GUIDELINES ON REFERRAL Staff may wish to discuss Child Protection concerns with a member of the Child Protection Team before making a Referral to Social Services. The Child Protection Team are available for help and advice and staff are encouraged to contact the Team to discuss their concerns. Location

Room 106, First Floor Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust HQ 11 Shelley Road Boscombe Bournemouth BH1 4JQ

Secretaries: Answerphone

01202 443151 01202 443151

Joan Waddingham: Clinical Manager Child Protection Tel No. 01202 443151 Mobile 07887 546861 Margaret Mabbott-Smith: Child Protection Advisor Tel No. 01202 443151 - Mobile 07990 515218 Kate Roberts: Child Protection Advisor Tel No. 01202 443151 -Mobile 07717 571852 Geraldine Wakely: Child Protection Advisor Tel No. 01202 443151

(One of the team will return your call as soon as possible)


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Appendix 3

REFERRAL TO SOCIAL SERVICES

Each of the Local Authorities now have their own forms for Children in Need/Need of Protection and staff should complete the appropriate form. The relevant form should be sent to Social Services and a copy sent to the Child Protection Department and a copy retained in the child’s notes. All referrals should be followed up within 24 hours of being made by the referrer to the Social Service Department to ensure the outcome of the referral is known.(Laming Report 2003)

NB All the social service departments have agreed to accept referrals on any of the forms in the event of the specific form not being available

If following discussion with the Child Protection Department, a Referral to Social Services is not considered to be appropriate a pink Family of Concern form should still be completed and sent to the Child Protection Department.

NB Copies of all the relevant forms are within this policy or available on the intranet within the “forms” section.


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Appendix 4 ACTION TO BE TAKEN WHERE THERE IS ACTUAL OR SUSPECTED ABUSE CONCERNS RAISED

DISCUSS WITH CHILD PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ONLY IF CLARITY NEEDED REGARDING REFERRAL

Decision made not to seek parents consent (Chapter 5.5 – Dorset CP Interagency Procedures)

Obtain Parents consent

Refer to Social Services Complete Referral Form in writing Send Copy to Child Protection Dept. Retain one copy in records

RECORD ACTION TAKEN


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Social Services will decide within 24 hours the action to be taken and will notify the Referrer of the decision. The referrer to ensure this action happens.

Appendix 5 ATTENDANCE AT CHILD PROTECTION CONFERENCE

•

Staff may be required to attend Child Protection Conferences.

•

If a member of staff has had substantial involvement with a family it would be expected that they would attend the Conference following discussion with the Child Protection Department. In the event of the member of staff not being able to attend the Conference a comprehensive report outlining their involvement with the child should be written and submitted to the Chair of the Conference at least 24 hours in advance and if at all possible shared with the parents. There are standard report forms to be used for Initial Reports and Review Conferences and Change of Circumstance Forms. (Forms as appendices within policy)

REPORT WRITING If a Child Protection Conference is convened regarding a child or family known to the team it is essential that a report is submitted prior to the Conference.

The staff member should discuss with the Child Protection Department as to who should present the report on behalf of the member of staff if they are unable to attend.

CHILD PROTECTION MINUTES Minutes of Child Protection Conferences should be kept within the integrated record. A copy of the final Minutes will be kept securely by the Child Protection Department for a maximum of two years.

Should information be required at a later date pertaining to previous Child Protection Registration information can be obtained from the Child Protection Department.


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FORMS

CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES FOR CHILDREN ON CHILD PROTECTION REGISTER OR PREVIOUSLY NOTIFIED AS A FAMILY OF CONCERN SURNAME/S …………………………………………………….…………………………… PRESENT ADDRESS ……………………………...………………………………............. ……………………………………………………………….POST CODE …………………. HOME ADDRESS (IF DIFFERENT)…………………...…………………………………… ……………………………………………………...……….POST CODE ……..…….…….. ETHNICITY/FIRST LANGUAGE …………………………………………………………… CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES – PLEASE GIVE DETAILS

SIGNED ………………………………………………………DATE …………....………….. NAME ………………………………………………………………………………………….. CHILD/Standard Forms//Initial Conference Report March 2005 12

DESIGNATION …………………………………………………………………………….....

FAMILY OF CONCERN “PINK” Family Contact Pattern

HIGH

STANDARD

SURNAME/S …………………………………...……………………………………………………… PRESENT ADDRESS ………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………… POST CODE…………………..………. HOME ADDRESS (IF DIFFERENT)………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………… POST CODE ………………………….. ETHNICITY/FIRST LANGUAGE: …..………………………………………………………………. MOTHER’S NAME ………………………………………..… D.O.B ……………………….……… MARITAL STATUS

M

CHILD/CHILDREN

W

D

D.O.B.

S

SEP

COHAB

FATHER

1……….…………………………

…..………...

……………...…………………….

2 …………………………………

…..………...

………...………………………….

3 …………………………………

………..…...

………...………………………….

4 …………………………………

………..…...

………..……………….………….

5 …………………………………

……..……...

…………..…………….………….

General Practitioner …………............................... Base ...………................................. Health Visitor……………………............................ Base ………………………………… Midwife (if appropriate) ……………………………………………………………………… Other Health Professionals .................................…………………..…………………….. CHILD/Standard Forms//Initial Conference Report March 2005

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School/Playgroup................................................. School Nurse ……………………….

Please ring as appropriate Domestic Violence (DV)

Mental Health (MH)

Alcohol (A)

Drugs (D)

Special Needs (SPN) CONCERNS (Child Development Needs, Parenting Capacity, Family & Environmental Factors)


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LIAISON WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS

ARE PARENTS AWARE OF CONCERNS (please tick)

PLEASE ATTACH COPIES OF THE FOLLOWING:CENTILES FROM HV CENTILES FROM SN IF BEING RECORDED SKIN MAPS IF APPROPRIATE

SIGNED …………………………………………………… DATE …………………………. PLEASE PRINT NAME ……………………………………………………………………… DESIGNATION ……………………………………………………………………………….


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INITIAL REPORT FOR CHILD PROTECTION CONFERENCE

CHILD/CHILDREN NAMES

D.O.B.

PARENTS/ SIGNIFICANT OTHERS

M/F

ETHNICITY/FIRST LANGUAGE

RELATIONSHIP TO CHILD

D.O.B.

ADDRESS

ADDRESS

General Practitioner .………………………….Base ….…………………………….….... Health Visitor .………………………………….Base ……………….….……….………… Other Health Professionals (eg School Nurse, Midwife, CAMHS)…..…..………..... ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Social Worker …………..…………………………………………………………….……… School/Playgroup ……………………………………………………………………………


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Venue: Date: Time:

FAMILY SURNAME: REASON FOR CONFERENCE

INVOLVEMENT WITH FAMILY including dates of contact and DNA’s:

PARENTS/CARERS RELEVANT INFORMATION (eg. Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Alcohol, Drugs) :


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CONFIDENTIAL (A separate page should be completed for each child) FAMILY SURNAME: NAME OF CHILD: AGE: HEALTH (Child Development Needs (including percentile charts if appropriate), Parenting Capacity, Family and Environmental Factors)

FAMILY SURNAME: CHILD/standard Forms/Review Conferences Report March 2005

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CONFIDENTIAL

EVALUATION OF RISK:

Shared with Parent/Carer: Yes

No

Parent/Carer’s Signature ……………………………………………………………...

SIGNED………………………………………………. DATE……………………….…… PLEASE PRINT NAME……………………………………………………………………. DESIGNATION……………………….……………………………………………………..

CHILD/standard Forms/Review Conferences Report March 2005

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CONFIDENTIAL REVIEW REPORT FOR CHILD PROTECTION CONFERENCE

CHILD/CHILDREN NAMES

D.O.B.

SIGNIFICANT OTHERS

M/F

ETHNICITY/FIRST LANGUAGE

RELATIONSHIP TO CHILD

D.O.B.

ADDRESS

ADDRESS

General Practitioner …………….……………. Base …….……………….….………..... Health Visitor ………………………..….………Base …..………………………………… Other Health Professionals (eg School Nurse, Midwife, CAMHS) ..……...………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Social Worker………………………………………………………………………………… School/Playgroup …………………………….School Nurse …………………..…….....


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CONFIDENTIAL FAMILY SURNAME: CURRENT INVOLVEMENT (since previous Conference)

LIAISON WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS

IDENTIFIED ROLE IN PROTECTION PLAN AND PROGRESS .


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(A separate page should be completed for each child) FAMILY SURNAME: NAME OF CHILD: AGE: HEALTH – Additional information since previous conference (Child Development Needs (including percentiles if appropriate), Parenting Capacity, Family and Environmental Factors)

CONFIDENTIAL FAMILY SURNAME:

EVALUATION OF RISK:

Shared with Parent/Carer: Yes

No

Parent/Carer’s Signature: ………………………………………………………………….

SIGNED……………………………………………….DATE….....................…… ………… PLEASE NAME………………………………………………..……………….…….

PRINT

DESIGNATION………………………… ……………………………………………………..

LL.Reports.policy for the management of child protection July 05

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CONFIDENTIAL DORSET HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT FORM Department/Service area:

Children’s Services

Policy Sponsor:

Liz Lochhead

Name of the policy/protocol: (please attach a copy)

Management of Child Protection

Intended Outcome/s of Policy:

Staff will be trained in the management of Child Protection issues including referral procedures and accessing advice.

This form is designed to be filled in using the Impact Assessment Flowchart for guidance. Please see appendix 1. Groups.

Gender and transgender groups.

People from Black and Minority Ethnic groups.

Positive Impact High Low

Negative Impact High Low

Evidence / justification for your decision. The policy applies to all children in every circumstance. The Trust children’s services are accessible by all regardless of gender.

Yes

CAMHS mapping data demonstrates low numbers of Black and Ethnic groups currently access CAMHS

YES

People who have a disability.

Monitoring data unavailable

People who identify themselves as lesbian, gay or bisexual.

Monitoring data unavailable

People from different age groups.

Yes

yes People who belong to a religion or have particular beliefs.

CAMHS mapping data demonstrates common age range is between 9 and 13 years which is in line with National trends. The age range for referrals from the Trust regarding Child Protection issues is not identified as the data is not collected currently. It is known that Nationally those from the marginalised groups do not access statutory services. CAMHS strategy 2006 identified this and consultation has started with education as to how best make the services more accessible. Pursuing full impact assessment


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CONFIDENTIAL If no evidence of high negative impact has been identified, the Equality Impact Assessment has been completed. It is the Policy Sponsors responsibility to complete and attach an equality impact assessment each time a policy is written or reviewed prior to sending it to the relevant committees for comment and amendment its final destination being the joint governance team for approval. It will then be the Risk Managements Directorate responsibility to update the intranet with the approved policy. A signed hard copy and electronic copy should be kept within your department for audit purposes. Signed by Writer/Reviewer: ………………… Signed by Sponsor: ……………………. Name (print) ………………………………….. Name (print) …………………………………. Date completed: ..../.…/….

If you have identified evidence of high negative impact for any of the above groups, action must be taken to minimise/eliminate it. This may mean consultation with the appropriate organisations (appendix 4.) and developing an action plan (appendix 2.)


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CONFIDENTIAL

Groups.

EVIDENCE OF CONSULTATION Name of Date Appropriate Outcome/agreed action Consulted Body

Gender and transgender groups.

People from Black and Ethnic Minority groups.

People who have a disability.

People who identify themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual.

People from different age groups.

People who belong to a religion or have particular beliefs. Please return a copy of this form and the completed action plan proforma to the Director of Risk Management. A signed hard copy and electronic copy should be kept within your department for audit purposes. Signed by Writer/Reviewer: ………………… Signed by Sponsor: ……………………. Name (print) ………………………………….. Name (print) …………………………………. Date completed: ..../.…/…. Signed on behalf of the Trade Unions …………………………………………………………. Name (print) …………………………………… Date completed ……………………………

Date of next policy review: ………………………


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