Schools have the responsibility to develop childrens awareness and their knowledge of what is acceptable and what is not acceptable behaviour, including when using the internet. Support and protect children who are identified as being at greater risk or are on the at risk register and provide professional training of all staff relating to safeguarding. Have policies and securtiy systems for e-learning activities and use software filters. Observe signs of abuse, chages in childrens behaviour or failure to thrive and refer any concerns.
Children spend a great amount of time in school with teachers and staff so it is essential staff are able to monitor, keep records, share appropriate information with other agencies and just be aware of any unexplained changes in the child. Childrens Social Care: Childrens social care has a key role to play in the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children who are in need. To do this they must work in partnership with parents and other agencies.
When a risk or concern has been rasied Childrens Social Care has a particular responsibility to decide on the course of action to take. They will carry out initial assessments of children who are thought to be at risk, meet and conduct interviews with the child and family members, liaise with and gather information about the child from other agencies. They will take the lead during Child Protection Conferences and will take the necessary action when a child is thought to be in immediate danger.
Police: The police work closely with childrens social care to protect children from harm. They provide regular updates and have a Child Abuse Investigations Unit that has access to databases that quickly check information on particular individuals and gather evidence. Health Services: These include the school nurse, doctors, health visitors, local clinics and hospitals. All NHS staff should be able to recognise abuse and be familiar with local procedures.
The childs GP will be informed of any visits by children to any A&E department, walk in centres or minor injury care units. They will carry out observations of any child who is thought to be at risk. They liaise with social services. Local County Councils: All County Councils have a child protection department and Lincolnshire County Council have one, here you can contact them during office hours and they also have an emergency out of hours contact details.
You can contact them annonomously but they would rather details were left so that experienced staff can make judgements on whether action needs to be taken. There is a need for shared responsibilty, children themselves, agencies and professionals all of whom have different roles and expertise. Individual children, especially some of the most vulnerable children and those at greatest risk of social exclusion, will need co-ordinated help from health, education, children’s social care, and quite possibly the voluntary sector and other agencies, including youth justice services.
