Child protection and safeguarding
Every child has the right to grow up in a caring and safe environment. However, some children live in families that are having a difficult time and cannot cope with their problems, whilst others are deliberately hurt or neglected by adults around them. The council's children and families department has a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare and safety of children in need in the borough. They aim to work with families where possible in order to do this.
What to do if you are worried about a child
If you are concerned that a child or young person is being
harmed through abuse or neglect you should contact children and
families on (020) 8825 8000 or the Police on 999 in emergency
situations.
How and why social workers
become involved in child protection
Child protection
conferences
What if problems cannot be
resolved?
Procedures
Useful contacts
How
and why social
workers become involved in child protection
Social workers receive information (referrals) from other
professionals and the public if they are concerned that a child is
being harmed or at risk of being harmed.
Social workers then have a duty by law to investigate the situation or circumstances that have led to the referral. They will:
- complete an assessment/child protection investigation in partnership with the police and talk to the child or young person, family members and visit the family home.
- contact all agencies that are directly involved with the child and ask them for information about the child's welfare
- in some situations involve the police who also have a duty to investigate circumstances where it is believed a child has been harmed
There are a number of categories of harm that social workers investigate and these can include physical, emotional or sexual abuse and/ or neglect. These categories include children witnessing domestic violence.
Child
protection
conferences
If the assessment indicates that the child is at risk of harm
a child protection conference may be called. This is a
meeting attended by the parents of the child and all key agencies
involved with the child. A child under 12 would normally not
attend though an older child may do. However, the social
worker will speak to the child before the conference and will
present their views. The conference will be chaired by an
independent person. The aim of the conference is to:
-
agree whether a child has suffered harm/is likely to suffer harm in the future
-
agree a child protection plan if necessary, which sets out what action needs to be taken by all the agencies and the family to meet the child's needs and reduce the areas of risk and concern
What
if problems cannot be
resolved?
We always try to keep children with their families if at all
possible, and the majority of children who have a child protection
plan stay at home with their families. However, if professionals
consider that it would be unsafe for a child to remain at home they
will consider making alternative arrangements for the the child to
be cared for. Such arrangements would have to be considered by the
courts and would be subject to review. When this happens, we will
always look for alternative carers within the family.
London Safeguarding Children Board
Information on statutory guidance regarding child
protection.
Ealing’s Safeguarding Children Board
Ealing Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB) is
made up of multi-agency representatives. The core duty of the
ESCB is to ensure that there are adequate arrangements in place
across agencies to protect children from harm. They also have a
duty to ensure that the welfare of children is promoted so that
they are able to achieve the five Every Child Matters outcomes:
stay safe, be healthy, enjoy and achieve, make a positive
contribution and achieve economic well-being. It has a particular
focus on the outcome 'staying safe'.
For parents/relatives
If you are a parent/relative involved or affected by the
child protection process and you require independent support you
can contact:
The Family Rights Group
This organisation offers independent advice to families whose
children are the subject of a child protection investigation or
conference.
Freephone: 0800 731 1696
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1.30pm-3.30pm
For children:
If someone is hurting you and you want help you can contact
children and families directly on (020) 8825 8000. Alternatively,
you can speak to a police officer, teacher, health visitor or
doctor.
The following organisations can also help:
NSPCC
The NSPCC's purpose is to end cruelty to children.
Adults can telephone the NSPCC child protection helpline on 0808
800 5000 if they are worried about a child.
Childline
ChildLine is the free and confidential helpline for
children and young people in the UK. Children and young people can
telephone ChildLine on 0800 1111 to talk about any
problem.
Children’s Legal Centre
Provides legal advice, information and representation for
children and young people.