Child Abuse + Safeguarding Children

Question 1

Explain the impact of the Victoria Climbie report recommendations on police
procedures in relation to the protection of children.

Answer 1

In 2000 Victoria Climbié was tortured and murdered by her guardians.. She died on
25th February 2000
During the abuse, Climbié was burnt with cigarettes, tied up for periods of longer than
24 hours, and hit with bike chains, hammers and wires. Up to her death, the police,
the social services department of four local authorities, the National Health Service,
the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), and local
churches all had contact with her, and noted the signs of abuse.

On 20 April 2001 Lord Laming was appointed to conduct an Independent Statutory
Inquiry, into the circumstances leading to the death of Victoria and to make
recommendations as to how such an event may be avoided in the future. The Report
ran to over 400 pages.
As a result of the inquiry report Lord Laming made a number of recommendations that
are directly aimed at the police.

Question 2

List recommendations of the Laming Report in relation to police

Answer 2

• The police must ensure crimes against children are given as much importance as those against adults and child protection teams are fully integrated into the force
• Chief constables should review police child protection units
• Police, health and social services have three-month deadlines to improve basic practice
• A new National Agency for Children and Families to ensure police, health and housing services can carry out their duties effectively and efficiently

Question 3

What are the x4 categories of child abuse

Answer 3

Physical
Sexual
Emotional
Neglect

Question 4

Explain “Neglect”

Answer 4

Persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical &/or
psychological needs,
likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or
development.
Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a
result of maternal substance abuse

Question 5

Explain criminal neglect

Answer 5

For criminal neglect – must be evidence of ‘wilful’ (deliberate or reckless) as opposed
to the issue of poor parenting or lack of knowledge.

Question 6

Explain Emotional Abuse

Answer 6

Persistent or severe emotional ill treatment or
rejection of a child which causes an actual or adverse
effect on the child’s emotional & behavioural
development.
It may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate or
valued only in so far as they meet the needs of another person. It may involve
causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or
corruption of children.

Question 7

Explain child sexual abuse

Answer 7

The involvement of
children in sexual
activity of any kind
It may involve
physical contact
such as penetrative
or non penetrative
acts or non contact
activities such as
showing them
pornographic
images etc

Question 8

Define S5 Domestic Violence, Crime & Victims Act 2004

Answer 8

Causing or allowing the death
or to suffer serious physical
harm of a child or vulnerable
adult.

To prevent cases where both parents could blame each other and it was very difficult
to prove offences
Only applies to members of the victim’s household, who had frequent contact with the
victim, and could therefore reasonably be expected to have been aware of a risk of
serious physical harm to the victim, and to have protected the victim from such harm.
Applies only to those who are 16 or over (unless they are the mother or father).
Members of the household under 16 will not have a duty of care or be expected to
take steps to prevent a victim coming to harm.

Question 9

Define S1 Children & Young Persons Act 1933

Answer 9

It is an offence for a person 16 years or over who, having
responsibility for a child under 16, wilfully assaults, ill treats,
neglects, abandons, or exposes the child in a manner that is
likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health

Question 10

List situations where you might encounter a child in need

Answer 10

Domestic abuse situations - In many cases the offender will be the person
removed from the home - this would remove the risk to the child and therefore Police Protection would not be appropriate.
Missing from home
Children may also be at risk by being left alone at home
Routine patrol
Routine calls

Question 11

Explain the police power of Section 46 Children Act 1989

Answer 11

Where a constable has
reasonable cause to believe
that a child would otherwise
be likely to suffer significant
harm they may:

Remove the child to suitable
accommodation & keep them
there OR

Take such steps as are reasonable to
ensure that the child’s removal from any
hospital or any other place, in which they
are then being accommodated, is
prevented

Question 12

How can police protect children from harm?

Answer 12

Section 46 Children Act 1989

Relatives or carers and any residents at their address need to have ID verified.
Checks should be made including PNC, sex offenders register, child protection
register, ViSOR ( violent and sex offenders register) Social Services should also
make checks.

Police station should have suitable room – safe & comfortable where child could be
taken – needs access to suitable play materials, food, drink, toilet, washroom, nappy
changing – some forces have ‘on call’ registered child minders

Complete form PPN

Police Protection Order (PPO)

You may need to consider the possibility of bruising/injuries being hidden by
clothing. Consent must be given by the parent/carer (and the child if old enough to
understand) before clothing is removed.
You may need to consider a forensic medical examination and visually recording any
physical evidence, bearing in mind the age of the child, the time of day and the loss of
potential evidence if such an examination is delayed.
In serious cases consider police protection powers.

Question 13

Explain the term Significant Harm

Answer 13

The term
‘significant harm’
refers to harm
which is affecting
or would affect the
child’s physical or
psychological
development

It includes
impairment
suffered from
seeing or hearing
the ill treatment of
another

Sometimes a single
traumatic event
may constitute
significant harm,
however it is more
often a compilation
of events which
interrupt, change
or damage the
child’s
development

Question 14

What needs to be considered in establishing significant harm?

Answer 14

• The family context
• The child’s development within the context
• Any special needs medical, disability, communication
  -Nature of harm in terms of ill treatment
  -Impact on health
• Adequacy of parental care

Question 15

What do officers need to consider when a concern has been exposed about a child?

Answer 15

Childs safety

Observation + recording of childs condition

Immediate safeguarding of childs welfare

Having to ask questions

What other children could be at risk?

Question 16

What needs to be recorded in relation to a observation of childs condition?

Answer 16

• the child’s name, sex and date of birth;
• the name of the person(s) with parental responsibility and primary carer(s);
• who was present when the child was spoken to; the questions asked of the child;
  the child’s responses;
• a description of the child’s physical appearance including injuries, clothing and
  state of cleanliness;
• any action the officer took to observe the child’s physical condition – parental
  consent must be given if removal of clothing is necessary.
• a description of the child’s demeanour; a description of the child’s surroundings,
  including the condition of the home.

Question 17

What is a PPO?

Answer 17

Section 46 Childrens Act 1989
If a child is believed to be at risk of significant harm, they can be removed from their home and placed under police protection for up to 72 hours in a safe location, under the Children Act 1989.
During the 2 hours all relevant statutory agencies – police, social services, health will
jointly make a decision as to what further action if any should be taken. - ranges from
allowing child to return home to social services dept applying to a court for a care
order.

Question 18

Who are the Investigating/Initiating Officer + Designated Officer

Answer 18

Investigating = Takes child into police protection & undertakes initial
enquiries
Designated = Inspector rank or above. Takes an independent oversight of
the circumstances in which the child has been taken into
police protection

Question 19

Explain a Child Protection Plan

Answer 19

Every local authority keeps a register
of the names of children who are
deemed to be at risk of abuse & who
need a Child Protection Plan to keep
them safe.
The list is confidential and gives the details of children who are known or believed to
have been abused or injured in some way, or who are thought to be at risk of injury,
abuse or neglect. This list was referred to as the Child Protection Register – now this
register is a list of children that have a protection plan in place

Question 20

What are ACES?

Answer 20

ACEs are stressful experiences occurring during childhood that directly harm a child
or affect the environment in which they live (e.g growing up in a house with domestic
violence) that they were subjected to while under the age of 18.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are “highly stressful, and potentially traumatic,
events or situations that occur during childhood and/or adolescence. They can be a
single event, or prolonged.

Question 21

What are the effects of ACES?

Answer 21

Brain Development
- Smaller brain size / Less efficient processing / Impaired stress response / Changes in gene
expression
Cognition
- Impaired learning / Difficulty problem solving / Language delays / Problems concentrating
/ Poor Academic achievement
Emotions
- Difficulty Controlling emotions / Trouble recognising emotions / Limited coping skills /
Increased sensitivity to stress / Shame and guilt / Excess Worry / Feelings of Hopelessness
Physical Health
- Sleeping disorders / Eating disorders / Poor immune system / Heart disease / Shorter life
span
Relationships
- Poor or broken relationships with family members / No role models / Friends who are
22
similar
Mental Health
- Depression / Anxiety / Negative self Image / low self esteem / PTSD / Suicidality
Behaviour
- Poor self regulations / Socially withdrawn / Aggression / Poor impulse control / Risk taking
or illegal activity / Harmful Sexual Behaviour / Adolescent Pregnancy / Drug and Alcohol use /
Shorter Life span

Question 22

How do you find if a child has a child protection plan?

Answer 22

1. During daytime hours? (conduct inquiries through MASH)
2. Out of normal working office hours? (conduct EDT for your area)

Every local authority (social services dept) in England and Wales keeps a register, or
list, of the names of children who need a Child Protection Plan

Question 23

What is the purpose of a Child Protection Plan?

Answer 23

A Child Protection Plan is made when a child is judged to be at risk of significant harm, significant harm being a level of harm that affects the health, welfare and development of a child. The Plan will say what the specific risks are to the child and the actions that will be needed to keep the child safe.