Child Protection 1 Flashcards
What is safeguarding
- Actions taken to minimise the risk and harm to children
- Protects children from maltreatment
- Prevents impairment of children’s health or development
- Ensures that children grows up in a safe and caring environment
What is child abuse
- Term used to describe a number of ways in which a child can be harmed
- Can happen to any child
- Occur as an isolated incident or as recurrent abuse
- Child is considered to be abused if he/she is treated in a way which is unacceptable for a certain culture at a given time
What are the consequence of child abuse
- Physical (including death)
- Psychological
- Intellectual
- Behavioural
Consequences can persist into adulthood
What are the GDC principles in regard to safeguarding
Principle 8: Riase concerns if patients are at risk
- 4 There needs to be an effective procedure in place for raising concerns that is available to all staff
- 5 take appropriate action if you have concerns about the possible abuse of children or vulnerable adults
What is the responsibility of the dental team in regards to safeguarding
- Be alert to the possibility of abuse
- Record incidents and concerns
- Familiarize yourself with local contacts and procedures
- Be prepared to discuss concerns with a senior colleague and refer if appropriate
- Follow guidelines for safe staff recruitment
- Keep up to date
Some of the things that MAY indicate abuse
- Difficult to engage
- Extensive decay
- Chronic infection
- Mother’s mental health
- Previous involvement of Child Social Services
- Development
- Hygiene
- Nutrition
- School attendance
Important to build up a picture over time
What are the categories of abuse
- Emotional
- Physical
- Sexual
- Neglect
What are the types of abuse and relative percentages
- Neglect- 42%
- Emotional abuse- 19%
- Physical- 16%
- Multiple- 14%
- Sexual- 9%
Common characteristics of abusers
- Younger parents
- Mental health problems
- Drug/alcohol abuse
- Victims of abuse themselves
- Personality traits (impulsiveness, low tolerance, aggressive tendencies)
- Unrealistic expectations from a child
Common characteristics of child
- Younger children
- Disabilities
- Unwanted pregnancy
- Premature/LBW babies
- Prolonged separation from the mother
- Characteristics that evoke negative response (persistant crying, behaviour difficulties)
What makes special need children more vulnerable
- General denial of possibility
- Increased stress on carers
- Reduced capacity to resist or avoid abuse
- Communication difficulties
- Increased number of carers, often providing intimate care
- More vulnerable to bullying/intimidation by carers or peers
Common environmental characteristics
- Poverty
- Social isolation
- Poor housing
- Domestic violence at home
- Poor access to facilities
What might suggest abuse
- A very serious single concern
- A series of apparently minor events
- A direct allegation or disclosure
- Signs and symptoms which are suggestive of abuse or neglect
- Observing the behaviour of a child and their interaction with carer
What is physical abuse and examples
- Deliberate physical injury to a child or the failure to prevent physical injury or suffering
- Hitting, shaking, squeezing, burning or biting
- Injuries resulting from restraining a child
- Harm to children as a result of giving alcohol, inappropriate drugs or poison
- Failure to prevent physical injury
- Fabricated or induced illness
Why is physical abuse dentally relevant
- 50-70% of child abuse cases involve injuries to H and N
- GDPs well placed to recognise possible abuse in children at routine check ups and emergency visits
