Child Protection Flashcards
who is responsible for chid protection
everyone
shared responsibility
- The responsibility of every member of the dental team
Everyone in health board has a responsibility of looking out for vulnerable child
Team work – communication, all staff need to know what to do
GDC states on child protection
all members of the dental team “must raise any concerns you may have about the possible abuse or neglect of children” and “must know who to contact for further advice and how to refer concerns to an appropriate authority”
You must find out about local procedures for the protection of children and vulnerable adults. You must follow these procedures if you suspect that a child or vulnerable adult might be at risk because of abuse or neglect.
Mirrors GMC
abused Vs non-abused dental care needs
bused children have higher levels of untreated dental disease than their non-abused peers
child is
Any person under 16 years
Any person under 18 if subject to a supervision requirement or looked after by the Local Authority
3 things that can make you concerned for child protection
Something you SEE
Something you HEAR
Something you’re TOLD
examples of things you could see that would be concerning
Injury
Mark
Bruise
Presentation – dirty, clothing
Parent behaviour – hostile, aggressive to you, staff, child
examples of things that you could hear that would be concerning
Parent interacts with child
- Common in waiting rooms
examples of things that you can be told that would be concerning
Third hand
- Not told directly
But if given cause for concern – minimum to seek advice for situation
- E.g. sexual abuse
4 pieces of legislative framework in place to protect children
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989
Age of Legal Capacity Act 1991
The Children (scotland) Act 1995
Protection of Children (scotland) act 1995
3 parts to UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989
Protection
- From abuse, neglect and exploitation
Provision
- Of services to promote child’s survival and development
Participation
- In matters which affect the child, express views, be heard
what does the age of legal capacity act entail for children
age which children can Enter legal commitments, give/refuse consent treatment
- scotland 16 (18 if under supervision requirement or looked after by LA)
what did the protection of children (scotland) act 2003 bring in
PVG - list individuals unsuitable to work with children
what is the CPR
children protection register
ratio for children on the CPR
- 0 children in every 1,000 children under 16 were on the CPR
- Regional variation – 0.2 to 6.3 per 1000
2 ways a child can be harmed
child may be harmed
by an action such as violence or a sexual attack or mental cruelty or physical attack, including poisoning or suffocation
or
through a failure to act – for example through a parent/carer not feeding a child or neglecting a child in other ways, including emotionally or through the child not being given appropriate health care
what can result in significant harm
Significant harm can be as a result of a ‘one off’ incident, a series of ‘minor’ incidents or as a result of an accumulation of concerns over a period of time.
Complex (subject to professional judgement based of the assessment of child and family circumstances)
Certain elements must always be assessed when deciding whether a child appears at risk of significant harm:-
what elements must always be assessed when deciding whether a child appears at risk of significant harm (4)
Seriousness of the concerns, actual or potential.
Level of risk to future safety, development & welfare of child.
Level of professional confidence that either abuse has occurred, is likely to re- occur or that the child is at risk of abuse
The most effective form of intervention to address the needs of the child.
what can make a child vulnerable/at risk
Do not have basic needs met
Parental issues – mental health, substance misuse, neglect, domestic violence, criminal activity, resistance to professional intervention, unrealistic expectations
Environmental issues- socio-economic problems, poverty unemployment, social isolation, exploitation, frequent changes of address, male in the household not biology father
are disabled children more or less likely to be neglected and/or abused
Children with disability are 3 times more likely to be neglected or abused
Delay in staff seeking help
Level of care perceived to be less – should not be
how can a professional recognise child neglect/abuse (6)
Direct disclosure
Physical harm/abuse
-Orofacial trauma occurs in at least 50% of children diagnosed with physical abuse
Neglect
-Failure to attend appointments when the child is experiencing pain or discomfort, or failure to adhere to a recommended treatment plan should prompt a full investigation of the explanation for this
Failure to engage/was not brought/disguised compliance
Harmful parent child interactions
Harmful parental behaviours
types of abuse (5+)
Physical injury
Neglect
Sexual abuse/child sexual exploitation/non-recent sexual abuse
Emotional abuse
FII – Fabricated Induced Illnesses
FGM, trafficking, forced marriage, fabricated or induced illness and exploitation
what are fabricated induced illnesses
Perplexing paediatric presentation
Symptoms – ill health, pain – no physical cause or diagnosis for this
defintion of physical abuse
may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, biting, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocation or otherwise causing physical harm to a child
also includes fabricated and induced illness
how to recognise physical abuse
bruising, abrasions, lacerations, burns, bite marks, eye injuries, bone fractures, intra-oral injuries
site, size, patterns
delay in presentation
does not fit the explanation given
