L6 Protecting Children and Young People Flashcards
Laws protecting children and young people
- Children First Act 2015
- Child Care Act 1991
- Criminal Justice Act 2006
- Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998
- National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016
National guidelines and policies protecting children and young people
- National Consent Policy 2013, 2016
- Children First National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children (DCYA, 2017)
- National Standards for the Protection and Welfare of Children (HIQA) July 2012
- Our Duty to Care – The Principles of Good Practice for the Protection of Children and Young People 2002
Sections of the CORU code of professional conduct and ethics relating to protecting children and young people
8 . Comply with requirements for the protection of children and vulnerable adults
20 . Raise concerns about safety and quality of care
What is TUSLA
the State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children
what does the Children First Act do
- any organisation in contact with or providing services to children have an overall corporate duty and responsibility to safeguard children
- places a legal obligation on SLTs to report child protection concern
what are the legal obligations of SLTs as mandated persons
- To report the harm of children above a defined threshold to Tusla
- To assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report.
does the children first act impose criminal dantions on mandated persons who fail to make a report to TUSLA
no
possible consequences for an SLT who fails to make a report to TUSLA
- A complaint to the CORU Fitness to Practice Committee
- Disciplinary procedure by the HSE
- Report to the National Vetting Bureau of An Garda Síochána.
when was the HSE Child Protection and Welfare Policy released
2019
what does the HSE Child Protection and Welfare Policy do
- Sets out procedures that staff must adhere to in relation to managing a child protection and welfare concern
- “The term ‘staff’ refers to HSE employees, volunteers, students
Guiding principles of the HSE Child Protection and Welfare Policy
- Everyone’s responsibility
- Children’s welfare always comes first
- Children and families have a right to be heard
four main types of abuse
- neglect
- physical
- emotional
- sexual
what is neglect
- deprivation of food, clothing, warmth, hygiene, intellectual stimulation, supervision and safety, attachment to and affection from adults, access medical care.
-Becomes apparent over time - Threshold of significant harm is reached when the neglect is to the extent that the child’s well-being and/or development are severely affected
signs of neglect an SLT may notice
- Inconsistent parenting style
- Lack of routine
- Anxiety in children
- Attention seeking behaviours/risk-taking behaviour
- High number of accidents
- Few toys
- Child spends long periods in cot/buggy
- Dirty clothes
- Poor school attendance/homework not completed
- Malnourishment
- Poor personal hygiene
what is emotional abuse
Child’s developmental need for affection, approval, consistency and security are not met.
examples of emotional abuse
- The imposition of negative attributes on a child,
- Conditional parenting - level of care depends on the child’s behaviour
- Emotional unavailability
- Inconsistent/inappropriate expectations
- Under- or over-protection of the child
- Failure to show interest in, or provide age-appropriate opportunities for, the child’s cognitive and emotional development
- Unreasonable or over-harsh disciplinary measures
- Exposure to domestic violence
signs of emotional abuse an SLT may notice
- Lack of empathy/comfort/love
- Lack of attachment
- Lack of proper stimulation
- Persistent lack of praise/encouragement
- Family conflicts
- Inappropriate expectations
what is physical abuse
- Actual or potential physical harm from an interaction, or lack of interaction, which is reasonably within the control of a carer
- Beating, slapping, kicking, pushing, shaking etc.
- Observing violence
- Use of excessive force in handling
Signs of physical abuse an SLT may notice
- Bruises
- Fractures
- Burns/scalds
- Abrasions
- Failure to thrive
- Bites
- Poisoning
- Induced illness
what is sexual abuse
- use of a child in any way for sexual gratification
- exposure of sex acts/organs to a child
signs of sexual abuse that an SLT may notice
- Bleeding from vagina/anus
- Pain passing urine
- Change of behaviour
- Age-inappropriate expression of sexuality/understanding of sexual behaviour
- School refusal/separation anxiety
- Drug, alcohol, solvent misuse
guidelines for recognising abuse
- Considering the possibility
- Looking out for the signs of neglect or abuse
- Recording of informarion in standardised reporting form
- Reporting if reasonable grounds for concerns exist (Child Protection and Welfare Report Form/Portal)
procedure for reporting abuse
- Recognise the concern
- Respond to any immediate safety needs
- Consult with line manager to determine reasonable grounds for Tusla report (informally consult with Tusla if needed)
- Immediate and serious risk → ensure safety of child and contact Tusla or the Gardai
- Inform family, unless it would put child at risk of harm or impair investigation
- Keep up to date records
- Assist Tusla where requested
- Continue to monitor
confidentiality and reporting abuse
- reporting abuse does not constitute a GDPR breach
- no guarantee of secrecy may be given to child/family
where is the child protection and welfare report form found
the TUSLA website
when is the child protection and welfare report from to be used
if the TUSLA portal is unavailable
how is the child protection and welfare report form to be delivered
in person or by registered post
what is contained in the child protection and welfare report form
- Name, address and age of the child
- The name of the child’s school
- Details of concerns
- Type of concerns – physical, sexual, emotional, neglect
- Name and contact details of the reporter whether they are a mandated professional
- Details of relationships – parents of the child or children; household composition
- Name, address and details of the person allegedly causing harm
- The names and addresses of other personnel or agencies involved with the child
- Any other relevant information
