Safeguarding Flashcards
Responsibilities and process
- listen to child
- seek explanation for signs
- record events and check background information
- inform and discuss with manager
- refer if needed
- 24 hr follow up with written record of referral
- provide background information to social services
Abuse
Inflicting harm
Neglect
Failing to act to prevent harm
Types of abuse
Physical
Emotional
Neglect
Sexual
Factors affecting safeguarding
Child’s developmental needs
Family and environmental factors
Parenting - substance misuse, culture
Immediate referrals to social care
- Children under 2 with unexplained bruising
- children at immediate risk of significant harm
- Children with unexplained injuries
- Child victims of trafficking
- Children experiencing repeated domestic violence or witnessing it - adult mental health issues and substance misuse
- Children under 1 with parents that significantly misuse substances
- Risk of significant harm to unborn baby
- Children left home
Signs of physical abuse
Physical signs of abuse e.g. bruising, burns and bite marks
Flinch at sudden movements
Unexplained fractures
Fabricated or induced illnesses
Signs of emotional abuse
Child may have:
- low self-esteem
- anger issues
- behind cognitive milestones
- wet the bed
- scared of doing something wrong
- overprotected
Signs of sexual abuse
Pain in pelvic region
Bruises
Sexual knowledge you wouldn’t expect at that age
Signs of neglect
Medical neglect - ignoring child’s illness and not turning up to appointments
- maternal substance misuse when unborn
- ill-fitted, dirty clothes
- misses school
- hungry
ACE - adverse childhood experiences
If exposed to traumatic incidents you are more likely to:
- be involved in risky behaviours
- poor behaviour and emotional control
- more likely to have diabetes and CHD
Safeguarding policy
- have a safeguarding agenda
- maintain and review record of concerns
- safe recruitment procedures - DBS checks
Case conference
Multi-agency meeting held to:
- discuss the outcome of the safeguarding enquiry
- agree on conclusions
- decide whether a long term protection and safety plan is needed
Purpose of case conference
- considered finding and outcomes of enquiry
- decide whether abuse took place
- to assess ongoing risk
- produce or edit safety and protection plan
GP role in case conferences
Submit comprehensive reports
- provide background
- medical history