The law and child protection Flashcards
What is a child in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland?
0-18
What is a child in Scotland?
0-16
Who has parental responsibility over a child?
Automatically the birth mother has parental responsibility until birth certificate is written
Father doesn’t automatically have parental responsibility unless he is married to the birth mother
When is knowing who has parental responsibility particularly important?
With neonates and consenting for procedures if birth has not been registered
What kind of things are under the children act of 1989?
Parental responsibility Safeguarding - Child assessment 'section 47' - Investigation powers - Emergency protection orders - Police protection orders - Child in need 'section 17' - Child taken into care 'section 20'
What types of abuse can a child experience?
Physical
Sexual
Emotional
Neglect
How common is abuse in children?
Approx 300-400 Sheffield children on list of those subject to child protection plan
Approx 650 looked after children
100 non-accidental deaths per year
Under 1 year - age group most likely to be murdered
Around 10% adults report abuse during their childhood
Much abuse never disclosed or reported to professionals
What parental factors can predispose a child to abuse?
Lack of support Generation effect Deprivation Mental health problems Learning difficulty Alcohol and substance misuse Domestic violence
What child factors can predispose a child to abuse?
Difficult to care for - disability, preterm, lots of medical conditions
Disabled
What should you make note of in a history of a potential abuse victim?
Part of whole child assessment
Document who said what and when
Identify discrepancies
What should you do when examining a potential abuse victim?
Record any explanations offered for any injuries
Use body chart to document injuries
Photos
Examine whole child
How might an abuse victim present?
Disclosure from child to trusted carer/parent/at school
Referral from other services
Injury observed eg at school
Found incidentally when attending for another reason
Injury presented with/without explanation
When should you be concerned that a child is being abused?
History that doesn’t fit with the observed injuries
- Too many
- Wrong site
- Unusual shape or pattern
- Wrong type of incident
- Not consistent with child’s development
- Delay in presentation
No history - can’t explain where injury has come from
A history that changes
What might the signs of physical abuse be?
Superficial - bruises, scratches, marks from implements, slap marks
Burns and scalds
Fractures - multiple, long bones, ribs, metaphyseal
Internal organ damage - abdominal, intracranial
Torn frenulum
How does a shaken baby present after shaking and impact?
Hypoxia SDH Rib fractures Retinal haemorrhages Other fractures Torn frenulum
