an information module on getting it right for every child … · 2017. 7. 24. · the module gives...

Welcome to

Protecting Children in Aberdeen CityAn Information Module on

Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC)and the Child Protection Process

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GIRFEC information and training moduleContents

Introducing the Module 3

1 | What is GIRFEC 6

2 | GIRFEC in practice 9

3 | Your responsibility to Get It Right 14

4 | Child Protection process 17

5 | Conclusion 21

6 | Further reading 22

7 | Knowledge check 23

i SectionsIf this is the first time you have looked at this module we suggest that you view each section in order - you can do this by clicking the next page icon at the bottom of the screen.

If you have looked at the module before and you wish to look at a particular section or chapter then you just need to click on the name of the section to the left.

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GIRFEC information and training moduleIntroducing the Module

About this module This module is for anyone whose work or personal life may bring them into contact with children or young people.

Although many working people do not work directly with children, it is important that all staff, including volunteers, know what their responsibilities are in relation to the protection of children. This is because members of the public may ask you for assistance – and if you are representing an official organisation they will expect you to know what to do.

The module gives a brief overview of the National Policy of Getting It Right For Every Child and an introduction to child protection.

If your work involves direct contact with children or young people you will be required to do additional more in-depth training around the protection of children.

The module includes links to more information and further reading.

i Useful Links

Getting It Right For Every Child - Aberdeen GIRFEC website link

North East of Scotland Child Protection public information section NESCP website link

Aberdeen City Council Child Protection information section Aberdeen City Council CP website link

http://www.aberdeengettingitright.org.uk

http://www.nescpc.org.uk/publicinformation/publicinformation.asp

http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/social_care_health/social_work/childrens_services/chi_ChildProtect.asp


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The layout The module has a very simple and easy to read layout.

The main body of text (the area that you’re reading right now) contains the information about the section you’re reading. This is the core of the module.

Above you will find the title of the section you are currently viewing along with the section number. You will also notice that as you move from section to section the background colour changes too.

To the right hand side you will find two different kinds of boxes. The ‘i’, or ‘information’ boxes which contain additional information that is linked to the section you are reading. You may also see ‘?’, or ‘question’ boxes. For further information please read these boxes.

Below the line you will see the page number to the left hand side and the navigation buttons to the right.

Generally you will be using the large forward button to navigate to the next page - you can however go back a page by pressing the back arrow. You can also go straight to the contents page by pressing the button in the middle.

i The ‘i’ boxThe ‘i’ stands for useful information relating to the section you are reading.

The ‘?’ boxThroughout the module there are question boxes. Some are based directly on the content you will be reading, others relate to ‘scenarios’ and are examples of situations you may find yourself in. Please answer these questions as they will show you how well you have understood the information, your role and GIRFEC in general.

These questions are not scored and if an incorrect answer is provided an explanation will be given. If you provide an incorrect answer, it would be beneficial for you to read the section again, as there are questions at the end of the module which will be scored.

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Aims When you have completed this module you will:

• Know what GIRFEC is and how it affects you and children in Aberdeen.

• Understand your role and responsibility within the Getting It Right and the Child Protection Process.

• Know what to do if you are concerned about a child.

• Be familiar with the role of the Named Person.

• Know how to share information safely.

• Know what action to take if you believe a child may be at risk of significant harm.

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GIRFEC information and training moduleSection 1 What is GIRFEC

National PolicyGetting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) is the expectation of the Scottish Government for all children’s services.

It is important for everyone as we all come into contact with children and young people through our work, families or communities. GIRFEC aims to ensure that all children and young people in Scotland are cared for, protected from harm and abuse and grow up in a safe nurturing environment, where their rights are respected and their needs met.

GIRFEC provides a common ground for everyone including childcare providers, health visitors, teachers, the voluntary sector etc., to work in the same way using the same language. It allows discussions with the child and their family to focus on what is good in a child’s life and what might need attention or support.

The Scottish Government wants us all to work towards making Scotland the best place to grow up so that children become

Successful Learners

Confident Individuals

Effective Contributors

Responsible Citizens

? QuestionGetting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) is important for: (click the correct box)

People working in the health service

Anyone who comes in contact with children

People who volunteer

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National Policy continuedThrough legislation the Scottish Government proposes that:

• Children’s rights will be at the centre of everything we do and children should be protected from abuse, neglect and harm by others at home, at school, and in the community. These are the rights described in the UNCRC.

• A priority and focus be placed on children’s wellbeing.

• Every child has a Named Person allocated to them to support them as they grow and develop.

• Children, young people and their families are listened to and involved in the development and review of any plan to support them.

• All children and young people have inclusive access to the Universal Services.

i InformationUNCRC - United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child.

In the context of this module when we talk about Universal Services we are referring to those services that we all have a right to use such as the National Health Service, and Education Services.

Named Person To make sure that we Get It Right For Every Child, each child is to have a Named Person allocated to them. The Named Person’s day job will mean that they are already in regular contact with the child and / or their family.

The Named Person will work closely with the child and their family to maximise the child’s wellbeing.

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GIRFEC locallyAcross Aberdeen we are already working to meet the expectations of the Scottish Government by implementing GIRFEC.

Aberdeen City Council, NHS Grampian, Police Scotland and the Voluntary Sector are partners all working together to make sure that every child and young person becomes the best that they can be and that they are supported to participate in decisions that affect them.

The partners aim to do this by developing and implementing policies that will be effective in making sure that when a child or young person needs help that the right support is available to them at the right time and that it is offered by someone that they can trust.

By providing services that meet the needs of individuals we aim to keep all our children safe from harm.

We need you to help because It is everybody’s responsibility to Get It Right For Every Child.

i Useful Links

Getting It Right For Every Child- Aberdeen, Operational Guidance GIRFEC Aberdeen website link

Clicking on the logos below will take you to the home page of the associated website

http://www.aberdeengettingitright.org.uk/OperationalGuidance.html

http://www.scotland.police.uk

http://www.nhsgrampian.co.uk

http://www.acvo.org.uk

http://www.acyc.info

http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/home/home.asp

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GIRFEC in Practice GIRFEC information and training moduleSection 2

GIRFEC in Practice in AberdeenAs children and young people progress on their journey through life some may have temporary difficulties, some may live with challenges and some may experience more complex difficulties.

The wellbeing of children and young people is at the heart of the GIRFEC approach.

Wellbeing is about how a child’s life is going. The GIRFEC approach describes what it looks like when things are going well - in other words when a child is:

Safe, Healthy, Active, Nurtured, Achieving, Respected, Responsible and Included. These eight indicators are sometimes known as SHANARRI for short and are commonly illustrated as the wellbeing wheel.

These indicators can be used to help all children, young people, parents, carers and professionals understand a child’s wellbeing in the same way.

? QuestionWhich list contains words which are wellbeing indicators only? (click the correct box)

Cheerful, Fit, Safe, Popular, Active

Nurtured, Achieving, Observant, Friendly

Healthy, Respected, Included, Responsible

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i The Wellbeing Wheel

Hover over one of the eight segments of the wheel to get a description of that indicator.

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??? Scenario 3Kara stuck to her family’s rules and was home in time for her tea before it was dark. Was she: (click the most appropriate box)

Responsible

Safe

Healthy

Scenario 2Joe went for a ‘water sports’ taster session at the local pool. Was he: (click the most appropriate box)

Respected

Active

Nurtured

Scenario 1Sarah took her neighbour’s dog for a walk. Was she: (click the most appropriate box)

Achieving

Included

Active

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The Named PersonThere are times when a child, young person and / or their family may need help or support.

For GIRFEC to work there needs to be a ‘Named Person’ for every child. This is not to take away from the role of the child’s parent or carer, who will always have the key role in bringing up their child.

The Named Person is a professional point of contact, mainly for children and their family, but also for other practitioners.

The Named Person’s day job will mean that they are already in regular contact with the child, young person and / or their family.

The Named Person is:

• Community Midwife – for an unborn baby until the baby is ten days old.

• Health Visitor – when the baby is 11 days old until their first day at primary school.

• Head Teacher (or a member of the School’s Senior Management or Pastoral Team) – from the child’s first day at primary school until their sixteenth birthday or their last day at school after that.

? QuestionJohn who is severely asthmatic is about to transfer to the local academy. Where will his Named Person be based? (click the correct box)

The Health Service

The Police

Education Services

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The Named Person continuedThe Named Person will:

• Know the child and ensure his or her wellbeing is being met.

• Respond to the child or their family who may be having difficulties or have asked for some help.

• Respond to other people who raise concerns about a child.

• Coordinate any help or support that is to be provided by their own service.

• Arrange a multi agency meeting if required to consider what help other services could provide to the child or family.

• Make sure that the child, young person, their parents and / or carers have been informed of any information that is to be shared, with whom, and for what reason in relation to the child’s wellbeing.

• Ensure that the child and family’s views are listened to.

? QuestionJacqui drops Julie at primary school where she is in P2, before taking Adam to playgroup. Who would be the Named Person/people for Adam and Julie? (click the correct box)

Julie and Adam - Head Teacher

Julie - Health Visitor Adam - Head Teacher

Julie - Head Teacher Adam - Health Visitor

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GIRFEC information and training moduleSection 3Your Responsibility to Get It Right

GIRFEC works on the principle that everyone takes responsibility for nipping things in the bud.

There are times or occasions, in both your work and personal life, when you see, hear or are aware of situations involving children or young people which make you feel uncomfortable or concerned. You may not be sure about the reason for your concern or you may not know what you should do, but you have a feeling that something should be done.

If you have a concern about a child or young person then it IS your responsibility to do something.

ACT NOW.Ensure that the appropriate action is taken and support given to the child or young person.

? QuestionYou come across Gavin who seems to have cornered Liam on the way to school. Gavin seems to be demanding that Liam give him his sweets and lunch-box treats. Do you: (click the correct box)

Do nothing, it’s none of your business

Go to the school and share your concerns

Intervene and attempt to solve the matter

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What you should do if you have concerns about a child’s wellbeing

• When you are at work whatever your concerns are you should contact your Line Manager to share and discuss them.

• If your Line Manager is not available and you feel confident that your concern is not urgent and can wait until they are available you must record your anxiety and then meet with your Line Manager as soon as possible to discuss it.

• Through the discussion with your Line Manager it will be decided whether or not contact needs to be made with the child’s Named Person. If the decision is to contact them then they will record all the information that you share.

• The Named Person will decide what is the most appropriate action to take or support to offer to the child.

• If your Line Manager is not available and you feel that your concern is urgent, this may be a Child Protection matter and you should contact the Police or the Joint Child Protection Unit (JCPU).

? QuestionJack goes to nursery five mornings a week. You notice that he is getting later and later and less and less regular in his attendance.

At nursery his Key Worker has noticed that he often looks unwashed and that he is asking for his mid morning snack soon after he arrives. Should the nursery: (click the correct box)

Do nothing, mum is doing the best she can in difficult circumstances.

Speak to mum and see what support can be offered.

Speak to mum about what support can be offered as well as informing the Named Person about concerns to Jack’s wellbeing.

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Sharing informationSharing information safely is an essential part of Getting It Right. Services need all the relevant information so that they know how best to act.

What can you do?

• Share your concerns and discuss them with your Line Manager. This is easy and safe to do. In all our jobs we have an obligation to share appropriately with our manager and within our own establishment and service.

• Your Line Manager (or you if you are the Line Manager) may contact the child’s Named Person and pass on your concerns to them. It will be up to the Named Person to decide what to do next.

• If you think that the child is at immediate risk of harm then you must share and report the information. You do not need to tell the child, or their parent or carer, that you are going to do so because this may place the child or young person at greater risk.

What you should not do • Share or pass on information inappropriately with anyone outwith the GIRFEC process.

Do not worry about sharing your concerns if there is reasonable concern that a child’s wellbeing may be at risk. This will always override any requirement to keep information confidential.

i Sharing guidanceThe sharing of information is governed by the Data Protection Act 1998.

Aberdeen City has guidance on sharing information link to sharing information

http://www.aberdeengettingitright.org.uk/docs/OperationalGuidance/Sharing%20Information.pdf

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Child Protection Process GIRFEC information and training moduleSection 4

Your responsibilitiesIf you think that the child or young person is at immediate risk of significant harm or is not safe then you must report this without delay to the Child Protection Coordinator within your workplace or if you do not know who this is then to your Line Manager.

It is important that you tell one of them as soon as reasonably possible.

If your concerns are of a serious nature and you believe that immediate action needs to be taken to keep the child safe then you must follow your establishment’s child protection procedures.

It is the responsibility of the Child Protection Coordinator/Line Manager to contact the Joint Child Protection Unit (JCPU) on 01224 306877. This should be done without delay so that they can jointly decide on an appropriate course of action. In cases of immediate emergency the Child Protection Coordinator /Line Manager should not hesitate to directly call the Police. It may be in certain situations that you will have to contact the Police or the JCPUdirectly such as in extreme emergency or outside normal office hours.

What is vital when you think that a child or young person is at risk of harm or not safe is that you tell someone who is prepared to confirm to you that they are going to follow up on your concern.

i The Child Protection CoordinatorThis is the person in your workplace who has been trained in how to respond to situations where a child or young person may be unsafe or at risk of harm.

If you do not know who this is then you must go to your Line Manager immediately and they will act in the role for you.

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Child protection concerns of a serious nature are dealt with by the statutory services of Social Work and the Police. They specialise in investigating situations where children may be unsafe or at risk of harm and then ensure that the correct action is taken to keep the child or young person safe. They work very closely with the child’s Named Person.

After a concern has been passed on, there will be a discussion between Social Work and the Police, often with input from other agencies to decide what course of action is most appropriate. This is called an Initial Referral Discussion (IRD).

As a result of the IRD a decision may be made by the Police and Social Work to carry out a joint child protection investigation which can include interviews, medical examinations and questioning of suspects.

It is not your responsibility to carry out an investigation.

i Further information Further information can be found at:

The National Child Protection guidance link to Scottish Government webpage

Aberdeen City Council Protecting Children Policy and Guidance link to Aberdeen City Council webpage

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/12/09134441/0




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??? Scenario 3Whilst at work fourteen year old Tracey tells you that her Mum regularly hits her in the face. Tracey begs you not to tell anyone else as her Mum will only hit her more if she finds out.

What do you do? (click the correct box)

Speak to your Child Protection Coordinator / Line Manager to decide what is the best course of action

Phone the Police

Speak to Tracey’s Mum and advise her of the allegations

Scenario 2You live in a block of flats. There is a young couple and a baby living next door. You saw the couple go out as you came into the building two hours ago. You’ve heard the baby screaming for over an hour. You have knocked on the door but there has been no answer and you now suspect the baby is in the flat alone.

What do you do? (click the correct box)

Nothing, it’s none of your business

Phone the Police

Wait until the morning, then phone the Health Visitor

Scenario 1You volunteer at the local community centre and occasionally see 8 year old Chloe. Chloe is usually a happy, chattygirl. Recently she has become aggressive and withdrawn. You have the opportunity to talk to her and she tells you she hates her 14 year old brother. She says he touches her body under her pants and she doesn’t like it. He also makes her touch his private parts.

Would you consider this a child protection issue?(click the correct box)

Yes

No

Maybe

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How the child is kept safeThe final outcome for the child will depend on the results of the child protection investigation:

• They may be supported and have a plan to keep them safe at home.

•

A child protection case conference may be held and a child may be placed on the Child Protection Register with a child protection plan to keep them safe.

• In some cases there may be a referral to the Children’s Reporter for them to take appropriate action to help keep the child safe.

• In urgent cases there may be a referral made to the court for an order to remove the child from the family home to somewhere safer.

The Child Protection Coordinator or your Line Manager will be advised by the statutory services what action has been taken and they should tell you.

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GIRFEC information and training moduleSection 5Conclusion

Keeping a child safe and protected may not be a ‘one off’ event. At the start of this module we quoted ‘It is everyone’s responsibility to Get It Right For Every Child’. This means that if the same circumstances arise in the future or if the same child presents to you again as needing support or help you must go through the process again.

It is important to remember that this module is only an introduction to both GIRFEC and keeping children safe from harm (Child Protection), and that if your work involves direct contact with children or young people you will be required to do additional in-depth training around the protection of children.

Remember - it is always your responsibility to Get It Right For Every Child

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GIRFEC information and training moduleSection 6Further Reading

All the information about Getting It Right locally, policy, process, support for colleagues, tools that are available to help as well as training that is available can be found at:

www.aberdeengettingitright.org.uk

Information about Child Protection locally can be found at:

www.nescpc.org.uk

or

www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/childprotection

The Scottish Government have a number of websites that offer additional reading and information on both Child Protection and Getting It Right For Every Child:

http://withscotland.org/public

National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2010 is the comprehensive guide for all child protection matters:


http://www.aberdeengettingitright.org.uk

http://www.nescpc.org.uk

http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/childprotection

http://withscotland.org/public


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GIRFEC information and training moduleSection 7Knowledge Check

To ensure you have understood this module you will be asked 15 multiple choice questions.

Please answer each question and continue until you have completed this part of the module. It should take no longer than 15 minutes.

The answers to all of these questions can be found within this module. No further research or reading is required.

To pass this module you need to answer at least 12 of these questions correctly.

When you have passed this module you will be able to print out a certificate which you should keep for your records or present to your Line Manager.

Please enter your name here:

Please enter the service or establishment you work for here:

Now click on the forward button to begin the knowledge check.

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1. What does GIRFEC stand for?

Good Information Reaches Everyone’s Children

Getting It Right For Every Child

Giving IT Resources Encourages Children

3. Do we have to listen to the views of children and young people?

Yes

No

5. Which of the following are not wellbeing indicators?

Respected, Safe, Included

Cheerful, Loved, Observant

Active , Nurtured, Healthy

2.

Universal Service for children and young people?

Library Services

Education

Maternity Services

4. We are providing services for children and young people so that they will be…..

Sociable, cheerful and friendly

Safe from harm

Good parents

6. What are the wellbeing indicators commonly known as?

SHANARRI

RIANARHS

ARRASHIN

Within the context of this module, Within the context of this module, which of these is not a

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7. Lynn works part time in the local pharmacy as a sales assistant.

She has become aware that for the last three weeks Sonia has bought paracetamol suspension to give to her young baby.

Sonia has been asked all the correct questions and her answers have been appropriate. The baby seems content.

Does Lynn:

Do nothing

Phone the Police or Social Work

Contact the local GP Practice and Health Visitor

8. Liam is a three year old child who lives with his mum. Who is his Named Person?

Midwife

Health Visitor

Head Teacher

10. Who are the statutory services who will take the lead in a child protection investigation?

Police and Education

Social Work and Health

Police and Social Work

9. Ellie has four children, a new born baby (one week old) Cally who is two. Chris who is 6, John who is 13.

In total, how many named people does this family have?

Four

One per family

Three

11. What does IRD stand for?

Initial Referral Discussion

Integrated Review Decision

Intermediate Resource Demands

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12. What do you need to have before you can share information about a child?

Definite confirmation that child has been or is likely to be harmed

Reasonable concern that a child’s wellbeing may be at risk

Actually witness the child being harmed

15. What would you do in the following situation?

You regularly see 12 year old John at your work. You notice that John has clear bruising around his eyes for the second time in three weeks. All he will say is that he is clumsy and fell over. Do you:

Believe John and do nothing

You speak to your Line Manager or Child Protection Coordinator

Contact the school

14. It is Saturday morning and you are working alone in the local community centre.

A young girl aged about seven comes into the reception area. She tells you her Mum has disappeared and she has been walking about outside for ages. She is obviously very cold and scared. She can’t give you her address or telephone number. Your Line Manager and Child Protection Coordinator are not available. What do you do?

Keep the child there until you finish work

Phone the Police and keep the child in the centre

Tell her to go home and wait there

13. What is it vital that you do if you think that a child or young person is at risk of harm or is not safe?

Nothing

Record your concern

Tell someone who is prepared to confirm that they will follow up on your concern

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Your resultsYou have correctly answered

out of 15 questions.

Protecting Children in Aberdeen CityAn Information Module on Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) and the Child Protection Process

Knowledge Check

This is to certify that

of

correctly answered

in the Knowledge Check section of the module.

out of 15questions

Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC)

This module was prepared by Lynn Brown of North East of Scotland Child Protection (NESCP) and Liz Moore of Education, Culture and Sport.

It is for the use of Integrated Children’s Services Partners, Aberdeen.

This module was created by OpenBoxDesign (www.openboxdesign.co.uk)

http://www.openboxdesign.co.uk

an information module on getting it right for every child … · 2017. 7. 24. · the module gives...

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