• Achildhassustainedapotentiallylife-threateninginjurythroughabuseorneglect;

• Achildhassufferedseriousandpermanentimpairmentofhealthordevelopmentthroughabuseorneglect;

• Thecasegivesrisetoconcernsaboutthewayinwhichlocalprofessionalsandservicesworktogethertosafeguardchildren.

ThepurposeofaCMRreviewisto:• Establishthefactsofthecase;• Establishwhethertherearelessonstobelearnedfromthe

caseaboutthewayinwhichprofessionalsandstatutoryand/orvoluntaryagenciesworktogethertosafeguardchildren;and

• Indentifyclearlywhatthoselessonsare,howtheywillbeacteduponandwhatisexpectedtochangeasaresult;andasaconsequence

• Improveinter-agencyworkingandthusprovidebettersafeguardsforchildren.

Theoverallaimofareviewisthereforeaboutalearningprocessandimproving systemsandsafeguarding.TheguidancemakesitclearthattheyarenotenquiriesintohowachilddiedorwhoisresponsibleastheseissuesaretheresponsibilityoftheCoronersandcriminalcourtrespectively.Itisimportantthattheissuesraisedinthesereportsarebroughtintothepublicdomaintoenablelessonstobelearnedand,ultimately,todoeverythingpossibletopreventsimilarabusehappeningagain.

FollowingtheenactmentoftheSafeguardingBoard2011ActforNorthernIreland,anewbody,theSafeguardingBoardforNorthernIreland(SBNI),isbeingestablished.Ithasastatutoryfunctiontoco-ordinateandensuretheeffectivenessofwhatisbeingdonebymembersoftheBoardinsafeguardingchildrenandprotectingthemfromabuseandneglect.AspartofthisfunctiontheSBNIwillberesponsibilitiesforundertakingcasemanagementreviewsandhasthepowertoundertakeanyotherappropriateformofreview.

TheChallengesofReportingonSensitiveChildren’sIssuesinNorthernIreland

Itisimportantthatmediacoverageofchildprotectionissuesisaccurateandbalanced.Extensivepresscoverageinrecent

CASE EXAMPLE 1

A mother of a 13-year-old girl asks for assistance as her daughter is reporting bullying at school and is now refusing to go to school. The social worker liaises with the school and agrees a plan to support the young persons return to school, with an identified teacher to monitor the situatioN

CASE EXAMPLE 2

The police were called to a report of domestic violence. They found a woman with serious head injuries and a young baby in the house. The police are concerned about the safety of both the mother and child and the case is referred to local children’s services

yearshasunderstandablybeengiventohighprofilecasesofchildrendyingatthehandsofstrangersaswellastocasesofchildrenbeingharmedbyfamilymembersorotherpeopletheyknow.Itisimportanttostresswherepossiblethatchildrenaremoreatriskofabuseandharmfrompeopletheyknowandsadly,inmanycases,trust.Aswellashighlightingcasesandaskingimportantquestionsabouthowsomemayhavebeenhandled,mediacoveragecanalsobeusedtoinformparentsgenerallyandthewiderpublicandtoadvisethemonhowbesttoprotecttheirchildrenfromharm.Usefulwebsiteandhelplineinformationisprovidedonpagexxofthisguidance.

CASE

STUDIES

CHILD

ABUSE AND

NEGLECT

GUIDANCEFORMEDIAREPORTINGON...

In reporting child abuse and neglect journalists must be mindful of the need for accuracy, for precision in the use of language and for sensitivity in reporting cases which, by definition are extremely difficult.

This guidance will be of practical assistance to journalists in meeting the daily challenge of serving the public interest without intruding into private grief or inadvertently adding to the pain and suffering of victims and their families. It complements the NUJ Code of Conduct which provides the ethical framework for all good journalism.

Séamus DooleyIrish SecretaryNational Union of Journalists

This is an important initiative that the DHSSPS is happy to endorse. Working with the media in a constructive way will better protect children in our society through raising awareness, challenging systems, improving practice and through these promoting understanding.

Séan HollandChief Social Services OfficerDepartment of Health, Social Services & Public Safety

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Guidance for Media Reporting on Child Abuse and Neglect in Northern Ireland

PurposeThisdocumenthasbeenwrittenbyjournalistsandchildcareprofessionalswithaninterestintheprotectionofchildrenfromallformsofabuseandneglect.Itsoriginsarecontainedwithinareportpreparedbytwooftheorganisationsinvolvedindevelopingthisguidance.Thereport1highlightedgoodpracticeandshowstheclearneedforimprovedcommunicationbetweenprofessionalsandthepublicsochildren’swellbeingcanbebettersupported.JournalistshavealsohighlightedthestrongpublicinterestinreportingoncasesinvolvingtheseriousinjuryordeathofachildinNorthernIreland.

ThisguidanceisdesignedtoprovidebackgroundinformationforjournalistsaboutchildprotectioninNorthernIrelandandtosupportthemediaandchildwelfareprofessionalstoworktogethertoensurethatthissensitivetopiccanbereportedinwayswhichwillhelpthepublictobetterunderstandtheissuesinvolved.

CHILD

ABUSE AND

NEGLECT

GUIDANCEFORMEDIAREPORTINGON...

1. Lazenbatt,DevaneyandBunting(2009)Anevaluationof

thecasemanagementreviewprocessinNorthernIreland.

Queen’sUniversityBelfastandtheNSPCC.

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Most children who suffer abuse and neglect are harmed by someone known to them and in a trusted position.

KEYFACTS

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Themediaplaysavitalroleinreportingonchildabuseandneglectandtheoperationofthechildprotectionsystem.Mediacoveragehelpstoraiseawarenessofthisissueofgreatpublicinterestamongvictimsandparents;ithasanimportantroleinpreventionandinhighlightingnewandemergingissuesandthemediacanalsoholdagenciesandpolicymakerstoaccountwhennecessary.Howeveranymediascrutinyofasituationinvolvingthedeathorinjuryofachildshouldalsorespecttherightsanddignityofthechildrenandthefamiliesinvolved.

Professionalsinvolvedinthisareaworkinanenvironmentwherethereareethicalandlegalissuesrelatingtoconfidentiality.Theymustconsidertheimplicationsforothersiblingsorfamilymembersofmakingmaterialavailableandthelegalissuesinvolvedinengaginginpubliccomment.

Thisadvicehasbeendevelopedinconjunctionwithjournalistsandchildcareprofessionalstohelpwithmediareportingofcaseswherechildrenhavediedorhavebeeninjuredasaresultofabuseandneglect.

Theadviceisnotandcannotbeprescriptiveaseachcaseisdifferent.

Thisdocumentalsocontainsfactsandstatisticsaboutchildabusewhichcouldbeusedwithinmediacoverage.

Supportingfamilies,protectingchildren

InNorthernIrelandeachyearthereareover34,000referralstochildren’ssocialservicesalone.Approximately15%areinrelationtochildprotectionconcerns,withtheremaindercomingfromfamiliesandfriendsseekingsupportforthemselvesorothers.

Whenreferralstochildren’ssocialservicesconcernthesafetyandwell-beingofachild,theprimaryaimistoestablishwhetherachildrequiresprotectionandwhethertheirfamilywouldbenefitfromsupport.Intheseinstanceschildren’ssocialservices,withcolleaguesinhealth,educationandthepolice,haveadutytoinvestigatetheseconcerns.

Thefactsaboutchildabuseandneglect

Theinvolvementofchildren’ssocialservicesisprimarilydesignedtosupportparentstomeettheirchild’sneeds.Thisrequiresacarefulbalancingoftheneedsofchildren,alongsidetherightsofparentsandtheexpectationsofthewidercommunity.Theunderlyingphilosophyassetoutinlegislationrequirestheleastformofinterventionbypublicauthoritiesinthelivesoffamilies,alongsideachild-focusedapproachatalltimes.

Introduction

“Informed,sensitiveandprofessionaljournalismisakeyelementinanymediastrategyforimprovingthequalityofreportingconcerninghumanrightsandsociety.Thedailychallengetojournalistsandmediaorganisationsisparticularlyfeltincoverageofchildrenandtheirrights.”International Federation of Journalists (2002)

“Therationaleforimprovingpublicconfidenceinthechildprotectionsystemisnotjustaboutgettingamessageacross,butaboutgettingtherightmessageacrossstrategicallytoenhancethewaythesystemfunctions.”Professor Eileen Munro, author of government-commissioned report on child protection2

2. Munro(2011)TheMunroReviewofChildProtectionInterimReport:TheChild’sJourney,London,DepartmentforEducation.

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CASE STUDY 1

A mother of a 13-year-old girl asks for assistance as her daughter’s behaviour and conduct is very hard to manage at home and she is putting herself at risk including possible expulsion from school. The social worker works with the young person and the mother sorting out difficulties, helping with boundaries and providing support and advice. She liaises with the school and agrees a plan to support and manage the young person’s behaviour in school.

CASE STUDY 2

The police were called to a report of domestic violence. They found a woman with serious head injuries and a young baby in the house. The police are concerned about the safety of both the mother and child and the case is referred to local children’s services.

CASE

STUDIES

InthinkingabouttheadversitysomechildrenexperienceinNorthernIrelandkeyfactsinclude:

• Whilstmanyofthehighprofilechildabusecasesinvolveassaultsonchildrenbystrangers,thisdoesnotreflecttheprofileofthevastmajorityofcases.

• Mostchildrenwhosufferabuseorneglectareharmedbysomeoneknowntothemandinatrustedposition.Themajorityofconcernsaboutchildrenreportedtosocialservicesrelatetochildrenhavingtheirphysical,emotionalorsocialneedsneglected.Thisisusuallyassociatedwithparentswhoareexperiencingdifficultiesduetosubstancemisuse,domesticviolenceorasaresultoftheirpoormentalhealth.

• Thereareapproximately40,000childrenlivingwithaparentwhohasadependenceonalcoholordrugsinNorthernIreland.

• Thereareapproximately30,000childrenlivinginhouseholdscharacterisedbydomesticviolenceinNorthernIreland.

• Mostsexualabuseofchildrenisperpetratedbymenbut7-12%ofoffendersarewomen.

• Onaverage2,400childrenarelistedontheChildProtectionRegisterinNorthernIreland.Thesearechildrenforwhomagroupofprofessionalshaveaplaninplacetomeetthechild’sneedforprotectionandsecurity.Themostcommonreasonforchildprotectionregistrationisparentalneglectofachild’sneeds.

There are approximately 40,000 children living with a parent who has a dependence on alcohol or drugs in Northern Ireland.

KEYFACTS

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SomeissuesandquestionsaroundthereportingofchildabuseandneglectWhat’s the reality of the danger children face from abuse and neglect?

Deathinchildhoodisanincreasinglyrareeventandthedeathofachildfromabuseorneglectisveryrare.Overthepast40years,thenumbersofchildrenwhodiefromabuseandneglecthavedecreasedsignificantlyasaresultofbetterpublicawarenessandamorerobustandresponsivechildprotectionsystem.Inspiteofeveryone’sbestefforts,itmaynotbepossibletopredict,andthereforeprevent,everyincidentthatmightresultinachild’sdeath.However,professionalshaveadutytoreflectonwhethertheremaybelearningtobegainedaboutthewayparentscanbesupportedtocarefortheirchildrenandhowprofessionalsworktogethertokeepchildrensafewhenfamiliesareknowntobeexperiencingdifficulties.

When are children taken into care?

Whilesomechildrenareadmittedtocareforavarietyofreasons,thevastmajorityofchildprotectionproblemsaredealtwithinthecommunitywithchildrenremainingwiththeirfamilies.TheChildren(NorthernIreland)Order1995requiresthatchildrenareonlytakenintocarewhentheyareatsignificantriskofharmanddirectsprofessionalstoearlypreventiveinterventions.

How difficult is it to protect children from harm?

Everyonehasaroletoplayinkeepingchildrensafe,includingparents,extendedfamily,thewidercommunityandprofessionals.Everydaystaffinhealth,socialcare,educationandcriminaljusticehavetomakeevidenced-baseddecisionsaboutriskandputinplacemeasurestoprotectandmanagethisrisktochildren.Carefuljudgmentneedstobeexercisedinbalancingaparent’srighttocarefortheirownchildalongsideachild’srighttobesafe.

The majority of concerns about children reported to social services relate to children having their physical, emotional or social needs neglected. This is usually associated with parents who are experiencing difficulties due to substance misuse, domestic violence or as a result of their poor mental health.

KEYFACTS

• Arecentresearchstudywhichsurveyedadultsfoundthatathirdofchildrenandyoungpeoplereportabuseatthetime,athirdatalaterpointandtheremainingthirdneverreportordisclosetheabusetheyhaveexperienced.

• InthelatestlargescaleprevalencestudyofchildmaltreatmentintheUnitedKingdom,itisestimatedthatoneinfourchildrenhaveexperiencedseveremaltreatmentinchildhood.

FromaprevalencesurveyofchildhoodabuseandneglectcarriedoutacrosstheUKbyNSPCC3in2010weknowthat:

• Oneinfouryoungadults(25.3%)havebeenseverelymaltreatedduringchildhood.

• Oneinnineyoungadults(11.5%)haveexperiencedseverephysicalviolenceduringchildhoodatthehandsofanadult.

• Oneinnineyoungadults(11.3%)haveexperiencedcontactsexualabuseduringchildhood.

• Almostonein10youngadults(9%)havebeenseverelyneglectedbyparentsorguardiansduringchildhood.

3. BasedonNSPCCchildmaltreatmentsurveyof1,761youngadultsaged18-24yearshttp://bit.ly/LGnEIm

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Do health and social care professionals speak to the media?Whilehealthandsocialcareprofessionalswouldliketobeabletotalkmorefreelyaboutcasestheyareoftenboundbyissuesofconfidentialityandothersensitivities:

• ItisoftenveryeasytoidentifychildrenandfamiliesinNorthernIrelandwhichmakesitaverytrickyissuetospeakpubliclyaboutindividualcases.

• Theremaybeotherchildrenorsiblingsinvolved,orverygoodreasonsforprotectingtherightsandanonymityoffamilies.

• Ifotherlegalproceedings,particularlycareorcriminalproceedings,areunderway,publiccommentcoulddamageorjeopardisecasesandbreachlegalrequirementsnottoidentifychildren.

• Communitieshaveonoccasionrespondedstronglyoraggressivelytosomecircumstanceswhichultimatelyimpactsonfamilieswherechildrenmayhavebeenabusedorallegationsmade.

• Insomecircumstancestheparentmayactuallyfallwithinthedefinitionofavulnerableadult.Themediashouldbeconsciousofthiswhenengagingparentsforinterview-especiallywhenachildisidentified.

Itisimportantthatthemediaarefullyinformedaboutwiderissueswhichmaycometotheforeastheresultofindividualcasesenteringthepublicdomain.Journalistsneedtohaveasfullapictureaspossibletoenablethemtoasktherightquestionsandelicitmeaningfulanswers.Whereprofessionalsworkinginsocialcareareconstrainedbyconfidentialityfrompubliccommentonindividualcasestheyshouldwherepossibletryandprovidejournalistswithinformation,suchasstatistics,backgrounddetailsandbriefingstohelpwithunderstandingandreportingofanissue.Aswellascommentsfromhealthandsocialcareprofessionals,informedviewscanbeobtainedfrompeoplerepresentingchildren’sorganisations,bodiesrepresentingprofessionalsandexpertsinthefieldinacademia.Thisshouldenablethewiderissuestobediscussedanddebated.

The role of journalists

Journalists’reportscanattimesbehardhitting,directandpossiblyalsonotcomplimentaryabouttheprofessionalsinvolvedinsomechildren’scare.Reportsbyjournalistsmustbehandledcarefully,fullybackedupwithevidenceandmustalsotakeaccountofanylegalaction.Thiscanbeaidedby

officialcommentprovidedfromhealthandsocialcaretrustsortheDHSSPS.Somemediacoveragewillbeshortandtothepointwhileotheroutletswillbeabletogivemoretime,spaceandthoughttotheirarticles.Itisinthepublicinterestforwiderissuesofconcernrelatedtosomeindividualcasestobehighlightedandbroughttothefore.

Learning from practice experience

Thecurrentchildprotectionsystemhasevolvedoverthepastfourdecadesasaresultofthelearninggainedfromarangeofsourcesincludinginquiries,researchandserviceimprovementprocessessuchasauditsandinspections.Professionalorganisationshavecontributedmuchtothislearningandsubsequentdevelopment,resultinginbetterinformedstaffandmoreeffectiveresponsestotheneedsofchildrenandfamilies.Identifyingwhetheraspectsofthechildprotectionsystemneedrefinedanddevelopedcantakeplacewhentragediesoccur.

Positivemediareporting

Themediahasplayedaveryconstructiveroleinraisingtheawarenessofparentsandyoungpeopleofthepotentialdangersofcertainactivitiesandtheroleofprofessionalsandservicesinrespondingtotheneedsofchildrenandtheirfamilies.Onepositiveexamplehasbeenthegreaterawarenessofparentsinhandlingtheirbabiescarefully

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andraisingawarenessofthedangersofshakinganinfant.Inaddition,workingwithchildcareandlawenforcementagencies,themediahavebeenabletoshareinformationaboutindividualswhomayposeariskofseriousharmtothepublic.

Inotherinstancesthemediahaveprovidedanopportunitytoengageindebateaboutimportantissuesofpublicconcern.Oneexampleofthiswouldbethepublicdebateaboutthesafeguardsneededtoprotectthechildrenandvulnerableadultsfromthosewhoposeariskthroughvettingandbarringarrangements.Mediareportingontheseissueshasencouragedgovernmenttobothstrengthenandstreamlinethesearrangements,bothwithinNorthernIrelandandacrossjurisdictions.

Mediacoveragecanalsoreinforcethemessagethatabuseismorelikelytoinvolvesomeonechildrenknowthanastranger.Givingabusesurvivorstheopportunitytospeakoutabouttheirexperiencescanalsoencourageothersinasimilarsituationtoaskforhelp.

On average around 2,400 children are listed on the Child Protection Register in Northern Ireland. These are children for whom a group of professionals have a plan in place to meet the child’s need for protection and security. The most common reason for child protection registration is neglect.

KEYFACTS

CASE STUDY 3

In 2011 BBC NI ran a week-long series of programmes looking at the professionals working in public protection in Northern Ireland and showing how they actively manage adults who pose a risk to others. This showed the working of Public Protection Arrangements NI (PPANI) from the inside.

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topromotethesensitivereportingofchildren’sissues.Thisincludesadvicethatjournalistsandmediaorganisationsshould:

• Striveforstandardsofexcellenceintermsofaccuracyandsensitivitywhenreportingonissuesinvolvingchildren.

• Avoidprogrammingandpublicationofimageswhichintrudeuponthemediaspaceofchildrenwithinformationwhichisdamagingtothem.

• Avoidtheuseofstereotypesandsensationalpresentationtopromotejournalisticmaterialinvolvingchildren.

• Considercarefullytheconsequencesofpublicationofanymaterialconcerningchildrenandshallminimiseharmtochildren.

• Guardagainstvisuallyorotherwiseidentifyingchildrenunlessitisdemonstrablyinthepublicinterest.

• Ensureindependentverificationofinformationprovidedbychildrenandtakespecialcaretoensurethatverificationtakesplacewithoutputtingchildinformantsatrisk.

• Avoidtheuseofsexualisedimagesofchildren.• Usefair,openandstraightforwardmethodsforobtaining

picturesand,wherepossibleobtainthemwiththeknowledgeandconsentofchildrenoraresponsibleadult,guardianorcarer.

• Verifythecredentialsofanyorganisationpurportingtospeakforortorepresenttheinterestsofchildren.

• Notmakepaymenttochildrenformaterialinvolvingthewelfareofchildrenortoparentsorguardiansofchildrenunlessitisdemonstrablyintheinterestofthechild.

Itisworthstatingthatachildunder16mustnotbeinterviewedorphotographedonissuesinvolvingtheirownoranotherchild’swelfareunlessacustodialparentorsimilarlyresponsibleadultconsents.

Similarly,journalistsmustnotidentifychildrenunder16whoarevictimsorwitnessesincasesinvolvingsexualorothertypesofabuseorneglect.

ConclusionItishopedthattheseguidelineswillbecomeausefulreferencepointforjournalistsandpublicbodieswhenitcomestoreportingoncasesofchildabuse.Mediacoverageplaysanimportantroleinhighlightingissuesofconcernrelatingtochildprotection–however,thisshouldalwaysbecarriedoutinasensitivemannerwiththechildreninvolvedandtheirfamilymembersinmind.

Promotingmediaengagement

Publicagenciesengagingwiththemediatoassistinthecoverageofchildabuseandneglecthasmanypotentialbenefits,evenifchildcareagenciesareworriedaboutthepossibilityofadversepublicityorcriticism.Doingsoatatimeofacrisisorfollowingahighprofileincidentwillbeeasierifthoughthasbeengivenbyagenciestosomekeyissues:

• Identifyapersontoliaisewiththemediaandtomanageanyrequestsforinformation.

• Beproactiveinsharinginformationwiththemediaratherthanjustreactingtorequestsforinformationorcomment.

• Beclearastothelimitsofconfidentialityincommentinguponaparticularcaseorincident,butdoaimtomakeacommentaboutthegeneralissueofconcern.

• Avoidmakingstatementsof“nocomment”inresponsetorequestsforinformationorcomment.

• Userequestsasanopportunitytoeducateandtoinformthewiderpublic.

Underlyingallofthisadvicearesomeclearprinciples:

• Publicbodiesshouldbeopenandtransparentabouthowtheydischargetheirfunctions.

• Thepublicandelectedrepresentativeshavearighttoholdpublicbodiestoaccountfortheperformanceof

theirduties.• Individualmembersofstaffhavearighttoprivacyand

freedomfromharassment,asmechanismsalreadyexisttoholdthemtoaccountforthestandardoftheirpractice.

• Familieshavearighttoprivacyfollowingthedeathorseriousinjuryofafamilymember.

• Informationrelatingtothedeathorseriousinjuryofachildshouldbehandledwithgreatsensitivityoutofrespectfortheprivacyofanyothersiblings.

• Ininterviewingandreportingonchildren,specialattentionisneededtoensureeachchild’srighttoprivacyandconfidentiality,tohavetheiropinionsheard,toparticipateindecisionsaffectingthemandtobeprotectedfromongoingharmorfutureharm,arisingfromretributionorthestigmaassociatedwiththeirsituation.

• Considerationmustbegiventoanyongoingpoliceorcourtproceedings.

TheInternationalFederationofJournalists(2002)hasadoptedasetofguidelinesthatunderpinhighjournalisticstandards

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ThisdocumentwasproducedbyaworkinggroupconsistingofHiltonDawson(NorthernIrelandAssociationofSocialWorkers),JohnDevaney(BritishAssociationfortheStudyandPreventionofChildAbuseandNeglect),DotKirby(NationalUnionofJournalists),KathrynTorney(www.thedetail.tv)andColinReid(NationalSocietyforthePreventionofCrueltytoChildren).

RESOURCESDHSSPS Child Protection Statistics: http://bit.ly/KYVhoE

A short guide to child protection procedures in Northern Ireland:http://bit.ly/LFvcgc

NUJ Code of Conduct: http://bit.ly/MOvEq3

NSPCC NI Policy and Public Affairs: http://bit.ly/KCAmMc

Northern Ireland Children’s Research Database: http://bit.ly/MOvL56

HELPLINESDetails of where to report a child protection concern are available at: http://bit.ly/KR455z

Alternatively you can contact the NSPCC’s free and confidential 24 hour helpline service at 0808 800 5000 or you can contact the Police Service of Northern Ireland on 028 9065 0222Counselling services can be accessed at:

ChildLine 0800 1111Contact 0808 808 8000Samaritans 08457 60 90 90Useful telephone numbers:

NSPCC NI Communications Manager 020 32 224 264NIASW 028 9064 8873BASPCAN 01904 613 605Belfast HSC Trust 028 9050 7000South Eastern HSC Trust 030 0100 0300Northern HSC Trust 030 0123 4333Southern HSC Trust 080 0783 7745Western HSC Trust 028 7131 4090

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CASE

STUDIES

This guidance is available online at:http://www.baspcan.org.uk/northernireland/index.php

September 2012