CHILD AND VULNERABLE ADULT PROTECTION

CHILD AND VULNERABLE ADULT PROTECTION

DO I HAVE A ROLE IN PROTECTING CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS?

Even those who do not work directly with children and their families

All RD&E staff have a responsibility to protect children and vulnerable adults and to promote their welfare.

CHILD PROTECTION

       CHILD ABUSE CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE?

In poor and affluent homes        In rural areas, suburbs and the cities        By those known to the child, or more rarely, by a stranger. DID YOU KNOW THAT:         26,400 children on the child protection register in 2006 (Now CP Plans)        Each week 2 children die because of abuse or

neglect in the UK. 

IT HAPPENS MORE THAN WE THINK!

Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

• Around 5% of all people over 65 suffer some form of abuse or neglect.

• 10% of people with learning disability suffer sexual or physical abuse.

• In 2007/08 Devon recorded 448 vulnerable adults who had been abused Of these:

• 239 older people• 57 learning disabled people• 66 older people with mental health disorders• 65 people with a physical disability• 20 people with mental health issues • 1 Substance abuse

Definition of Abuse

• Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by another person or persons.

• Abuse can occur in any relationship, and may result in significant harm to or exploitation of the person subjected to it.

(No Secrets 2000)

• Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting, by those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger.

(Working Together to Safeguard Children 2006)

CHILD AND VULNERABLE ADULT PROTECTION

 CHILD AND VULNERABLE ADULT ABUSE

CAN BE:

A CHILD OR A VULNERABLE ADULT CAN BE ABUSED IN MORE THAN ONE WAY.

SEXUAL

PHYSICAL

NEGLECT

DISCRIMINATORY

INSTITUTIONAL

EMOTIONAL/

PSYCHOLOGICAL

FINANCIAL ABUSE

CHILD AND VULNERABLE ADULT PROTECTION

WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES AND WHAT DO I DO IF I AM CONCERNED?

TRAINING AND POLICIES

SHARE – your concerns with your line manager or the Trust’s child protection

professionals.

REFER – to the children and young people service (social services)

RECORD – your findings and action taken

Responding to a disclosure- the do’s

• Listen very carefully to what you are being told

• Remain calm and try not to show shock or disbelief

• Reassure the child or adult that they have done the right thing by sharing the information with you

• Tell them what you are going to do and what will happen next

• Inform your line manager• Make a written record of what you have been

told using their language where possible.

Responding to a disclosure – the don’ts

• Don’t stop someone who is freely recalling significant events

• Do not conduct an interview; allow the child or adult to tell their story

• Do not ask leading questions or ask the child or adult to repeat the story over and over

• Do not make false promises i.e. that you will keep the secret

• Do not contact the alleged “abuser” or alleged “victim” depending on who is telling the story

• Don’t be judgemental (e.g “why didn’t you try to stop them?”

Mental Capacity Act 2005 Implications for Practice

• A person is assumed to have capacity unless otherwise proved• An unwise decision is NOT to be taken as a lack of capacity• Any action should be the least restrictive option to the person in

terms of rights and freedom• Any decision taken MUST be in person’s best interest• All practicable steps to help decision making should be taken

before treating as lack of capacity

• Failure to comply with these aspects will constitute neglect and will become a criminal offence from October 07

• Refer to Independent Mental Capacity Advocate IMCA service when necessary

• Comply with Advance decisions as required• New court of protection• Office of Public Guardian• Introduction of Deprivation of Liberties safeguards in April 2009

CHILD PROTECTION

WHO ARE THE TRUST’S CHILD PROTECTION PROFESSIONALS?

 

xxxxxMATERNITY

EXT:xxxx

DR xxxxHONEYLANDS

xxxx

 

xxxxxCHILD HEALTH

EXT: xxxx

DOCTOR NURSE MIDWIFE

SAFEGUARDING VULNERABLE ADULTS

WHO ARE THE TRUST’S ADULT PROTECTION PROFESSIONALS?

xxxxCARE OF THE ELDERLY

CONSULTANTEXT: xxxx

 

xxxxSAFEGUARDING

ADULTS COORDINATOREXT:xxxx

CHILD AND VULNERABLE ADULT PROTECTION

PROTECTING CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY?

YOUR PIECE OF INFORMATION, HOWEVER SMALL, MAY BE THE….

PLEASE REPORT ITDON’T EXPECT SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT!

CHILD PROTECTION ANDVULNERABLE ADULTS

ChildrenSOCIAL SERVICES TEL NUMBER:

01392 3844440845 600 0388 (OUT OF HOURS)

AdultsCARE DIRECT 0845 1551007

ON CALL SOCIAL WORKER (OUT OF HOURS) VIA HOSPITAL

OPERATOR

CHILD AND VULNERABLE ADULT PROTECTION

ANY

QUESTIONS