Information for Families

Child Protection

When anyone is concerned that a child or young person has been abused or neglected or is at risk of abuse or neglect, they should contact the Children & Families Department or the Police (see What to do).

Child Protection Investigations

Once such a concern has been reported to the Children & Families Department or the Police, the law states that we have a DUTY to investigate this.

What happens next?

The police and/or social worker will talk to the child and their family to try to find out what has happened and why. It may sometimes be necessary for the child to be examined by a paediatrician (a children’s doctor) or a police doctor.

When we have spoken to all the people we need to speak to, we will decide what should happen. It may be that nothing is required or we may give the family some help and advice. Sometimes we will arrange a Child Protection Conference. Whatever happens, we will inform the family in writing.

What is a Child Protection Conference?

A Child Protection Conference is held when we are worried that children may be coming to harm because of the way they are being looked after. It is a meeting between parents and “professionals” (people such as doctors, health visitors, teachers and social workers) who know the family.

The Conference is always chaired by an Independent Reviewing Manager. It is their job to make sure that everyone has a chance to speak, and focuses on the child’s care and safety.

The Conference will decide whether the name of the child should be put on the Child Protection Register and, if so, agree on a Child Protection Plan. This covers the things that need to be done, by the family and by professionals, to make sure the child stays safe and well. This plan will be reviewed (at a Review Conference) within three months and then every six months for as long as it is needed. A Keyworker (a social worker) will also be appointed to work with the family and make sure that everything that has been decided at the Conference gets done.

What is the Child Protection Register?

It is a computerised list of the names of children who Conferences have thought need a Child Protection Plan to keep them safe from harm. The child will be registered under one or more of the following categories of concern:

• Neglect
• Physical Injury
• Sexual Abuse
• Emotional Abuse

The child’s name will be removed from the Child Protection Register when a Review Conference is satisfied that the child is safe and unlikely to come to any further harm.

Further Information:

More detailed information about the child protection process is available in the following booklets:

• Child Protection Investigations: Information for parents and carers (PDF 470KB)
• Child Protection Conferences: Information for parents and carers (PDF 489KB)