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A Guide to Child Protection Work

Information for Children -

Introduction

This information explains about Child Protection work in Worcestershire.

We have written it because we know that abuse enquiries can feel frightening and confusing. It tells you what will be happening and how you can have your say, we hope it will answer your questions.

Our aim is to keep you safe from harm

The information includes:

Remember that

You have a right to be protected
The law says that abusing children is wrong and you have a right not to be hurt
Abuse is never your fault.
Many children and young people think that they may be to blame when they are abused but it is never the fault of the children and young people if they are abused.

What is Child Abuse

Child abuse happens when an adult harms a child and doesn’t care or understand how the child feels when they do it.

There are four main types of abuse:

Physical injury
This is where a child is kicked, beaten, punched and so on

Neglect
This is when adults don’t look after a child properly – leave them alone, don’t feed them enough, don’t keep them clean, don’t take them to the doctor if they are ill, and so on.
Sexual Abuse
Sex is a normal way of adults expressing their love for each other, but they should not involve children in this. For instance, it is wrong when an adult gets a child to touch their private parts, when an adult touches a child’s private parts, when an adult shows rude pictures or videos to children, or when an adult makes a child have sex, and so on.

These things, and any other touches that make you feel uncomfortable are WRONG.
Emotional Abuse
This is where adults don’t understand how children feel and hurt their feelings all the time.

All abuse is wrong and our Child Protection work is about making sure that if you are being abused it will STOP.

To find out how we can help you and make sure you are safe will so an investigation.

Enquiries: How they work for you

Enquiries start when someone is worried or unhappy and they talk to Children's Services or the Police.

It can be anyone who thinks that a child or young person is being harmed (that is, abused).

It can be a child, a parent, a teacher or anyone else.

Then,

A Social Worker and Police Officer will listen to what they have been told.
They will try to find out what is happening
They must make sure the child or young person is SAFE.

Enquiries: Finding out how to help you

People will listen to you. You might be asked to tell a Social Worker, a Police Officer or a doctor what has happened.

We know this can be worrying, but they won’t be shocked or embarrassed by anything you say. They want to help, so please be honest and as clear as you can. If you are upset or worried about what you say, do tell them. You may want someone you know to be with you when you talk.

We may need to talk to your family, your teacher or other people who know you well. This helps us to understand what has been happening to you.

You may be confused by what is happening and worried about what will happen next. Don’t be afraid to ask people either to explain things again or to answer your questions.

How many people will I have to tell?

We try to arrange it so that you don’t have to keep repeating yourself to different people.

A video can sometimes help to avoid this.

Some things you need to know about videos

If you do not want to be recorded on video, you can say so.

Videos are made in a friendly and comfortable place
Usually you won’t have to meet any people. The Police person and Social Worker you have already met will be there.
The video will not be shown to anyone unless it is important that they see it.
The video may be used as evidence in Court.

You can talk to your Social Worker about any of these things.

Will I have to tell a doctor?

You may see a doctor if we need to find out how much you have been hurt.

Seeing a doctor can sometimes be reassuring and help us to get the right sort of help for you.

Talk to your Social Worker about this and about your right to say ‘NO’.

Will I stay at home?

Most children will stay at home as long as they are safe.

Sometimes it is arranged that the person who has hurt you leaves home.

Sometimes a relative or friend may look after you at their home.

If you do have to stay somewhere else for a while it will probably be with people called Foster Carers, in their home. Foster Carers have been trained to look after children and young people who have had problems at home.

Please tell us where you want to be and what you want to happen.

We will listen and try to make the best plans for you.

What happens after the enquiries are finished?

It is possible that a Child Protection Conference will meet, following the enquiries.

A separate booklet explains all about Child Protection Conferences.

A Child Protection Conference is a meeting where your safety will be discussed. People share information so that we can check if you are safe and whether anything needs to be done to keep you safe.

Will I have to go to Court?

All abuse of children is serious, so sometimes Courts are involved, although not very often. If they are, it is because people want to keep you safe.

The Police sometimes take your abuser to the Criminal Court if the matter is very serious and if they have enough evidence. They will need your evidence if they do this and the matter will only go to court if you can cope with it and it is what you want. You will be given a lot of support if this happens: for example, you can visit the Court and talk to someone about what will happen.

Children's Services can also go to Court (to the Family Court, not the Criminal Court) if they think that a Court Order is the only way to keep you safe. Children and young people do not usually attend the Family Court.

The law is complicated and you will need to talk to your Social Worker or your Solicitor about this. The section below gives a few simple explanations about different Court Orders.

Emergency Protection Order

If a Court thinks it would be dangerous for you to stay at home or leave the safe place you are in now, then it can make an Emergency Protection Order.

This Order last for up to 8 days at first and never more than 15 days.

If you do have to leave home, your family and friends can still visit you if you want them to, and arrangements will be made which keep you safe.

Care Order

Care Orders allow Children's Services to act as your parent. They give ‘parental responsibility’ to the Local Authority Children's Services Department. This responsibility is then shared with your parent(s).

If an Emergency Protection Order or an Interim (temporary) Care Order are made by the Family Court, the Court will appoint a special worker for you called a Children’s Guardian. He/She will make sure the Court knows your views.

Child Assessment Order

This Order says that an assessment must be made, usually of your development and health. The Order is not used very often because most parents agree to such assessments.

Section 8 Orders

These are orders, which say:

Where you should live (Residence Order). This can be with relatives.

Any person who has a Residence Order also has parental responsibility.

Who you should have/not have contact with and how often (Contact order)
Things people who have parental responsibility for you cannot do (Prohibited Steps Order)
In order to settle a disagreement on a particular matter between people who have parental responsibility for you (Specific Issues Order)

Police Protection

This isn’t a Court Order. The Police can move you to, or keep you in, a safe place if you are in immediate danger. This can last up to 3 days but is usually only for a few hours and they have to tell a Social Worker and your family where you are.

What about my family and friends?

We know that your family and friends are very important to you.

If your family have been involved in harming you, we know that you will have very mixed feelings about this.

Whether you are living at home or away from home we will want to make sure that you have the advice and support that you need and also make sure that you keep in touch with the people who are important to you.

What if they’ve got it wrong?

If you do not agree with the plans made or what is being said, then you must tell someone.

The law says that your wishes and feelings must be taken into account. Talk to your Social Worker or Children’s Guardian.

Who else can I talk to?

You can also talk to any of these organisations

Childline: 0800 1111
(24 hour helpline. Your call is free and the telephone number will not appear on telephone bills).
Freepost 1111, London N1 OBR

NSPCC: 0808 8005000
(Free, 24 hours)

Children’s Legal Centre: 01206 873820
University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ

National Voice: 0161 9534011
23 New Mount Street, Manchester M4 4DE

You may have many other questions as time goes on.
Don’t hesitate to ask them.

And Remember

Abusing children and young people is always WRONG.
It is NEVER your fault.
There are always adults around to HELP you.

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Get in touch with our Contact Centre:
Call: 0845 607 2000 or Email: socialcare@worcestershire.gov.uk
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Page Information:
Last modification: 13:42:00, 03rd June, 2008 by
Review date: 13th December, 2005

Worcestershire County Council

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