Child Protection Policy
Safeguarding Children and Young People
Version
2
Applies to:
All Trust staff
Ratified by: Trust Child Protection Clinical Governance Committee 29th April 2005
Trust Clinical Governance Policy Making Committee 14th July 2005
Responsible Executive Policy Risk Holder:
Hilary Mc Callion. Director of Nursing and Education
Authors:
Sue Lewis. Trust Named Nurse for Child Protection
Dr Malcolm Wiseman. Trust Named Doctor for Child Protection
Review date: April 2008
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Contents
Section
Page
Key points ....................................................................................................................................... 3
1
Purpose ................................................................................................................................ 4
2
Scope ................................................................................................................................... 4
3
Definitions of abuse ............................................................................................................ 5
3.8
Indicators that may raise concerns about child protection .................................................. 6
4.0
What to do if you have concerns ......................................................................................... 7
4.1
Immediate action ................................................................................................................. 7
4.3
In cases of risk of significant harm and/or abuse: ............................................................... 7
4.9
For an out of hours incident ................................................................................................ 8
4.10
Children in hospital ............................................................................................................. 8
4.11
Other considerations for immediate action in alleged Child Sexual Abuse........................ 8
4.15
Police involvement .............................................................................................................. 9
4.17
If you feel your referral is not being responded to. ............................................................. 9
4.20
Flowchart for referral ........................................................................................................ 10
5.0
Sharing information .......................................................................................................... 11
5.14
Physical examinations ....................................................................................................... 12
6.0
What happens next – child protection conference ............................................................ 13
6.5
Child Protection Register .................................................................................................. 13
7.0
Serious Case Reviews ....................................................................................................... 14
7.8
ACPC Action on Receiving Reports ................................................................................. 15
8.0
Human resource issues ...................................................................................................... 15
8.1
Allegations of abuse against trust staff ............................................................................. 15
8.4
Recruitment and selection of staff..................................................................................... 16
9.0
Training ............................................................................................................................. 16
10
Associated documents. ...................................................................................................... 16
11
Who to contact – see poster below for Social Care and Health numbers ......................... 17
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Key points
SOUTH LONDON AND MAUDSLEY NHS TRUST
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
This is a very brief summary of the SlaM NHS Trust Child protection Policy. For further
guidance, please refer to the full policy, your local London borough Area Child Protection
Committee policy, and/or discuss with the SlaM Trust Child Protection Advice Service.
KEY POINTS
 Whatever your job in the Trust, or who your clients are, ensuring the welfare of children
should be your paramount consideration.
 Whenever you have a concern about a child’s safety (physical, emotional or sexual), it is
always best to discuss this with a colleague and your team. Unless immediate action is called
for, discuss with your line manager and/or the Trust Child Protection Advisor before acting
on your concerns.
 It should be normal practice that you discuss your concerns about a child’s safety with their
parents/carers, and that referrals to agencies such as ‘children and families social services’
should be done in their knowledge. If you believe that a child is at risk of harm, you should
share this information with or without the parent/carers consent.
It is all our responsibility to keep up to date with child protection policy and practice. The Trust
provides regular training and a telephone advice line. For more information, contact the SlaM
child protection advisor on aircall 07659 152233.
SlaM has an intranet site for child protection. It can be accessed via the trust intranet home page
Each Area Child Protection Committee also provides borough-based training.
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1
Purpose
1.1
To advise on what you should do if you have concerns about children, in order to
safeguard and promote their welfare, including those suffering or at risk of suffering,
significant harm.
1.2
Explain what will happen once you have informed someone of those concerns
1.3
Explain what further contribution you may be asked or expected to make to the process
of assessment, planning, working with children, and reviewing that work, including how
you should share information.
1.4
Provide basic information and background about the legislative framework within which
children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted.
2
Scope
2.1
All SlaM staff, irrespective of discipline or role, have a duty to ensure that children are
protected from harm.
2.2
A child is defined under the Children Act 1989 as anyone under the age of 18 years. Staff
should remember, young children, including babies, may be particularly vulnerable and
in need of protection, and also that child protection concerns for the unborn may need to
be considered during pregnancy.
2.3
All staff are bound to comply with the principles laid down in the Children Act (1989)
and in Working Together to Safeguard Children (HMSO 1999). This document aims to
provide Trust staff with a procedural framework in order to work within these principles.
2.4
For staff working with adults or older adults, this may become relevant when considering
the impact of the adult’s mental state and behaviour on their own children and
grandchildren who they may care for and any other children they may have regular
contact with.
2.5
All Mental Health professionals have a duty to seek to discover whether any patient/client
has responsibility for a child, and to consider the impact their condition may have on that
child, and whether this merits referral to child and family social services. Children caring
for other children must also be considered.
2.6
For all staff, the welfare of the child is paramount. This implies that when there is actual,
or potential, conflict between the needs of a child and adult (for example, an adult client
of SlaM) the child’s needs must be prioritised.
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2.7
Children must be considered in all interactions with service users including adult and
older adult services, and carers, at all stages from referral through assessment, review and
transfer or discharge.
2.8
Periodic cumulative summaries should be used to keep in mind and formulate needs and
risks of children within the overall family context.
2.9
To support this, child protection is an essential component of all CPA and Patients
Journey processes through the Child Need and Risk form, Risk History and Events.
See also Child Visiting Policy and “Assessment Of The Needs Of Mentally Ill Parents
And Their Children”.
2.10
SlaM has identified a Named Doctor and Named Nurse with responsibility for child
protection issues. There are also lead child protection professionals for each borough and
specialist division, these may be contacted for child protection advice. See section 11
Who to contact – see poster below for Social Care and Health numbers This SlaM policy
should be considered alongside “What To Do If You Are Worried A Child Is Being
Abused” and the London Child Protection Procedures.
3
Definitions of abuse
3.1
The Children Act 1989 introduced the concept of Significant Harm as the threshold that
justifies compulsory intervention in family life in order to Safeguard Children. The Local
Authority has a duty to investigate where it has reason to suspect that a child is suffering
or likely to suffer significant harm.
3.2
Working Together To Safeguard Children, defines the following categories of abuse.
3.3
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child such as to cause
severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may
involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued
only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. It may involve
causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or
corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of ill
treatment of a child, though it may occur alone.
3.4
Neglect
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological
needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It
may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing,
failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to
appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness
to, a child’s basic emotional needs.
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3.5
Physical abuse
Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding,
drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child.
Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or
deliberately causes ill health to a child whom they are looking after. This situation of
fabricated or induced illness is commonly described using terms such as factitious illness
by proxy or Munchausen syndrome by proxy.
3.6
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual
activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may
involve physical contact, including penetrative (e.g. rape or buggery) or non-penetrative
acts. They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or
in the production of, pornographic material or watching sexual activities, or encouraging
children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
3.7
Many features may lead you to be worried about the welfare of a child and this list is not
exhaustive. The context of the situation, and information from others will help you decide
how to proceed, including whether or not to refer to Social Services. If in doubt, contact
your borough child protection link worker and / or the Child Protection Co-ordinator on
air call 07659 152233.
3.8
Indicators that may raise concerns about child protection
Unexplained concerns
about health and
development
Concerns about the
parent and child
relationship e.g.
persistent negative
comments, undue
criticism, innappropriate
expectations
Mental ill health and/or
substance misuse that
leads to potentially
harmful changes in
parenting capacity.
Inappropriate
explanation for injuries
Pregnancy or sexually
transmitted disease in
a child
Problems in the
carer’s home,
including domestic
violence, severe intrafamilial discord
Concerns about an
unborn child where a
pregnant mother has
been unable to care for
previous children or
babies
Child’s behaviour,
including inappropriate
sexualized behaviour,
recurring acts of severe
aggression
Concerns about unborn
child in women with
severe mental illness or
addiction who are
pregnant
A chance trigger
remark by the parent or
child e.g. inappropriate
sexual remarks
Parents/carers
actively and/or
repeatedly preventing
you from observing
the child
Unexplained and or
repeated injuries
Information from a third
party
Broader difficulties of
engaging adult
clients, which lead to
significant reduction in
services
that manage risk to
children/parents
General appearance
suggestive of neglect
– unkempt, dirty, not
dressed for the
weather. Concerns
about a child’s
general appearance
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4.0
What to do if you have concerns
4.1
Immediate action
Any concerns about the wellbeing of a child should be discussed with a
senior colleague and/or the clinical team. A ‘child in need’ or a ‘child in need of
protection’ referral (depending on your level of concerns) should be made to the local
Social Service Department (refer to flow chart). For help and support with this process
you can also contact your borough child protection link worker the Trust Child Protection
Telephone Advice Service by aircalling 07659 152233 9-5 weekdays
4.2
Where abuse is alleged by a child, the response should be limited to listening carefully to
what the child has to say so as to, clarify the concerns, offer re-assurance about how s/he
will be kept safe and what action will be taken
4.3
In cases of risk of significant harm and/or abuse:
If possible, discuss the case with a senior colleague, clinical team, line manager,
supervisor or a Trust child protection advisor. Ensure you keep written records of these
discussions. It should be possible to discuss initial worries with local social service duty
teams informally.
4.4
If after discussion, harm or risk of harm is considered, you must inform the appropriate
Social Service office by telephone. Section 11. The appropriate office will usually be the
borough in which the child currently resides. Follow up in writing within 48 hours
using the appropriate Social Care and Health referral form or letter providing full details
of the child and family and current concerns (section 5 London Child Protection
Procedures). Social Services should acknowledge referrals within one working day of
receipt. If this does not occur within three working days, the referrer should contact
Social Services again.
4.5
If there is a difference of opinion with a senior professional regarding whether a child is
at risk of significant harm and or abuse, attempts should be made to resolve this through
further discussion. If this difference cannot be resolved the Named Child Protection
Doctor or Nurse should be consulted. However, if a professional remains concerned
about a child, at the very least they should have a discussion with a senior professional
within Social Care and Health Child Protection and a referral made if appropriate.
4.6
Staff dealing with a child at risk of harm or a case of known or suspected child abuse,
must keep full contemporaneous records of what is said by all parties, including the child;
details of physical and emotional findings and record of dates and times of entries.
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Information recorded or reported should be fact not opinion.
4.7
If a child is known or suspected to have been abused, or to be at risk of significant harm,
immediate and appropriate plans must be made to protect the child.
4.8
Social Services will have a duty to investigate the suspicion of abuse or risk of abuse.
This will usually involve a multi-disciplinary approach and sharing of information across
agencies. Social Services (allocated social worker or duty social worker, depending on
whether the case is known) will consider:
 whether the child is safe
 who should see the child
 which family member or trusted adult should be present who should communicate
with the parent
4.9
For an out of hours incident
The local authority emergency duty service should be notified. See poster section 11.
4.10
Children in hospital
Where abuse is alleged, suspected or confirmed in children admitted to hospital,
a child protection referral should be made on a completed inter-agency referral form or
letter providing full details of the child and family and current concerns (section 5
London Child Protection Procedures) :
They must not be discharged from hospital without a documented plan for the future care
of the child. The plan must include follow up arrangements.
4.11
Other considerations for immediate action in alleged Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)
4.12
In cases of suspected sexual abuse the case should always be discussed with a senior
colleague, before considering any further physical or verbal examinations.
Examinations following child sexual abuse suspicions will be co-ordinated and arranged
by the local Social Service Department, and conducted by a professional who has
completed a Metropolitan Police child abuse training or equivalent, and has been
approved by the Designated/Named Doctor.
4.13
In all CSA suspicions or allegations, Social Services should be informed. They will take
responsibility for arranging a planning/strategy meeting if appropriate.
The planning/strategy meeting may be held without the knowledge or involvement of the
parents/carers, as it is important not to alert an alleged perpetrator at this stage.
4.14
The planning meeting ensures that both the police and Social Services undertake a coordinated investigation.
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4.15
Police involvement
Except in cases of extreme urgency, referral to the police child protection team should be
via the Social Services Department.
4.16
It is the responsibility of Social Services to decide whether the Police should be notified.
However, the police can be contacted where there is a violent/abusive incident at the
hospital, or if a child is being removed and this is likely to cause significant harm, or
being removed by person(s) without parental responsibility. In addition, health staff can
contact the police when there are no out of hours duty social workers available and there
is a dangerous situation at the hospital requiring the intervention of the police. In most
circumstances, a health professional would not inform the police prior to discussing the
matter with the Social Services.
4.17
If you feel your referral is not being responded to.
Where Social Services have concluded that an initial child protection conference is not
required but you remain seriously concerned about the safety of a child, you should seek
further discussion with the Social Worker, her/his manager and or the child protection
advisor and your manager. The concerns, discussion and any agreements made should be
recorded in the client record.
4.18
If concerns remain, you should discuss with a Named or Lead child protection
professional in SlaM, section 11. If concerns remain you may, with advice of the Named
or lead SlaM child protection professional, formally request that Social Services convene
an initial child protection conference. Social Services should convene a conference where
one or more professionals, supported by a senior manager / named professional request
one.
4.19
If this approach fails to achieve agreement, the procedures for resolution of conflicts in
the London Child Protection Procedures should be followed.
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4.20 Flowchart for referral
Practitioner has concerns about child’s welfare
Practitioner discusses with manager and / or other
senior colleagues as they think appropriate
Still has concerns
No longer has concern
Practitioner refers to social
services, following up in writing
in within 48 hours
No further child protection
action, although may need to
ensure that services are
provided
Social worker & manager
acknowledge receipt of referral
and decide on next course of
action within one working day
Initial assessment required
Feedback to referrer on next
course of action
No further social services
involvement at this stage,
although other action may be
necessary, e.g.onward referral
Initial assessment carried out
in seven days with feedback
to the referrer
Concerns about child’s
immediate safety
Procedure for emergency action
is followed
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5.0
Sharing information
5.1
In the majority of cases, parents/carers should be informed of your concerns before a
referral is made. Parents should be part of the referral process. Parents / carers are entitled
to know what is going on and to be helped to understand the steps being taken. In
situations where a sexual abuse allegation has been made, it is important not to alert the
alleged perpetrator to the allegation, even if this is the parent/carer.
5.2
If



5.3
In certain rare circumstances you may feel that to share concerns with the parents would
increase risks to the child, this should be considered with senior colleagues. When the
decision is to make the referral without informing the family, the reasons for this must be
clearly recorded in the notes and in the referral.
5.4
Children have a right to be told what is going on. They should not be given promises that
cannot be kept. Their views and wishes should be taken into consideration, in accordance
with their age and developmental status.
5.5
Clients and children should be made aware that confidentiality can never be absolute, as
staff have a duty to ensure they are protected from harm.
5.6
Children should be given the opportunity to explain what has happened to them, but
formal, investigative, disclosure interviews (known as Achieving Best Evidence, ABE)
are only to be carried out by trained Social Services and Police staff.
5.7
Due regard should be given to issues of race, religion, culture, language, gender and
disability in all child protection work.
5.8
Under the Children Act we are required to work openly and honestly in partnership with
parents and young people. Parents or carers would normally be invited to attend child
protection conferences and meetings. The young person may also attend (the age for
attendance may vary but is at the Chairs’ discretion).
5.9
Information will be shared with parent or carer and with young people appropriate to
their age and understanding. This includes all reports for child protection conferences and
some planning meetings, which should always be shared with the family before any
meeting. There will be circumstances in which it will not be in the childs’ best interests
for information to be shared immediately.
parents refuse permission for referral and it is still considered that there is a need:
the reason for proceeding without parental agreement must be recorded
SSD should be told that the parent has withheld his/her permission
the parent should be contacted to inform her/him that after full consideration of their
wishes a referral has been made.
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5.10
The principle of sharing information on a "need to know" basis, as laid down in
"Working Together", should always be applied in child protection.
5.11
The child’s best interests must come before the interests of parents or legal guardians. All
health professionals involved have a duty to ensure that necessary measures are taken to
ensure that the child is protected from significant harm and/or any form of abuse. This
means that confidentiality can never be absolute. Patients and their relatives must be
informed of this.
5.12
Nevertheless, no health professional should disclose without consent, information
obtained in confidence, unless it is necessary to ensure the protection of a child at risk, or
is necessary as part of a multi-agency comprehensive assessment to determine the level
of risk.
5.13
The welfare of a child should always be considered whenever a letter is sent, for example
to the GP/ referrer, summarising involvement with a patient who is a parent or carer. This
may include copying the letter to the relevant Child and Family Social Work team where
there are concerns.
5.14
Cases should not be declined or closed without the original referrer, and other key
agencies, being advised that this is the proposed plan so that they can either question this
decision or take over the responsibility for support and monitoring, where this is required.
This is particularly important where a child is on the Child Protection Register
5.16
Generally, if Social Services request information as part of a section 47 (child protection)
assessment, clinicians have a duty under the Children Act 1989 to pass on information
with or without client/parental consent. If Social Services request information as part of a
section 17 (child in need) assessment, then information should only be given with
client/parental consent. Therefore, staff should clarify with social services which section
of the Children Act 1989 the assessment is being conducted under, in-order to know the
minimum level of client consent required. Clearly, within good practice, client’s should
always know about the process and content of information being shared, but there may be
exceptional cases where this is not appropriate or possible.
5.14
Physical examinations
The number of physical examinations should be kept to an absolute minimum, and should
always be conducted in a suitable environment by appropriately trained staff and in the
presence of a trusted adult. Specific child protection medical examinations should be
carried out by appropriately trained doctors. For further information, contact the Health
Authority’s designated doctor.
Lambeth
Dr Mary Rees Mary.rees@lambethpct.nhs.uk Tel: 0207 414 1456
Southwark
Dr Ros Healy Ros.healy@southwarkpct.nhs.uk Tel: 0207 771 3456
Lewisham
Dr Abimbola Adeyemi Abimbola.adeyemi@lewishampct.nhs.uk
Tel: 0208 613 9201
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Croydon
Frances Akah Frances.akah@croydonpct.nhs.uk Tel 020 8274 6300
5.15
All relevant evidence from interviews and examinations must be carefully recorded
after discussion with the multi-disciplinary team, and the essential points conveyed to the
appropriate social worker. Information will usually be managed and care plans
formulated using the guidance as described in ‘Framework for the Assessment of
Children in Need and their Families’ (DOH 1999).
6.0
What happens next – child protection conference
6.1
The function of the child protection case conference is to establish all relevant facts about
the child and family, from a child-focused perspective, with the objective of assessing the
risk/protection needs of the children and forming a coherent care plan that can effect
change.
6.2
The case conference will decide if a child’s name is to be placed on the child protection
register, and under which category.
6.3
Family participation at child protection conferences is actively encouraged. If you think
that some of the information you will present cannot be shared with the parents/family,
you should discuss this with the chair of the conference prior to the meeting, following a
discussion with a senior member of your team.
6.4
There is an expectation that SlaM staff will attend case conferences. In most
circumstances, and particularly if not attending a case conference for a known family, a
written report should be submitted prior to the conference. See the SlaM child protection
intra net site for guidance on how to write a report for a child protection conference.
6.5
Child Protection Register
6.6
Case conferences are the only mechanism that can decide if a child’s name can be placed
or removed from the child protection register.
6.7
Following a child’s registration, a child protection care plan will be formulated. Trust
staff are encouraged to be pro-active in saying what they believe they can offer to this
plan. A key group of professionals and family/carers will be identified with the aim of
working to effect change. South London and Maudsley NHS Trust staff are encouraged
to be actively involved in this process when appropriate.
6.8
When a child whose name is on the Child Protection Register is seen for any reason by
Trust staff, it should be usual practice that Social Services are informed and invited to be
part of a working partnership.
6.9
If there are any doubts as to whether a child or siblings may be on a Child Protection
Register, or the family known to Social Care and Health, the Social Services Central
Index can be consulted by using the Social Services telephone numbers in section 10.0
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Who to contact – see poster below for Social Care and Health numbers.
6.10
If patients live outside these boroughs, the appropriate local authority/district social
services department should be consulted.
7.0
Serious Case Reviews
7.1
Working Together to Safeguard Children (DOH 1999) states that when a child dies or is
subject to a serious injury where there is suspected or actual child abuse, or when there is
a child protection issue with a major public concern, a case review will be undertaken.
Such a case review (known as a part 8 or chapter 8) will be co-ordinated by the local
borough Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC).
7.2
The purpose of a chapter 8 review is to:
 establish whether there are lessons to be learned from the case about the way in
which local professionals and agencies work together to safeguard children;
 identify clearly what those lessons are, how they will be acted upon, and what is
expected to change as a result; and as a consequence, and
 to improve inter-agency working and better safeguard children.
7.3
Case reviews are not inquiries into how a child died. Coroners and Criminal Courts
determine this.
7.4
When an ACPC instigates a serious case review, they will be responsible for:
 Identifying the agencies/provider units whose part in the case is to be examined
 Make arrangements for each participating agencies Chief Officer to be written to
informing them of the details of the process, and that they need to arrange an internal
case review (known as a management review).
7.5
In SlaM, the Chief Executive is the person initially informed. They will then inform the
Trust Named Nurse and Named Doctor, who are responsible for facilitating Trust serious
case review (Chapter 8) review for the Trust. The local Trust manager will be responsible
for following the Trust serious incident policy. These are parallel and linking processes
with close working between the Trust local manager and child protection professional.
7.6
The named professional will contact the appropriate directorate management team, who
will identify and secure all appropriate case records.
7.7
The named professional/s (or a member of staff appointed by the named professionals)
will:
 Read all the secured records and establish a chronology of the history of SlaMs
involvement with the child(ren) and/or family.
 Interview appropriate staff
 Write a report for the ACPC Chapter 8 panel, which will include the chronology and
an analysis of our services involvement.
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
7.8
Make initial suggestions for recommendations based on this report/analysis.
ACPC Action on Receiving Reports
On receiving an overview report the ACPC should:
 ensure that contributing agencies and individuals are satisfied that their information is
fully and fairly represented in the overview report;
 translate recommendations into an action plan which should be endorsed and adopted
at a senior level by each of the agencies involved. The plan should set out who will do
what, by when, and with what intended outcome. The plan should set out by what
means improvements in practice/systems will be monitored and reviewed;
 clarify to whom the report, or any part of it, should be made available;
 disseminate report or key findings to interests as agreed. Make arrangements to
provide feedback and de-briefing to staff, family members of the subject child, and
the media, as appropriate;
 provide a copy of the overview report, executive summary action plan and individual
management reports to the Department of Health (SSI Social Care Region).
7.9
In SlaM, the final recommendations and action plans from part 8 review panels are
considered by the Trust’s Child Protection Clinical Governance Committee. The
committee is responsible for informing the part 8 review panel how the Trust intends to
respond to the action plan, and for facilitating the implementation of the action plan.
8.0
Human resource issues
8.1
Allegations of abuse against trust staff
8.2
All allegations made against Trust staff must be brought to the attention of the Senior
Clinician and the line manager immediately.
8.3
As the welfare of the child is paramount, all allegations made by children or adults should
be taken seriously, and the line manager is responsible for informing the local Social
Service Department as the policy for any allegation. The line manager is responsible for
considering the need for suspension and informing senior management.
8.4
See the SLaM policy for dealing with allegations of sexual assault, sexual abuse and rape
for further advice.
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8.4
Recruitment and selection of staff
8.5
Under the Trust’s responsibilities and obligations towards children, we need to be
rigorous and systematic in the process of selection and recruitment of staff who will have
contact with children. In these circumstances, the Trust’s human resource ‘children’s
safeguard policy’ (as guided by the ‘Children’s safeguard review: Choosing with care
HSC 198/212) must be followed at all times.
9.0
Training
9.1
Keeping up to date and attending appropriate training is vital. Clinicians are encouraged
to access the SlaM Trust child protection courses, and their local A.C.P.C. training
events.
9.2
It is mandatory for all SlaM staff to attend a minimum of one day’s training in child
protection every three years.
9.3
A list of training events is available on the SlaM training and child protection intranet
sites.
10
Associated documents.
These can be found on the Trust Child Protection intranet site and should be read in
conjunction with this policy. A paper copy should also be available from your team
leader.
Responding appropriately to domestic violence and vulnerable adults who are parents is
important in safeguarding children, these interagency policies are referred to here.
A SL&M Domestic Violence policy is being developed.
Child Visiting Policy. South London and Maudsley NHS Trust 2002
How to write a report for a Child Protection Conference. South London and Maudsley
NHS Trust guidance 2004
London Child Protection Procedures London Child Protection Committee
The Children Act 1989
The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families 1999 DOH
What To Do If You Are Worried A Child Is Being Abused DoH 2003
Working Together to Safeguard Children 1999 The Stationery Office
Local ACPC Domestic Violence Policies
Local Authority Vulnerable Adult Policies
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11
Who to contact – see poster below for Social Care and Health numbers
IF IN DOUBT, CONTACT THE SLaM ADVICE LINE aircall 07659 152233 9-5 weekdays
Out of hours contact the on call senior clinician or Consultant Adult Psychiatrist and or
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist or Social Care and Health duty team as below.
Trust Named Doctor Child Protection Wiseman
Trust Named Nurse for Child Protection Lewis
Malcolm
Sue
020 8690 1086
020 7919 3483 / 2696
Addictions Lead
Addictions Consultant Lead
Beavis
Porter
Matt
Sally
0787 949 2751
020 8700 8600
Croydon Adult Mental Health
Croydon Consultant CAMHS
Croydon Lead CP Nurse CAMHS
Hill
Warren
Humphreys
Steve
Stephen
Toby
020 8700 8752
020 8700 8800
020 8700 8800
Lambeth Adult Mental Health
Lambeth Consultant CAMHS
Lambeth Lead Nurse CP CAMHS
DeWitt
Nikapota
Kelly
020 7411 2900
020 7919 2537
020 7411 4140
Lambeth MH Older Adults
Bird
Learning Difficulty Consultant Lead
Joyce
Sara
Anula
Charlie
Ann
Noreen
Teresa
Lewisham Adult Mental Health
Lewisham Consultant CAMHS
Lewisham Lead Nurse CP CAMHS
James
Wiseman
Addison
Paul
Malcolm
Emma
020 8333 3000 x 8035
020 8690 1086
020 8690 1086
National & Specialist Consultant lead Seneviratne
National and Specialist
Vacant
National and Specialist CAMHS Nurse
Vacant
Lead
Trudi
020 7919 3668
Vacant
Vacant
Older Adults Trust wide
Mc Ghee
Michael
020 7232 0148
Southwark Adult Mental Health
Southwark Adult Mental Health
Southwark Consultant CAMHS
Southwark Lead CP Nurse CAMHS
Hervey
McCree
Weeramanthri
Helen
Nick
Chris
Tara
Helen
020 7919 2440
020 7231 4571
020 7701 7371
From Oct.05
020 7793 0067
020 8693 3839
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
AIRCALL: 07659 152233
Monday to Friday
9am - 5pm


This service, aimed primarily at Trust staff of all directorates, is an opportunity to check out,
explore and to think about child protection issues and dilemmas. It can also help staff clarify
current duties and procedures as laid down by the Trust, Health Authority, Social Service
Departments and the law.
This service is intended to be advisory and, as such, it is expected that referrals of significant
harm to appropriate agencies are the responsibility of the clinician involved. In exceptional
circumstances, it may be necessary for the Trust Named Nurse to follow-up these matters.
Records of calls made will be kept by the Child Protection Nurse for clinical and audit purposes.
Social Services Departments:
For referrals, advice, and
Child Protection Register inquiries.
Bromley Social Services – 020 8464 3333 or out of hours 020 8464 4848
Bexley Social Services – 020 8303 7777
Croydon Social Services – 020 8654 8100 or 020 8686 4433
Greenwich Social Services – 020 8854 8888
Lambeth Social Services – 020 7926 1000
Lewisham Social Services – 020 8314 6000
Southwark Social Services – 020 7525 5000
Southwark SSD Child Mental Health Team – 020 7703 6333 x 2536
NSPCC helpline - 0800 800 500
Childline - 0800 1111
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ASSESSING POLICIES
How relevant are they to the general duty?
The processes for impact assessment of proposed policies and for monitoring the impact of existing policies both involve collecting
and considering the relevant data regarding the effect (or likely effect) of a particular policy.
To assess a policy or proposed policy ask the questions set out in the table below. Answer all four sets of questions; the questions in
the first two columns will help you to decide whether the function has any relevance to the general duty. The questions in the second
two columns will help you to decide how relevant the policy is. If you require further advice you can visit the CRE website:
www.cre.gov.uk where more detailed information is available, or contact: lesley.duff@slam.nhs.uk or kay.harwood@slam.nhs.uk
Questions to ask when assessing function or policy
Is it relevant to the general duty? (could it have implications for,
or affect, race equality?) Yes
1. Which of the 3 parts does it
apply to (if any):
a) Eliminating discrimination?
b) Promoting equal opportunities?
Ensuring families get early
recognition for help with
children
c) Promoting good race
relations?
How relevant is it? Very relevant. The Trust audit of child
protection Chapter 8 Serious Case Reviews 2001-2004
reveals that BME families are over represented at 79 %.
Why Mothers Die Confidential Enquiry 2002 Maternal and
Child Deaths references needs of BME clients.
2. Is there evidence or
reason to believe that some
racial groups could be
differently affected?
4. How much evidence
do you have?
3. Which racial groups are
affected? BME clients more
likely to be involved in Serious
Case Reviews. SLAM audit
2001-2005.
b) Some
a) None or a little
c) Substantial
5. Is there any public
concern that the function or
policy is being carried out in
a discriminatory way?
a) None or a little
b) Some – we need to
respond proactively to the
needs of BME clients
c) Substantial
Guidance Notes:
1. You need to consider if the policy is relevant to race equality. “Relevant” means having ‘implications for’ (or affecting) race
equality, and whilst some technical areas such as property management may not be relevant, race equality will always be relevant
when delivering services, and in employment. You also need to consider if it is “proportionate” that is, these three parts support each
other, and may overlap although it is important to remember that the three parts are different and achieving one of them may not lead
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to achieving all of them. For example, a new equal opportunities policy that is not clearly explained when it is introduced may
improve equality of opportunity, but may also damage race relations and create resentment if staff do not understand its benefits.
2/3. Could the policy put some racial groups at a disadvantage? This could include collecting and analysing relevant ethnic data.
Does the quantitative data and qualitative data show differences between different racial groups? Is there under or overrepresentation of different racial groups (for example in reporting problems or using services).
4/5 Could the way the policy is carried out have an adverse impact on relations between different racial groups? To consider this
question information could be obtained from a number of resources, such as: previous research, records of complaints, consulting
with people who are likely to be affected by the policy through use of surveys or local meetings.
If you go through this process and believe that there may be an adverse impact you will need to consider:

If it is unavoidable? Could it be considered to be unlawful racial discrimination? Can it be justified by the aims and
importance of the policy? Are there other ways in which the Trust’s aims can be achieved without causing an adverse impact
on some racial groups?

Could the adverse impact be reduced by taking particular measures?

Is further research or consultation necessary? Would this research be proportionate to the importance of the policy? Is it
likely to lead to a different outcome?

If the assessment suggests that the policy should be modified, this should be done to meet the general duty.
Consultation
When developing or reviewing policies you should consult people who are likely to be affected as widely as possible. However,
people from ethnic minorities experience high levels of racial prejudice and harassment, and often lack confidence in the authorities,
and these are the groups that it is particularly important to reach when undertaking consultation. Examples of groups that could be
overlooked during consultation include:




Groups that are new to this country, such as refugees
Women from ethnic minorities
People from ethnic minorities with disabilities, and
Young or older people from ethnic minorities
The most effective way of carrying out consultation is through the use of various methods, including surveys, focus groups, reference
groups and citizens juries, advisory groups and public meetings.
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