Child Protection Policy
The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Social Services Department
Child Protection Policy
Introduction
Working Together to Safeguard Children (1999) places a duty on Social Services Departments to ensure that children are protected from significant harm. This responsibility is in the context of the Local Authority’s duty to provide a broad range of social care and support to children and families. There is a general duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are in need and a specific duty to make enquiries if there is reason to suspect that a child in their area is suffering, or is likely to suffer significant harm. (S17 and S47 of the Children Act 1989).
Because of its responsibilities, duties and powers in relation to vulnerable children, the Social Services Department acts as the principal point of contact for children about whom there are child welfare concerns. It will take referrals from all sources and liaise with other statutory agencies and appropriate voluntary bodies regarding child protection matters.
Informing Principles
- All children have an absolute and equal right to a childhood free from abuse, neglect or exploitation, whatever their setting.
- All staff involved with children have a responsibility to be mindful of issues related to children’s safety and welfare and have a duty to report any concerns.
- Parents have a right to be informed about any concern about their child’s welfare or any action taken to safeguard and promote the child’s welfare, providing this does not compromise the child’s safety.
- Children are best protected when professionals work effectively together and share responsibility for protective action.
- When children make allegations about abuse or neglect, they should always be listened to, have their comments taken seriously and, where appropriate, thoroughly investigated.
Primary Aims
- The Social Services Department will seek to ensure that children are protected from emotional, physical and sexual abuse and neglect.
- Where there are welfare concerns the Social Services Department will ensure that children are with carers who are capable of providing safe and effective care throughout their childhood.
- Child Protection will be undertaken within the overall provision of Children’s Services with a focus upon good outcomes for children and their families.
- Social Services staff will behave with respect and courtesy towards families, respecting and valuing diversity in everything including cultural background and disability.
The Social Services Department will seek the views of parents/carers and children about the way it discharges its responsibilities and enables families to participate in the child protection process. This will be undertaken by the use of surveys and invitations to families to comment on the process after attendance at child protection conferences.
The Social Services Department will work closely with other statutory agencies and appropriate voluntary organisations in exercising its duties and responsibilities. The Social Services Department will take lead responsibility in child protection, but will involve all other agencies in sharing in the work of prevention, intervention and implementation of child protection plans.
Confidentiality
Information shared during the course of child protection work is confidential and will only be shared with other professionals/agencies for the purpose of promoting the safety and wellbeing of the children concerned. Permission from parents/carers and other professionals as appropriate, will be sought before any information is shared except in circumstances where a child would be placed at increased risk of significant harm.
Information shared at child protection conferences will not be shared beyond the membership of the conference without the permission of relevant family members, providing this does not compromise the child’s safety.