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Contents

1. Safeguarding Children Policy
2. Child Abuse and Neglect
3. Safeguarding Particularly Vulnerable Children
4. Safe Staffing
5. Induction and Training
6. Safe Environment
7. Complaints and Whistleblowing
8. Information Sharing Arrangements
   
   Appendix 1 - Contents of Child Protection Notification Form
   
   Appendix 2 - Definition of Abuse
   
   References and Useful Information

1. Safeguarding Children Policy

1.1 Background

The Laming Report (2003) was published following an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Victoria Climbié. The report drew attention to a number of serious failings in the provision of child health services for this vulnerable girl and as a result, the government published revised guidance for all professionals directly involved in Child Protection.

• What to do if you're worried a child is being abused (DfES 2003, Revised HM Government 2006);
• Working Together is safeguard Children (HM Government, 2006 and 2010).

The Safeguarding Children Policy has been developed to assist the safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children.

1.2 Aim of the Policy

This policy has been prepared to provide guidance to LCC staff and professionals in relation to child protection/welfare matters. The Policy has been written using current legislation and guidance as detailed in Section 1.1, Background.

In addition the aim of the Policy is to:

• Raise awareness that safeguarding children is everyone's responsibility;
• To assist those working with children, young people and their families to be aware of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and follow the procedures;
• To raise the awareness of Practioners' responsibility to follow Social Care procedures;
• To promote multi-disciplinary and multi agency working.

1.3 Child Protection Responsibilities

This policy applies equally to all staff employed by LCC who are directly involved in providing care to children, and Vulnerable adults and to those whose illness or condition may have an impact on the health or well being of a child or Vulnerable adult. 

Every employee/contractor can access online the this Children's Services Policy and Procedure Manual and the LSCB Procedures.

The Director of Children's Services is the Designated person with overall responsibility for safeguarding.

Councillor Patricia Bradwell is the Executive Member for Children's Services and Adult  Learning and the Councillor Lead for Children in Safeguarding.

The designated 'Safeguarding Leads' can provide advice and are 'Safeguarding Champions' for their Service Area. They are as follows:

• The Head of Service (East & West Lindsey) is 'Safeguarding Champion' for Children's Services;
• The Head of   the Youth Offending Service (YOS) is the 'Safeguarding Champion' for YOS. The YOS have developed a Youth Offending Service Structure Chart which links directly into this Safeguarding Policy so staff in the service can be clear about lines of accountability and see who is the nominated safeguarding lead;
• The Youth Engagement Manager Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue (LF&R) is the 'Safeguarding Champion' for LF&R. LF&R have developed procedures which link directly into this Safeguarding Policy to ensure staff in the service can be clear about lines of accountability and see who is the nominated lead.

2. Child Abuse and Neglect

2.1 Maltreatment

Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse a child or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or 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. They may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children.

2.2 Impact of Maltreatment

The maltreatment of children - physically, emotionally, sexually or through neglect can have major long-term effects on all aspects of a child's health, development and well being. The immediate and longer-term impact can include anxiety, depression, substance misuse, eating disorders and self-destructive behaviours, offending and anti-social behaviour (WTC 2010).

2.3 Categories of Concern

There are many ways in which children can be harmed (taken from Working Together 2010):

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 fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child.

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment 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 include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or 'making fun' of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond the child's developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying (including cyberbullying), 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 maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.

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. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:

• Provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment);
• Protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger;
• Ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers); or
• Ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.  

It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child's basic emotional needs.

Please refer to Appendix 2 - Definition of Abuse for further information on the 'definition of abuse'.

2.4 Concerns about a Child's Behaviour

Concerns about a child may come to the attention of staff/volunteers in a number of ways:

• Through observation of the child. A child's behaviour may indicate that it is likely that he/she is being abused;
• The child may disclose abuse;
• Information may be given by parents, other people or agencies;
• A child may show some signs of physical injury of which there seems to be no satisfactory explanation;
• Something in the behaviour of one of the workers or young person, or in the way the worker or young person relates to a child, alerts them or makes them feel uncomfortable in some way;
• Observing one child abuse another.

There may be barriers to children telling, the power of relationships between adults and children should not be underestimated nor should the deliberate and skilled way that abusers target their victims. Children may not tell because they:

• Are scared because they have been threatened;
• Believe they will be taken away from home;
• Believe that services are stigmatising;
• Think it is what happens to all children;
• Feel embarrassed;
• Feel guilty;
• Don't want to get the abuser into trouble;
• Have communication or learning difficulties;
• May not have the vocabulary for what happened;
• Are afraid they won't be believed;
• Or believe they have told, maybe by dropping hints but haven't been believed so don't bother to try again.

Child abuse thrives on secrecy and needs to be handled in a sensitive, accepting way. In order to achieve this, adults may have to overcome certain barriers also, as:

• Sometimes it may be hard to believe what the child is saying;
• It may be difficult that the suspicion may be about someone that is known;
• The fear of getting it wrong;
• The fear of what consequences there may be for 'getting it wrong' for the child, for the family and for themselves;
• Worry that it may make it worse for the child;
• Believe that they services are stigmatising;
• Simply do not want to become involved;
• Do not have the necessary information on what to do or who to contact.

2.5 Dealing with Concerns

Many concerns about children and young people arise on a day-to-day basis, and in most cases these can be dealt with quickly and easily by discussions between staff and parents/carers where further advice or help may be offered, if needed.

These discussions and actions must be recorded in the relevant recording system, used by the responsible part of the Authority.

Sometimes concerns can be more worrying because it is clear that the child may be affected by what is happening to them. The child may be being harmed or hurt in some way.

2.6 Responding to a concern

Lincolnshire County Council is a lead agency within the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and all staff working for the Council must respond to a concern.

It is the role of the Children's Social Care, as part of LCC Children's Services, and/or the Police to investigate allegations or concerns. The role of staff/volunteers in other organisations is to help to identify concerns and pass them on to the relevant agency. All staff and volunteers working in partnership with Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board have a duty to follow LSCB procedures.

If a worker or volunteer has a concern about a child they should:

• Take appropriate action if the child is in need or urgent attention;
• Collect as much information as possible about the situation - this may be from the child, parent, carer or other workers and should include date and time of the incident or disclosure, parties who were involved, what was said or done and by whom and any further actions. It may also be helpful to record perception of emotional and physical presentation;
• Be open about the concern and make it clear that the member of staff/volunteer will have to tell others;
• Take their concerns to their line manager as soon as possible and within the same working day. The Customer Services Centre which is the point of contact for Lincolnshire Children's Services will also be able to offer support and advice on individual circumstances. They can be contacted on 01522 782111. Adult Social Care can be contacted on 01522 782155;
• Complete the appropriate organisation form after discussion with the manager to ensure a record of the concern is maintained. Appendix 1 - Contents of Child Protection Notification Form highlights what information this type of form needs to include and consideration should be given to the use of a Single Assessment (see Section 2.7, Referral to Social Care).

It is the responsibility of the manager to consider the information and to decide what action needs to be taken. This should be clearly recorded on the form and if the manager needs help in making a decision, they should speak with a senior manager or with the Customer Services Centre in Children's Social Care. If no further action is considered necessary the reasons why should be documented and the form should be placed on file and recorded by administrative staff. Wherever possible, parents should be made aware of this record.

2.7 Referral to Social Care

Many staff working within Children's Services are aware of how to deal with concerns.  Where this is not the case the Customer Services Centre can support you.

• A Single Assessment (SA) form should be completed as far as possible; this will ensure that all the information is to hand when making the referral. The worker should not delay if all information is not available. The latest version of the SA Form can be found on Lincolnshirechildren.net  website;
• A referral should be made to Children's Services Customer Services Centre by telephoning 01522 782111;
• The SA form should be completed and signed and sent to the relevant Social Care Office (CSC will advise of this) within 24 hours of the telephone referral. An electronic  copy should be stored on the recording system/file;
• The parents/carers of the child should be involved as far as possible, unless it has been decided that this would put the child at risk of further harm. It should be clear about any decisions made and what will happen next;
• The manager should support the worker in making decisions and be available to give advice and guidance, as necessary.

2.8 Referral to the Emergency Services (999)

Where there is a risk to the life of a child or a likelihood of serious harm the immediate safety of the child is paramount important and may require contacting the Emergency Services in the first instant as well as referring their concern to the CSC. After a referral to the CSC has been made LCC Social Care Procedures/LSCB Child Protection procedures will be followed.

2.9 Managing Individuals Who Pose a Risk of Harm to Children

The Children Act recognised the identification and investigation of child abuse, together with the protection and support of victims and their families requires Multi-Agency collaboration.

The Multi-Agency Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) provides a national framework for the assessment and management of risks posed by serious and violent offenders and also those who are victims of domestic abuse. Please refer to the Joint Protocol MAPPA and MARAC for further information. This protocol compliments but does not replace existing Adult/ Children procedures and protocols.

3. Safeguarding Particularly Vulnerable Children

3.1 Particularly Vulnerable Children

There are some groups of children who may be particularly vulnerable because of a specific concern in relation to safeguarding and some specific issues in relation to promoting their welfare. In addition to the procedures as outlined in Section 2.6 and 2.7  these vulnerable children may require additional support with the specific concern or issue. Staff should follow the local relevant procedure specific to the concern or issue and the relevant procedures are available through the Children's Services Manual and LSCB Procedure Manual.

3.2 Categories of Vulnerable Children

The list is not a comprehensive list of every vulnerable child but highlights some specific groups with a particular concern to their welfare:

• Children living away from home;
• Abuse by children and young people;
• Bullying;
• Children whose behaviour indicates a lack of parental control;
• Race and racism;
• Violent extremism;
• Domestic violence;
• Child abuse and information communication technology (ICT);
• Children with families whose whereabouts are unknown;
• Children who go missing;
• Children who go missing from education;
• Children of families living in temporary accommodation;
• Migrant children; and
• Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC).

4. Safe Staffing

4.1 Recruitment

There are several aspects to protecting children from unsuitable people. These include safe recruitment practices, procedures for dealing with allegations against staff and guidance about appropriate behaviour. It is the policy of Lincolnshire County Council to ensure safe recruitment and also that allegations against adults working with children are dealt with swiftly and effectively.  Please refer to the Lincolnshire County Council Recruitment and Selection Policy and Guidance (Incorporating Safer Recruitment)

4.2 Procedures for dealing with allegations against staff

See also the LSCB  Allegations Against Persons who Works/Cares for Children Procedure and the Managing Allegation in Respect of Children placed for Adoption, Children Receiving Adoption Support Services, Adopters Awaiting Placement or Allegations of Historical Abuse Procedure.

All organisations must have in place procedures for dealing with allegations made against any adults. This will show your organisation is taking its safeguarding concerns seriously. Procedures for dealing with allegations against staff should comply with Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board Policies.

If you receive an allegation against a member of staff who works with children that causes concern that they have:

• Behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child;
• Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child; or
• Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates s/he is unsuitable to work with children.
  (Working Together 2010, Appendix 5).

You will need to contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)* for Managing Allegations - Tel. (01522) 554674.

*The Local Authority Designated Officer acts for the LSCB agencies to monitor allegations and ensure that the actions in respect to the allegation are in accordance with the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

4.3 Notifying the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)

Since October 2009, the duties to refer concerns regarding individuals under list 99 and the Protection of Children Act 1999 have been replaced with a duty to provide information to the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

Referrals will need to be made to the ISA when:

• The person has been withdrawn or suspended from the Regulated activity as a direct result of relevant conduct which has resulted in:
  • There is harm or risk of harm to children or vulnerable adults, relevant conduct has occurred;
    
    Or
  • An individual has received a caution or conviction for a relevant offence.

As a local authority there is a Statutory Duty to refer any relevant information to the ISA. This will include all employees.  Any consideration of referring an individual to the ISA should be discussed and agreed in consultation with the Head of Regulated Services and the LSCB.

Please refer to the Independent Safeguarding Authority website for further information.

Please also refer to the Corporate ISA Referral Policy for further guidance.

5. Induction and Training

5.1 Induction

All staff and volunteers are provided with an induction that includes making them aware of the organisation's procedures for Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children and Vulnerable Adults. Please refer to the Children's Services Induction Policy and Procedure. In addition Lincolnshire County Council Children's Services have made a commitment to incorporate 'Safeguarding' within their Induction and Training Courses and to ensure that employees are aware of how to access Children's Services and the LSCB Policy and Procedure Manuals. Please see the Children's Services Learning and Development Training Strategy.

5.2 Training for Designated Child Protection representative

Lincolnshire County Council, as Lead Member of Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board, promotes appropriate Safeguarding Training. Details are available through the Lincolnshire County Council SCB website/Professionals. Online e learning Safeguarding Modules are available and specific Safeguarding Training Modules and workshops for those colleagues who have a designated child protection responsibility. Please see the LSCB Training Module Schedule for further information.

6. Safe Environment

All premises and equipment used will be assessed to ensure safety and suitability.

Where appropriate, provision specifically for children will be registered through OFSTED and their guidelines followed. However, all premises and equipment should be in line with Health and Safety requirements.

When transport is organised consideration will be given to the appropriate provision of safety seats or belts for children within the vehicle.

7. Complaints and Whistleblowing

7.1 Complaints Policy

For information on how to make a complaint please refer to the Corporate Complaints Policy and/or the Children's Services Complaints Policy. To register a formal Complaint or to give a Compliment or Comments about Lincolnshire County Council a 'Compliments, Comments and Complaints electronic form' can be filled in and the information disclosed on the form will be investigated and retained as a record. The children's services Complaints Policy covers complaints made under the Children Act 1989 in respect of services to children provided by Lincolnshire County Council.

For those wishing to make a complaint in relation to the Looked After Children Service can, at any time, refer their complaints to the Regulatory Authority, which is OFSTED.

7.2 Whistleblowing

The Local Authority maintains a Whistle Blowing Policy which provides staff with an opportunity to report on abusive behaviour. Please view here for the Whistleblowing Policy.

8. Information Sharing Arrangements

Sharing information amongst professionals is essential to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Please refer to the Information Sharing Policy and Guidance for further information. There are legal restrictions regarding when information can be shared and it is essential Lincolnshire County Council complies with this. Details and guidance on information sharing (including the 'Seven Golden Rules' and Caldicott Principles') these can be found on Lincolnshirechildren.net website.

Appendix 1 - Contents of Child Protection Notification Form

• Name of child;
• Child's address;
• Name of parent/carer(s);
• Telephone numbers for parent/carer(s) and child;
• What is said to have happened or what was seen;
• When and where did it occur (include time and date)?
• Who else, if anyone, was involved and how?
• What was said by those involved?
• Were there any obvious signs, e.g. bruising, bleeding, changed behaviour?
• Was the child able to say what happened, if so, how did they describe it and record using their words?
• Who has been told about it and when?
• Do the parents know? (It is good practice to share with parents your concerns and to inform them that you are making a referral unless to do so would place a child at increased risk or if you are concerned about risk to yourself);
• Signature of the person filing the record.

Appendix 2 - Definition of Abuse

Recognising Child Abuse

Recognising child abuse is not easy, and it is not your responsibility to decide whether or not child abuse has taken place or if a child is significantly at risk. You do, however, have a responsibility to act if you have a concern.

The following information is not designed to turn you into an expert but it will help you to be more alert to the signs of possible abuse.

1. Physical abuse

Most children will collect cuts and bruises in their daily life. These are likely to be in places where there are bony parts of their body, like elbows, knees and shins.

Some children, however, will have bruising which can almost only have been caused non-accidentally. An important indicator of physical abuse is where bruises or injuries are unexplained or the exploration does not fit the injury, or when it appears on parts of the body where accidental injuries are unlikely, e.g. cheeks or thighs. A delay in seeking medical treatment when it is obviously necessary is also a cause for concern.

Bruising may be more or less noticeable on children with different skin tones or from different racial groups and specialist advice may need to be taken.

The physical signs of abuse may include:

• Unexplained bruising, marks or injuries on any part of the body;
• Bruising which reflects hand marks or fingers (from slapping or pinching);
• Cigarette burns;
• Bite marks;
• Broken bones;
• Scolds.

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate physical abuse:

• Fear of parents being approached for an explanation;
• Aggressive behaviour or severe temper outbursts;
• Flinching when approached or touched;
• Reluctance to get changed, for example wearing long sleeves in hot weather;
• Depression;
• Withdrawn behaviour;
• Running away from home.

2. Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse can be hard to measure, and often children who appear to be well cared for may be emotionally abused by being taunted, put down or belittled. They may receive little or no love, affection or attention from parents or carers. Emotional abuse can also take the form of children not being allowed to mix/play with other children.

The physical signs of emotional abuse may include:

• A failure to thrive or grow, particularly if the child puts on weight in other circumstances, e.g. hospital or away from parents' care;
• Sudden speech disorders;
• Development delay, either in terms of physical or emotional progress.

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate emotional abuse include:

• Neurotic behaviour, e.g. hair twisting, rocking;
• Being unable to play;
• Fear of making mistakes;
• Self harm;
• Fear of parents being approached about their behaviour.

3. Sexual Abuse

Adults who use children to meet their own sexual needs abuse boys and girls of all ages, including infants and toddlers.

Usually, in cases of sexual abuse, it is the child's behaviour which may cause you to become concerned, although physical signs can also be present. In all cases, children who talk about sexual abuse do so because they want it to stop. It is important, therefore, that they are listened to and taken seriously.

The physical signs of sexual abuse may include:

• Pain or itching in the genital/anal areas;
• Bruising or bleeding near genital/anal areas;
• Sexually transmitted diseases;
• Vaginal discharge or infection;
• Stomach pains;
• Discomfort when walking or sitting down;
• Pregnancy.

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate sexual abuse include:

• Sudden or unexplained changes in behaviour, e.g. becoming aggressive or withdrawn;
• Fear of being left with a specific person or group of people;
• Having nightmares;
• Running away from home;
• Sexual knowledge which is beyond their age or development level;
• Sexual drawings or language;
• Bedwetting;
• Eating problems such as overeating or anorexia;
• Self-harm or mutilation, sometimes leading to suicide attempts;
• Saying they have secrets that they can't tell anyone about;
• Substance or drug abuse;
• Suddenly having unexplained sources of money;
• Not allowed to have friends (particularly in adolescence);
• Acting in a sexually explicit way towards adults.

4. Neglect

Neglect can be a difficult form of abuse to recognise, yet has some of the most lasting and damaging effects on children.

The physical signs of neglect may be:

• Constant hunger, sometimes stealing food from other children;
• Constantly dirty or 'smelly';
• Loss of weight, or being constantly underweight;
• Inappropriate dress for the conditions.

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate neglect may include:

• Complaining of being tired all the time;
• Not requesting medical assistance and/or failing to attend appointments;
• Having few friends;
• Mentioning their being left alone or unsupervised.

The above list is not meant to be definitive but as a guide to assist you. It is important to remember that many children and young people will exhibit some of these indicators at some time, and the presence of one or more should not be taken as proof that abuse is occurring.

There may well be other reasons for changes in behaviour, such as death or the birth of a new baby in the family, relationship problems between their parents/carers, etc.

Facts about abuse

• Most children are abused by adults they know and trust;
• The reported cases of child abuse are just the tip of the iceberg of the cruelty, exploitation and neglect to which children in our society are subjected;
• Disabled children are more vulnerable to abuse. They are more dependent on intimate care and sometimes less able to tell anyone or escape from abusive situations;
• Children very rarely make false accusations that they have been abused and in fact, frequently deny the abuse or take back an accusation after they have made it;
• Children who talk about the abuse fear the consequences of telling - if things are bad, perhaps they may get worse;
• Children and young people who are abused can be very good at hiding their unhappiness and distress;
• Abuse has serious long-term harm effects on children and young people. If untreated, the effects of abuse on children can be devastating and continue into adulthood;
• Children's Services will only remove children where there is actual, or a risk of, significant harm and if the child is in real danger of further abuse;
• Child sexual abuse is equally as common among all social classes, professions, cultures and ethnic groups;
• Child sexual abuse is an abuse of power - it is an abuse of power adults have over children;
• In most reported incidents of sexual abuse the abuser is someone known to the child;
• It is not only men who sexually abuse children - women also abuse but the most commonly quoted figure is that around 90% of all child sexual abuse is by men, most of whom are heterosexual;
• A child is never to blame for sexual abuse;
• There are rarely any obvious signs that a child has been sexually abused.  Child abuse is very hard to 'diagnose', even for professionals;
• The majority of calls to help lines from children relate to bullying;
• If unchecked, bullying can be profoundly damaging to the victim in both the short and the longer term, emotionally, physically or both;
• Bullying can leave children with feelings of worthlessness and self-hatred; of isolation and loneliness;
• At its worst, bullying can result in a child attempting suicide;
• Violence between parents (domestic abuse) can have a profoundly diverse affect on children, causing intense anxiety, fear and occasionally physical injury;
• Recent research has shown that children's development can be adversely affected by serious parental mental illness without appropriate or effective treatment, and by problem alcohol or drug abuse.

References and Useful Information

• Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2010;
• Statutory Guidance on making arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children under section 11 of the Children Act 2004 HM Government 2007;
• What to do if you're worried a child is being abused, HM Government 2006;
• Lincolnshirechildren.net website;
• LSCB website;
• Children's Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Useful contact numbers

LADO

T: (01522) 554674

Children's Social Care

T: (01522) 782111

Adult Social Care

T: (01522) 782155

Lincolnshire Police PPU

T: (01522) 782159

Lincolnshire Police HQ

T: (01522) 532222 or 999 in an emergency

LCC Emergency Duty Team

T: (01522) 782333

Reviewing Unit

T: (01522) 554061

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