Addressing child protection
What do we do if a parent approaches us following our conversation with the child?
There are two scenarios here:
- The parent may approach us seeking help for their drinking or other problems
- Or they may be angry that we have discussed these issues with their child.
In general, it is often good practice to suggest that such an approach might cause a conflict of interest (because we are working with their child), and that we would suggest that they see someone else.
However, it may be useful for our organisation to have available information about how people with drinking problems might be able to access help (the contact details of the local alcohol advisory centre, for example, or the phone number for Drinkline, or the website for ‘downyourdrink’: http://www.downyourdrink.org.uk/main.php)
In the scenario where an angry parent approaches us, and where we cannot easily or immediately pass the parent onto another person using the ‘conflict of interest’ rationale, there are a few key suggestions:
- Try not to get into an argument
- Try to remain calm, even if the parent who is confronting us is not calm
- We could apologise if the parent feels that we have behaved inappropriately, but emphasise that our responsibilities are to the child and that we do need to allow them to discuss things with us
- We could suggest again that if they want to complain or take things further, we are not the person they should be talking to, due to the conflict of interest.
Professor Richard Velleman
University of Bath January 2006
To get going on the toolkits just click on one of these links:-
Toolkit for teachers
Toolkit for school nurses
Toolkit for practice nurses and general practitioners
Toolkit for health visitors
Toolkit for children and families social workers
Toolkit for alcohol workers
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