Toolkit for alcohol workers

Child protection policies

Although the focus of an alcohol agency’s work is generally on the parent, there will inevitably come a time when the information received from a parent gives rise to concern about their child’s safety. It is therefore important that agencies should be prepared to deal with these issues immediately when they arise and that they therefore have appropriate policies and procedures in place.

There are a number of procedures related to child protection issues that agencies need to develop, to be followed in every child protection situation. As well as these internal procedure, agencies need to familiarise themselves with their local Inter-Agency Child Protection Procedures, a copy of which will be available from your local Area Child Protection Committee.

The guidance that follows here offers pointers to consider when developing internal practice guidelines for child protection.

What to do if you are seriously concerned for the safety of a child
Clarification of concerns
First consideration must be the immediate needs of the child. Appropriate action must be taken to meet these, ie. comfort, intervene to protect, medical attention, removal of child from danger. Once this is done then clarify your concerns with others, your line manager for example.

Action plan

Agreement with manager of course of action with timescale
Accurate notes of concerns and actions with times, dates
Decide if referral to social services needs to be made
If made, communicate concerns clearly and share action taken
Ensure plan of action is agreed with social services. Make clear notes about this conversation

Medical attention and police involvement

If the child needs medical attention this should be organised by social services unless the case is ‘life and limb’ where immediate attention should be taken.
Any decision to involve the police or police child protection team should be made by social services.

Support

The agency’s key role is to support parents and children. Part of this is about keeping parents and children clearly informed about what is happening and what may happen next.
If there are child protection concerns, consider not only the action that needs to be taken to address these, but what kind of support the parent/child may need as a result of action taken.
Make space and time for parents and children to express how they are feeling about the concerns and the procedures.
Seek out time and space to express your own feelings either with your manager or a colleague, and ask for what you need in terms of support to work through the process.

Recording

A full report needs to be written within 24 hours. Record any child protection concerns stating:
- The cause for concern
- Observations, including relevant conversations, quoting words spoken, describing any behaviour (taking account of the individuals personality, language and culture)
- Actions taken and by whom

This document needs to be read by your line manger, agreed upon and signed by them. A copy should also be sent to the named person in social services with whom you have contacted. Follow up must be done to ensure that this document has been received and understood.

Other areas to cover.
When developing an in-depth, internal child protection procedure guidance will need to include instructions on what staff should do in the following circumstances:

When a child discloses abuse
When a parent admits to abusing a child
Direct witness of physical abuse
Observation of unexplained injury to a child
Injury occurring on the agencies premises while under parental supervision
Injury occurring on the agency premises while under staff supervision
Observations over time
Telephone calls that cause concern
Allegations by a third party

Support to develop comprehensive child protection policies and procedures

There is no need to reinvent the wheel when developing your policies. Other local and national agencies that work with children and families will have such detailed policies and should be in a position to share their policies with you, or offer you guidance and advice as you develop your own service specific guidelines. The following are examples of organisations that would be worth approaching for advice and guidance:

Area Child Protection Committee/Local Safguarding Children Board
NCH Action for Children
Barnados
NSPCC