Child Protection Guidance 2021

Part 4: Specific support needs and concerns 137 National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 Version 1.0 September 2021 4.37 Some roles and tasks require provision of additional training , guidance and supervision. For example, practitioners involved in a child protection investigation will need additional guidance and training in relation to indicators of concern; consideration of a child’s wishes, feelings, support and communication needs; and investigative interviewing, as appropriate. There is a need for guidance and training for practitioners working with people with learning disabilities in the field of sexual health and relationships. 4.38 Care assistants who are employed directly by parents and carers may have variable knowledge, skill and training. Access to clear local guidance on self-directed support and safe practice in contracting services is an essential component of preventative strategy that goes beyond the scope of Child Protection Guidance. Guidance on the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020, when implemented, will be of relevance. 4.39 Significant transitions require assessment and must be planned in good time, together with parents and carers, in accordance with applicable local procedures. These are phases of heightened and predictable vulnerability, as children move between services or life stages. Disabled children and young adults must be provided with appropriately adapted learning methods and resources so that they can help to keep themselves safe as they grow up. A practice insight on this topic has been drafted to illustrate and explain key practice considerations, offer a resource, prompt reflection and signpost selected sources. It can be found in the Practice Insights supporting document alongside this Guidance. 4.40 Child Protection Committees should be confident that there are local procedures which encompass disabled children. Local procedures should outline the interface of child and adult protection processes in local systems as indicated above. The Third Sector has a significant role with disabled children. Local procedures must describe how child protection concerns are progressed by statutory agencies in partnership. 4.41 Robust assessment and data recording processes support improvement in child protection assessment and planning. For example, when a child has a disability, the type and, if relevant, the severity of that disability should be recorded, along with the implications for the child’s support and communication needs. A practice insight on this topic has been drafted to illustrate and explain key practice considerations, offer a resource, prompt reflection and signpost selected sources. It can be found in the Practice Insights supporting document alongside this Guidance. Resources and References – Disabled children Parents with learning disabilities 4.42 People with learning disabilities are all individuals with unique needs, strengths and potential. A learning disability affects a person’s development, can be significant, and will be lifelong. This means that a person with a learning disability may need help to understand information, learn skills and live a fulfilling life. Some people with learning disabilities also have specific healthcare needs and require support to communicate. Some people and organisations prefer the broader term ‘learning difficulties’. Societal attitudes, service structures and resources impact on the extent to which a learning disability becomes a barrier for people living a fulfilling life. A rights-based approach applies to support for parents with learning disabilities (UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities).