Child Protection Guidance 2021

Part 4: Specific support needs and concerns 140 National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 Version 1.0 September 2021 4.57 Every child’s needs and circumstances are unique to that individual and there tend not to be single causal connections. However, factors which make it more likely a child will experience mental health problems include: • experience of neglect and abuse • long-term physical illness • insecurities in primary attachments • domestic abuse • problematic drug or alcohol use and offending • bereavement and separation • experiences of bullying, discrimination, isolation and exclusion • living in poverty or being homeless • premature and overwhelming caring responsibilities • experience of long-term struggle in educational settings 4.58 A small number of children with mental health problems may pose risks to themselves and others. For some, their vulnerability, suggestibility and risk levels may be heightened as a result of their mental ill health. For others, a need to control, coupled with lack of insight into or regard for the feelings and needs of others, may lead to them preying on the vulnerabilities of other children. Co-ordinated inter-agency work, and close collaboration with parents or carers, is essential to mitigate risks for these children and for others. 4.59 Mental and emotional wellbeing should be addressed, applying the same principles of early intervention and prevention that underlie the GIRFEC approach to supporting a child’s whole wellbeing. A range of services should be available locally to supplement specialist support that CAMHS can provide. This should include counselling services in schools, and community wellbeing service support for children, young people and their families. Lead professionals should be aware of the range of potential services in their areas and will work in collaboration with professionals in these services where required and appropriate. 4.60 Practitioners involved in child protection must be trauma-informed in their approach. Early recognition of and response to the impact of trauma is required, alongside a collaborative response between adult and children’s services when a multi-agency plan is needed to protect a child from significant harm. The national trauma framework and training plan is relevant across professional sectors: • the knowledge and skills framework (2017) • the trauma training plan (2019) 4.61 Transitions between placements; schools; child and adult services; stages of recovery and phases of relationship are all zones in which insecurities surface. They require anticipatory and follow-up planning if there is a child at risk of significant harm. Children who have been through criminal justice processes, are looked after, have learning disabilities, identify as LGBT and live in low-income households are all among groups that have a much greater probability of experiencing mental health problems (Audit Scotland 2018). For these reasons, child protection assessment and support planning should consider what we can do to recognise and respond with care to an apparent intersection of vulnerabilities.