Child Protection Guidance 2021

Part 4: Specific support needs and concerns 180 National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 Version 1.0 September 2021 4.286 Disabled children who require extra time, skill and support, should only be placed with carers who have the time, skills and support to deliver safe care for each child placed. 4.287 The lead professional has a role in ensuring the integration of safety and child protection aspects within a holistic and co‑ordinated child’s assessment and plan. Any significant change in a child’s behaviours and wellbeing must be recognised, and the underlying needs considered within a child’s plan. 4.288 Allegations against registered carers. Children need to know who they can speak to when they have anxieties about where they are living or about behaviour of others outside the placement. Local authorities must ensure that protocols for inter-agency investigation of allegations of abuse against carers are in place. Allegations about kinship carers with whom a child is placed should be investigated in the same way as allegations about a child living with parents. 4.289 Lead professionals have a responsibility to clarify concerns raised around a looked after child in collaboration with local child protection services. They will also need to liaise with service managers for fostering or residential services as required. 4.290 The main consideration in responding to any concern must be the safety of the child. Every looked-after child voicing a concern must be listened to and taken seriously. Concerns must be rigorously investigated. Equally, a carer’s perspective should be heard. They must be treated fairly and with respect. Carers should be given information about the concern at the earliest point compatible with a thorough investigation. Where the concern involves reports of abuse, there will be an inter-agency referral discussion. The carer will be subject to investigation on the basis of local inter-agency protocols. Allegations of abuse by carers must be dealt with by appropriately trained child protection practitioners and managers. 4.291 Responses to allegations should be proportionate to the nature of the concerns raised. Whatever the action to be taken, practitioners will need to discuss the needs of the child, the context of their care, key events in their lives at that time and any possible triggers for a concern being raised, either by the child or others. Fostering or residential service providers should be included in the discussion. All practitioners involved with protecting the child need to be fully informed about the role of carers, and the regulations that relate to their work. These meetings will facilitate the sharing and assessment of information, leading to a decision as to the next steps to be taken. If emergency action is required to protect the child, the consequences of all alternatives should be considered, despite the pressure to achieve an immediate reduction of risk. Options for the way forward for a looked after child are the same as for children in their own families. 4.292 When concerns about a looked after child are raised, it should be remembered that further disruption, such as a sudden move into a new care environment, will further compromise their recovery. The consequences of removing a child must be considered alongside their safety. Placement stability should be maintained when this is safely possible. Each child’s experience, views and presentation will be a central consideration. 4.293 Parents of looked after children. Child protection practitioners must keep the child’s needs and wellbeing central in listening to parental concerns. Development of respectful relationships between the birth family and carers is essential for the child’s short and long- term wellbeing and identity.