Child Protection Guidance 2021

Appendices: Appendix A: Glossary of terms 218 National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 Version 1.0 September 2021 Inter-agency referral discussion (IRD): The start of the formal process of information sharing, assessment, analysis and decision-making following reported concern about abuse or neglect of a child or young person under the age of 18 years, in relation to familial and non-familial concerns. This may include discussion of concern relating to siblings or other children within the same context, and can refer to an unborn baby that may be exposed to current or future risk. Joint Investigative Interviews (JII): These are formal interviews of children conducted by trained police officers and social workers where there is a concern that a child is a victim of, or witness to, criminal conduct, and where there is information to suggest that the child has been or is being abused or neglected, or may be at risk of significant harm. Lead professional: The social worker who leads and co‑ordinates the multi-disciplinary child protection assessment, and oversees implementation of actions to protect the child. My World Triangle: Within the GIRFEC National Practice Model, the My World Triangle is a starting point for considering what risks might be present in a child’s life. The Triangle focuses attention on the three dimensions of a child’s world: the child, their family, and their wider environment. Named person: A core component of the GIRFEC approach, this is a professional point of contact within universal services, if a child, young person or their parents need information, advice or help. Local arrangements and the term used to describe this role or function may vary from area to area. Notification of Concern: Where concerns about possible harm to a child arise, these should always be shared with the appropriate agency (normally police or social work) so that staff responsible for investigating the circumstances can determine whether that harm is significant. Where a practitioner has a concern about a child’s wellbeing, this can be shared with a named person (or equivalent) where this has been discussed with the family. Parents and carers: A ‘parent’ is someone who is the legal mother or father of the child, whether genetic or not. This is subject to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, which sets out which persons are to be treated as the parents of a child conceived through assisted reproduction. A ‘carer’ is someone other than a parent who is looking after a child. Resilience: This refers to positive adaptation despite serious adversities and threats to a child’s development. Within the GIRFEC National Practice Model, the resilience matrix is a tool which promotes consideration of the dynamic interaction of stresses and protective factors in the child’s world. Team around the child: Those practitioners who support the child and family, and are likely to be participants at a child’s plan meeting. Wellbeing Indicators: A holistic and rights informed framework, within the GIRFEC National Practice Model, which outlines a child’s wellbeing needs under eight headings: safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included.