Child Protection Guidance 2021

National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 Part 1: The context for child protection 25 Version 1.0 September 2021 The summarised features are bounded here by unifying requirements within the UNCRC which, as a whole, underpins the Getting it right for every child approach and guides leadership and practice. Inequalities 1.115 Child protection assessment, planning and intervention involves exploration of the interaction of variables that impact on risk of harm for the child. 1.116 This may include: • dynamic factors that may be amenable to shift and change, such as poverty (or affluence), housing, employment, ill health, available support, personal attitudes and behaviours • static factors such as early adverse experiences or intellectual disabilities, the impact of which may be affected by the understanding and pragmatic support offered • assessment of risk entails consideration of the interaction of relationships and factors in the child’s family and wider world, including impact of past experiences. In every situation the interaction of risks and strengths may be assisted by consideration of components of the GIRFEC National Practice Model, such as the concept of resilience Workforce 1.117 Child protection is an inter-agency responsibility. Professionals should each play their part in ensuring plans are clearly understood, co‑ordinated and streamlined as appropriate. The lead professional role is key. Those involved should know who is co‑ordinating processes and whom to contact. 1.118 Protecting children and young people: a Framework for Standards was published alongside the Children’s Charter (Scottish Executive 2004). The principles in this framework, applying across the workforce, are: • children get the help they need when they need it • professionals take timely and effective action to protect children • professionals ensure children are listened to and respected • agencies and professionals share information about children where this is necessary to protect them • agencies and professionals work together to assess needs and risks and develop effective plans • professionals are competent and confident • agencies work in partnership with members of the community to protect children • agencies, individually and collectively, demonstrate leadership and accountability for their work and its effectiveness 1.119 The individual protected characteristics, including the religious and cultural background of the child and family, must be taken into consideration when any decisions are being taken. Children and their families should be involved, wherever possible, in planning to meet the child’s needs, both in the short and longer term. Children and their families are often best placed to know ‘what works’ for them. 1.120 Shared principles for staff development and training are necessary to support competence, confidence and supervisory understanding in child protection across agencies. Supervision is key to safe practice and a learning culture as outlined in Part 2A below.

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