Child Protection Guidance 2021
Part 2A: Roles and responsibilities for child protection 41 National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 Version 1.0 September 2021 2.17 NHS Boards must have designated professional leads for child protection. This is usually a Chief/Consultant/Lead Nurse, and Consultant Paediatrician. These officers have pivotal roles to play in building strong collaborative relationships with professional leads in Health and Social Care Partnerships, and with other key stakeholders. The health board accountability framework for child protection is referenced in Protecting Children and Young People: Child Protection Committee and Chief Officer Responsibilities (2019). Self-evaluation and inspection 2.18 Self-evaluation is central to continuous improvement. It is a continuous, dynamic process which establishes a baseline from which to plan and set priorities for improvement. Used effectively, continuous self-evaluation helps to monitor progress and impact. Self- evaluation is therefore integral to the work of the child protection committee and children’s planning processes. It should not just be an episode in preparation for inspection. 2.19 The Care Inspectorate has published a Quality Framework for children and young people in need of care and protection. 2.20 This supports both self-evaluation and inspection, through identification and analysis of: • strengths to be maintained and areas for improvement in systems and practice • positive impact on and gaps within service provision for children, young people and their families 2.21 Child Protection Committees should use the quality framework to evaluate the efficacy and impact of child protection practice in their area. Through its programme of joint inspection of services for children in need of protection, the Care Inspectorate identifies key local and national messages to promote good practice and learning. Inspection 2.22 Scottish Ministers have requested the Care Inspectorate to lead a programme of joint inspections that focus on the care and protection of children and young people, and on their experience of services. These inspections are undertaken in collaboration with Education Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS). 2.23 A self-evaluation and inspection framework informs inspection reports. These consider a continuum of services, which include prevention, support, protection and care. 2.24 Commissioner for Children and Young People in Scotland (www.cypcs.org.uk) . The general function of this office is to promote and safeguard the rights of children and young people. This includes promoting awareness and understanding of the rights of children and young people; and review of the law, policy and practice relating to the rights of children. Scotland is incorporating the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in Scots law. The Commissioner’s office has a key role in promoting the effective protection of the full range of children’s rights within protective processes.
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