Child protection plans (2024)

FAQs

What happens if you don't stick to a child protection plan? ›

If the child protection plan isn't working

If the people who made the plan think it isn't enough to keep your child safe, your local council might apply to the court for a care order.

The Conference, which usually lasts around two hours, will always start with introductions so that everyone knows who is present and what their role is. The professionals will take it in turns to talk about their involvement with the child and family.

Child welfare social workers specifically focus on protecting the most vulnerable in our society and supporting children and families in need of assistance.

Neglect is the ongoing failure to meet a child's basic needs and the most common form of child abuse². A child might be left hungry or dirty, or without proper clothing, shelter, supervision or health care. This can put children and young people in danger.

Child social services, also known as child protective services or similar agencies, generally do not have the authority to directly end a relationship between two consenting adults. Their primary focus is the well-being and safety of children.

Serious Case Reviews (SCRs) were established under the Children Act (2004) to review cases where a child has died and abuse or neglect is known or suspected. SCRs could additionally be carried out where a child has not died, but has come to serious harm as a result of abuse or neglect.

The record of the assessment by the social worker should form a part of the report. The conference report should include information on the dates the child was seen by the social worker during the course of the Section 47 Enquiries, if the child was seen alone and if not, who was present and for what reasons.

Your involvement with the person(s) you're concerned about. The nature of the concern, expressed in a clear and concise way. If there is an alleged perpetrator (someone accused of being responsible for the abuse or harm), any identifiable information including their name, known location or employment details.

The overall aims of the Child Protection Plan are: To ensure the child is safe and prevent him or her from suffering further harm by supporting the strengths, addressing the vulnerabilities and risk factors and helping meet the child's unmet needs; To promote the child's welfare, health and development; and.

Does emotional abuse need to be reported? ›

State child abuse laws are extensive and include prohibitions on emotional abuse. And anyone who suspects a child is being emotionally abused should report it to the police or other child authorities.

The statement about emotional abuse which is not true is: 'It does not need to be reported'.

Studies show emotional abuse may be the most damaging form of maltreatment causing adverse developmental consequences equivalent to, or more severe than, those of other forms of abuse (Hart et al. 1996).

2 Physical discipline, such as spanking or paddling, is not considered abuse as long as it is reasonable and causes no bodily injury to the child. Injuries from physical abuse could range from minor bruises to severe fractures or death.

The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child's emotional development. It may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meets the needs of another person.

In addition, those who violated the one-child policy could lose their jobs, their titles, a portion of medical insurance, and opportunities for higher education for the second child; they could also face sterilization and the labeling of the second child as a "black child".

If parents or a young person of age of understanding, (particularly those aged 16 or 17) refuse the support offered under the proposed plan there will need to be further consideration as to the potential impact upon the child.