This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Child protection campaign launched
21/02/2005
A pilot campaign designed to raise awareness of child
protection issues and encourage people to report concerns
was launched today in North East Scotland.
The three-month, £220,000 campaign, which covers
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray, will help people spot
signs that a child might be suffering abuse or neglect,
such as:
- A child with an injury who is
unwilling to explain how it happened
- Very young children playing in
the park late at night
- Neighbour's children who are left
alone while their parents work
- A child's friend, who appears
uncharacteristically quiet, withdrawn and afraid to go
home.
A 24-hour phone line -
0845 408 9090 - has been set up which
people can call for information or to report concerns about
a child.
Education Minister Peter Peacock said:
"All children deserve a secure and caring start in life
- but, sadly, not all of them get this. Too many children
find their lives, and future prospects, blighted by the
misery of abuse or neglect.
"We have an army of dedicated professionals to support
children in need but they can only help if they are aware
of the problem. That's where we can all help - whether we
are relatives, teachers, friends, neighbours or just
passers-by. I believe no one would want to turn a blind eye
if they spot the signs of potential abuse.
"None of us should assume that someone else will step in
or that the professionals will know of the problem. If
we're worried that a child is being neglected or abused
then we should all act - we owe it to the child to do
nothing less."
Chris Booth, chairman of the North East Scotland Child
Protection Committee and head of Aberdeenshire Council's
social work (child care) department, said:
"Working with children, families and communities to
ensure that vulnerable youngsters get the care and
protection they need is a key responsibility that is shared
equally across all agencies; with health, education, social
work, the police and voluntary organisations all working
together.
"However family, friends, neighbours and the local
community often become aware of problems first and by
speaking out they can help make a difference.
"People shouldn't wait until their suspicions are
confirmed as by then it could be too late. Nor should they
be afraid to report concerns as all are treated in the
strictest confidence and carefully considered before any
actions are planned. Giving help earlier may avoid more
serious problems developing."
NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS
A pilot campaign designed to raise awareness of child
protection issues and encourage people to report concerns
was launched today in North East Scotland.
The three-month £220,000 Executive campaign, which
covers Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray, will help people
spot signs that a child might be suffering abuse or
neglect, such as:
- A child with an injury who is
unwilling to explain how it happened
- Very young children playing in
the park late at night
- Neighbour's children who are left
alone while their parents work
- A child's friend, who appears
uncharacteristically quiet, withdrawn and afraid to go
home.
A 24-hour phone line -
0845 408 9090 - has been set up which
people can call for information or to report concerns about
a child.
Education Minister Peter Peacock, who will visit a child
protection project in Aberdeen on Friday, said:
"All children deserve a secure and caring start in life
- but, sadly, not all of them get this. Too many children
find their lives, and future prospects, blighted by the
misery of abuse or neglect.
"We have an army of dedicated professionals to support
children in need but they can only help if they are aware
of the problem. That's where we can all help - whether we
are relatives, teachers, friends, neighbours or just
passers-by. I believe no one would want to turn a blind eye
if they spot the signs of potential abuse.
"None of us should assume that someone else will step in
or that the professionals will know of the problem. If
we're worried that a child is being neglected or abused
then we should all act - we owe it to the child to do
nothing less."
Chris Booth, chairman of the North East Scotland Child
Protection Committee and head of Aberdeenshire Council's
social work (child care) department, said:
"Working with children, families and communities to
ensure that vulnerable youngsters get the care and
protection they need is a key responsibility that is shared
equally across all agencies; with health, education, social
work, the police and voluntary organisations all working
together.
"However family, friends, neighbours and the local
community often become aware of problems first and by
speaking out they can help make a difference.
"People shouldn't wait until their suspicions are
confirmed as by then it could be too late. Nor should they
be afraid to report concerns as all are treated in the
strictest confidence and carefully considered before any
actions are planned. Giving help earlier may avoid more
serious problems developing."
Latest figures show that, in Aberdeen, 151 children are
on the child protection register. In Aberdeenshire it is
104 and in Moray 80.
A child can be placed on the register because of
physical injury, sexual or emotional abuse or physical
neglect.
The Executive is in the middle of a three-year
child protection reform programme - a response to
It's Everyone's Job to Make Sure I'm
Alright, the child protection audit and
review. A MORI poll undertaken as part of this review
indicated that people didn't know what to do if they
had a concern, how to report it and what might happen
if they did.
The pilot campaign will be evaluated over the summer,
before a decision is made on whether or not it should be
rolled out nationally.