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Appendix Three: Concerns About the Safety of Children and Ongoing Concerns About Adults
ChildProtectionLine
24-hour freephone service for reporting child protection concerns, and contacting local social work services.
Tel: 0800 022 3222
www.infoscotland.com /childprotection
Your local police and social work departments will also be able to advise you on the most appropriate contacts for your own area.
Crimestoppers
Can be contacted to anonymously report anyone who has offended against a child.
Tel: 0800 555 111.
There are also a number of phone lines where you can confidentially discuss your concerns, and whether further action may need to be taken:
STOP IT NOW!
Freephone helpline open 9am to 9pm most evenings for anyone worried about their thoughts or behaviours towards children, or the behaviour of others.
Tel: 0808 100 0900
www.stop-it-now.org.uk
Children 1st - ParentLine Scotland
Helpline for anyone caring for children.
Tel: 0808 800 2222
www.children1st.org.uk /parentline/
ChildLine
A free helpline for children and young people in the UK to talk about any problem with counsellors.
Tel: 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk
18 and Under
This Dundee-based project (see page 53) is also experienced in discussing by telephone the concerns of both adults and young people who are unsure what action to take.
Tel: 01382 206 222
www.18u.org.uk
The Scottish Government has published guidance for Child Protection Committees: a Framework for Standards to be used by all agencies with a child protection locus, and the Children's Charter, which sets out what every child in Scotland has a right to expect.
Protecting Children and Young People: The Charter
http: //www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2004/04 /19082/34410
The Framework for Standards
http: //www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2004/03 /19102/34603
Guidance for Child Protection Committees
http: //www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/02 /20675/52303
Adults who are in need of support and protection:
The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007(the ASP Act) created new measures to protect adults who are at risk of harm or abuse, and for support services to be provided to prevent ongoing harm. The ASP Act defines who are 'adults at risk' and 'harm'. 'Adults at risk' are adults who:
(a) are unable to safeguard their own well-being, property, rights or other interests,
(b) are at risk of harm, and
(c) because they are affected by disability, mental disorder, illness or physical or mental infirmity, are more vulnerable to being harmed than adults who are not so affected.
The definition of 'harm' is comprehensive and includes conduct which causes psychological harm, such as causing fear, alarm or distress.
Where it is known, or suspected, that an adult is being harmed, local councils have a duty to establish whether further action is required to stop or prevent harm occurring. This permits councils to inquire not only in circumstances where an adult is in their own house or dwelling, but also where they might be in either health or care services. The Act also places a duty on some public bodies, including relevant Health Boards and the Care Commission, to co-operate with a council that is making inquiries about an adult at risk.
Limits of confidentiality:
This will be determined by the organisations where staff and volunteers work. Each organisation and professional body has its own code of ethics and policies, and frontline practitioners are advised to check these for guidance on when you may need to break confidentiality. Your organisation's guidance may also note that it is good practice to inform the young person or vulnerable adult, as far as is possible, about what you need to do and what is going to happen, at each stage.
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