Scottish Government

ISBN 978 0 7559 9779 4
DPPAS 10600

This document is also available in pdf format (2.3mb)

Contents

MINISTERIAL FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION
Purpose of the guidance
Contents of the guidance
The guidance in context

PART 1 - THE CONTEXT FOR CHILD PROTECTION

Key definitions and concepts
Who is a child?
Who are parents and carers?
What is child abuse and child neglect?
What is child protection?
What are the concepts of harm and significant harm in a child protection context?
What is risk in a child protection context?
What is the Child's Plan and the Lead Professional?
What is the Child Protection Register?

Principles and standards for child protection
Core principles
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
The Children's Charter and the Framework for Standards
Equality and diversity

Information-sharing and recording
Information-sharing for child protection: general principles
Confidentiality and consent
Recording and analysing information
Storage and retention of records

Legislation relating to child protection
Duties to protect
Overarching legislation

PART 2 - ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CHILD PROTECTION

Collective responsibilities for child protection
Local communities and the general public
Chief Officers' Groups
Support for staff
Child Protection Committees
Functions of a Child Protection Committee

Single agency responsibilities for child protection
Shared responsibilities
Public/statutory services
Other community and related services

Wider planning links
Planning context
Public protection
Transition planning
MAPPA
Violence Against Women/Domestic Abuse Partnerships
Adult support and protection
Alcohol and Drug Partnerships

PART 3 - IDENTIFYING AND RESPONDING TO CONCERNS ABOUT CHILDREN

Identifying and managing risk
The nature of risk
Identifying vulnerabilities and the need for risk assessment
Assessing risk
Managing risk through Child Protection Plans
Risk assessment skills

Responding to concerns about children
Recognising actual or potential harm to a child
Sharing concerns and initial information-gathering
Joint investigation/assessment
Legal measures to protect children at risk
Involving children and families
Health assessment and medical examination
Child Protection Case Conferences
Child Protection Plan
Core groups
Criminal prosecution of alleged perpetrators of abuse or neglect
Summary

PART 4 - CHILD PROTECTION IN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES

Indicators of risk
Domestic abuse
Parental alcohol and drug misuse
Disability
Non-engaging families
Children and young people experiencing or affected by mental health problems
Children and young people who display harmful or problematic sexual behaviour
Female genital mutilation
Honour-based violence and forced marriage
Fabricated or induced illness
Sudden unexpected death in infants and children

Harm outside the home or in specific circumstances
Complex child abuse investigations: inter-agency considerations
Child trafficking
Historical allegations of abuse
Children who are looked after away from home
Online and mobile phone child safety
Children and young people who place themselves at risk
Children and young people who are missing
Under-age sexual activity
Bullying

Appendix A Legislation: list of other relevant legislation
Appendix B Training and research resources
Appendix C Timescales for different stages of acting on child protection concerns
Appendix D Arrangements for child protection in the armed services
Appendix E Glossary of terms
Appendix F Useful links referenced in the guidance