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| PROTECTING CHILDREN -A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY: Guidance on Inter-Agency Co-operation |
FOREWORD By the Rt Hon Donald Dewar MP Secretary of State for Scotland All children have a right to expect that they will be protected from abuse and harm. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child reinforces that right. As a responsible society we must accept that it is our duty to ensure as far as possible that children are not exposed to the risk of harm. But where they are they should be helped to overcome any suffering they may have been caused. A number of statutory agencies and voluntary organisations assist children in a variety of ways. Dealing with child abuse is not, however, the preserve of any one public or voluntary service. If they are to protect children effectively, they must collaborate closely. This guidance sets out how agencies and professionals should work together to protect children from abuse and neglect, and to safeguard and promote their welfare. It identifies the roles and tasks of different professionals and agencies involved in tackling child abuse and neglect, and it outlines the role of local Child Protection Committees. Developing policy and promoting good practice in child protection must be based on effective collaboration between all agencies who work with children. The creation of unitary local authorities, the implementation of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and the introduction of children’s services plans provide opportunities to build upon robust working relationships and good co-operation amongst agencies. |
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| Good practice requires the careful exercise of professional skill and judgement. Child protection work makes special demands upon staff. Agencies should ensure that they have management systems and training in place to help their staff carry out this work effectively. Multi-agency training can help professionals to understand each other’s roles and tasks and improve collaboration. | |
| The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 states that it is the responsibility of parents to safeguard and promote their children’s health, development and welfare. Professionals should provide support and assistance to families to help them bring up their children, at home wherever this is consistent with the child’s welfare, and should work in partnership with parents. | |
| This guidance should help professionals to become more effective in combating child abuse while at the same time being sensitive to the needs of children and their families. I commend it. | |
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DONALD DEWAR |
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