SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

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Protecting Children: A Shared Responsibility

Chapter 9: HEALTH STAFF INVOLVEMENT IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS

The legal measures for the protection of children at risk are fully explained in sections 4.17-4.20 of Protecting Children - A Shared Responsibility: Guidance on Inter-agency Co-operation (1998).

It is the responsibility of the Trust to ensure Lead Clinicians and the Senior Nurse Child Protection oversee, give support and time to staff to prepare statements and have appropriate legal advice.

Other key activities are to ensure:

• familiarity with local court procedures.
• opportunities to discuss statements or evidence with a lawyer.
• attendance at court to supportstaff giving evidence.
• following court proceedings, staff have the opportunity to discuss the case and are offered further clinical supervision.

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