Protecting Children: A Shared Responsibility

annex E:

CONTENT FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR HEALTH STAFF

• recognition of the importance of health promotion and prevention of abuse and neglect of children;
• knowledge of the indicators and pre-disposing factors in children and parents of child abuse and neglect, including children who abuse other children and children with disabilities;
• knowledge of the physical, emotional and behavioural signs, symptoms and indicators of possible child abuse and neglect, and the assessment of risk;
• psychological impact of all forms of abuse on children both in the acute and chronic stages and the long-term consequences to their psychological welfare and the impact on future relationships;
• the role and responsibilities of health practitioners and their advisers/clinicians/senior nurses in child protection;
• the child protection committee inter-agency procedures and the Trust(s) child protection guidelines;
• knowledge of the professional advice and guidance, case review and child protection clinical supervision available to practitioners;
• inter-disciplinary and inter-agency referral and liaison;
• record keeping including personal health child records and professional records;
• the legislative framework, the Children (Scotland) Act1995, legal orders, preparation for and attendance at court cases, writing reports and statements for court cases;
• preparation for and attendance at child protection conferences, this will include providing written reports for conferences and other child protection meetings;
• accountability and confidentiality in child protection work;
• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child;
• an understanding of consent and the Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act 1991;
• working openly and in partnership with families.

The outcome of training should be an understanding of the knowledge and skills necessary to work with others in multi-disciplinary and inter-agency collaboration for the protection of children from abuse and neglect.