Children

There are established links between domestic violence and child abuse. Children may themselves by injured or abused or may be at risk of accidental injury, and they may also suffer indirectly even when not directly even when not directly abused themselves: they are often aware of the abuse than their parents realise.

Some abusers threaten that if their partner leaves or tells anyone about the violence, their children will be taken away from them. Social Services will not take children away for this reason. If you fear your partner will abduct the children you should seek advice. Your local Women's Aid group, Law Centre, Citizens Advice Bureau, or a solicitor can advise on issues such as parental responsibility, where children should live, who they should have contact with, changes of school and related problems.

We all want the best for our children, for them to grow up healthy, happy, secure and confident, but sometimes parents have problems and find it hard to care for a child. This can be due to family crises, a child's behaviour, or in some cases, because a child is at risk from an adult within the family.

The Children Act 1989 and the duties upon the Courts and Local Authorities mean that every effort is made to keep families together by providing support to children at home.

The Law

The law which sets out the rules concerning the care and upbringing of children is called The Children Act. Part of this law gives guidelines about making sure children and young people do not suffer abuse and are safe.

Child abuse happens when someone harms a child or young person on purpose or neglects them or does not protect them. People who work with young people believe that here are four main kinds of child abuse.

Physical Abuse

Is when an adult deliberately harms a child or young person. It could include kicking, biting, hitting or burning.

Emotional Abuse

Is when an adult doesn't show the child love or affection, or when they threaten, punish or shout excessively, making the child feel unloved.

Sexual Abuse

Is when an adult uses a child or young person in sexual activities. This can involve sexual intercourse, touching in a way which makes the young person feel worried or showing pornographic material.

Why would Social Services call a child protection conference about you?

If you, or anyone you know is worried for you safety, a social worker will look at your situation and talk to you and your family, this may include parents even if you do not live with them.

A social worker will also talk to other professionals who know you, e.g. your teacher or your doctor. The social worker may also ask you to talk to the Police or see a doctor.

This is called a Child Protection Investigation.

If they are still worried about you they may call a Child Protection Conference.

What is a Child Protection Conference?

A Child Protection Conference is a meeting where people sit together in a room and discuss:

What has happened

How likely it is to happen again

How safe are you

Who will go to it?

People who know you a your family will be invited, along with you and your parents, plus some people who attend all Child Protection Conferences who know what kind of help may be available.

These may include:

Your family Doctor

Your head teacher (or class teacher)

Your school nurse

The family health visitor

The Police

Probation Officer

Family court welfare officer

Sometimes not everyone who has been invited comes to the conference but they may send a report.

Who is in charge?

The meeting is run by someone called a Child Protection Co-Ordinator. Their job is to make sure everyone gets a chance to say what the need to.

If you are going to attend you will meet them before the meeting starts, and they will explain how it works. You can also ask them to explain anything to you that you don't understand during the meeting.

At the end of the meeting everyone's opinion will be listened to but it is only the professionals who decide whether your name is put on the Child Protection register. If there is a disagreement the Child Protection Co-ordinator makes the final decision.

What is the Child Protection Register?T

The Child Protection register is a list which includes the names of all the children in Buckinghamshire that a Child Protection conference has decided are at risk of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse or neglect and who needs a Child Protection Plan to protect them in the future.