I work with Children and Families

Your organisation has a responsibility to help protect children and young people who are in contact with your service. This means you have a responsibility, as an employee, for these children.

The role of employees will vary depending on which job they have and which organisation they work for. All employees have a responsibility to bring to the attention of their organisation / line manager any concerns which they may have about the care or welfare of a child or young person.

As a minimum all employees should:

• Listen to what is said
• Observe what is happening
• Write down exactly what you see and hear
• If you are seriously concerned about a child or young person's welfare don't delay
• Report any concerns to your line manager, or other senior colleague

Children rarely tell if they are being abused. However, there may be signs which make you concerned and may be an indication of a child being abused or neglected. You may notice one, or a combination of the following. The child or young person may:

• have unexplained bruising or bruising in an unusual place
• appear afraid, quiet or withdrawn
• be afraid to go home
• appear constantly hungry, tired or untidy
• be left unattended or unsupervised
• have too much responsibility for their age
• be acting in a sexually inappropriate way
• be misusing drugs or alcohol
• tell you something that sounds as though they have been hurt by someone.

The following adult behaviours may cause concern:

• are acting in an aggressive, violent or sexual manner towards a child or young person
• are misusing drink or drugs while caring for a child
• leave their child unattended or with unsuitable adults

Inter Agency Child Protection Guidance and Single Agency Child Protection Guidance documents are available on this page and Inter-Agency guidance is not a replacement for any single agency procedures and should be read in conjunction with them.

For information regarding the variety of Child Protection Training events that are available please see the Training page.

Key Contacts

Social Work (ask for Duty Social Worker) - 030 33 33 3000
Out of Hours (Standby) - 0800 811 505
Police - 101
National Child Protection Line - 0800 022 3222
Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0800 027 1234
Childline - 0800 1111
Parentline - 0808 800 2222

The following information may also be useful:-

DOMESTIC ABUSE - THERE'S NO EXCUSE

As many as 1 in 5 women in Scotland will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. This affects children and young people too. Anyone who needs to talk to someone about this should call the Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline Free on 0800 027 1234 or visit their website at www.domesticabuse.co.uk or the Dumfries & Galloway Domestic Abuse Website.

IMPACT OF PARENTAL SUBSTANCE MISUSE

Up to 3000 young people in Dumfries & Galloway may be living with a substance misusing parent or carer. For more information about the effects of substance misuse and support available visit the Alcohol & Drug Partnership website.

FREE DISCLOSURE CHECKS FOR VOLUNTARY GROUPS

The Central Registered Body in Scotland (CRBS) provides free disclosure (police checks) for volunteers in the voluntary sector working with children, young people and vulnerable adults at risk. To find out if your voluntary organisation can access this free service, visit their website.

PVG SCHEME

In November 2010 the Scottish Government introduced the new membership scheme to replace and improve upon the current disclosure arrangements for people who work with vulnerable groups. This is called the Protecting Vulnerable Group Scheme (PVG Scheme). An information booklet can be downloaded from the list below, and you can find more information by visiting http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/pvg_index.html.

COMMUNITY SEX OFFENDER DISCLOSURE SCHEME

The Community Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme also known as 'Keeping Children Safe' aims to protect children from child sex offenders by allowing improved access to information and offers an additional element of reassurance to local communities. For more information visit www.dumfriesandgalloway.police.uk.