Children and Young People Safeguarding Policy 2022

Facts about abuse

Children of all ages may be abused. The abuser may be a family member. Or they may be someone the child encounters within the community, including during sports and leisure activities. Child abusers can be found in all areas of society, and from any professional, racial and religious background. Contrary to the popular image child sex abusers often appear kind, concerned and caring towards children. But this is deliberate - by forming close relationships with children, abusers can build their trust and help prevent adult suspicion. Often an abused child will suffer more than one type of abuse at the same time. For example, parents who physically abuse their children may also be neglectful.

Recognising child abuse is not easy. It is not the responsibility of Council staff, elected members or volunteers to decide whether or not child abuse has taken place or if a child or young person is at significant risk.

However Council staff, elected members and volunteers do have a responsibility to act if they have a concern.

Abuse and neglect

Somebody may abuse a child or young person by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Even for those experienced in working with abuse, it is not always easy to recognise a situation where abuse may occur or has already taken place.

Children may be vulnerable to neglect and abuse or exploitation from within their family and from individuals they come across in their day-to-day lives. There are different types of abuse, and a person may suffer more than one type. These threats can take a variety
of different forms, including: sexual, physical and emotional abuse; neglect; domestic abuse, including controlling or coercive behaviour; exploitation by criminal gangs and organised crime groups; trafficking; online abuse; sexual exploitation and the influences of extremism leading to radicalisation. From Department of Education Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)

Whatever the form of abuse or neglect, practitioners should put the needs of children first when determining what action to take

View more information on working together to safeguard children on the GOV.UK website.

Signs and indicators of abuse

Sometimes a child who is being abused may show some of the following signs:

• a change in his or her general behaviour. For example, they may become unusually quiet and withdrawn, or unexpectedly aggressive. Such changes can be sudden or gradual.
• he or she appears distrustful of a particular adult, or a parent or a coach with whom you would expect there to be a close relationship.
• he or she may describe receiving attention from an adult that suggests they are being 'groomed' for future abuse
• he or she is not able to form close friendships.
• the child refuses to remove clothing for normal activities or wants to keep covered up in warm weather.
• the child shows inappropriate sexual awareness or behaviour for their age.
• the child has unexplained injuries such as bruising, bites or burns - particularly if these are on a part of the body where you would not expect them.
• the child has an injury which is not explained satisfactorily or properly treated.
• deterioration in the child's physical appearance or a rapid weight gain or loss
• pains, itching, bruising, or bleeding in or near the genital area.

Concern does not necessarily need to be related to a single specific incident. It may also arise from the accumulation of minor concerns.

It is important to remember that these signs do not always mean that a child is being abused - there may be other explanations. But if you think that a child may be being abused, it is important that you discuss your concerns with a professional.

Every child and young person is unique and it is difficult to predict how their behaviour will change as a result of their experience of abuse.

Listed below are some physical signs and behavioural indicators that may be commonly seen in children and young people who are abused, but remember they may only be an indication and not confirmation that abuse is taking place.

Physical Abuse

Important Rule

It is important to remember that many children or young people will exhibit some of these signs and indicators at some time, and the presence of one or more should not be taken as proof that abuse is occurring. There may well be other reasons for changes in behaviour such as death, or the birth of a new baby in the family, relationship problems between parents/carers, etc

It is not the responsibility of a Chorley Council representative to decide that abuse is occurring, but it is their responsibility to act on any concerns by reporting any suspicions that they have.

Indicators of Abuse

Indications that a child or young person may be suffering abuse could include the child or young person describing what appears to be an abusive act involving him / her, or someone else expressing concern about the welfare of another child or young person. Some physical signs and behavioural indicators are shown in the tables below.
 

Physical Abuse

Some injuries may seem insignificant by themselves, but repeated injuries, even of a very minor nature, especially in a young child, may be symptomatic of child abuse and, if no action is taken, the child may be injured more seriously.

REMEMBER: There may be other reasons that a child or young person is exhibiting some of the signs and indicators

Burns and scalds

It can be very difficult to distinguish between accidental and non-accidental burns, but as a general rule, burns or scalds with clear outlines are suspicious, eg a gloves and socks effect. So are burns of uniform depth over a large area. Also, splash marks above the main scald area (caused by hot liquid being thrown).

Remember also:

• a responsible adult checks the temperature of the bath before a child gets in;
• a child is unlikely to sit down, voluntarily, in too hot a bath and cannot scald its bottom accidentally without also scalding its feet;
• a child getting into too hot water of its own accord will struggle to get out again and there will be splash marks;
• small round burns may be cigarette burns (but may be friction burns and accidental, if along the bony protuberances of the spine, impetigo can also lead to marks which appear very similar to cigarette burns). Cigarette burns also tend to have a characteristically dark, thick base.

Scars

All children have scars, but notice should be taken if an exceptionally large number, particularly if of different ages and if accompanied by current bruising. Unusually shaped scars (e.g. old cigarette burns), or large scars (indicating burns that did not receive treatment), should be viewed suspiciously.

Bruising

Most falls, or accidents, produce one bruise on a single surface, usually on a bony protuberance. A child who falls downstairs generally has only one or two bruises. Bruising in accidents is usually on the front of the body, as children generally fall forwards. In addition, there may be marks on their hands if they have tried to break their fall.

The following are uncommon sites for accidental bruising:

• back, back of legs, buttocks (exception, occasionally, along the bony protuberances of the spine)
• mouth, cheeks, behind the ear
• stomach, chest
• under the arm
• genital, rectal area (but ask if the child is learning to ride a bicycle)
• neck

Emotional Abuse

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse can exist in the absence of physical ill-treatment. A child's need for love, security, encouragement, praise and stimulation when unmet, can have a serious and sometimes irreparable effect on the child's development. Parents may be hostile, rejecting, indifferent, or, perhaps worst of all, inconsistent and unpredictable in their response to their child.

REMEMBER: There may be other reasons that a child or young person is exhibiting some of the signs and indicators

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is now known to be more common than has been generally recognised. Boys and girls of all ages can be victims but the majority are girls. The perpetrators are usually adults known to the children involved e.g. fathers, stepfathers, relatives, neighbours, family, friends etc. Abuse within a family is rarely an isolated event; it sometimes lasts for months and years and involves more than one child.

Abuse usually escalates from caressing and fondling, which the child may welcome initially, to mutual masturbation and penetration. Victims may disclose their situation to adults in whom they have confidence. It is now known that children rarely fantasise, or make up stories of sexual abuse. Children's allegations should, therefore, always be taken seriously and reported.

REMEMBER: There may be other reasons that a child or young person is exhibiting some of the signs and indicators.

Many of these symptoms are also associated with other forms of childhood disturbance and in themselves should not be seen as diagnostic.

The patterns of behaviour in particular children will depend on the age, sex and stage of development of the child:

• pre-school children are more likely to show direct physical responses, sexualisation of behaviour and regressive signs and symptoms;
• school age children may show unexpected decline in school performance, loss of self-esteem patterns, running away, reluctance to return home at the end of a school day, may be resistant to PE, undressing at school, medicals etc;
• adolescents may overdose, run away, self-mutilate, become promiscuous, develop anorexia, abuse drugs or alcohol, or have hysterical attacks;
• boys are more likely to identify with the aggressor and behave aggressively themselves.

Sexual Abuse

Neglect

A child's growth and development may suffer when he/she receives insufficient food, love, warmth, care and concern, praise and encouragement or stimulation. Neglect and failure to thrive will need a medical diagnosis but warning signs, apart from perhaps the child's neglected appearance, may include:

REMEMBER: There may be other reasons that a child or young person is exhibiting some of the signs and indicators

Neglect and failure to thrive

Bullying

Bullying can involve a combination of other forms of abuse such as physical or emotional abuse bullying can be child on child but could also be adult on child, for example concerns about a coach/council representative bullying a child.

Bullying is not easy to define, can take many forms and is usually repeated over a period of time. The three main types of bullying are: physical (e.g. hitting, kicking), verbal (e.g. racist remarks, threats, name calling) and emotional (e.g. isolating an individual from activities).

They will include:

• deliberate hostility and aggression towards the victim
• a victim who is weaker than the bully or bullies
• an outcome which is always painful and distressing for the victim

Bullying behaviour may also include:

• other forms of violence
• sarcasm, spreading rumours, persistent teasing or theft
• tormenting, ridiculing, humiliation
• racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
• unwanted physical contact or abusive/offensive comments of a sexual nature

Emotional and verbal bullying is more likely; however it is also more difficult to cope with or prove.

Signs of bullying include:

• behavioural changes such as reduced concentration and/or becoming withdrawn, clingy, depressed, tearful, emotionally up and down, reluctance to go to training or competitions
• an unexplained drop off in performance
• physical signs such as stomach aches, headaches, difficulty in sleeping, bed wetting, scratching and bruising, damaged clothes, bingeing e.g. on food, alcohol or cigarettes
• a shortage of money or frequent loss of possessions

It must be recognised that the above list is not exhaustive, but also that the presence of one or more of the indications is not proof that abuse is taking place.

The Council has a zero tolerance approach to bullying. If bullying is suspected, representatives of the Council should follow the procedure set out in 'Responding to suspicions or allegations' in Section 4.

Action for staff to help the victim and prevent bullying:

• take all signs of bullying very seriously.
• encourage all children to speak and share their concerns (It is believed that up to 12 children per year commit suicide as a result of bullying, so if anyone talks about or threatens suicide, seek professional help immediately). Help the victim to speak out and tell the person in charge or someone in authority.
• investigate all allegations and take action to ensure the victim is safe. Speak with the victim and the bully(ies) separately.
• reassure the victim that you can be trusted and will help them, but do not promise to tell no one else.
• keep records of what is said (what happened, by whom, when).
• report any concerns to a Child Protection Officer or the school (wherever the bullying is occurring).

Action towards the bully(ies):

• talk with the bully(ies), explain the situation, and try to get the bully(ies) to understand the consequences of their behaviour. Seek an apology to the victim(s).
• inform the bully(ies)'s parents.
• insist on the return of 'borrowed' items and that the bully(ies) compensate the victim.
• provide support for the victim's coach.
• mpose sanctions as necessary.
• encourage and support the bully(ies) to change behaviour.
• hold meetings with the families to report on progress.
• inform all organisation members of action taken.
• keep a written record of action taken.

If the issue is one of an adult against a child this should representatives should follow the same procedures as with any other form of abuse.

View more information on spotting signs of child abuse on the NSPCC website.

Warning Signs: Behaviours Common to Child Abusers

Those who represent a threat of sexual abuse to children are often skilled at avoiding detection. With this in mind the following list of warning signs should help representatives in their role of exercising vigilance to safeguard children and may alert them to the possibility that someone's intentions towards children are suspicious.

Representatives should look out for those who:

• display inappropriate behaviour, or talk inappropriately, to children and young people.
• avoid co-working or supervision of their work with children or young people.
• seek out opportunities to spend time with either individual children or with a small groups on a regular basis, particularly vulnerable children and young people, for example those who may be disabled.
• encourages secretiveness about their activities with children or young people.
• pay an unusual amount of attention to individual or groups of children, and particularly the provision of presents, money or favours to children or young people.
• take a child/young person or a small group of children or young people to their own home.
• are vague about previous employment or gaps in their employment history.

Representatives should also be aware of, and informed by, the Council's guidance on good and bad practice in relation to safeguarding and protection.

Child Sexual Exploitation

The issue of CSE has become prominent in recent years and this policy recognises the particular issues around identifying behaviours that might indicate CSE is occurring. To that end, since July 2015 the Council has adopted the LCSB e-learning package and is requiring all new and existing front line colleagues to undertake the training. This will be monitored to ensure compliance with this requirement.

Most recently in 2016, an Overview and Scrutiny Committee in Chorley made up of elected members, council officers and partners including , The Children's Society, schools and police examined what work is being done in Chorley to tackle CSE and made a number of recommendations were made to shape future working practice:

• that the council should raise awareness of CSE amongst elected members and officers through training programmes and campaigns
• that there should be a clear understanding of referral pathways and how/when to spot CSE
• that there should be a focus on early intervention and a partnership approach to tackling the issue.
• that the wider licensing trade should undertake CSE training.

As a result of these recommendations, a CSE task and finish group has been established as part of the Community Safety Partnership to carry out these recommendations.

Incidents, observations or disclosures that are of concern with regard to CSE should be recorded and reported in line with this policy using the incident reporting form.

If there are concerns that reports are not being acted upon then the Councils Whistle blowing policy applies.

Criminal Exploitation

As set out in the Serious Violence Strategy, published by the Home Office, where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into any criminal activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial or other advantage of the perpetrator or facilitator and/or (c) through violence or the threat of violence. The victim may have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears consensual. Child criminal exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.

View more information on criminal exploitation and gangs on the NSPCC website.

Radicalisation

An emerging issue which is related to safeguarding matters is the potential for children and young people to be radicalised. The Council has specific duties to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. To that end the Council will:

• actively participate in the Constabulary PREVENT/CONTEST programme
• have a nominated lead officer for PREVENT - the activity based programme to counter radicalisation risk. This is the Lead Safeguarding Officer - Louise Elo.
• train all appropriate employees on safeguarding, identifying radicalisation in accordance with the Prevent Duty as required under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015, and any other legislative requirements.
• ensure the DSO refer radicalisation concerns to the PREVENT lead officer when they arise.

If any staff have concerns or suspicions regarding the radicalisation of children and young people then they should speak to the DSO

Mental Capacity Act

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 is a law that protects and supports people, primarily adults, who do not have the ability to make decisions for themselves. In law a lack of capacity is defined as an individual not being able to do one or more of the following. Understand the information given to them, retain that information long enough to be able to make a decision, weigh up the information available to make a decision or communicate their decision. This does not mean that an individual is unable to make any decisions, but some may be more difficult than others, and therefore a lack of mental capacity may only apply to specific aspects of their life.

The lack of ability to make decisions may be due to illness, brain injury, learning disability, mental health problems, or the effects of drugs or alcohol. It can also be a temporary or permanent impairment.

Children, especially older ones, may also be at risk of abuse, where they would have otherwise been able to make decisions in their best interest, but for their lack of mental capacity to do so.

Clearly this can put such people at risk of being abused either because of the decisions which they make or if they have a family member or unpaid carer making decisions or persuading/instructing them of actions which they should take.

Abuse can be in the form of any of the types of abuse detailed within this policy.:

Employees therefore need to be able to recognise where people may be at risk of being abused, or taken advantage of, because of their lack of capacity to halt or report unwanted behaviour. Employees may also recognise potential abuse because of the decisions which children with a lack of capacity take, or decisions that they may be persuaded into taking.

Where employees suspect that the above may be happening they must report it to a Designated Safeguarding Officer.