child protection services

Harsh Realities looks at how doctors, nurses, social services, and advisers take vital decisions about our lives. The first programme in the series tackles child abuse. When a medical professional suspects that a child has been assaulted, what course of action should they take? Removing a child from his or her home is a dramatic step. If there is even a hint of doubt about the case, should the professionals act – or play it safe?

This research into private fostering was commissioned by the DCSF and carried out by a team from the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) and the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF). The purpose of the research was to inform the DCSF Advisory Group on Private Fostering in making its recommendations to Ministers on increasing notifications of private fostering arrangements.

The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 brings together aspects of family, child care and adoption law that affect children. The Act seeks to incorporate the 3 key principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) – i.e. non- discrimination; a child’s welfare as a primary consideration; and listening to children’s views, into Scottish legislation and practice.

The inspection of services to protect children in the East Renfrewshire Council area took place between October and November 2007. It covered the range of services and staff working in the area who had a role in protecting children. As part of the inspection process, inspectors reviewed practice through reading a sample of files held by services who work to protect children living in the area. Some of the children and families in the sample met and talked to inspectors about the services they had received.

This paper reports on a study which examined child protection system assessment and case management of SIDEs (serious injury - discrepant explanation) in 38 families involving 45 seriously - or fatally injured children (0-2 years).

Guide for 11–17 year-olds which tells young people how they can recognise neglect, who they can turn to for help and what they can do about it.

Child poverty has fallen in Scotland, but evidence from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation suggests that the current rate of progress will not achieve the 2020 target to eradicate child poverty. Some policy measures required to reduce child poverty (such as benefit increases) are not devolved powers, but the Scottish Government could do more to remove barriers to employment, sustain people in work and tackle low pay. This study discusses progress made in Scotland to end child poverty, and suggests what the Scottish Government needs to do to reach the 2020 target.

Scottish Government consultation on the revised guidance on child protection, to replace the 1998 guidance.

Document giving details of a scheme whereby parents or guardians of children can request information from the police to see if someone involved in their childrens' lives they have concerns about is a child sex offender.

This framework for standards for child protection has been developed for children and young people, their parents, and all adults and agencies that work with children in Scotland. It is a means for translating the commitments made to children in the 'Protecting Children and Young People: The Charter' into practice.