Engaging with Families in Child Protection: A Scottish Perspective

The provided content focuses on child welfare and protection in Scotland, with a collection of research studies and articles discussing various aspects of child protection practice. The studies explore themes such as engagement and outcome from the perspectives of child protection workers and parents, parental participation in child protection practice, and perceptions of non-accidental child deaths. Additionally, the content includes discussions on risk assessment, decision-making, and safeguarding in England, as well as online resources on attachment theory and child protection plans.

Keeping Children Safe From Harm
1

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................................4
PART 1..................................................................................................................................................4
PART 2 .................................................................................................................................................5
PART 3 .................................................................................................................................................7
Conclusion............................................................................................................................................9
References..........................................................................................................................................10
2

INTRODUCTION
The present essay is based in the given case regarding the harm or abuse to the children. It
includes critical evaluation of the actions taken by the healthcare professionals for the safety of the
child by handling the situation and family properly. Along with this, it consists of the assessment of
the family for understanding the needs and expectations of the children and ways to overcome them.
On the other hand, the essay gives emphasis to the legislations which are developed for supporting
families and their children. It also explains importance of Child protection plan for fulfilling the
requirements of the children. In the end, it demonstrates the ways through which family can get
proper help and support from the healthcare professional and institutions.
PART 1
As per the given can scenario, Lara is a child who just started nursery but within some visits,
nursery worker identify her bad behaviour. Along with this, it is difficult for Emily to handle Lara at
home and due to this, she is feeling distressed. As per the suggestions of nursery worker, Emily
contact to health visitor for handling and managing the behaviour of Lara. At the time of analysis,
health visitor notice some bruising at both upper arms of the Lara. In addition, he/she noticed the
improper replies of the Emily with respect to the condition (Stokes and Schmidt, 2012).
After the proper analysis, health-visitor suggests Emily to handle Lara with care and proper
attention for preventing her from any kind of harm. On the other hand, frustration, irritation, anger,
etc of the Emily are showing some other condition to the health visitor. With respect to this, he
contacts the social worker which is one of the good decision for preventing Lara and her family
from offering support and help. This immediate act of the health care professional represents his
attention and seriousness towards the case. This ensures that health visitor is worried about the
safety and welfare of the Lara. Along with this, the actions taken by the health care professional
shows that he is following legislation properly. As per the Children's act 1989, it is duty of care
workers to safeguard the children and their family for proper health and safety (Child Protection in
England, 2016).
Along with this, health visitor is serious about the welfare of the Lara and due to this, he
referral her to the social services. This decision of the healthcare visitor represents that he has not
believed the clarification given by the Emily behind the causes of bruises. All these factors shows
that care worker is playing his role properly by fulfilling all the responsibilities towards the
protection of the Lara (Radford and et.al., 2013).
On the other hand, there can be chances that health visitor will neglect the case or ignore the
replies given by the Emily. But contact of the care worker to the social services represents that he is
3

serious about the issue and wants to find out the actual reasons behind it. As Lara is only 2 and a
half so she needs proper attention, care and love for her proper development in both physical and
mental case. In context to this, referral of the Lara to the social care services is one of the good
decision of the health visitor (Stokes and Schmidt, 2012).
The sign of bruise on the arms of Lara gives emphasis to the child abuse. It also shows that
Emily is harming her child physically which is called as physical abuse. Due to this, health visitor
has faced problem in believing the Emily and made referral for Lara. In context to this, social
worker to whom healthcare professional referred Lara found that Emily and her family do not have
any information about the children's services. For the protection and welfare of the Lara, health
visitor refer her to the social care services under the Child Protection Procedures. According to this,
it is essential for the care workers to provide all the details for the situation for passing the CCP for
the correct and desirable person who needs to deal with it (Burns, 2011).
The immediate concern of the health visitor is for ensuring the health and safety of the Lara.
The action of referring Lara to the social care services is for her protection and welfare. All the
information which social workers will collect, help in providing appropriate help and support to the
Lara and other family members (Platt and Turney, 2014).
On the other hand, the level of risks to the Lara and other children of the family is not clear
at this time. In respect to this, social workers would visit the family home for identifying the next
steps and behaviour of the Emily with the other children. After this, healthcare professionals, health
visitor, children services and social workers would be able to discuss on the identified issues for
further assessment. While conducting the whole process, Working Together to safeguard act 2015
will be followed by the social workers. As per this, it is responsibility of the health care
professionals to determine the problem and needs of the children which are not achieved by the
parents. After the completion of assessment in proper manner, social services will able to determine
the right way with the help of which they can support and health Emily and her family (Parton and
Berridge, 2011).
PART 2
After the proper assessment of the family, social services found that Emily and her family is
facing various issues. For collecting all the information, medical check ups are conducted on both
Lara and Thomas by child specialist. From this, it has been found that Thomas is underweight and
very small as per his age. Along with this, he is facing some problems due to the bad behaviour. On
the other hand, relationship between Emily and her husband Spencer is also not good. This insecure
bonding is causing depression and stress which has made Spencer to drink alcohol (Munro, 2011).
4

The house of Emily is not furnished and has only two bedrooms which represents poor
financial condition of the family. There is need of redecoration in the home among with proper
furniture. This shows that Emily is not paying proper attention to her house and family as well. For
proper development and growth, it is essential to have to good and effective environment and
surrounding. Lack of cleanliness and proper arrangements affects the lifestyle and mentality of the
individual. So, there is need of proper support and help to the Emily for providing proper
environment for enhancement of her children (Healy, Darlington and Feeney, 2011).
From the given case, Emily was neglected by her parents in the childhood which made
Emily to join bad companies. She had Thomas when she was fifteen years old. All these factors can
be the reason behind improper handling of Lara by the Emily. The weak relationship of Emily with
her parents is working as a barrier in providing proper care and love to the Lara (Radford and et.al.,
2013).
There are two kinds of factors which influences the parent's ability to care and look after
their children: positive and negative. The positive factors include understanding of children's
requirements for proper development. A good and ideal parent provide proper health, safety,
attachment, belongingness and self actualisation to his/her child. It is essential for the parents to
remain good with their child for long time of period. Along with this, good and strong relations
between the parents make them to develop their child both physically and mentally healthy (Munro
and Lushey, 2012).
On the other hand, the negative factors which affects the parent's ability to look after their
child include inability to offer basic needs to the children. The condition of the Thomas i.e.
underweight, improper eating habits, late night sleep, etc represents that he is not getting proper
attention from the Emily and Spencer. Major reason behind this situation can be improper and weak
bonding between the husband and wife which is affecting development and growth of their children
Thomas and Lara (Kearney, 2013).
Lack of proper support and help will affect the development and growth of Lara and Thomas
in various ways. There are chances that Emily would harm Lara continuously which cause bruises
on her body. There are chances of increasing physical abuse with the Lara which will affect her
mentality and emotions with respect to the Emily. She will become stubborn and aggressive due to
the lack of fulfilment of her requirements. On the other hand, Thomas can stop going school and
sneak out. He will start living outside the flat for more hours and join bad companies. Improper
attention of Spencer to the activities of the Thomas can affect his development negatively. The
relationship between the Spencer and Thomas is not good which represents that there is a risk in the
welfare and protection of the Thomas All these things represents that both Lara and Emily are
5

facing neglect from their parents. It is due to the improper fulfilment of their needs and expectations
(Stokes and Schmidt, 2012).
Due to weak relationship between the Spencer and Thomas, there are chances of causing
conflicts or disputes between them. It can be possible that Spencer slap or harm Thomas, due to
such activities which he does not like. Spencer can harm abuse physically or emotionally Thomas
which will not good for his development and future growth. On the other hand, relation between
Thomas and Lara is also not good. Thomas founds Lara irritating and demanding. This can develop
differences between brother and sister (Kolko, Iselin and Gully, 2011).
According to the attachment theory, there should be proper interaction between the child and
his/her parents for developing attachment between them. This helps in emotional, psychological,
mental and physical development of the child (Attachment Theory, 2016). In context to the case,
Spencer and Emily needs to provide proper attention to their children. This will help them in
improving the situation through which both Thomas and Lara are going. Increase in the
communication results to improve the relations, proper attention of Spencer on the Thomas can
change his mentality. On the other hand, crisis intervention theory represents that it is difficult for
children to accept the change in their life. With respect to this, Thomas is facing issues in accepting
Spencer as his father. For this, it is important for both Emily and Spencer to handle the situation
with proper care and love (Gladstone and et.al., 2012).
PART 3
In the present situation, needs and vulnerabilities of both the children i.e. Lara and Thomas
are at risk. Both Emily and Spencer agreed to accept the help and support for the proper
development and bright future of their children. From the proper assessment of the family, it has
been found that parents are not able to fulfil the needs of their children which is one of the major
reason behind their present condition. For the development and enhancement of the child it is
essential to meet their basic requirements for improving them mentally and physically (Burns,
2011).
From the given case scenario, it is clear that a conference has been conducted by the social
care workers for identifying the best possible measure for the welfare and development of the Lara
and Thomas. The best option will be use of Child protection plan for the prevention of the children.
With the help of this, family will have to follow all the rules and policies for the development of
their children. Along with this, parents have to treat both Lara and Thomas in proper manner as per
the decided plan. According to the Children Legal Rights, child protection plan consists of the
factors through which children can be kept safe and secure. It also helps in proper health and
6

development of the child by suggesting effective measures with respect to the problem. In context
to this, it will be good for Lara and Thomas to place them under the Child Protection Plan. This will
lead to their proper development in effective and efficient manner (Gallagher and et.al., 2011).
Along with the Child protection plan, proper information related to the child protection
rights, children services, etc will also help in providing proper care and attention to the Lara and
Thomas. It is essential for the social workers to provide all the information to the Emily and
Spencer related to the safeguarding of the children. With the help of this, parents will able to offer
proper love and precaution to their children (Brandon and et.al., 2012).
On the other hand, with the help of conference healthcare professionals will able to identify
the needs of children for resolving their risks and problems. They will also determine affects to the
development of the Lara and Thomas, if no actions are taken by them. Follow up will be planned by
the health visitor if both the children are placed to the Child Protection Plan (Child Protection
Plans, 2016). The formation of the plan will depend upon the issues determined by the social
services at the time of assessment. Overall conference will include Emily, Spencer, healthcare
professionals, social services, health visitor, child specialists and nurses. Proper discussion and
conversation will help in analysing whether there is need of Child protection plan or not. And if yes,
then what kind of measures will be considered by the social services for the bright future of the
children (Parton, 2012).
If this plan get implemented then, there will be lots improvement in the family of the Emily.
This will help in improving the relations between the family members. Along with this, Thomas
will get proper treatment for resolving his learning difficulty. It will also help him in improving the
behaviour and leaving the bad companies. On the other hand, Lara will be treated well by Emily.
Both the child will get help for meeting their requirements. There are chances of improving
relations between Lara- Emily, Emily-Spencer and Thomas-Spencer (Platt and Turney, 2014).
There are many advantages and disadvantages of the Child Protection Plan for the family of
Emily. With respect to the benefits, Emily and Spencer will get support for meeting the
requirements of their children. Both Lara and Thomas will get proper education for the
development of future. It will improve the habits of the Thomas which will improve his career.
Both Lara and Thomas will able to improve their behaviour which will lead to make their good
image in front of teachers and friends (Ferguson, 2011).
On the other hand in context to the negative impact, family will have to follow all the
processes suggested by the healthcare professionals. This will restrict them to do other activities due
to the fear of harm or risk to the children. Emily will have to give proper attention to the Thomas
for improving his habit is escaping from home. There are chances that, Emily and Spencer feel
7

uncomfortable while following the Child Protection Plan. This will make children to think
something else for getting relief from the activities of the plan (Parton and Berridge, 2011).
There are different professionals and institutions which involves into the planning and
formation of the Child Protection plan. The involvement of the professionals depend upon the kind
of case, problem and situation. In context to the given scenario, major professionals who will be
included in the conference are teacher, social worker, nursery staff, health visitor and family
members. It will also include local authority and safeguarding board of children (Parton, 2011).
Due to the different perception, views and opinions there will be chances of conflict among
the professionals. There are chances of arising dispute between the parents and professionals due to
the resistance towards the change of parents. In this, professionals will suggest some activities for
the welfare of the children which parents do not like to implement. In addition, there are chances of
causing dispute between the professionals and agencies due to the lack of cooperation. Parents need
help and support for the development and growth of their children but it depends on them with
whom they like to cooperate. If they need help from professionals then in such case dispute will
occur between the professionals and agencies. Thus, it is essential to handle this situation properly
and effectively (Munro, 2011).
CONCLUSION
From the above study, it is concluded that Emily and her family is facing various
issues. This is affecting the development and growth of Lara and Thomas. Proper analysis of the
health visitor makes Lara to referral under the social services. Family assessment of the social
services makes them aware about the condition of Thomas which needs to improve. According to
the Maslow's Hierarchy of Need theory, both the children are not getting their basic needs. With the
help of Child Protection Plan, professionals can help and support the Emily and her family to
improve the present situation. Effective decision regarding the child protection plan will help in
making effective changes in the behaviour and development of the Lara and Thomas which will
lead to their bright future.
8

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Brandon, M. and et.al., 2012. New learning from serious case reviews: a two year report for 2009-
2011. Department for Education. pp.63.
Burns, K., 2011. ‘Career Preference’,‘Transients’ and ‘Converts’: A study of social workers'
retention in child protection and welfare. British Journal of Social Work. 41(3). pp.520-538.
Ferguson, H., 2011. Child protection practice. Palgrave macmillan.
Gallagher, M., and et.al., 2011. Engaging with families in child protection: Lessons from
practitioner research in Scotland. Child welfare. 90(4). pp.117.
Gladstone, J. and et.al., 2012. Looking at engagement and outcome from the perspectives of child
protection workers and parents. Children and Youth Services Review. 34(1). pp.112-118.
Healy, K., Darlington, Y. and Feeney, J., 2011. Parents' participation in child protection practice:
Toward respect and inclusion. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social
Services. 92(3). pp.282-288.
Kearney, J., 2013. Perceptions of non-accidental child deaths as preventable events: the impact of
probability heuristics and biases on child protection work. Health, risk & society. 15(1).
pp.51-66.
Kolko, D.J., Iselin, A.M.R. and Gully, K.J., 2011. Evaluation of the sustainability and clinical
outcome of Alternatives for Families: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT) in a child
protection center. Child Abuse & Neglect. 35(2). pp.105-116.
Munro, E., 2011. The Munro review of child protection. Pt. 1, A systems analysis.
Munro, E.R. and Lushey, C., 2012. The Impact of more flexible assessment practices in response to
the Munro Review of child protection: emerging findings from the trials.
Parton, N. and Berridge, D., 2011. Child protection in England. Child protection systems:
International trends and orientations. pp.60-88.
Parton, N., 2011. Child protection and safeguarding in England: Changing and competing
conceptions of risk and their implications for social work.British Journal of Social Work.
41(5). pp.854-875.
Parton, N., 2012. The Munro review of child protection: an appraisal.Children & Society. 26(2).
pp.150-162.
Platt, D. and Turney, D., 2014. Making threshold decisions in child protection: A conceptual
analysis. British Journal of Social Work. 44(6). pp.1472-1490.
Radford, L. and et.al., 2013. The prevalence and impact of child maltreatment and other types of
9

victimization in the UK: Findings from a population survey of caregivers, children and
young people and young adults. Child abuse & neglect. 37(10). pp.801-813.
Stokes, J. and Schmidt, G., 2012. Child protection decision making: A factorial analysis using case
vignettes. Social Work. pp.swr007.
Online
Attachment Theory. 2016. [Online]. Available Through:
<http://www.simplypsychology.org/attachment.html>. [Accessed on 21st June 2016]
Child Protection in England. 2016. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-protection-system/england/legislation-
policy-guidance/>. [Accessed on 21st June 2016]
Child Protection Plans. 2016. [Online]. Available Through:
<http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/266/child_protection/2176/child_protection_plans>.
[Accessed on 21st June 2016]
10