Child Protection - Protecting Young People

It's everyone’s job to keep young people safe

• In any situation where staff are concerned about the safety of a young person it is always appropriate to seek advice from a Line Manger or Duty Social Work – remember its everyone’s job to keep young people safe

  Following a referral to Duty Social Work an Interagency Referral Discussion may be held involving Social Work, Police Scotland, NHS Shetland and Schools Service (if appropriate). In some cases there may be a joint investigation (police and social work) and in others social work may make a single agency response to the risks and needs of the young person. In all situations, a referral to Duty Social Work is the starting point if a young person is at risk either as a result of their own behaviour or the actions of others.

• 1. Picking up early on children and young people’s needs and supporting families to meet these.

  This helps prevent child abuse and neglect. Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) in Shetland is the way we do this.

  (GIRFEC) is Scotland’s long standing, national commitment to provide all children, young people and their families with the right support at the right time, so that every child and young person can reach their full potential.

  GIRFEC is both an approach and framework used by services across Scotland to improve and uphold the wellbeing of children and their families.

  Services that are available to everyone help with this. For more local information go to: GIRFEC

• 2. Providing good quality timely responses to the needs of children and young people at risk of abuse and neglect so that they are protected and kept safe.

  SPPC’s work concentrates on this aspect of safeguarding. Detailed information about the work done by SPPC each year is published in its annual report.

• 3. Meeting the needs of children and young people who have experienced abuse and neglect to help them recover from those adverse experiences.

  There are services available to help with this, as well as more targeted or specialist services to meet particular needs. Each child or young person will have their own plan setting out the support they need and how it will be provided.