Child Abuse
Child protection is defined as process under which individual child is protected either from suffering of any harm or likely to suffer from any significant harm because of abuse and neglect. This process also includes measures and structures which are designed for the purpose of responding and preventing the abuse and neglect. Generally, abuse related to child include commission of any act or omission of any act which cause significant harm to the Child and abuse is divided into four parts that is physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect.
However, it must be noted that children’s have right to get protection against any kind of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence, and there are number of organizations which have statutory duty to give protection to the children and also promote the welfare of children and young people. Any concept related to this requires collaboration of multi agencies, and also the recognition of well-being of child (RCPCH, 2016).
In United Kingdom there are four nations that are England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and they frame their own system related to child protection and laws for the purpose of protecting the children against any kind of abuse and neglect. Each nation defines the framework related to legislation, guidance, and practice for the purpose of identifying those children’s who are at risk of harm, and also take action to give protection to those children’s and prevent them from further abusing. Maximum policies and laws related to education, health, and social welfare covers aspects related to safeguarding and child protection.
These laws are passed for the purpose of preventing behavior which causes significant harm to the children, and also for conducting action to protect the children’s. Guidance states the directions for organizations for protecting the children’s. System related to child protection is different in each nation but they are based on similar process (NSPCC, 2017). In this paper, different concept related to law and policy related to child protection in comparison with Finland is stated. Subsequently this paper is concluded with brief conclusion.
Any kind of abuse and neglect against child are the forms of maltreatment of Child, and it must be noted that this maltreatment can be direct or indirect such as someone directly causes harm to the child or indirectly omit any act which cause harm to the child. It must be noted that Children may be abused at any place either in family or at any other place such as in any institution or community. Abuser can be any one some family member, stranger or any other children (NSPCC, 2017).
Identifying the child abuse is not an easy task, and generally child abuse is divided in five categories which are stated below:
Physical abuse: this kind of abuse involve hitting the child, shaking the child, throwing, poisoning or burning, scalding, etc., or otherwise cause any other harm of physical nature to the child or fail to protect any child from that harm. Physical harm also is considered when parents or caretakers ignore the symptoms of any abuse or induces a child in illness.
Main Causes of Child Abuse
Emotional abuse: this kind of abuse is considered as emotional maltreatment of a child such as adversely affect the child’s emotional development such as convincing the child that he/she is useless, inadequate, etc. or make them believe that they are good for nothing.
Sexual abuse: this kind of abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or any young person to participate in sexual activities such as prostitution, and no matter child is aware about such activities or not. This includes both contact activities and non-contact activities.
Neglect: Neglect is occurred when parents or caretakers commit continuous failure to meet the basic needs of the child such as physical needs of the child and psychological needs of the child which cause serious impairment on the health and development of Child. Neglect may also occur at the time of pregnancy which results in maternal substance abuse. After the birth of child, neglect occur when parents fail to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, and it also includes abandonment an fail to protect the child from any physical or emotional harm or danger.
Bullying: this kind of abuse is defined as hurtful behavior which was continuously done from period of time, and it is difficult for child to defend himself against the bullies. Generally, bullying can be done in various forms, but mainly there are three types of bullies that is physical which includes hitting / kicking / theft, verbal which includes remarks which are racist or homophobic, and emotional which includes isolating an individual from the activities (NSPCC, 2009).
Generally, the most important reasons of child abuse are domestic violence and substance abuse, and it must be noted that children who are living in those houses where violence is occurred on continuous basis then usually children’s also become victim of such violence. As per one research, almost 12% of children under the age of 11, 17.5% children are under the age of 11-17, and 23% children under the age of 18-24 had been suffered to domestic violence between the adults. Research further stated that almost 3.2% of the children under the age of 11, 2.5% children are under the age of 11-17 reported exposure to domestic violence in the last year. Male adults are the main perpetrators of domestic violence, and study shows that in 93.8% of cases one parent beat the other parent (NSPCC, n.d.).
Other main cause of child abuse is substance abuse. As per one report, almost 70% maltreatment to child is caused because of drugs or alcohol. Kids who are under the age of five are mostly the victims of child abuse or neglect, which result in increasing growing population of foster children. There are some other causes also which are defined below:
Physical effects: the most common and obvious effect of child abuse is physical injury occur to the child, and as per one organization physical injuries can be of two types that is minor which includes bruises or scars and the major which includes broken bones or even death. It must be noted that these pain and sufferings leave emotional scars also.
However, number of times abuse cause lasting and recurring health problems such as shaken baby syndrome or incomplete brain development. Generally, abused children’s badly affect with the injuries which mainly affect the important parts of the brain which are still developing and also cause problem for long term to cognitive, language and academic abilities. As per the report published by CWIG, adults suffered from physical disabilities such as arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, high blood pressure and ulcers if they suffer from abuse or neglect during childhood (Londoncp, n.d.).
Psychological effects: those kids who suffer abuse generally feel isolated, fearful, and untrusting, and these effects remain for lifetime which also includes low self-esteem and difficulties in relationship. As per one Report, almost 80 % young adults who suffered abuse in their childhood were found with the psychiatric disorder at age 21 which includes depression, anxiety, eating disorders and suicide. There are some other conditions also which are accompanied with abuse and these conditions are panic disorder, dissociative disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and reactive attachment disorder.
Behavioral effects: as per one report, abused and neglected kids suffer various problems such as delinquency, teen pregnancy and teen drug use, and they are mostly arrested for criminal behavior also (Stern, 2015).
There are number of cases under which child faces different types of violence, exploitation, and abuse. It is necessary to conduct changes in the policies, laws, and services for the purpose of improving protection of Children in different ways. In UK, various organizations work together with the government on number of issues for the purpose of strengthening the child protection systems, and also for promoting social norms in this context. In United Kingdom, child protection system was reviewed after the death of Victoria ClimbiÈ. However, child protection activity is the work which must be done collectively by the police and social worker for the purpose of responding to child abuse. The relationship between police and social worker needs to be analyzed because of some specific issues in context of child protection (Parton, 2010).
There are different charity organizations which are established for assisting or care those who are vulnerable and in this context vulnerable mean those children or young people who are under the age of 18 years. Generally, trustees of Charity organizations are responsible for ensuring that those who get benefit from charity or work with any charity must not be harmed in any way. It is their legal duty to act prudently which means that they must take reasonable actions within their power to ensure that no one who is under their contact get harmed. It is important that beneficiaries must be vulnerable persons or children’s in the community. Trustees and workers of these organizations are also responsible to identify the relevant law and how it applied in each and every case (Gov.UK, 2014).
Children’s have right to get protected from violence, exploitation, and abuse. Millions of children worldwide suffering from violence, exploitation, and abuse every day and these children’s are belong from all ages, religions and cultures. Some boys and girls are considered as particularly vulnerable because of gender, race, and origin or socio economic status. Vulnerability is usually associated with those children’s who are disabled, orphaned, and indigenous, from ethnic minorities, and other marginalized groups. Other risks for children’s are associated with living and working on the streets or living in institutions and detentions. Natural disasters and conflict related to armed forces are also result in additional risks to children.
However, it must be noted that violence and abuse are often practiced by someone who is known to the child including his parents, family members, caretakers, teachers, employers, etc., and very few cases are reported and investigated. Generally, violence and abuse against child are occurred in homes, families, schools, care and justice system, and at many other places. Various evidences are present which shows that violence and abuse not only physically hurt the child but it also affect the mental health of child, and also affect their adulthood and entire life adversely (UNICEF, 2011).
Number of laws and policies are introduced in UK for the purpose of providing protection to the Child and ensuring basic rights of the child in both the areas which are under the entitlement of government such as education and in area in which still government needs right to ensure protection of child such as in Criminal Justice.
As stated above in UK there are four nations in which English law prevails and these nations are Great Britain and Northern Ireland, England and Wales. The common law in England and wales stated that responsibility related to child is lie on their parents and guardian by the law of nature, and on the Crown as well as parents patriae. There are number of legislations which affect the rights of children are in number of areas. The most substantive piece affecting the children’s and their basic rights for the purpose of giving safe and secure environment is the Children Act 1989. This Act introduces the responsibility of parents rather than concept of custody introduced by common law. Responsibility of parents is defined as all the rights, liabilities, powers, duties, and authority which are imposed by law on parents of the child in relation to the child and his property (Library of Congress, 2015).
In England and wales, majority ages for children’s are different and various rules related to age of children’s are stated for the purpose of distinguishing the different ages children for different purposes such as age of majority lies between the 16 years under which schools is not mandatory to the age of 18 years under which individual gets voting rights. Large numbers of laws provide the child rights, and some of them were particularly enacted for the purpose of protecting the children and other acts contain very few sections which deal with child protection. Some legislation provides rights to the children in the area of education, medicine, employment, and justice system. Volume and complexity of these laws provide various important legislations which deals with the child protection. United Kingdom also participates in various treaties which directly or indirectly ensuring child protection, and some these treaties are United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child, United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child, European Convention on the Adoption of Children, European Convention on the Legal Status of Children born out of Wedlock, Convention Against Discrimination in Education, Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor, Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, etc.
As stated above, after the death of eight-year old Victoria Climbié in 2000, new legislation was introduced for the purpose of improving Child protection system in England and this inquiry results in the introduction of Children Act 2004 (Bilson & Martin, 2016).
There is one framework which contributes in children’s protection, and that framework is known as Common Assessment Framework (CAF). As per this framework standardized approach was set up for assessing the needs of children which is generally used by frontline practitioners across the country. This approach considers the parent’s conduct, caretakers, and other factors related to environment on development of children for the purpose of making assessment how needs of children are met. It must be noted that common assessment can be done at any time such as on unborn babies, new babies, children’s or young people. This approach is usually designed to use when concern related to wellness of child and young people is developing, needs of the children or young people are not clear, and common assessment is required for the purpose of identifying the needs of children and also state the basis for the purpose of involving other services as well. It must be noted that there is no need for professionals to complete the CAF before making the referral of child protection. In case professionals have reasons to believe that child is suffering from harm or at risk of harm, then it is necessary that they should take immediate acion as per the procedure stated by LSCB (UK Parliament, 2013).
Reference of case to Social care:
Referrals made to the police and NSPCCC are transferred to team of local authority indulged in protection of child. Once team gets the referral then such referral must be decided within the period of single working day such as what action must be taken by the team. This period is the only deadline which is stated in the revised section of Working Together guidance. This is for the purpose of deciding that child is not suffering any harm and not at risk and no further action is necessary. It must be noted that case can be transferred to other agencies also if it seems appropriate.
On alternate basis this team can also decide that there is any need to set further process for the purpose of gathering more information. Firstly, initial assessment is done by the team under the current guidance and this action must be taken within the 10 working days of the referral, but this requirement is not stated under the new revised draft guidance. In case initial assessment shows that child is suffered from abuse and neglect or is at risk of suffering significant harm, then a strategy discussion is held for the purpose of deciding whether inquiry under section 47 is initiated or not. This inquiry is conducted through the core assessment by the officer of child protection that is Social worker and must be completed as per the provisions of current guidance within the 35 working days. This process involves various steps such as collecting more information from child, parents, family members and other professionals also for the purpose of determining whether child is in need or at risk of continuing harm. During the period of both processes, it is the duty of social worker to arrange the meets for assessment and collects more information about the case from the child and family members and also discusses the matter with other professionals who know the family including teachers, health visitors, police and doctors. In case concerns are upheld under the enquiry conducted under section 47, then it is the duty of local authority to take measures for ensuring protection of the child. Local authority fulfills this duty by making the drawing the child protection plan which not only contains the provisions about the care but also includes provisions for monitoring of that child. If authority founds that child is at continuous risk and local authority will also make plans for removing the child from their family (British Council, n.d.; Holland, 2011).
Finland enacts a new Child Welfare Act and this act came into force on 1st January 2008. The earlier act from 1983 was considered as less applicable law because it does not stated any instructions for the authority such as when or how to intervene. There was strong need to have that law which instructs the local authorities how to carry on services related to child welfare, give instructions to the workers how to carried child protection, and also state various instructions to the clients and officials to act more precisely related to the rights and duties on issues of child protection (TCJ, 2008). The Act was reformed as part of a program of extensive development for the purpose of ensuring child welfare, and this was conducted by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. New Act imposed different new obligations on authorities, and this Act also state the statutory duties and new measures for the purpose of ensuring child protection. The main principles of Child welfare Act and child protection work are stated below:
- Effective intervention of local authorities at earlier stage.
- It states the Systematic nature of the work, which means make plans for everything and at every level.
- Way of working which is oriented by target.
- Equality for all clients without concerning their age, sex, origin, language, religion, etc.
- The right timing for all interventions and measures taken by authorities.
The cooperation of all the municipal authorities in child protection system is important, because work or they are strongly emphasised. Responsibilities of local authority are stated under the Act, and improving the rights of the child and parents in decision making process is also stated by the Act (OECD, 2000).
A UK national stays in Finland named as Stephen stated that he lived in Finland from last 15 years, and lives with his family in Southwest. He further stated that child protection system of Finland treated him unfairly and targeted his on the basis of anonymously report that his children’s face physical violence. Interview of children’s was conducted various times and that interview stated that allegations were not true and they were false. After fought the 3 year battle with local authority, all the allegations made on the Stephen was proved untrue (Yle, n.d.).
Local agencies including police and health services are also liable under section 11 of the Children Act 2004 for the purpose of ensuring the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children while conducting their functions. Under section 10 of this Act, similar range of agencies is required for cooperating with local authorities for promoting the well-being of children in every local authority area. Therefore, this cooperation must be exists at all the levels of the authority such as from strategic level to operational delivery. Those peoples who are working with these organizations are also under responsibility for ensuring that they fulfill their role and responsibilities in consistent manner with the statutory duties of their employer.
Every person who is working with the children such as teachers, GPs, nurses, midwives, health visitors, early years professionals, youth workers, police, voluntary and community workers and social workers are responsible to ensuring the safety of children’s. This framework is created because it is not possible for single professional to draw complete picture of the need of the child and circumstances of the case. It must be noted that for the purpose providing right help at right time to the children and their family, it is necessary that anyone who comes into contact with them play role for identifying concerns, share information, and take correct action (Gov. Uk, 2015).
It is necessary that organizations and practitioners collaborate effectively, and every individual who is working with these organizations must understand their role that they have to play and role of other professionals also. Effective safeguarding also requires local arrangements which are clear for the purpose of collaborating between professionals and agencies.
As stated above, professional with concerns related to child welfare must make a referral to local authority’s children’s social care. Professionals must also take measures if they are satisfied with the response of local authority. Working together policy guidelines sets out key roles for individual organizations and also key elements for local authorities for safeguarding the children’s. It is important to promote these arrangements at local level, for the purpose stated below:
- For getting strong led from local authority members and strong commitment from the chief officers in all agencies, especially from the Director of Children’s Services and also from lead Member for Children’s Services in each local authority.
- For getting effective coordination and challenge by the LSCBs in each area (NSPCC, 2017; Miller & Byrne, 2009).
Social worker conducts their activities within the framework of legislation and government policy relating to children, families, and adults, and they are also abide by codes of practice of General Social Care Council’s. It must be noted that legislation related to adult social care is subject for review by the Law Commission in England and Wales.
Social workers are under the duty to identify the situations where they are registered, and if any issue is identified ten intervention may be occur either on preventive basis or on statutory basis such as in those situations when vulnerable adults need safeguarding from abuse, child or adult could cause significant harm to themselves, and there is serious issues in the family, and there are no caretakers and parents for looking after their children (Holland & Scourfield, 2015).
Therefore, it is clear that social work encourages the creative ways for the purpose of resolving the challenges and aims to promote empowerment (Brody, 2010).
Challenges in Multi-Agency Working:
There are various challenges which are faced by social workers while conducting their activities in multi-agency working, and some of these challenges and issues are stated below:
- Funding issues related to sustainability, such as conflicts related to funding between the various agencies, and generally there is lack of funding for training and development work.
- Time is very limited for response to these issues and list down the priorities and because of multi-agency working there is always time chaos.
- Communication is another issue, because there is lack of clear communication between the agencies which ultimately raise the confusions (Gillen, 2011).
Conclusion:
In this paper, various legislation and policies of both government and different communities are stated. In this legislation related to child protection in UK are compared with the legislation of Finland, which state that framework related to child protection is more advanced in UK. Further different Acts related to child protection is stated, and various policies also such as working together policy, section 47, etc. this paper also states the role of social worker and challenges in multi-agency working. Therefore, it is clear that various laws and authorities are responsible for ensuring child protection in UK.
References:
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