Since the death of Victoria Climbie in 2000, guidance was created and has since evolved emphasising effective communication by medical staff with other agencies. An intercollegiate document was also published in 2010, entitled Safeguarding Children and Young People: Roles and Competencies for Health Care Staff (Royal College of Nursing, 2019) which continues to be updated.
Research by the Department of Education has increased awareness of a 'toxic trio' of parental factors common to 75% of cases involving childhood death or severe injury due to abuse, the three key factors being domestic and Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews have since continued to highlight the increased risk associated where these factors occur within the family. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 ensures that children in families where domestic abuse is occurring are victims in their own right and require safeguarding.
In their report writing, psychiatrists have to consider diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in the light of parenting availability and potential scenarios, where there would be risk to children. Furthermore, legal processes for child protection emphasise collaborate working more than usual judicial processes.
This module aims to equip you with the skills and knowledge required to identify, present solutions for and work effectively with children at risk.
Learning objectives:
By the end of this module, you should:
- have gained an understanding of the current legislative processes for child protection, including timescales for reports and meetings
- have a knowledge of the vulnerability factors for children at risk, based on current evidence
- be well equipped to attend a strategy meeting and complete a safeguarding referral
- be able to present salient and defensible information and opinions at a child protection case conference, whilst maintaining a working relationship with your patient and/or carer
- be able to discuss how to prevent risks to children in the context of adults with mental illness, personality disorder, intellectual disability and substance misuse (as well as other habit disorders).
Availability
This module is available as part of a CPD eLearning subscription.
