Child protection
Children's services has a responsibility to
safeguard and promote the welfare and safety of children in need.
To do this, children's services aims to work with parents and
families in the best interests of the children by listening to
their views when making decisions.
Where we believe that a young person or child
appears to be at risk of harm, we have a duty by law to investigate
their situation. We talk to the child or young person, their family
and all of those agencies who are directly involved.
In some situations where a crime may have been
committed we will also involve the police. If the assessment
indicates that the child is at risk of harm – this can be physical,
emotional, sexual or neglect – a child protection case conference
may be called. This is a meeting of all key agencies involved with
the child, the key family members and the child where
appropriate.
The child protection plan
The case conference can decide whether a child
needs to have a child protection plan. The plan sets out what
action needs to be taken by all the agencies and the family to meet
the child's needs and reduce the areas of risk and concern. The
family and the agencies meet together on a regular basis to look at
how the plan is progressing.
Most children with a child protection plan
remain at home with their families and, with the support from
children's services, the difficulties are dealt with and the child
ceases to have a child protection plan. A meeting of all the family
members can be arranged - called a family group conference -
to help the family identify extended family members who can help in
keeping the child safe and meeting their needs.
It is only when there are great difficulties
and the child's needs cannot be met by their family, that
children's services needs to arrange for them to stay elsewhere.
When this happens, we will always look for alternative carers
within the family.
Are you worried a child is at risk?
If you are concerned that a child or young
person is being harmed through abuse or neglect you should contact
the children's services advice and assessment team on 020 7364
5006.
Alternatively you can speak to a police
officer, teacher, health visitor, doctor or the NSPCC.
How to contact us
Child protection and reviewing
Mulberry Place
5 Clove Crescent
London
E14 1BY
Tel: 020 7364 5006