I commit to ensuring that Occupational Therapy Edinburgh;
- Provides a safe environment for children (birth to 16) and vulnerable adults
- Identifies children and adults who are or may become vulnerable who are suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm, and ensures they are kept safe.
- Safeguards children and adults from being drawn into committing terrorist-related activity.
POLICY STATEMENT
Occupational Therapy Edinburgh has a statutory and moral duty to ensure that the service(s) function with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who are or may become vulnerable and who receive support and training through this service.
It is recognised that some adults are also vulnerable to abuse, accordingly, the procedures may be applied (with appropriate adaptations) to allegations of abuse and the protection of vulnerable adults. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is a broader term than child protection. It includes protecting children from maltreatment, preventing impairment of health or development and ensures children can grow up in safe circumstances.
Child protection is part of Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) – our national approach to improving outcomes and supporting the wellbeing of children and young people.
Relevant law
There are many different legal frameworks which are in place to safeguard children in the UK and Scotland. Some of the key legal frameworks are:
- The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is an international human rights treaty which the United Kingdom has ratified. The UNCRC sets out the fundamental rights of children. Many articles within the treaty will be applicable to any organisation which works with or provides services for children. For example, the treaty sets out the right of children to be protected from exploitation, abuse and cruel treatment.
- The government in Scotland issued National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland (2021), which sets out the responsibilities of those who are involved in protecting children and provides guidance for all practitioners who support children.
- The Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 sets out rules for organisations where employees, workers or volunteers are involved in regulated activities with children in Scotland.
- The Children (Scotland) Act 1995, the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 form statutory footing for child protection and child welfare matters in Scotland.
Definition of abuse
Occupational Therapy Edinburgh recognises the following as definitions of abuse: “Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons. Abuse may consist of a single act or repeated acts. It may be physical, verbal or psychological, it may be an act of neglect or an omission to act or it may occur when a young person or vulnerable adult is persuaded to enter into a financial or sexual transaction to which he or she has not consented or cannot consent. Abuse can happen in any relationship and may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of, the person subjected to it” taken from guidance document ‘Working Together to Safeguard Young People’ DFE-00195-2018 latest update published 21st February 2019.
It is every young person and adult’s right to live free from abuse in accordance with the principles of respect, dignity, autonomy, privacy and equity. This could include young people and adults with learning disabilities, mental health problems, and people with a physical disability or impairment. Their need for additional support to protect themselves may be increased when complicated by additional factors, such as domestic violence, physical attention to physical signs or displaying certain actions / gestures. This may be their only means of communication. It is important for staff to be alert to these signs and to consider what they might mean. It is important that all staff are aware that safeguarding issues can manifest themselves via peer on peer abuse. This is most likely, but not limited to, bullying, gender based violence/sexual assaults and sexting.
Parental Involvement
I will contact parents/carers of children under the age of 18 to discuss any concerns about a child’s welfare with the family and, where possible, seek their agreement to making referrals to children’s social care, unless it is deemed that it may place the child at greater risk. Where I will keep the parent/carer informed of actions and progress.
Disclosure of Abuse
If a disclosure is made or abuse is suspected I will;
- Listen carefully to what is being said and properly understood.
- Reassure the individual concerned that s/he has done the right thing
- Explain to the individual who has disclosed that the information must be passed on but only to those who need to know about it.
- Note the main points promptly and carefully
Procedure for Reporting Concerns:
- Phone: NSPCC 0808 800 5000 for a discussion about concerns. The NSPCC can give help, advice and support.
- Report to Police Scotland 101
- In emergency situations call 999
