Enhancing child protection

29th January 2013

Vulnerable children will benefit from improved support from local services, following updated guidance from the Scottish Government.

To further support practice the Scottish Government has recently completed work on three manifesto commitments on child protection. The National Framework for child protection learning and development, the Risk Assessment Framework and Child Protection Guidance for Health professionals.

Minister for Children and Young People Aileen Campbell said:“Ensuring protection is in place for all children or young people at risk from neglect or harm is vitally important. The completion of these commitments reflect the Scottish Government's distinctive and strong commitment to working in partnership with practitioners across the child protection sector to best support local practice.

“These documents reflect the principles of Getting It Right For Every Child and an approach that puts the child at the centre by ensuring that children who may be at risk are identified earlier. Those working with children need the right skills and a clear understanding of the different roles and responsibilities right across local services.

“The publication of these resources will play a significant role in ensuring that services deliver a consistently high standard of support to our most vulnerable children and young people across Scotland.”

Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson said:“Health professionals play a vital role in identifying and supporting children and young people at risk.

“It is often a health professional who will have the first contact with such children or young people and I am pleased that we are able to support our professionals with a practical resource to provide guidance on how to approach this important responsibility.”

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring protection is in place for all children at risk of any type of abuse or neglect. National Child Protection Guidance published in 2010, sets out expectations for all those working with children and young people regarding identifying and acting on child protection concerns.