Child Protection in Scotland

Child Protection in Scotland

If you would like to learn more about Child Protection in Scotland, this section is for you. In Scotland, Child Protection is a where adults for organisation like, Orkney Islands Council, Police Scotland and NHS Orkney work together to keep children in Orkney safe, happy and healthy. Safe means, being protected from or not exposed to risk of danger, actual danger or being harmed.

You can learn more about Child Protection by reading a helpful guide for Children and Young people, Parents and Carers which you can read here.

All children and young people under 18 have the right to be safe and protected. That’s everyone from unborn babies right up until the night before someone’s 18th birthday.

The Promise

In Scotland The Promise came from the Independent Care Review of 2017. The aim of the promise is to ensure Scotland’s Children and Young People grow up loved, safe and respected, with the support to realise their full potential.

As part of The Promise Scotland has a Promise Plan 2024-30 which you can learn more about below.

What is the Promise Plan 2024-2030?

Signs to be concerned about a child

There are some examples of things that may cause you concern for a child, a few examples are:

• Not getting enough food to eat.
• Not regularly attending school or nursery.
  Wearing dirty clothes or looking unkempt.
• Showing signs of physical injury, such as bruises, scalds or burn marks.
• Drinking alcohol, using drugs or other harmful substances.
• Being afraid or reluctant to go home.
• Appearing unusually withdrawn and socially isolated.
• Being left unsupervised for unsafe periods or having inappropriate caring duties for their siblings or parents because their parents/carers are ill, sick or hungover.

Signs to be concerned about in a parent/carer:

• Behaving in a sexually inappropriate way towards a child.
• Mis-using drugs or alcohol while caring for a child.
• Being physically or verbally aggressive towards a child.
• Regularly shouting or screaming at, criticising, humiliating or ignoring a child.

What should you do if you are worried about a child?

If you have concerns about the safety or welfare of a child or young person, it is important to listen to your instincts, they are rarely wrong.

• Discuss your concerns with a professional, such as a teacher, doctor, health visitor or social worker.
• Contact Orkney Health and Care Children and Families Services on 01856873535 extension 3342
• If your concern is an emergency and occurs out with office hours, please phone 01856888000.

What will happen when I tell someone?

When you contact Children and Families Services they will listen to your concerns. A worker will see if the child and family are currently receiving support, and if not, may contact the family to see if help is required.

If the allegation is serious, a child protection investigation may be carried out jointly with the police. In most cases, support will be provided to the family and the child will continue to live at home. In a few extremely serious cases, the child may be removed to a place of safety to stop them from being abused or neglected.

The NSPCC helpline (08088005000) is for anyone worried about a child. A trained helpline counsellor can offer help, advice and support 24/7.