Child Protection

Child Protection is the term given to specific aspects of safeguarding practice which are concerned with ensuring children are free for the risks of significant harm.  Significant harm is defined as:

  • Neglect (this having an impact on their care, well-being, supervision, growth, education, etc.)
  • Physical Abuse
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Sexual Abuse, including exploitation
  • Fabricated or Induced illness
  • Domestic Violence
  • Radicalisation and Extremism (grooming for terrorist or other anti-social activity)

The school will take steps to determine how individual or groups of children (a family, for example) may be being affected by the above and in doing so we may refer our concerns to Children’s Services.  It is a statutory for the school to act in this way and we will always act in the best interests of the children while wanting, at the same, to maintain a positive relationships with parents.   It is our aim that parents should be supported in providing adequate or better care for their children.

Referrals to Children’s Services

Where the school feels that a child’s care, well-being or safety is at risk from any of the above, the school will refer the matter to Manchester City Council’s Children’s Services department. The school may talk to parents in the first instance but is not obliged to do so.  Anyone, including parents, family members, friends and neighbours can refer their concerns about the safety or well-being of a child to Children’s Services.

The number to call in Manchester is 0161 234 5001

In referring a concern to Children’s Services, you will need to have available:

  • the child’s name or address
  • your contact details (although you can refer anonymously)
  • details of your concerns and observations

The trained contact officer will then determine the best way forward and may refer the case as a referral to Children’s Services.  A social worker may then be appointed to the case to investigate the reported concerns.

   
Translate ยป