Child Protection
Child protection (Access and Assessment and Children In Need Services) involves taking steps to safeguard vulnerable children and young people at risk or suffering from physical, emotional or sexual abuse. In Hackney, child protection work is done by the teams in the Access and Assessment Service and Children In Need Service.
This information provides simple guidance about children who may need protection from harm. Contact Social Services if you are worried about any child's welfare.
Signs of abuse
The following may help you decide whether a child's welfare is at risk of abuse, harm or neglect.
Signs which may suggest physical abuse
- any bruising to a baby - pre-walking stage
- multiple bruising to different parts of the body
- bruising of different colours indicating repeated injuries
- fingertip bruising to the chest, back, arms or legs
- burns of any shape or size
- an injury for which there is no adequate explanation
Signs of possible sexual abuse
- something a child has told you
- something a child has told someone else
- a child who shows worrying sexualised behaviour in their play or with other children
- a child who seems to have inappropriate sexual knowledge for their age
- a child who may be visiting or being looked after by a known or suspected sexual offender
Signs which may suggest emotional harm
The following signs may be present in children whose parents are over-critical and emotionally distant, or who are unable to meet their child's emotional needs:
- children whose behaviour is excessive. For example, excessive bedwetting, overeating, rocking, head banging
- children who self harm. For example, they may cut or scratch themselves or overdose
- children who attempt suicide
- children who persistently run away from home children who show high levels of anxiety, unhappiness or withdrawal
- children who usually seek out or avoid affection
Signs which may suggest neglect
- squalid, unhygienic or dangerous home conditions
- parents who fail to attend to their children's health or development needs
- children who appear persistently undersized or underweight
- children who continually appear tired or lacking in energy
- children who suffer frequent injuries due to lack of supervision
Positive ways of protecting children
Children need -
- to feel safe and secure
- health and happiness
- appropriate affection
- lots of smiles
- praise and encouragement
- to be able to talk to someone
- to be listened to
- new experiences
- respect for their feelings
- rewards and treats
What to do if you are worried
If you are unsure that a child may be suffering but are worried, or if you are concerned that a child has suffered harm, neglect or abuse, please contact Children and Families, Access and Assessment Team and see the Emergency Duty Team Protocol (PDF, 21KB).
If you are in any doubt as to the immediate safety of any child call 999
The City and Hackney Children's Safeguarding Board (CHCSB)
Everyone is responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Sharing information and practice across agencies helps protect children. The CHSCB is the designated multi-agency group with the authority to carry out this responsibility.
It works by -
- leading collaboration across the agencies
- developing and setting policies and procedures
- monitoring and auditing their implementation
- providing training
- promoting awareness in the wider community
The CHCSB meets regularly throughout the year, and is made up of representatives from:
- Social Services
- Education Services
- Health Services
- Probation Services
- Metropolitan Police
- Youth offending team
- Connexions
- Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service
What is the CHCSB responsible for?
- agreeing local policies and procedures to guide inter-agency child protection work
- improving local ways of working to achieve better outcomes for children
- undertaking reviews of cases where there is a concern about the effectiveness of services
- providing training and development programmes to help improve the quality of working together
- raising awareness of the need to safeguard children in the wider community
- to undertake work as outlined in the Business Plan
How do you find out more about the CHCSB?
If you would like to find out more about the CHCSB visit the City and Hackney Safeguarding Children's Board website.
Service Providers and Partners
- City and Hackney Safeguarding Children Board
- NHS City and Hackney
- London NHS FoundationTrust
- Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Police Child Abuse Investigation Team
- The Learning Trust
To see a list of other providers and partners who offer this service in Hackney see the Hackney Directory.
If you are concerned about a child or young person, follow this link to view our contact details: Children and Families, Access and Assessment Team
Page updated: 3 Feb 2012
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