Services for children, young people and families

Child Protection

Children's Social Services has a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare and safety of children in need in Westminster. We aim to work with families where possible in order to do this.

Safeguarding children and young people - Child Protection

All organisations and professionals have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare and safety of children and young people.The Westminster Local Safeguarding Children Board is responsible for coordinating the work of these organisations, and monitoring whether they are carrying out these duties effectively. Westminster LSCB is chaired by Terry Bamford, who can be contacted via the Safeguarding and Quality Service, 1st Floor,4, Frampton Street, NW88ZZ The Children, Young People and Families Department works with children and families referred to them who are at risk of actual or potential harm.

Social Workers become involvement in Child Protection

Social workers receive information (referrals) from other professionals and the public if they are concerned that a child is being harmed or are at risk of being harmed. Social workers then have a duty by law to investigate the situation or circumstances that have led to the referral. We will complete an assessment/ child protection investigation and talk to the child or young person, family members and visit the family home.  We will also contact all agencies that are directly involved with the child and ask them for information about the child's welfare. In some situations we will also involve the police who also have a duty to investigate circumstances where it is believed a child has been harmed.

There are a number of categories of harm that social workers investigate and these can include:

• Physical
• Emotional
• Sexual abuse and/ or neglect
• Children witnessing domestic violence

Children with a Child Protection Plan

Most children who are the subject of a Child Protection Plan remain at home with their families and, with the support from children's services, the difficulties are dealt with and the child's situation improves and their name is removed from the register.

 If you are concerned that a child or young person is being harmed through abuse or neglect you should contact the Children, Young People and Families Duty and Assessment team or seek advice from Child Protection Advisors in the Safeguarding and Quality Service .

City Of Westminster Child Protection Advisors - 0207 641 5395

City of Westminster - Children,Young People and Families Services Duty and Assessment Team Tel: 0207 641 7560

What is a Child Protection Conference?

If the assessment indicates that the child is at risk of harm a child protection case conference may be called. This is a meeting attended by the parents of the child and all key agencies involved with the child. The child normally does not attend, however the social worker will have spoken to the child prior to the conference and will present their views. The aim of the case conference is to agree whether a child has suffered harm/ is likely to suffer harm in the future and to agree a child protection plan which sets out what action need to be taken by all the agencies and the family to meet the child's needs and reduce the areas of risk and concern. The case conference can also decide to place the child on the Child Protection Register. This is a confidential list held by all local authorities of children about whom there are child protection concerns.

Most children on the child protection register remain at home with their families and, with the support from children's services, the difficulties are dealt with and the child's situation improves and their name is removed from the register.

What if problems cannot be resolved?

It is only when there are great difficulties/ or improvements to the child's welfare are not made by family members/ the child's needs cannot be met by their family, that social services needs to arrange for them to stay elsewhere. When this happens, we will always look for alternative carers within the family.

Contacts

If you are concerned that a child or young person is being harmed through abuse or neglect you should contact the social services assessment team on:

0207 641 7525

For Professionals: The following information on statutory guidance regarding child protection is available here:

All London Child Protection Procedures

What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused

For advice on child protection issues you can also contact the Child Protection Unit and speak to a child protection advisor on: 0207 641 7668

For parents: A suport service exists for parents whose child is subject of a Child Protection Plan or who is currently being assessed. If you require independent support you can contact the Family Rights Group.

The Family Rights Group
They organisation offers independent advice where children are the subjects of a child protection investigation or conference. Advice, information and advocacy to families involved with social services departments.

Freephone 0800 731 1696 Mon-Fri 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Web: www.frg.org.uk/

Children & Young People 

If someone is hurting you and you want help you can contact the Duty and Assessment team on 0207 641 7560 and speak to a social worker. Alternatively you can speak to a police officer, teacher, health visitor, doctor.

"What to do if you are worried a child is being abused" - this booklet gives guidance for people working with children about what to do if they are worried about the safety or welfare of a child/ young person. ( DCSF 2006)

NSPCC

NSPCC run a confidential child protection helpline. Children and Young People can call them if they are suffering from abuse and need to talk to someone or report it.

Helpline: 0808 800 5000

Web: www.nspcc.org.uk