• Introduction
• What is child abuse?
• What might make you worry?
• Do's and Don'ts
• What happens next?
• Out of hours service

Other Links

• Telephone numbers and local offices
• Map of Social Services Localities

Introduction

Members of the public, parents or relations sometimes become concerned about children in their community, family or children in other families that they know.

This page explains some of the possible signs of child abuse and advises those involved about what action should be taken to protect children.

It is important to discuss concerns and seek advice from a local Social Services office (Children & Families section) or Registration Officer if your concern is about abuse or suspected abuse in a privately run organization. Parents may also wish to make a direct contact with the social worker, if one is already known to them.

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What is child abuse?

There are many different types of child abuse and many ways in which abuse can occur. It can happen to children at any stage of development from birth until they are able to act independently. In law, young people are children up to their 18th birthday.

The main forms of abuse are:

• Physical abuse - Where a child is physically hurt, injured or killed. This can involve hitting, shaking, squeezing, burning and biting. It also includes giving a child poisonous substances, inappropriate drugs and alcohol, and attempted suffocation or drowning. In some cases, excessive force may be used when feeding, or changing a child's nappy.
• Sexual Abuse - Where children (girls and boys) are sexually abused by adults or other children who use them to meet their own sexual needs. This might be sexual intercourse, and also includes fondling, masturbation, oral sex, anal intercourse, and exposing children to pornographic material - including videos.
• Neglect - Where parents or carers fail to meet the basic and essential needs of their children, to have food, clothes, warmth and medical care. Leaving children alone and unsupervised is also an example of neglect. Parents refusing to give love and affection to their children is an example of emotional neglect.
• Emotional abuse - Where constant lack of love and affection, or threats, verbal attacks, taunting and shouting can lead to a loss of confidence and self esteem, making a child become nervous and withdrawn.

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What might make you worry?

• Is the child doing something that is unusual for the child?
• Is the child over-friendly with strangers?
• Do you recognise any or some of these behaviours in the child?
• frequent mood changes
• unusual eating patterns, i.e. always hungry
• change in appearance
• quiet and withdrawn, a loner
• never wants to go home
• tired looking
• seductive behaviour
• frequent bruises (particularly on fleshy parts)
• gives the impression of being unloved and unhappy.

What about the parents?

The child's parents could well be trying to attract attention to themselves by an initial cry for help.

In instances of abuse, both the child and the parents need help. Some parents are very relieved to know that their problem has been recognised. Others, unfortunately, may deny that a problem exists or become elusive if they feel that they are under suspicion.

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Do's and Don'ts

Remember that children are vulnerable individuals who do not always communicate their anxieties or concerns in 'usual' ways. This is particularly important if a child has special needs or disabilities.

If you suspect child abuse:

• Do realise that your concerns could be significant and should be passed on. Tell Social Services of your concerns, but try not to be 'over-dramatic'.
• Don't examine the child
• Don't ask leading questions - allow the child to tell their own story.

If a child tells you something has happened:

• Do allow the child to do the talking.
• Do listen - take the child seriously.
• Do remain calm and caring.
• Do allow the child to finish.
• Do record the conversation as soon as possible afterwards (it is very important to use the child's own words).
• Do share your concerns with a Social Worker - you are not expected to handle it alone.
• Do tell the child what you are going to do.

• Don't postpone or delay the opportunity to listen.
• Don't ask leading questions.
• Don't allow your own feelings (such as anger, pity or shock) to surface.
• Don't make false promises (that you will keep 'the secret', for example)
• Don't interpret what you have been told, just record it.  

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What happens next?

If there is a reason to suspect child abuse, or if there are causes for concern, one of the following agencies should be contacted: Social Services, Health, Education or Police.

You may discuss your concerns about the health and welfare of a child with a health visitor. However, if have the least suspicion that a child is at risk of abuse you should contact Social Services immediately. There is a social worker on duty both during and after office hours.

Local Authority Social Services Departments have a statutory responsibility to investigate reports of children who are at risk of significant harm.

Your concern and involvement will be treated in confidence.

Who is involved?

In Devon, the Social Services Directorate, Health Authorities, Education and Probation Departments and Police, along with other agencies, have together agreed procedures to be followed in the case of actual or suspected child abuse.

What happens in an emergency?

Often help can be given to the family without resorting to legal action. In certain circumstances, it is necessary to protect the child by way of removal from it's family. This step cannot be taken without adequate evidence and no social worker may remove a child from the care of their parents without obtaining an Order from a court. In certain circumstances, a police officer may remove a child without recourse to a court or magistrate when acting in the child's best interests in order to afford protection.

Is the information offered confidential?

Confidentiality raises problems for all who are concerned with situations involving child protection and every effort is made to handle information discreetly. However, if a complaint is made about a child who may be at risk, Devon Social Services must ensure that a thorough investigation into the child's situation takes place at once. In exceptional circumstances the evidence of an individual may be required in a court of law.

The name of any person expressing concern can be kept confidential, but parents may find out the identity of the source of the referral from the information supplied.

Some parents may be very angry about the intervention but, if there is a conflict of interests, the need to protect the child must come first.

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Out of hours service

Social Services has an Emergency Duty Service which offers an emergency crisis service for matters which cannot wait until the local office opens. They operate from Monday to Thursday - 5 pm to 9 am, Friday - 4 pm to 9 am and also at weekends and Bank Holidays.

• Tel. 0845 6000388 (low-call rate)

(This page is based on Leaflet Ref.21.)