If anyone has concerns that a child may be at risk of abuse they should contact the social work office in the area in which the child lives. Contact details are:
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Bo'ness: 01506 778668
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Camelon: 01324 501200
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Denny: 01324 504160
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Grahamston: 01324 506595
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Grangemouth: 01324 504343
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Laurieston: 01324 590300
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Stenhousemuir: 01324 503503
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Out of hours: 0845 277 7000
You can also contact the following numbers for information:
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Child Protection Information Line: 0800 022 3222
This information line will signpost you to the correct number and assist you in reporting abuse of a child. This is a National Government line in Scotland.
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Childline: 0800 1111
This is a national telephone number for all children to obtain confidential help and advice.
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Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111
This is a national telephone number to report all types of crime.
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NHS 24: 08455 424 2424
This is a national 24 hour health service.
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Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 027 1234
This is a signposting service and will direct you to the appropriate agency.
When you report your concern, unless the child is in immediate danger, we will make some initial enquiries, which may lead to immediate action or a more planned approach.
What happens next?
After we've carried out the initial enquiries, we will work with our partner agencies with one or more of the following outcomes:
Take immediate action to secure the safety of a child
If a child is thought to be at risk and more detailed information is required, police and social work will make contact and visit the family.
Within Forth Valley, the Police and Social Work Services work together to undertake an investigation. On some occasions only social work services will visit but this will have been discussed and agreed with the police.
Workers from both services are experienced and have been trained jointly. This ensures that Child Protection investigations are co-ordinated and consistent, without unnecessary delay and to make sure that support to the child is the main focus of the investigation.
Local Authorities have a duty to investigate the circumstances of any child under 16 years of age who may be in need of compulsory measures of supervision, unless they are satisfied that an enquiry is unnecessary. They are also required to give the Children's Reporter any information he/she requires about the child to decide if compulsory measures of supervision are necessary.
Provide a service to the child or family and, where necessary, referral to another agency
All child protection services aim to work in partnership with families to ensure that the best decisions are made for the child. It may be decided that a child and family need a range of support services from one or more of the statutory or voluntary agencies. This is to ensure that a child gets the help they need at the right time.
Referral to the Children's Reporter
If it is thought that compulsory measures of supervision are required, a child will be referred to the Reporter. In Falkirk current practice is that all children, who are the subject of joint investigation, are referred by the police to the Reporter.
The Children's Hearing System aims to protect the safety and welfare of young people and address their behaviour including offending.
Convene a formal meeting (a Child Protection Case Conference) to discuss the needs of the child and family.
A child protection case conference is a meeting to enable all professionals involved with a child to come together to share information. Families and children with sufficient maturity to participate are also present. Communicating effectively is absolutely essential in ensuring that childrens' needs are met. Open communication also ensure that everyone is clear about roles and responsibilities and future plans.
The child and their family's views about attendance are taken into account although the child's safety is the most important consideration.
The Child Protection Case Conference is responsible for ensuring:
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whether a child's name is put on the register
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to agree on the aims of involvement (a plan) and to agree when to review the decisions
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to decide on responsibilities
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to make a recommendation to the Children's Reporter on the need for compulsory measures of supervision
Record the concern and take no further action at this time
There will be no further involvement.
