I’m a parent or carer

Most children grow up in homes where they are loved and well cared for. However, for a variety of reasons sometimes a child may be hurt or mistreated in a way that is likely to cause them significant harm. This can be a result of abuse and neglect.

What is Child Abuse & How to Keep Your Child Protected | NSPCC

Types of Child Abuse & How to Prevent Them | NSPCC

Speak Up – Child Protection Scotland

Listen up, Speak up | NSPCC

As a parent or carer, you are responsible for bringing up a child or young person, promoting their wellbeing, health and development and protecting them from harm.

Most parents and carers in North Lanarkshire do a very good job but it can be difficult at times and sometimes parents, or others caring for a child, need some advice, help or support.

Parentline Scotland provides free telephone advice to any adult caring for a child or young person in Scotland. You can call them on 08000 28 22 33.

Concerns about your child or another child

If you’re concerned about your child or another child – speak to someone.

This might be a health visitor, nursery staff, teacher, GP, social worker, police officer or member of staff from our social work locality offices.

You can also make contact with the Social Work Emergency Service at times when the locality office is closed in the evenings and on weekends by calling 0800 121 4114.

If the child is in immediate danger you should contact the police (999).

The internet has revolutionised how we communicate and socialise with people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  With access at our fingertips, it can be challenging to keep children and young people safe online, especially when they have their own computers, laptops, smartphones/mobile phones, tablets and games consoles.

As a parent, carer or a professional, it is important to educate yourself, children and young people that as well as the endless opportunities available through the internet and technology, there are also associated risks to be aware of.

Keeping Children Safe Online – Top Tips

There is a lot to take in but here is a checklist to get you started:

• Most parents find their kids know a lot more about social media, online games and virtual worlds and using mobile technologies than they do. But don’t feel intimidated! Find out as much as you can from websites such as the ones above, and ask your kids to show you how things work. So have a go with the sites your child enjoys if you have not done so already, by downloading music, setting up a facebook profile or playing games on their nintendo.
• Don’t use technology as a babysitter – it’s important you have a good handle on the things your children are taking part in online.
• Don’t be afraid to set boundaries and rules, especially for young children. Your child’s online reputation will follow them forever, and it’s never too young to start.
• Make the most of parental controls, privacy controls and safe search options – the how to guide’s above will show you what to do.
• Remind older brothers and sisters that the websites they are using might not be appropriate for their young brothers and sisters. Ask them to look out for them and help them keep safe online.
• As they grow up, talk to your children about difficult subjects like cyberbullying, sexting, copyright infringement and explain that if anything they see online worries them, to let you know.

Thinkuknow  is an award winning online and offline safety programme for children and young people, professionals and parents that has been developed by the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command.

Domestic abuse causes children serious harm, even if they are not being physically hurt.

If you are being assaulted, emotionally or sexually abused by a partner, there is help available here in North Lanarkshire. It is important that those living with domestic abuse do not feel alone.   We want to help you by understanding what support you need for you and your children, and how we can offer this in a way which feels safe to you.

There are many agencies that can help and offer support.

You can contact Women’s Aid North Lanarkshire (WASL) or phone 01236 432 061 or 0800 046 3791.

For information on Women’s Aid for Asian, black and ethnic minority women/children contact Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid.

Domestic abuse can also affect men and those in same sex relationships. If you are not sure what to do then there is help available. You can contact the Men’s Advice Line and talk it over or visit the LGBT domestic abuse website.

You can also contact the Domestic Abuse Helpline (24 hours) on 0800 027 1234.

Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) is the National approach and underpins the Scottish Government’s commitment to provide all children, young people and their families with the right support at the right time so that every child and young person in Scotland can reach their full potential.

Most children and young people get all the support and help they need from their parent, carer, wider family and local community. There may be times, however, when a child or family need additional advice or support. The GIRFEC approach helps children and their families to work in partnership with services that can help them. When services work together and keep the child at the centre of all planning and actions, outcomes for children will improve.

Our vision for children and young people living in North Lanarkshire is that they will be safe, healthy, active, nurtured, achieving, respected, responsible, and included so they can realise their potential and grow to be successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors, and responsible citizens.

For more information, visit our GIRFEC website.

Child Protection means protecting a child or young person from child abuse or neglect.

Abuse or neglect need not have taken place in order for action to be taken to protect a child or young person; action can be taken when there is a likelihood or risk of significant harm from abuse or neglect.

We know that being involved in the child protection system can be a stressful time for families.

It is important that:

• everything that’s happening is explained to you
• you and your child/children’s views are listened to
• you are advised of the best way you can support your child during this time

Your social worker should keep in regular contact with you and should give you a number where you can contact them, or leave a message if they are not available.

A  leaflet is available for people who become involved in a child protection investigation, to help them to understand:

• why people are concerned
• what is likely to happen during the investigation
• what will happen after the investigation

We have also produced a suite of information which to help you understand what’s going on and explains some of the other processes that you might be involved in that are designed to keep your child safe.

Contact the child protection committee, if you would like copies of this information.

If you feel you need legal advice regarding you or your child’s rights you can contact:

• a solicitor (legal aid may be available) find out more at the Scottish Legal Aid Board

or

• the Scottish Child Law Centre, who offer free legal advice for and about children and young people

Between February 2017 and February 2020, the Independent Care Review took place. The Review heard from over 5,500 people with experience of care, in an attempt to truly understand what needs to change to ensure Scotland’s most vulnerable children have the childhood they deserve.

In February 2020, The Promise was published as part of the Independent Care Review’s conclusion. The Promise reflects what was heard during the Review and outlines a vision for what Scotland must do to ensure our children grow up loved, safe and respected.

North Lanarkshire Council, along with various other bodies, communities, and groups across Scotland have pledged to #KeepThePromise.

You can read The Promise, The Pinky Promise (for younger readers) and all other related reports here on the care review website.

Useful websites for further information and advice

• NSPCC: Keeping children safe online, tips and guides.
• Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online | NSPCC
• Share Aware resources for schools and teachers | NSPCC Learning
• CEOP – Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre: Organisation that works to stop child abuse on the internet.
• Childnet: Information on benefits, risks and safety on the internet.
• UK Safer Internet Centre UK Safer Internet Centre is a partnership of three leading charities with a mission to make the internet a better place for children and young people.
• Parent Club Parent Club offers up-to-date guidance from the Scottish Government on children’s health and education.
• Mind.org Information, support & tips for everyday living online, explains the benefits and challenges to your mental health of being online and gives ideas for looking after yourself online and getting support.
• Connecting Scotland Staying Safe Online Information, tools & resources to support staying safe online.
• Internet Matters – Gaming Advice Latest advice to understand the world of online  gaming
• Stop it Now! Scotland Cyber resilience & online safety, suite of learning resources.

Video Links

• Hanni and the Magic Window | Childnet Written for children aged 3 years and up, this story is about speaking up and getting help.
• Buddy the dog internet safety story
• One of the key missions of Child Focus is prevention. This clip was made as an e-safety awareness campaign for children between 4 and 8 years. It’s being aired on Belgian kids’ channels and will be distributed in other European countries too.
• Smartie the Penguin is a story by childnet.com that explores various scenarios that a child may find themselves in when using a device, it repeats the message of telling an adult.
• NSPCC Share Aware
• NSPCC Meet Pantosaurus! He’s a friendly dinosaur who has an important song to sing for you, which conveys an important message.