What's changed?

The refreshed National Practice Model contains a number of key changes which are reflected in these procedures:

• Greater emphasis on child-centred, rights-respecting, strengths-based practice and the inclusion of children, young people and their families at every stage of the process;
• Simpler language identified which can be used when working together with children, young people and families;
• A deeper understanding of the impact of trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in considering the My World Triangle; and
• Further detail provided on the Resilience Matrix.

The National Guidance for Child Protection (2021 – updated 2023) builds on the 2014 Guidance. All sections have been revised and supplementary information provided.

This set of procedures and guidance describe the responsibilities and expectations for all involved in protecting children and will support the care and protection of children. The procedures outline how statutory and non-government agencies should work together with parents, families and communities to prevent harm and to protect children from abuse and neglect. Everyone has a role in protecting children from harm.

The most effective protection of children involves early support within the family, before urgent action is needed and purposeful use of compulsory measures are necessary. In Highland, this relates to the ‘Family First’ approach and the Whole Family Wellbeing programme. If children do require placement away from home, real protection involves attuned, trauma-informed and sufficiently sustained support towards reunification, or towards an alternative secure home base when this is not possible.

The Scottish approach to child protection is based upon the protection of children's rights. The Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) practice model is a practical expression of the Scottish Government's commitment to implementation of the United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child (UNCRC). This requires a continuum of preventative and protective work.

There are consistent threads running between enabling, preventative and protective work applying the GIRFEC approach. They may be distilled in this way:

• the timing, process and content of all assessment, planning and action will apply to the individual child, and to their present and future safety and wellbeing. Their views will be heard and given due consideration in decisions, in accordance with their age, level of maturity, and understanding
• services will seek to build on strengths and resilience as well as address risks and vulnerabilities within the child's world
• partnership is promoted between those who care about and have responsibilities for the child – it entails a collaborative approach between professionals, carers and family members

'Partnership' may not be attainable in a timescale that protects the child. However, even when urgent action is needed, these procedures stress the need for proactive and persistent effort to understand and achieve a shared understanding of concerns, and a shared approach to addressing them.

Recognising the context of risk and need entails recognition of the influence of structural inequalities, such as poverty. Effective protection addresses the interaction between early adverse experiences, poverty, ill health and neglect. A disproportionate intensity of child protection interventions occur in the most materially deprived neighbourhoods. This indicates a need, not only to 'think family' but to think beyond the family, addressing patterns of concern and supporting positive opportunities in communities.

The interaction of risks and needs for each child in the context of their family and their community increasingly involves appreciation of the role of media and internet in each situation, especially in teenage years. Every child has the right to safety and support online.

Guidance, procedures and assessment frameworks may promote broad consistency. However, effective communication and partnership is a matter of relationship. This begins with listening and seeking shared understanding. Intuition, analysis, consultation and professional judgement all play a part in deciding when and how to intervene in each situation. Inter-agency training and predictable supervision are key to safe, principled and competent practice.

Child protection provokes constant developmental challenges for every individual and for every team. Safe practice is more likely to arise from a culture of leadership that has an evaluative focus on outcomes and promotes systematic learning from mistakes and good practice.