Child Protection - Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

1. How many people will I have to tell?
2. Will I have to see a doctor?
3. Will I stay at home?
4. What happens after the enquires are finished?
5. Will I have to go to court?
6. What about my family and friends?
7. What if they've got it wrong?
8. Who else can I talk to?

Answers

1. Q. How many people will I have to tell?
   A. We try to arrange it so that you don't have to keep repeating yourself to different people. A video can sometimes help to avoid this.
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2. Q. Will I have to see a doctor?
   A. You may see a doctor if we need to find out how much you have been hurt. Seeing a doctor can sometimes be reassuring and help us to get the right sort of help for you.
   
   Talk to your Social Worker about this and about your right to say "NO".
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3. Q. Will I stay at home?
   A. Most child will stay at home as long as they are safe.
   
   Sometimes it is arranged that the person who has hurt you leaves home.
   
   Sometimes a relative or friend may look after you in their home.
   
   If you do have to stay somewhere else for a while it will probably be with people called Foster Carers, in their home. Foster Carers have been trained to look after children and young people who have had problems at home.
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4. Q. What happens after the enquires are finished?
   A. It is possible that a Child Protection Conference will meet, following the enquires.
   
   A separate booklet explains all about Child Protection Conferences.
   
   A Child Protection Conference is a meeting where your safety will be discussed. People share information so that we can check if you are safe and whether anything needs to be done to keep you safe.
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5. Q. Will I have to go to court?
   A. All abuse of children is serious, so sometimes Courts are involved, although not very often. If they are, it is because people want to keep you safe.
   
   The Police sometimes take your abuser to the Criminal Court if the matter is very serious and if they have enough evidence. They will need your evidence if they do this and the matter will only go to court if you can cope with it and it is what you want. You will be given a lot of support if this happens: for example, you can visit the Court and talk to someone about what will happen.
   
   Children's Services can also go to Court (to the Family Court, not the Criminal Court) if they think that a Court Order is the only way to keep you safe. Children and young people do not usually attend the Family Court.
   
   The law is complicated and you will need to talk to your Social Worker or your Solicitor about this. The section below gives a few simple explanations about different Court Orders.
   
   Emergency Protection Order
   
   If a Court thinks it would be dangerous for you to stay at home or leave the safe place you are in now, then it can make an Emergency Protection Order.
   
   This Order last for up to 8 days at first and never more than 15 days.
   
   If you do have to leave home, your family and friends can still visit you if you want them to, and arrangements will be made which keep you safe.
   
   Care Order
   
   Care Orders allow Children's Services to act as your parent. They give 'parental responsibility' to the Local Authority Children's Services Department. This responsibility is then shared with your parent(s).
   
   If an Emergency Protection Order or an Interim (temporary) Care Order are made by the Family Court, the Court will appoint a special worker for you called a Children's Guardian. He/She will make sure the Court knows your views.
   
   Child Assessment Order
   
   This Order says that an assessment must be made, usually of your development and health. The Order is not used very often because most parents agree to such assessments.
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6. Q. What about my family and friends?
   A. We know that your family and friends are very important to you.
   
   If your family has been involved in harming you, we know that you will have very mixed feelings about this.
   
   Whether you are living at home or away from home we will want to make sure that you keep in touch with the people who are important to you.
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7. Q. What if they've got it wrong?
   A. If you do not agree with the plans made or what is being said, then you must tell someone.
   
   The law says that your wishes and feelings must be taken into account. Talk to your Social Worker or Children's Guardian.
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8. Q. Who else can i talk to?
   A. You can also talk to any of these organisations
   
   Childline: 0800 1111
   (24 hour helpline. Your call is free and the telephone number will not appear on telephone bills).
   Freepost 1111
   London
   N1 OBR
   
   NSPCC: 0808 8005000
   (Free, 24 hours)
   
   Children's Legal Centre: 01206 873820
   University of Essex
   Wivenhoe Park
   Colchester
   CO4 3SQ
   
   National Voice: 0161 9534011
   23 New Mount Street
   Manchester
   M4 4DE
   
   You may have many other questions as time goes on.
   Don't hesitate to ask them.
   
   Abusing children and young people is always WRONG.
   
   It is NEVER your fault.
   
   There are always adults around to HELP you.
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