5.1.4 Child Protection
Child protection. The needs of developing children and how these change with time. Types of child abuse and their aetiology and recognition. An understanding of what to do if child protection concerns are raised.
Child protection refers to the measures taken to safeguard children and young people from harm, abuse, and neglect. Protecting children is crucial for their well-being, development, and future success. Children have different needs at different stages of development, and it is important to understand how these needs change over time. Additionally, there are different types of child abuse, each with their own aetiology and recognition, and it is essential to be able to recognise the signs and take appropriate action.
Children’s needs change with time and these changes reflect their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. For example, infants have basic needs such as food, warmth, and a safe and secure environment, while older children may need support with education, friendships, and more complex emotional and psychological issues. Understanding these changing needs is important for providing appropriate care and support to children.
Child abuse can take many forms, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. Each type of abuse has its own aetiology and recognition, but there may be some overlap between different forms of abuse. Physical abuse involves the intentional use of physical force that results in harm or injury to a child, while emotional abuse involves acts or omissions that harm a child’s emotional or psychological well-being. Sexual abuse involves any sexual activity between an adult and a child, while neglect involves the failure to provide basic needs such as food, shelter, and medical care.
Recognising child abuse can be difficult, as there may be few or no visible signs. However, some common indicators of abuse include unexplained injuries, changes in behaviour, fear of a particular person or situation, and inappropriate sexual behaviour. If there are concerns about a child’s safety or well-being, it is important to take action. This may involve reporting concerns to the appropriate authorities, such as the local authority children’s services or the police.
The following table summarises the different types of child abuse:
| Type of abuse | Aetiology | Recognition |
| Physical abuse | Intentional use of physical force resulting in harm or injury to a child | Unexplained injuries, bruises, burns, fractures, or other physical signs of injury |
| Emotional abuse | Acts or omissions that harm a child’s emotional or psychological well-being | Changes in behaviour, low self-esteem, withdrawal, anxiety, depression, or other emotional or behavioural problems |
| Sexual abuse | Any sexual activity between an adult and a child | Inappropriate sexual behaviour, reluctance to undress or participate in physical activities, unexplained sexually transmitted infections |
| Neglect | Failure to provide basic needs such as food, shelter, and medical care | Poor hygiene, unattended medical conditions, inadequate clothing, malnutrition, or other signs of neglect |
In summary, child protection is essential for safeguarding children and young people from harm, abuse, and neglect. Understanding the changing needs of developing children and recognising the different types of child abuse is crucial for ensuring their safety and well-being. If there are concerns about a child’s safety or well-being, it is important to take appropriate action and report concerns to the appropriate authorities.
References:
- Department for Education. (2021). Child protection. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/topic/schools-colleges-childrens-services/child-protection
- NSPCC. (2021). Types of child abuse. Retrieved from https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/
- NSPCC. (2021). What is child protection? Retrieved from https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/child-protection-system/what-is-child-protection/