{"id":462,"date":"2026-04-12T15:58:49","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T14:58:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/dulochprimaryschool\/?page_id=462"},"modified":"2026-04-12T16:19:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T15:19:20","slug":"child-protection","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/dulochprimaryschool\/our-school\/child-protection\/","title":{"rendered":"Child Protection"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header\">\n<h1 class=\"entry-title\">Child Protection<\/h1>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-979\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/public\/limekilnspsweb\/uploads\/sites\/12765\/2023\/12\/11142739\/girfec--300x61.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"61\" data-attachment-id=\"979\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/limekilnspsweb\/our-school-2\/child-protection\/girfec\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/public\/limekilnspsweb\/uploads\/sites\/12765\/2023\/12\/11142739\/girfec-.png\" data-orig-size=\"559,114\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"girfec\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/public\/limekilnspsweb\/uploads\/sites\/12765\/2023\/12\/11142739\/girfec--300x61.png\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/public\/limekilnspsweb\/uploads\/sites\/12765\/2023\/12\/11142739\/girfec-.png\" \/><\/p>\n<div><span class=\"normaltextrun\"><b>Child Protection is everyone\u2019s job and everyone\u2019s responsibility<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<p><strong>Legal Issues<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Child abuse is a criminal offence which can involve prosecution in the Criminal Courts<\/li>\n<li>Child abuse is the concern of the Child Protection system<\/li>\n<li>At Duloch we follow Fife Council\u2019s Guidelines on Child Protection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Roles within Duloch Primary School:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Child Protection Co-ordinator \u2013 Mrs Laura Spence (Headteacher)<\/li>\n<li>Depute Child Protection Co-ordinator \u2013 Mrs Lynn McCreadie (Deputy Head Teacher)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/public\/dulochprimaryschool\/uploads\/sites\/12487\/2026\/04\/12161831\/Child-Protection-Safeguarding-and-Wellbeing-Policy.docx\">Duloch Primary School &#8211; Child Protection Policy<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Worried about a child?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you see behaviour that is of concern, or if a child tells you something worrying, you need to do something about it and speak to someone.\u00a0You can speak to a teacher, health visitor, social worker or police officer.<\/p>\n<p>However, if you think a child has been harmed, telephone the Social Work Contact Centre on 03451 55 15 03, from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.\u00a0Out-with these hours, please call them on 03451 55 00 99.<\/p>\n<p>You can call the police on telephone number 101, at anytime.\u00a0If you consider a child(ren) to be in immediate danger,\u00a0<u>do not wait<\/u>, call the Police on 999<\/p>\n<p><strong>What do I say?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Explain exactly what you have seen, heard or been told and what it was that concerned you.\u00a0If you can, keep a note of dates, injuries and the exact words used.\u00a0 These will help you give as much information as you can about the child and their family\/carer.\u00a0Let the person know if there are other things they should be aware of, for example, immediate risks for the child or any other child.<\/p>\n<p>You can ask to remain anonymous but any information about you will be treated with care. Any details, including your name, will not be revealed unless the child\u2019s safety requires it.\u00a0 Even if you do not give your name, enquiries can still be made into the child\u2019s care and welfare. Withholding your name may make it more difficult for those looking into these concerns.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What will happen to the\u00a0<\/strong><b>children and family?<\/b><\/p>\n<p>When you contact a professional about your concern, unless the child is in immediate danger, they will make some initial enquiries before taking action. They will check whether the child is known to them and what information is held. All information will be treated seriously and acted upon as appropriate. This may lead to immediate action or a more planned response.<\/p>\n<p>Many people do not tell because they fear that:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>the child will be at further risk of harm<\/li>\n<li>that nothing will be done<\/li>\n<li>the child would be taken away<\/li>\n<li>the family may find out who reported them<\/li>\n<li>telling may ruin family relationships.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In reality, it is best for everyone that action is taken early to identify any abuse before it gets worse.\u00a0 Long-term abuse is much more likely to cause problems for a child as they get older.\u00a0 Even if you think an incident is just a one off, other professional agencies may already have concerns about the child.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>a specific incident, something you see or hear or hear about<\/li>\n<li>a disclosure made by a child or young person or parent\/carer<\/li>\n<li>information from a third party<\/li>\n<li>adult behaviour\/circumstances that may place the child or young person at risk of harm<\/li>\n<li>child\/young person behaviour\/circumstances that may place the child or young person at risk of harm<\/li>\n<li>a culmination of minor concerns over a period of time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Signs of abuse include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Physical injury<\/li>\n<li>Physical neglect<\/li>\n<li>Sexual abuse<\/li>\n<li>Emotional abuse<\/li>\n<li>Failure to thrive<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What happens if school staff have a concern?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>At all times we keep the child\u2019s best interests at the centre of any required actions or planning, and in almost all cases liaise closely with family.<\/p>\n<p>Staff know to alert the Child Protection Coordinator in the school immediately should they have a Child Protection Concern.\u00a0When the Child Protection Coordinators are made aware of a concern we do the following in most instances.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Talk to the child<\/strong>.\u00a0 This is usually our first step.\u00a0 The discussion is conducted sensitively to the child, making it clear that any information they share is confidential unless they or someone they know may be in danger. \u00a0We take the child\u2019s views into consideration in planning next steps and include them in any subsequent planning to keep them safe. If we have to share information with other agencies we will discuss this with the young person wherever possible. The child is offered a quiet, safe environment if they are upset for as long as needed.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Contact the child\u2019s family<\/strong>.\u00a0 In almost all situations we include the child\u2019s family early in order to support the child so long as they are not part of the concern. In most instances a family member comes to school to support the child if they are distressed.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Consider action &amp; update appropriate agencies<\/strong>\u00a0(Health Team etc).\u00a0 We look at appropriate supports for the young person and their family.\u00a0 This is done in conjunction with the young person and family. Any safety planning will include the young person\u2019s opinions and is monitored closely.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Record the concern<\/strong>.\u00a0 We record the concern securely including the action we take and any monitoring required.\u00a0 The record is kept securely with access limited to the Child Protection Coordinator(s), Head Teacher and the young person\u2019s named person if different.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Plan and monitor over time<\/strong>.\u00a0 The Child Protection Coordinator will keep in close contact with the child and manage any supports they require over time.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The Child Protection Coordinator will in almost all instances stay in close contact with the child\u2019s family and plan jointly with them to identify supports.<\/p>\n<p>In the event of a young person being in immediate danger, we contact the Public Protection Unit to liaise with Police and Social Work<\/p>\n<p><strong>More information on Child Protection:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nspcc.org.uk\/what-is-child-abuse\/\">http:\/\/www.nspcc.org.uk\/what-is-child-abuse\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ceop.police.uk\/safety-centre\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.ceop.police.uk\/safety-centre\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Further Support:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fifewomensaid.org.uk\/\">Fife Women\u2019s Aid\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fifegingerbread.org.uk\/\">Fife Gingerbread (Support for Lone Parents<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/policies\/girfec\/\">GIRFEC<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scottishautism.org\/services-support\/family-support\/fife-one-stop-shop\">One Stop Shop<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Child Protection Child Protection is everyone\u2019s job and everyone\u2019s responsibility Legal Issues Child abuse is a criminal offence which can involve prosecution in the Criminal Courts Child abuse is the concern of the Child Protection system At Duloch we follow Fife Council\u2019s Guidelines on Child Protection Roles within Duloch Primary School: Child Protection Co-ordinator \u2013 &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/dulochprimaryschool\/our-school\/child-protection\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Child Protection<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25770,"featured_media":0,"parent":458,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-462","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/dulochprimaryschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/462","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/dulochprimaryschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/dulochprimaryschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/dulochprimaryschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25770"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/dulochprimaryschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=462"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/dulochprimaryschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/462\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":497,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/dulochprimaryschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/462\/revisions\/497"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/dulochprimaryschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/458"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/dulochprimaryschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=462"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}