Safeguarding & capacity assessment

Children are dependent on caregivers for safety and feeding. If they are in distress, they will signal to their caregiver a need for attention. Some children feel an insecure attachment to their caregivers and a lack of support if they are not given help appropriately. There are circumstances where this insecurity is very evident and children end up being taken into care. What is the MOST common reason for children being taken into care?

1. Child disability

2. Neglect

3. Parental illness

4. Acute stress within the family

5. Family dysfunction

Early experiences of care affect later assumptions about the ability of our caregivers to help. Children in care will often feel a lack of support. The main reason for children being taken into care is abuse or neglect.

References

• Child maltreatment - recognition and management (CKS), Safeguarding children toolkit for general practice (RCGP), Child protection (RCPCH, Working together to safeguard children 2015 (gov.uk), Safeguarding children and young people: roles and competencies for health care staff (RCPCH intercollegiate document)

• 0-19 years guidance: assessing capacity to consent (GMC), A staff guide to safeguarding (Lambeth)

Safeguarding training​

6. Safeguarding children and young people: roles and competencies for health care staff (intercollegiate document), Education provision (RCPCH), eLearning (NHS professionals)