Edinburgh and the Lothians Multi-agency Child Protection Procedures - Plain Text Web Version

1.      The incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scots law provides the foundation for a holistic approach to ensuring children's safety and wellbeing.  The Scottish approach to Child Protection is based upon the protection of children's rights.  This requires a continuum of preventative and protective work.

2.      The child's views should be considered at all stages of their involvement in Child Protection processes, and they should be supported to do this by any means necessary. 

3.      Children should get the right help, at the right time, from the right people (GIRFEC). Early interventions through Universal Services and multi-agency supports can provide proportionate responses to reduce the risk and impact of harm before a Child Protection intervention is required.

4.      These Child Protection procedures must be considered for a person up to the age of 18 and prior to a child's birth. 'Child' is defined as a person up to 18 years of age in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) definition.  These procedures will use the term 'child' to refer to anyone from birth up to the age 18.

5.      Children may experience significant harm beyond their family environment and be exposed to violence/exploitation in their school, community or peer group.  Child Protection Procedures should be considered in all situations where a child may be or is at risk of significant harm.

6.      Intervention in a child and family's lives can be traumatic events in themselves, and every action taken should be underpinned by an understanding of the impact of trauma and how to minimise this.  A trauma informed approach should frame our Child Protection response and should consider the following principles: Safety, Choice, Collaborate, Empower and Trust (Trauma-Informed Practice: A Toolkit for Scotland).