Child Protection is everyone’s responsibility.
The Edinburgh and Lothians Child Protection Procedures have been revised to ensure they align with themes in the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021, which reflect changes in legislation, standards and policy, developments in practice as well as findings from research, Significant Case Reviews/Learning Reviews, and Inspections.
The revised procedures “go live” on the 22nd January.
The procedures and report templates can be found on our website. Public protection information is also available on the West Lothian Public Protection website https://publicprotectionwestlothian.org.uk/
These Procedures describe responsibilities, expectations, and actions for all involved in protecting children from significant harm in City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, and West Lothian. Everyone has a role in making sure children are safe, whether in private, public, or on-line spaces. The welfare of the child is the paramount consideration in action to ensure children’s safety. Child Protection is everyone’s responsibility.
Professionals working with children and adults must work together to share information, assess, and analyse needs and risks, and plan and deliver services jointly in a co-ordinated manner. In doing so, professionals can reduce the risk of harm to children and promote their welfare. These Procedures align with themes in the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021, which reflect changes in legislation, standards and policy, developments in practice as well as findings from research, Significant Case Reviews/Learning Reviews, and Inspections.
These Procedures may be complemented by individual agency Procedures or guidelines where more detail about specific processes is required. Generic terms for roles have been used throughout, as it is recognised that different areas may have designated roles with specific responsibilities.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) provides the foundation for a holistic approach to ensuring children’s safety and wellbeing.
West Lothian Public Protection website https://publicprotectionwestlothian.org.uk/