A social worker will want to meet you if they have been told that someone is worried about you or someone you know. They will want to see if you need their help and they do this because it’s their job to make sure that children are OK.
A social worker might also need to talk to other people, such as your family to find out what happened and why. Sometimes a police officer might come with the social worker but the most important thing to remember is that you have done nothing wrong. You are not in any kind of trouble. Social workers really want to listen to you so please ask questions at any time and tell them what you think should happen.
When the social worker has spoken to all the people they need to speak to, they will decide what should happen next. It may be that nothing needs to happen or they might give your family some help and advice and sometimes the social worker will need to call a meeting called a Child Protection Conference. People such as doctors, teachers and social workers come to the child protection conference to help the social worker decide what will be the best way to help to keep you safe. You can click on the video to find out all about a child protection conference and what happens there.
What is Child Protection?
Child protection is the term used to describe the actions of some organisations such as Children’s Services, the police and Health organisations, in their efforts to make sure children are safe from abuse and neglect.
According to the law, there are 4 main types of abuse that could cause harm or neglect. These are:
- Physical Abuse: when an adult deliberately hurts a child, such as hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, drowning or suffocating.
- Emotional Abuse: this would happen, for example, when a child is being unfairly blamed for everything all the time; or told they are stupid and made to feel unhappy.
- Sexual Abuse: an example of sexual abuse would be where a child is forced to take part in sexual activities; or in taking rude photos.
- Neglect: this is when a child is not being looked after properly; for example, not getting enough to eat, or being left alone in dangerous situations.
More information about what abuse can look like and how to keep safe can be found at the NSPCC website (opens in new tab).
Child abuse is very serious and can have major long term effects on all aspects of a child’s health, development, self image, self esteem and wellbeing.
All those who come into contact with children and families in their everyday work, including people who do not have a specific role in relation to child protection, have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.