GP Trainees Safeguarding Session

1. GP Trainees Safeguarding Session Basic Awareness in Safeguarding Children

2. Definition of Physical Abuse Physical abuse is caused by an action, which results in physical harm being done to a child. The harm may be caused by the child being: • Hit • Shaken • Thrown • Poisoned • Burnt/ Scalded • Drowned • Suffocated

3. Fabricated/ Induced Illness • Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes ill health to a child whom they are looking after.

4. Definition of Sexual Abuse Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening

5. Definition of Emotional Abuse Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child so as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development

6. Neglect may involve • Failure to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing • Failure to protect from physical harm or danger • Failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care • Unresponsive to a child’s basic emotional needs • In cases of childhood obesity failure of parents/ carers to work with professionals in reducing the child’s weight

7. Working in pairs • What might be the signs of: • Physical Abuse • Sexual Abuse • Emotional Abuse • Neglect

8. Signs of Physical Abuse • Bruising, especially to parts of the body where accidental injury is unlikely e.g eyes, behind ears etc • Hand/ finger/ object prints • Skull fractures/ multiple fractures • Torn frenulum • Dipping scalds • Bites • Cigarette burns/ burns • Retinal haemorrhage

9. Emotional/ Psychological/ Behaviours • Poor attention • Low self esteem • Distant/ hardened • Fearful of adult reaction • Frozen watchfulness • Flinching • Refusal to return somewhere

10. Signs of Sexual Abuse • Injuries to anal/ genital area not consistent with story • STD’s • Regular abdominal pains • Bed wetting/ soiling • Hints about secrets • Advanced sexual knowledge (play, speech, drawings) • Depression/ drugs/ drink • Pregnancy • Attempt to sexually abuse others

11. Signs of Emotional Abuse • Low self esteem • Attention seeking behaviour • Unable to mix well • Self hate • Self harm • Drug/ solvent abuse • Anxiety • Distant

12. Signs of Neglect • Hunger/ failure to thrive • Obesity • Poor personal hygiene • Low self esteem • Under developed • Poor social relationships • Stealing/ scrounging • Lateness/ poor attendance at school • Tiredness

13. Red Flags • Delay in reporting or seeking medical attention • Account of accident not adequate to explain injury • Physical findings which are discrepant with the account given • Variable accounts • Abnormal anxiety/ suspicion by the parents • Sad/ withdrawn child • Disclosure by the child

14. Factors which may lead to Child Abuse • Social Exclusion • Financial Pressures • Housing Problems • Domestic Violence • Mental Illness • Substance Misuse • Poor Parenting Skills • Family History of Abuse • Chaotic Lifestyles

15. Responsibilities “Any person who has knowledge or suspects that a child is being harmed must refer him or her to one or both of the agencies with statutory duties or powers to investigate or intervene” (Social Care and/ or the Police)