For each different illness or medical condition there are many different pieces of legislation which are put in place. However one area which looks at the overall child in all potential areas is the Regional Child Policy.
The Regional Child Policy was produced to reflect the changes in thinking and in practice. The Policy and Procedures clearly acknowledges that child protection services must be part of a continuum of services which are available to children in need, including their families. The Regional Child Policy also reflects on the increasing recognition of the social content which the protection of children takes place within Northern Ireland. From this the policy recognises the significant implications that may need to be put in place for the well-being and protection of children. The main principles within the Child Protection Policy are outlined extremely clearly. It is essential that the principles are followed, which allows the safety and protection of the child to be at the highest level possible. The main area which is in the Child Protection Policy is that the welfare of the child is the key priority. This means that a child’s welfare is paramount and professionals should ensure that the child is the main focus.
There are two levels within the Regional Child Protection Policy:
- Dealing with individual cases
- Planning and responding at Regional and Trust level and learning from cases
It is extremely important that a child protection process is followed on a careful plan. It is essential that professionals understand exactly what they have to do and say when they are faced with a case which could change a child’s life. Child Protection has a Regional and a Trust level, the Regional level consists of having a clear children’s service plan for children within Northern Ireland. The work which is carried out at this level will monitor the work of the regional child protection committee. The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland is a multi agency body who is accountable for the Government. It has to develop a strategic approach to child protection within Northern Ireland. This includes having a review of policies and procedures and a clear set of objects and thresholds of intervention. They will encourage a strategy to allow good networking amongst agencies and monitor and evaluate how well child protection services are working. From this they can form specialist working groups to assess specialist areas of need. The role of the local panels is to implement the policy and procedures set by the safeguarding board for Northern Ireland. Professionals will work with the board to review and monitor many child protection cases, this allows them to help with training and promote public awareness.
Childhood Obesity 