It was recognised a number of years ago that community groups in the Highland region were having difficulties understanding
child protection and were adapting English based policies that were inappropriate because of the differences between Scottish
and English legislation.
A working group consisting of representatives from the Area Child Protection Committee, Health, Social Work and the voluntary
sector (mainly groups providing services to children and families) formed to develop a child protection policy template. This
was produced in 2000 and was aimed mainly at those frontline services working with children and families. In 2001, Community
Education joined the working group and the policy was revised. A greater emphasis was this time placed on sport and leisure
and a second version was produced that encompassed this sector. A third version has since been produced aimed at all community
groups in the area and incorporates provisions for Disclosure Scotland. The document was re-named 'A Child Protection Policy
for your Community Group' and is available to all community groups in the area. (A fourth version will be produced to incorporate
new legislation: Protecting Children (Scotland) Act 2003).
The document incorporates sections on how to deal with a disclosure, descriptions of child abuse, the need for a key individual
who will monitor child protection in the club, a template child protection policy, key contact numbers, the need to check
volunteers through Disclosure Scotland, and a number of relevant forms to photocopy or adapt.
In order to provide training and support to local voluntary sector groups, 'Keeping Children Safe' was also created, in
addition to a specific post of Training Development Officer.
Annually there is a quality assurance check carried out on 5% of groups in the area in order to ensure that policies and
practices developed are still current and are of an adequate standard.
For further details, contact:
Highland Child Protection Committee, 01463 703483
