Skye Dodd, PMP’s Post

Another tragic murder of a innocent child - Baby Jacob. Safeguarding babies is very challenging, especially when they are non-verbal and rely on safe adults and multi-agency resources to ensure safe care and monitoring. I look forward to the findings of the serious case review and learning that will further strengthen our understanding and procedures to ensure the welfare of such vulnerable children and babies. #safegurding #social care #welfare#mulit-agency#collective safeguarding action

Thanks for your analysis Benoit. It’s so on point. Managing the environment to prevent situations that potential offenders can exploit is key…..

The recent case of the childcare worker is a reminder of the need to understand how these offenders operate and the circumstances facilitating this type of abuse. A few critical empirical(validated) facts: 1- Many of these offenders do not have a previous criminal history; 2- Many of these offenders sexually abuse children OUTSIDE the organisation (e.g., on a competition trip, their own home); 3- Many of these offenders gradually build trust around them in the organisation so when they are suspected they are able to move to another organisation without being reported to authorities and continue their offending - hence the high number of victims An efficient model to address this problem is situational crime prevention, which provides an evidence-based framework for conducting a tailored assessment of risks that lead to implementation of prevention and risk reduction strategies (which has been applied several times in the US). This can involve creating AND implementing procedures, practices, and policies to best protect children and organisations. Improving job interview process and training employees on this type of offending is also very relevant as the environment shapes how offenders behave. It is possible to better reduce the risk and prevent this problem and we already have strong empirical evidence to back this up. We need to work together. #childsexualabuse #lawenforcement #safeguarding #childcareproviders #childexploitation #childabuseprevention

#AbolishCPS Thanks for another important compilation, Richard Wexler. The #HarmOfRemoval is real (Shanta Trivedi). State "child welfare" agencies do not "protect children" or "keep children safe" (Administration for Children and Families (ACF), see pp. 16-20, https://lnkd.in/gvD_MykX) (Safety Outcome 1: Children are, first and foremost, protected from abuse and neglect - "Four states achieved substantial conformity with Safety Outcome 1"). #EndFamilyPolicing

A Week of Profound Responsibility in Legal Practice This week has been a powerful reminder of the profound responsibilities we carry in the legal profession. It has been challenging, but also reaffirming of why we do what we do. 1. Managing a Suicidal Client One of the most harrowing experiences was dealing with a client who was threatening suicide. The delicate balance between maintaining client confidentiality and ensuring their immediate welfare was at the forefront of our minds. Thankfully, the client consented to waive confidentiality, allowing us to alert safeguarding authorities and the police. Our recently published guidance on managing at-risk clients can be found here: Managing Clients at Risk of Suicide. Thank you to organizations like @Samaritans and @Mind for their invaluable support. 2. Upholding the Children Act 1989 The principle that a child's welfare is paramount guided us through another complex case. A client with 12 aliases, 3 false dates of birth, and 18 convictions sought access to children. Despite no history of domestic violence, the extensive criminal record necessitated a clear decision to prioritize the children’s safety and well-being. This case was a clear reminder of the central tenets of the Children Act 1989. Thank you to colleagues and organizations like @FamilyLaw and @TheLawSociety for their continued support and guidance. 3. Advocating for Absent Parents Finally, we dealt with a father who failed to attend his own Child Arrangement Order hearing. Despite his absence, we secured indirect contact for him, ensuring some level of parental involvement. This case reaffirmed our commitment to ensuring that, where possible, children maintain some form of relationship with their parents, even under challenging circumstances. These experiences underscore the complexities and the critical importance of our work. They remind us that our role is not just to advocate but also to protect and prioritize the welfare of the most vulnerable. I am deeply grateful to my colleagues and to all those dedicated to mental health and family law for their unwavering support. #LegalPractice #ChildWelfare #MentalHealthAwareness #FamilyLaw #ChildProtection

In the delicate domain of custody decisions, the court carefully weighs five pivotal factors. Parental fitness is scrutinized, evaluating mental, and physical health, and financial stability. The paramount consideration remains the child's best interests, encompassing their age, needs, and overall well-being. The depth of the parent-child bond and active involvement are integral, promoting stability and continuity in the child's life. Courts favor arrangements where both parents show a willingness to foster a positive relationship, encouraging responsible co-parenting. These factors intertwine to shape decisions, ensuring that the child's welfare remains the central focus in navigating the complexities of custody arrangements. #familylaw #childadvocacy #custody #advocatingforchildren #beyondthecourtroom #coparentingforkids #childfirstcustody

There is much more we can do to protect children from sexual abuse. This predator contravened a number of child safe principles and standards as he worked with children. He got away with it for so many years because he manipulated adults to believe that he was trustworthy. Reports were made to the police but there was insufficent evidence to proceed to prosecution. This is the real issue we need to tackle. We need systems that can still share concerns about grooming behaviour by sex offenders even if they are not charged with a crime. Legal approaches that are designed for adults fail children. Our employment laws protect adults more than they do children. Our criminal justice and child protection systems are overly balanced towards the rights of adult perpetrators over children. Even after the Royal Commission, the reform we really need is not on the agenda.

How does the Support and Rehabilitation team in Enfold Trust, Bangalore, assist child victims of sexual violence? (Link to BLOG) The Support and Rehabilitation team supports children in their journey through the criminal justice and child protection systems, after facing sexual violence. Over the past 12 years, the team has helped over 250+ children and their caregivers. Every child who has faced sexual violence and abuse has a story to share about their journey, their doubts, conflicts, griefs, pain, strength and resilience. The concept of Support Person was introduced in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Rules, 2020 and has made the journey of such children less traumatic while ensuring that the provisions of the law are followed at all stages of investigation, trial and rehabilitation. A Support Person, after being appointed by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), becomes, in effect, the liaison between the child and their caregivers and those involved in the implementation of POCSO Act. Working in collaboration with stakeholders like the police, CWCs, doctors, mental health professionals, Public Prosecutors and the District Child Protection Unit, the Support Persons try to ensure systemic traumatization is minimized and that children are able to access their rights in a timely and child-centric manner. The team has shared stories below about the ways Support Persons helped child victims under the POCSO Act & Rules, during the process. #POCSO #POCSOtraining #sexualabuseofchildren #protectionofchildren #personalsafety #CSA #supportpersons #enfoldtrust #enfoldindia. #rehabilitation #trauma

Working with Children Checks are only the beginning of a safeguarding agenda in child-related employment settings. Read about other ways to create safer environments in this Conversation article written with David Bartlett and Danielle Harris: #childsexualabuse #safeguardingchildren #institutionalabuse #situationalcrimeprevention

Safeguarding Our Loved Ones. 🔎The Role of Investigations in Care Key Points: Importance of finding the right childcare, nanny, or elder care provider for loved ones' well-being. Investigations offer additional security beyond background checks. 🔎Types of investigations include verification, social media checks, criminal history, and financial background. 🔎Instances when investigations might be necessary: hiring a new caregiver, unexplained events, suspected abuse or neglect. 🔎Choosing the right investigator: prioritize experience, confidentiality, and open communication. 🔎Prioritizing the well-being of loved ones is paramount, and professional investigations can aid in making informed decisions for their care. #investigativeapproach #caregiverinvestigations #protectingvulnerableadults #informeddecisions #childcareinvestigations #nannyinvestigations #eldercareinvestigations #privatinvestigation #TheEagleGroupPI 866-PRI-EYES (774-3937) www.theeaglegrouppi.com