Parental Rights and Responsibilities

Under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, parents have several responsibilities and rights:

• Responsibilities
  To safeguard and promote your child’s health, development, and welfare, provide direction and guidance, maintain personal relations, and act as your child’s legal representative.
• Rights
  ~To have your child live with you, regulate their residence, and maintain contact if they live apart.

The European Convention on Human Rights sets out a number of rights common to all people. Article 8 emphasises the right to respect for private and family life, ensuring that any interference by public authorities is lawful and necessary.

The Law and Policy Context in Scotland (GIRFEC)

Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) is Scotland’s national approach to improving outcomes for children and young people. It ensures that every child receives the right help at the right time from the right people. GIRFEC promotes coordinated support from various services to address the needs of children and their families effectively.

The Child Wellbeing Pathway (CWP)

Fife's Child Wellbeing Pathway supports practitioners to work in partnership with children, their families, and other services responding to wellbeing needs and concerns. It promotes an early intervention approach with the involvement of children young people and families.

Emotional Abuse

Causing emotional harm through verbal abuse, threats, or isolation.

Neglect

Failing to provide basic needs such as food, clothing, and medical care.

Online Abuse

Abuse that occurs through the internet, including grooming, exploitation, and cyberbullying

Physical Abuse

Harming a child through hitting, shaking, or other physical means.

Sexual Abuse

Involving a child in sexual activities.

Sexual Exploitation

A form of sexual abuse where children are manipulated or coerced into sexual activities, often in exchange for money, gifts, or affection.

Child Protection and Processes

Understanding child protection processes can help you navigate them effectively:

1. Reporting Concerns
   If you suspect a child is being abused, report it to social services or the police. They will assess the situation and take necessary actions.
2. Investigation
   Social services will investigate the report, which may include talking to the child, parents, and other relevant individuals.
3. Interventions
   Depending on the investigation's outcome, various interventions might be implemented to ensure the child’s safety, such as family support services or, in severe cases, placing the child in care.
4. Further Information about Child Protection Processes for Parents and Carers:

• Bruising in Young Babies - Information for Parents and Carers
• Child Protection Planning Meetings - A Guide for Children & Young People
• Child Protection Planning Meetings - A Guide for Parents & Carers
• A Guide to a Paediatric/Forensic Medical Examination - Information for Young People
• Joint Paediatric Forensic Examination Video for Younger Children
• A Guide to a Paediatric/Forensic Examination - Information for Young People
• Child Protection: A Guide to the Medical Examination of Your Child - Information for Parents and Carers
• Skeletal Survey Information leaflet for Parent and Carers
• Care and Risk Management Leaflet for Children and Young People
• Care and Risk Management Leaflet for Parents and Carers

The goal of child protection is to work collaboratively with families to ensure children’s safety and wellbeing while supporting parents to create a safe environment. Detailed information can be found at Child Protection System for Scotland - NSPCC Learning

Support and Resources

There are many resources available to help parents and carers:

• Social Work
  Provide support and interventions for families in need.
• Financial Assistance
  Various benefits and grants to support families facing financial difficulties.
• Health and Education Services
  Schools and healthcare providers offer support and guidance on child development and wellbeing.
• Counselling and Support Groups
  Services that provide emotional and practical support to families.

Locally, projects like Safe, Strong and Free work with nursery and primary schools to help children stay safe. They focus on issues such as bullying, strangers, and secrets using age-appropriate tools and language.

For further information on keeping children safe online, visit CEOP and Stop It Now!

Additionally, the Solihull Online resource offers free courses for all families in Scotland, focusing on nurturing relationships and understanding child behaviour.  Use the access code TARTAN to access these courses here.