20 Jul 2020
Organisation Audit Toolkit
We launched our Organisation Audit Toolkit devised and authored by us in May 2019. It’s to help you, as organisations…
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Private Fostering
This is a situation where a child is being cared for by someone other than a close, blood relative.
A close blood relative is defined by;
- Parent
- Grandparent
- Biological Aunt/ Uncle
- Adult sibling
Where a child is being cared for by someone outside of this group for 30 consecutive days or more, the arrangement should be referred to the local authority for security. This is not to say that the arrangement is unsuitable or that it cannot continue; it maybe entirely appropriate, however, the Local Authority has a legal duty to protect the child and so should be informed of the arrangement.
Population Movement
We live in a world where population movement happens for a wide range of reasons such as; migration, refugee crisis etc. One of the concerns here is that these genuine reasons can be used to mask trafficking and modern slavery. Even when this is the case we need to understand that the person may well be dealing with significant trauma.
Peer Abuse
It is important to recognise that it is not just adults who abuse children and young people; abuse is also perpetrated by other children and young people this is referred to as ‘peer abuse.’
Peer abuse is closely linked to sexual harassment which is an extensive problem in schools. Latest guidance is recognising this problem and is very clear that there should be no tolerance of any form of sexual harassment and this should not be normalised or excepted with statements such as ‘boys will be boys’ or ‘they are just larking around.’
It would also include bullying or cyber-bullying.
Abuse of Position of Trust
This is where a person who has a position that gives them access to children uses that position to abuse them. This would include abuse perpetrated by:
- Teachers or other school staff
- Doctors or other medical staff
- Religious leaders
- Youth workers
- Sports coaches
- Celebrities
- Etc.
Abuse related to faith or belief
This refers to specific practises that are culturally or ideologically linked to abuse. It would include such practises as:
- Female genital mutilation
- So called ‘honour-based violence’
- Forced marriage
- Breast ironing
- Foot binding
- Witchcraft
- Demon possession
Whilst religious liberty is a fundamental right, that must be upheld, it must not be used to promote, or cover up exploitation or abuse. Abuse is abuse; regardless of the belief system in which it is associated.
Complexity
There are some children who are more vulnerable to abuse than other children. Would include but are not limited to:
- Babies and young children
- Children with disabilities or mental health issues
- Children who are isolated or excluded from border security
- Children in the care system
- Children engaging in risky behaviour
- Children who have been labelled as ‘ troubled’ or ‘ troublesome’
- Etc.
In more of a risk (statistically) than or the adults. Would include:
- Adults who were themselves victims of abuse childhood
- Adults with mental health issues or learning disabilities
- Adults who are misusing substances such as drugs, alcohol or ‘ legal highs’
- Adults who hold specific cultural belief systems that pose a risk to children, eg. FGM violent extremism, witchcraft
- Etc.
Where multiple risk factors combine, this does not increase the risk proportionality but rather exponentially. This is because the complexity and the interaction between the different elements adds an additional risk. For example, going from 1 to 2 risk factors does not double the risk but increases it says, example 3 or 4 fold. Going from 1 risk factor to 3 does not triple the risk but multiplies it say, for example 8 -10 times.
Radicalisation
Radicalisation is where a person is indoctrinated with extremist ideas and drawn into terrorism. We all have a duty to identify and report anyone we think maybe at risk of radicalisation. Radicalisation is not about any specific ideology. We can identify examples of radicalisation across all faith groups and those of no faith. Some radicalisation revolves around heritage, ethnicity or nationality. That is also ideological radicalisation which would include issues such as animal rights.
Exploitation
There are three main forms of exploitation of children and young people that are currently identified;
Child sexual exploitation
Where a child is given food, drink, drugs or other ‘gifts’ in exchange for sexual favours. This activity is coordinated and controlled by gangs of men and so is a form of organised criminal activity.
Criminal exploitation
This includes ‘county lines’ and is a form of exploitation that forces or coerces young children and young people into criminal activity that is usually gang related. This is a major problem right around the country and involves high levels of physical violence against those caught in its web.
Financial exploitation
Including ‘modern slavery’ is an area of exploitation that affects both children and adults. It occurs where an individual is controlled by the removal of identification and financial means and is forced to work for the person exploiting them. Usually they are provided with accommodation, food and work but are totally dependent upon their captors for these necessities.
Technology
Technology is one of the greatest risks to children in society today. Many parents are afraid to let their children go out and play yet the internet is a far more dangerous place than the local park!
To look at the risks around technology would be an entire course in its own right. However, we do need to say a few things.
Some of The areas of risk would be:
- Online grooming
- Radicalisation
- Exposure to inappropriate material
- Cyberbullying
- Sexting
- Etc.
It is important that we take steps to keep a children safe, however, We must recognise that there is only so much we can do, so helping children and young people to use the internet safely is of crucial importance.
Domestic abuse
Recent changes have moved the focus and redefined our understanding of domestic abuse. We have started to use this term instead of the term domestic violence. The new definition acknowledges that;
Not all domestic abuse involves physical violence- coercion and control are also abusive practises.
Abusive relationships do not always cohabit in relationships- domestic abuse can take place in teenage relationships where the perpetrator and victim both live at home with their parents.
It is also important to recognise that when children grow up seeing or hearing, domestic abuse, they can be affected emotionally as if they were being abused themselves.
For more information on domestic abuse , please see our separate module on Domestic Abuse
Fabricated or Induced Illness
Fabricated illness is where a parent/ carer seeks medical attention for a child who does not need it. Induced illness is where a parent/ carer makes the child ill or where a parent/carer fabricates an illness. There have been incidents where a parents fabricates or exaggerates an illness or disabililty to enable them to claim benefits.
A variety of methods can be used, including salt poisoning, inappropriate medication, over medication.
Mental Health
Mental health issues in children and young people is a major concern across society and would include such things as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Self-harm
- Eating disorders
- Suicide
- Etc.
We must recognise that living in a home where a parent is suffering from mental health issues may impact on a child who is living in that home. We also need to understand that any of these can be experienced by either girls or boys. Its not unusual for a child or young person to take on additional burden of supporting siblings or going household chores and some become the main carer for their parent.
Violence Against Women and Girls
This time is used to cover any form of gender-based violence. It would include some of the issues covered under the other headings particularly “related to faith or belief” but it is broader than these. It includes but is not restricted to:
- So called “honour based violence”
- Female genital mutilation
- Breast ironing/ binding
- Rape another forms of sexual violence
- Domestic violence
- Etc.
Gang Related Abuse
This is the very complex issue and there is much work to do to understand and address the issues.
Gang-Related abuse includes and links to such issues such as:
- Gun crime
- Knife crime
- Criminal exploitation (county lines)
- Violent feuds
- Sexual violence
- Etc.
It is important to remember that gang-related abuse may involve the young person engaging in gang culture, but it also may involve a child living at home where the parents are involved.
Trilogy of Risk Factors
This links to the idea of complexity but identifies a combination of risk factors that is particularly dangerous for children and young people. The term ‘trilogy of risk factors’ applies to a situation where there is within one family
1. Domestic abuse
2. Parental substance misuse
3. Either parental mental health issues or a parental learning difficulty
This combination is high risk and the environment in which the child is living can become toxic for the child and can negatively impact, so additional vigilance and diligence are acquired when working with children in these circumstances.
Disguised compliance
Disguised compliance describes a deliberate act on the part of a parent to deceive those working with the child is where the partner seeks to give the impression that they’re working with services, but in reality they’re doing just enough to avoid further suspicion and to deceive those working with them with regard to abuse that is taking place.
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