Page 73 - Getting it Right for Vulnerable Children and Young People in North Ayrshire

• work co-operatively with parents/carers unless to do so would place the child at increased risk of harm; and • assist in providing relevant evidence in any criminal or civil proceedings, should this course of action be deemed necessary. Where there are concerns noted by professionals about the possibility of a case involving FII, child protection procedures should be initiated. Arrangements should be agreed for the compilation of a comprehensive integrated chronology as these are particularly useful in such cases. Interventions should specifically address:  The developmental needs of the child  The child’s understanding of what has happened to him/her  The parent/carer’s capacity to respond to the child’ needs  The impact of family relationships on the child’s health and wellbeing  The management of any presenting signs, illnesses or reports of symptoms  Consideration of whether the child’s needs can be responded to within his/her family context  All of the above to be considered within the SHANARRI indicators In drawing up the Child’s Plan, careful distinction must be made between the child’s needs and the parent/carer’s capacity to parent appropriately and meet the needs of the child. Where there is a situation where the parent/ carer will not engage with professionals or cannot change his/her behaviour sufficiently in order to ensure the child does not continue to suffer significant harm, then careful consideration will need to be given to whether the child’s needs would be best met by separation from the parent/carer. Getting It Right For Vulnerable Children and Young People in North Ayrshire DRAFT V1.1 March 2014 Page No:73