Chapter Contents
Types of Abuse
There are four main forms of abuse:
1. Physical Abuse
This is a form of abuse that causes physical harm to a child. Examples include hitting, shaking and burning, as well as harm caused when a parent fabricates or induces illness in a child.
2. Neglect
This is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic needs and often leads to health problems and delayed development. It can include failing to provide adequate food, clothing or supervision and failing to access medical care or treatment.
3. Sexual abuse
This involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities with adults or other young people. These activities may involve assault by penetration (e.g. rape), non-penetrative acts such as masturbation and non-contact activities such as involving young people in the making of sexual images and online grooming.
4. Emotional Abuse
This is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child. It can include:
- Conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved.
- Controlling how, when and with whom a child can communicate.
- Mocking and humiliating a child
- Forcing a child to watch or hear the mistreatment of another person.
All types of maltreatment of children involve some level of emotional abuse, but it can also occur alone.
You can find full definitions in Appendix A of Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)
Complete the mandatory training course : Safeguarding Children & Young People, and choose a safeguarding refresher course from our suite of safeguarding courses on Learnative.
Complete the required training course at Core grade: Managing Disclosures.
Positions of Trust
It is a criminal offence for adults who are in positions of trust to engage in sexual activity (including inappropriate touching), or have sexual relationships, with young people in their care. This applies even if the young person is over 16 and initiates or consents to the sexual activity. It also applies to the care of vulnerable young adults.
A position of trust can be broadly defined as a relationship in which one party is in a position of power or influence over the other by virtue of their work or nature of their activity. Social workers and foster parents are defined within the legislation as being positions of trust. Your family members and friends would also be in a position of trust if they help with the care of the fostered child. Adult members of your household, including sons and daughters, may also be seen to hold positions of trust in some circumstances.
Allegations or complaints would be subject to the procedures defined in the Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018). Conviction of criminal charges under this legislation may lead to a custodial sentence and a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Contact your supervising social worker if:
- You think a young person might be being abused or
- You feel sexually attracted to a young person in your care
Your supervising social worker will inform the registered manager and they will take the necessary action to safeguard the young person concerned.
