Protecting children

Children and Young People have a right to be protected and be safe from harm from others. Every adult in Scotland has a role in ensuring all our children live safely. Families, neighbours professionals and members of communities play a vital role in protecting children. Most children in our society grow up in a safe protected environment, but sadly the minority do not, and need extra help from adults to keep them safe.

The City of Edinburgh Council Children and Families Department, as part of their role in protecting children, have produced new leaflets giving public information for people worried about child protection issues, and giving children and young people simple information in a handy pocket sized leaflet which they can easily carry with them to refer to if they should ever need to do so.

If you wish to make an enquiry or request from Children and Families Social Work Services, or are concerned about a child's safety or welfare, please call Children & Families Social Care Direct on 0131 200 2327.

Child Protection campaign

Edinburgh Child Protection Committee has launched a new child protection campaign that aims to encourage adults and children to report any child protection concerns they may have while at the same time explaining the child protection process. For more information see the press release from 22nd June 2009.

The following leaflets and information cards have been produced for the campaign:

Also see the guidelines on protecting children in families with alcohol and drug problems (PDF)

Taking Care of Children

The Edinburgh Lothian and Borders Child Protection Office has produced the following leaflet giving basic information about the care and protection of children and young people in Scotland.

Edinburgh Child Protection Committee

The committee's annual report for 2007-08 (PDF) has been published, along with the report's appendices (PDF).

Also see the minutes from the committee's meeting on February 10th 2009 (PDF).

Child Protection Procedures

As of 1st June 2007, new Child Protection Procedures took effect.

Caleb Ness inquiry

The full report, and executive summary, of the Caleb Ness inquiry is also available online.

Child Safety Strategy

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) have published a Child Safety Strategy.

Contacts

Name: Children and Families

Address: Waverley Court, Level 1/9, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BG

Phone: 0131 469 3129

Phone: 0131 200 2327 (Children and Families Social Care Direct)

E-mail: andrew.jeffries