NHS Bath & North East Somerset

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Children in Need and Child Protection Handbook2 - Armed Services

Specialist Services and Procedures

Armed Services

1.1 Responsibility for the welfare of Armed Forces families is vested in the employing service and specifically in the commanding officer.

1.2 The frequency of moves makes it imperative that Armed Forces authorities are fully aware of any child deemed at risk.

1.3 All three Services provide professional welfare support to augment that provided by the local authority. When Service personnel (or civilians working with the Armed Forces) are based overseas, the Service responsibility is widened to include the protection of their children.

1.4 The Service authorities should co-operate with statutory agencies and support Service families where child abuse or neglect occurs or is suspected.

1.5 The information they hold on any family can help in the assessment and review of child protection cases.

1.6 Service authorities may also hold information on ex-Service families, which may help with current enquiries see contact details below.

Within United Kingdom

2.1 Service authorities, through their internal instructions, are made aware that the primary responsibility for the protection of children is with the local authority and that assistance should be given to enable it to fulfil its statutory obligations.

2.2 Incidents of child abuse and neglect, indicating serious harm or injury, should be referred to the Children’s Service for enquiries and if appropriate conference registrations.

Army

1.1 The provision of secondary welfare support to Army families in the UK is the responsibility of the Army Families Welfare Service (AWS).

1.2 Where a child from an Army family is subject of a child protection enquiry, contact should be made immediately with the local AWS Personal Support (see contact details below)

Royal Air Force

1.1 The station’s personnel department, usually the Officer Commanding Personnel Management Squadron (OCPMS), generally manages welfare support in the RAF.

1.2 The department liaises and works closely with the Soldiers, Sailors, Air Force Association – Forces Held (SSAFA- FH) social work assistant, and a professionally qualified social work adviser.

1.3 In the event of a child protection enquiry Children’s Service liaison should be with the OCPMS and the SSAFA – FH social work adviser for the area (see contact details below).

Royal Navy / Royal Marines

1.1 All child protection matters are handled by the Naval Personal and Family Service (NPFS), the Royal Navy’s own social work department.

1.2 In the event of a child protection enquiry Children’s Service liaison should be with the NPFS, who are able to discuss and facilitate service action on behalf of families (see contact details below).

Overseas

1.1 The Children’s Service should ensure that SSAFA is made aware of any Service child on the Register whose family is about to move overseas.

1.2 SSAFA can confirm the existence of appropriate resources in the proposed overseas location to meet identified needs. Full documentation should be provided to SSAFA.

1.3 SSAFA-FH provides, at the request of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), a qualified social work and health visiting service to families of all Service overseas.

1.4 Procedures exist in all three Services for the registration and monitoring of the protection of children, and the usual rules of confidentiality are observed.

1.5 When it appears a child is in need of emergency protection a designated person may make an application for a Protection Or4der (ss.19-22 Armed Forces Act 1991) to a Commanding Officer. This Order may last up to a maximum of 28 days, subject to review every 7 days by a senior officer.

1.6 If a child protection conference decides, whilst the Order is in force, that it is not in the child’s best interests to return to her/his parents, the child will be removed to the care of an appropriate local authority in the UK.

1.7 Assistance will be given to parents to return to the UK so they can be involved with all proceedings and decisions affecting their child.

1.8 The Protection Order, made in the overseas command, remains in effect for 24 hours following the arrival of the child in the UK. During this period the local authority must decide whether to apply to the UK court for an Emergency Protection Order (EPO).

1.9 When a Service family with a child in need of protection is about to return to the UK, SSAFA or the NPFS is responsible for informing the relevant local authority and for ensuring that full documentation is provided to assist in the management of the case.

UK Armed Service Contact Points

Army

Colonel AWS
Louisburg Block
Erskine Barracks
Wilton
SALISBURY
Wiltshire
SP2 0AG

Tel: 01722 436563

Divisional Welfare Support Officers

2 Div (including Scotland)
Tel: 0131 3102107

4 Div Tel: 01252 347483

5 Div Tel: 01743 262431

London District

Tel: 0207 4142264

Services Cotswold Centre

Tel: 01225 810358 Ext 4525