Clinical pathway for children and young people who have disclosed sexual abuse: consultation

7. Appendices

Appendix A: Who is a child?

A child can be defined differently in different legal contexts:

In terms of Part 1 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (which deals with matters including parental rights and responsibilities), a child is generally defined as someone under the age of 18. In terms of Chapter 1 of Part 2 (which deals with support for children and families and includes local authorities duties in respect of looked after children and children in need), a child is also defined as someone under the age of 18.

The Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 now contains the current provisions relating to the operation of the Children's Hearings system and child protection orders. Section 199 states that, for the purposes of this Act, a child means a person less than 16 years of age. However, this section also provides some exceptions to that general rule. Subsection (2) provides that for the purposes of referrals under section 67(2) (o) (failure to attend school), references in the Act to a child include references to a person who is school age. School age has the meaning given in Section 31 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.

Additionally, children who turn 16 during the period between when they are referred to the Reporter and a decision being taken in respect of the referral are also regarded as children under the Act. Children who are subject to compulsory measures of supervision under the Act on or after their 16th birthday are also treated as children until they reach the age of 18, or the order is terminated (whichever event occurs first). Where a sheriff remits a case to the Principal Reporter under Section 49(7)(b) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, then the person is treated as a child until the referral is discharged, any compulsory supervision order made is terminated, or the child turns 18.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child applies to anyone under the age of 18. However, Article 1 states that this is the case unless majority is attained earlier under the law applicable to the child.

The meaning of a child is extended to cover any person under the age of 18 in cases concerning: Human Trafficking; sexual abuse while in a position of trust (Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009) and the sexual exploitation of children under the age of 18 through prostitution or pornography (Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005)

Under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 a child is be defined for the purposes of all Parts of that Act, as someone who has not attained the age of 18.

The individual young person's circumstances and age will dictate what legal measures can be applied. For example, the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 can be applied to over-16s where the criteria are met. This further heightens the need for local areas to establish very clear links between their Child and Adult Protection Committees and to put clear guidelines in place for the transition from child to adult services. Young people aged between 16 and 18 are potentially vulnerable to falling between the gaps and local services must ensure that processes are in place to enable staff to offer ongoing support and protection as needed, via continuous single planning for the young person. The Getting It Right For Every Child approach and provision of the Named Person service for 16-18 year olds are key to ensuring that wellbeing needs can be identified and addressed.

Where a young person between the age of 16 and 18 requires protection, services will need to consider which legislation or policy, if any, can be applied. This will depend on the young person's individual circumstances as well as on the particular legislation or policy framework. Under the GIRFEC policy similar to child protection interventions, all adult protection interventions for 16 and 17 year olds should be managed through the single Child's Planning framework. The priority is to ensure that a vulnerable young person who is, or may be, at risk of significant harm is offered support and protection.

Appendix B: Legal Context

The below links provide further information on the legal context surrounding Children and Young People who have disclosed sexual abuse:

Age of Legal Capacity Act 1991

Children (Scotland) Act 1995

Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009

Children and Young People’s (Scotland) Act 2014

Vulnerable Witnesses (Criminal Evidence) Scotland Bill

Underpinned by UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and GIRFEC, this Act establishes a structure for the integrated planning around the child and ensures that there is a single planning framework (The Child’s Plan). It provides for the child / young person to have a Named Person who is a clear point of contact for the child or young person and parents and is made available to provide information, advice, support and to help access service to promote, support or safeguarding the child’s wellbeing.

Useful Resources

There have been a number of documents published which have set quality standards, and described the evidence underpinning them.

Paediatricians and Forensic Medical Examiners working in this field should be familiar with the following:

• FFLM Quality standards for doctors undertaking paediatric sexual offence medicine.
• Child protection companion (2^nd edition).
• The physical signs of child sexual abuse: an updated evidence-based review and guidance for best practice (2^nd edition) (the website address is provided in the resources)
• Guidelines on paediatric forensic examinations in relation to possible child sexual abuse.
• Sexual offences: pre pubertal complainants and post pubertal complainants.
• Guidance for best practice for the management of intimate images that may become evidence in court.
• Peer Review in Safeguarding. (the website address is provided in the resources)

Ref: Service specification for the clinical evaluation of children and young people who may have been sexually abused. RCPCH September 2015