2.2.7 Safeguarding Children at Risk where a Parent has a Mental Health Problem |
Contents
- Introduction
- Implications of Parent/Carer Mental Health Difficulty
- Guidelines for Joint Working
- Contingency Planning
1. Introduction
1. | The mental health of a parent or carer does not necessarily have an adverse impact on the welfare of a child but it is essential to assess the implications for the each child. |
2. | Children, may suffer significant harm where:
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3. | Where it is believed that a child of a parent with mental health problems may be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm, a Strategy Discussion/Meeting should be held and consideration should be given to undertaking a Section 47 Enquiry |
4. | Where a parent/carer has mental health problems, there are likely to be a number of professionals involved from different services. It is important that these professionals work together within enquiries and assessments to identify any links between the parent’s mental health, their parenting, and the impact on the child. Any assessment should include an understanding of the needs of the family and children and an identification of the services required to meet these needs. |
2. Implications of Parent/Carer Mental Health Difficulty
5. | To determine how a parent/carer’s mental problem may impact on their parenting ability and the child’s development the following questions need to be considered within an assessment:
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3. Guidelines for Joint Working
6. | It is essential that staff working in adult mental health and child care work together within the application of safeguarding and child protection procedures to ensure the safety of the child and management of the adult’s mental health. |
7. | Joint work will include mental health workers providing all information with regard to:
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8. | Child protection workers must assess the individual needs of each child and within this incorporate information provided by mental health workers. |
9. | Mental health professionals must attend and provide information to any meeting concerning the implications of the parent/carer’s mental health difficulty on the child. These will include: |
10. | Child care professionals must attend Care Programme Approach (CPA) and other meetings related to the management of the parent’s mental health. |
11. | All plans for a child including Child Protection Plans will identify the roles and responsibilities of mental health and other professionals. The plan will also identify the process of communication and liaison between professionals. All professionals should work in accordance with their own agency procedures/ guidelines and seek advice and guidance from line management when necessary. |
4. Contingency Planning
12. | Child care and mental health professionals should always consider the future management of a change in circumstances for a parent/carer and the child and how concerns will be identified and communicated. This may include:
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13. | Professionals need to consider carefully the implications for children when closing their involvement with parents with a mental health problem. Consideration should be given to informing the appropriate Children’s Social Care Services team in order that the implications for the child are assessed. |
End