Family protection experts join forces under one roof

Published on Monday 12 June 2006 12:59

SCOTLAND'S first dedicated family protection centre is to be established in the Capital by police, health workers and social workers.

The special operations police unit which investigates incidents of child sex abuse and neglect has already moved to the building and it will soon be joined by health visitors and forensic medical examiners.

The move follows high-profile inquiries such as the one into the death of baby Caleb Ness, who was in the care of his brain-damaged father and recovering drug addict mother.

Authorities were heavily criticised by the inquiry because vital information about the infant's situation was not shared between police, health and social workers.

Temporary Detective Inspector Kevin Cassidy co-ordinated the project and explained that if a vulnerable child comes to the attention of the authorities, it was vital that health, social work and police meet to discuss the case.

"That's the key element of any child protection investigation - you have to get that right," he said. "Because we were located in different parts of the town, these were seldom face-to-face discussions.

"By co-locating the key professionals under the one roof, the sharing of information can take place much more quickly and much more effectively to enable us to work in a much more co-ordinated and integrated fashion and ultimately to provide better outcomes for children."

More than 50 police officers have moved from St Leonard's Police Station to the new centre in the west of the city. As well as providing office space, there are interview rooms and a medical examination suite.

The police officers also investigate sex crimes involving adult victims and keep track of people on the sex offenders register.

Because victims can be interviewed and medically examined in one place, there is no need for them to give a statement in a police station and then go to hospital.

DI Cassidy said: "We are providing bespoke facilities that are designed for purpose. For the public, it means a single point of contact so people do not have to be moved across the city from pillar to post."

Sex offences against children and adults in Edinburgh are on the increase and last year the special operations unit investigated 600 cases.

Health workers believe there are around 12,000 vulnerable children in the Lothians and a computer system was launched recently to warn doctors, teachers, social workers and police when a child is at risk.

NHS Lothian child health commissioner Cathy Orr said: "We welcome the fact that staff are to be co-located in the new unit. By working together with the police and social work department we are able to offer greater support to vulnerable children and adults."

The council's children and families department will be basing a team leader and six senior social workers at the centre. A worker will also be responsible for developing programmes to develop personal safety in schools.

A spokeswoman said: "The shared response will ensure a balance between investigation and providing assistance to children and families who are in need.

"This is a great opportunity for all the agencies to work together to promote the safety and welfare of the children of Edinburgh."