Abuse and Neglect -  are forms of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting; by those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger. They may be abused by an adult or adults or another child or children.

Child - Anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday.

Child Protection - Process of protecting individual children identified as either suffering, or at risk of suffering, significant harm as a result of abuse or neglect.

Child Protection Conference - A formal inter-agency meeting, following an enquiry under section 47 of the Children Act, which decides whether the child is at continuing risk of significant harm and whether the child is to be subject to a child protection plan.

Core Assessment - An in-depth assessment which addresses the central or most important aspects of the needs of the child and the capacity of his or her parents or caregivers to respond appropriately to these needs within the wider family and community context. It is to be undertaken where circumstances are complex and should be completed within a maximum of 35 working days.

Hidden Harm – Following a 2003 guidance document, the term ‘Hidden Harm’ is used with reference to the impact of parental substance misuse on children and young people.

Initial Assessment - An initial assessment of the developmental needs of each child referred to CSSR services with a request for services to be provided. This should be undertaken within a maximum of seven working days of the initial referral, but could be very brief depending on the child’s circumstances.

LADO - Local Authority Designated Officer (for allegations against staff).  Has the responsibility to oversee allegations against members of staff across all organisations.

NCSCB – Nottingham City Safeguarding Children Board

MAPPA – Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements. Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements support the assessment and management of the most serious sexual and violent offenders.

MARAC - Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences.  MARACs are mulit-agency meetings which focus on the victims of domestic violence where there is a high or very high risk. They aim to provide a co-ordinated response to support the victim and to link into relevant groups (e.g. MAPPA).

NSO - Named Senior Officer (for allegations against staff) in organisations.  Reports to the LADO.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children - The process of protecting children from abuse or neglect, preventing impairment of their health and development, and ensuring they are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care which is undertaken so as to enable children to have optimum life chances and enter adulthood successfully.

Section 17 - Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 imposes a duty on Children's Services Social Care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in their area who are in need.

Section 47 Enquiry - Section 47 of the Children Act requires every Children's Services Social Care department to make enquiries about children thought to be at risk, enabling them to decide whether they need to take further action to safeguard and promote the child’s welfare.

Significant Harm - Harm to a child who meets the criteria for an application to court under section 31 of Children Act 1989. Harm means ill-treatment, or impairment of physical or mental health, or physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development.