Operational partnerships - Police response to fires policy (O20)

1. Security protective marking

1.1. Not protectively marked.

2. Summary of changes

2.1. This policy was reviewed in April 2022 – no amendments to content have been made.

3. What this policy is about

3.1. The Children Act 1989, which came into effect on 14 October 1991, creates the legal framework for the care, protection and upbringing of children and the provision of services to them and their families. Section 46 details the powers and responsibilities of police officers taking children into police protection.  

3.2. This policy in accordance with Home Office circular 017/2008 details how Kent Police will use police protection to safeguard children. 

3.3. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of the initiating officer and the designated officer together with the links to children's social care. 

3.4. Compliance with this policy and any linked procedure is mandatory. 

4. Statement of policy 

4.1. The priorities for Kent Police in responding to child abuse and neglect are as follows:

• to protect the lives of children and ensure that in the policing of child abuse, the welfare of all children is paramount
• to investigate all reports of child abuse and neglect and to protect the rights of the child victims of crime
• to take effective action against offenders so they can be held accountable through the criminal justice system, while safeguarding the welfare of the child
• to adopt a proactive multi-agency approach to preventing and reducing child abuse in line with the agreed arrangements of the Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) of Kent and Medway

4.2. Police protection is an emergency power and should only be used when necessary, the principle being that wherever possible the decision to remove a child from a parent or carer should be made by a Court.  

4.3. The purpose of the policy is to provide a consistent and efficient response for police officers when taking children into police protection under Section 46 of the Children Act 1989. 

5. Implications of the policy

5.1. Finance/staffing/training/other

5.1.1. There are no known additional financial implications other than those already incurred. 

5.2. All officers and staff involved in protecting and safeguarding children will receive appropriate training and refresher training according to their roles. 

5.3. A robust supervision and management oversight structure is in place which is responsible for all aspects of safeguarding children.  

6. Related force policies or related procedures (Essex)/linked standard operating procedures (Kent)

6.1. O37a Police Protection

7. Monitoring and review

7.1. This policy will be reviewed every two years with the next review due in April 2024.

8. Security

8.1. Kent Police have measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management policy.

9. Retention and disposal of records

9.1. Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention and Disposal policy.