Saving this page to a PDF file.
Chrome
Step 1: Click the "Print this page" button. Alternatively, press Ctrl + P (on Mac, use Cmd + P)
Step 2: In the resulting pop-up window, click the Down Arrow to the right of Destination and select Save As PDF in the drop-down menu. You can also optionally choose to hide 'Headers and Footers' with a checkbox.
IE/Edge
Step 1: Click the "Print this page" button. Alternatively, press Ctrl + P (on Mac, use Cmd + P)
Step 2: On the following dialog, under Printer, choose 'Microsoft Print to PDF'
Click 'Print' and you have saved your webpage to a PDF file.
Clinical Scenarios
1) I am concerned that the child is in imminent danger. Contact the police on 999.
2) If a child is seriously ill or injured. You need to immediately refer the child to hospital and inform the children’s social care team.
3) If you think that a non-mobile baby has a bruise. You will need to make an urgent referral to the local children’s social care team who will arrange for the child to be reviewed by a paediatrician. See the protocol bruising in Children who are not independently mobile.
4) If I’m not sure about a mark on a mobile child and I’d like someone else to take a look. In the first instance, you could speak to a senior colleague or the child safeguarding lead in the practice. If you suspect that the mark is a bruise that may have resulted from abuse, you should refer to the local children’s social care team. If you think the mark is something else and needs review, you should consider discussing with a consultant paediatrician or refer to a paediatrician for urgent review.
5) If I think that the child is being abused and I need to report it. You will need to make an urgent referral to the local children’s social care team.
6) I'm concerned that the child is being sexually abused or sexually exploited. You will need to make an urgent referral to the local children’s social care team who will arrange for the child to be examined in an appropriate environment.
7) I’m concerned about that a looked after child or a child placed for adoption is being abused. In the first instance, discuss your concerns with the child’s own social worker. If you are not completely satisfied with their response, then make an urgent child protection referral to the local children’s social care team.
8) If I feel that the environment the child is being exposed to poses a risk of possible abuse in the future. In the first instance, you should speak to the safeguarding lead within your own practice. If you need further advice, please speak to your local named GP for child safeguarding.
Child Protection Resources
Child Protection Service Delivery Standards [Oct 2020]
Good practice service delivery standards for the management of children referred for child protection medical assessments
Child Abuse and Neglect NICE Guidelines & Standards
This guideline covers recognising and responding to abuse and neglect in children and young people aged under 18. It covers physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and neglect. The guideline aims to help anyone whose work brings them into contact with children and young people to spot signs of abuse and neglect and to know how to respond. It also supports practitioners who carry out assessments and provide early help and interventions to children, young people, parents and carers.
This quality standard covers recognising, assessing and responding to abuse and neglect of children and young people under 18. It covers physical, sexual and emotional abuse. This quality standard describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement.
Child Maltreatment: When to suspect maltreatment in under 18s - Clinical guideline [CG89]
This guideline covers the signs of possible child maltreatment in children and young people aged under 18 years. It aims to raise awareness and help health professionals who are not child protection specialists to identify the features of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect and fabricated or induced illness.
Harmful sexual behaviour among children and young people - NICE guideline [NG55]
This guideline covers children and young people who display harmful sexual behaviour, including those on remand or serving community or custodial sentences. It aims to ensure these problems don’t escalate and possibly lead to them being charged with a sexual offence. It also aims to ensure no-one is unnecessarily referred to specialist services.
Child Protection Portal - RCPCH
Child Protection Evidence is our evidence-based resource for clinicians in the UK and internationally helps inform clinical practice, child protection procedures and professional and expert opinion in the legal system.
