Safeguarding

Children playing

For information on Safeguarding Adults, please click here.

Good Medical Practice states that doctors must safeguard and protect the health and well being of children and young people. It is a legal and statutory requirement.

When treating adults who care for, or pose risks to children and young people, the adult patients must be the doctor’s first concern, but doctors must also consider and act in the best interest of children and young people, and promote their welfare. (GMC guidance and Children Act 2004)

The General Medical Council's guidance on 0-18 years Child Protection, section 61 states:
“Your first concern must be the safety of children and young people. You must inform an appropriate person or authority, where there is risk of abuse or neglect, when it is in the child’s best interest or necessary to protect other children.

You must be able to justify a decision NOT to share such a concern having taken advice from a named or designated doctor for child protection, or a defence or professional body. You should record your concerns and discussions for taking this decision in these circumstances.

You will be able to justify raising a concern, even if it turns out to be groundless, if you have done so honestly and on the basis of reasonable belief.”

Consider whether to make a referral to Children’s Social Care or to ask for a second opinion where there are features of abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or concern about sexual abuse.

If you would like a second opinion, or a child requires treatment /admission, contact the Consultant Paediatrician on call by phone, and send the child to hospital. Do not send the family to A&E without contacting the paediatricians in case they do not attend.

Always consider the safety of any children in the household where there is evidence of domestic violence.

Avoid confronting the family but explain that you are concerned and are referring for a second opinion.

Coming soon

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