Other sources of information and guidance

National law, guidance and reviews

• Children Act 1989
• Children Act 2004
• Children (Scotland) Act 1995
• Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995
• Department for Children, Schools and Families (2010) Working together to safeguard children: a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children Nottingham, HM Government.
• Area Child Protection Committees (2005) Regional child protection policy and procedures (pdf) Area Child Protection Committees.
• The Scottish Government (2010) National guidance for child protection in Scotland 2010 (pdf) Edinburgh, The Scottish Government.
• Munro E (2011) The Munro review of child protection: final report: a childcentred system Norwich, The Stationery Office. 

Toolkits and readers

• Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (2006) Child protection companion (pdf) London, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
• Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (2007) Child protection reader: recognition and response in child protection (pdf) London, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
• British Medical Association (2009) Child protection – a tool kit for doctors and BMA Child Protection Tootkit app available to download from iTunes, London, British Medical Association.
• Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Association of Chief Police Officers, Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine (2010) Guidance for best
  practice for the management of intimate images that may become evidence in court (pdf) London, Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine.
• Royal College of General Practitioners, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (2011) Safeguarding children and young people: a toolkit for General Practice Royal College of General Practitioners, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
• Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in collaboration with the Royal College of Physicians of London and its Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine (2008) The physical signs of child sexual abuse: an evidence-based review and guidance for best practice London, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in collaboration with the Royal College of Physicians of London and its Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine.
• National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2009) When to suspect child maltreatment London, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Training

• Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, et al (2010) Safeguarding children and young people: roles and competences for healthcare staff: intercollegiate report (pdf) London, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. 

Giving evidence in court

• British Medical Association (2008) Expert witness guidance London, British Medical Association
• The Right Honourable Justice Wall (2007) A handbook for expert witnesses in Children Act cases Bristol, Jordans, 2nd edn 
• Ministry of Justice (2011) Practice Direction on Experts in Family Proceedings Relating to Children

Useful information available online

• The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
• The Civil Justice Council
• Family Justice Council
• The Crown Prosecution Service (Disclosure manual)
• The Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration

Sources of independent advice and support for parents and families

• The NSPCC is a national charity campaigning on behalf of children and young people. The NSPCC has helplines that children and adults can ring for advice and support. Children and young people can call ChildLine on 0800 1111. Adults can call 0808 800 5000 for help and advice.
• The Family Rights Group (FRG) provides free confidential advice and support to families whose children are involved with local authority children’s services. Families can call its advice service free on 0808 801 0366 or send an email to advice@frg.org.uk. FRG also has a range of free advice sheets on its website.
• The Coram Children’s Legal Centre (CCLC) provides free legal information, advice and representation to children and young people, and their families, and to carers and professionals. Families can call its advice service free on 08088 020 008 for legal advice on any topic.
• The law societies provide internet-based search facilities to help people find solicitors.
  • England and Wales:
  • Scotland:
  • Northern Ireland:
• Citizens Advice is an independent organisation providing free, confidential and impartial advice on all subjects to anyone. There is also advice and information on its website.
• Family Lives is a national charity providing help and support on all aspects of family life. It has a confidential service called Parentline (0808 800 2222), which parents can call for free from landlines and most mobiles for information, advice, guidance and support on any aspect of parenting and family life.
• Home-Start UK is a nationwide charity supporting children and families through a network of volunteers.
• Family Action is a charity providing practical, emotional and financial support to disadvantaged and socially isolated families.