Protecting children and young people: the responsibilities of all doctors
Make sure you have read our guidance about protecting children and young people at risk of abuse or neglect before it comes into effect on 3 September 2012.
Last month, we sent all doctors a copy of our new guidance, Protecting children and young people: the responsibilities of all doctors. The guidance advises on sharing information for child protection purposes, working in partnership with other agencies, and giving evidence in court about suspected abuse or neglect.
Protecting children and young people is a difficult area of practice. It can involve making decisions that are emotionally challenging and complicated by uncertainty. It can bring doctors into the rare situation of acting against the wishes of parents when caring for their child.*
The new guidance is not just aimed at paediatricians, GPs, or those directly treating children. Doctors treat adults whose situation may affect their ability to care for a child, even if the child is not their patient, and all doctors need to have the confidence to take action whenever a child might be at risk.
In addition to the full guidance, we have produced short guides for GPs and doctors treating adult patients. We have also produced case studies and a decision-making flowchart to help doctors to apply the guidance.
The guidance was produced by a working group led by the Rt Hon Lord Justice Thorpe and included paediatricians, a GP, a psychiatrist, social care professionals and advocates for children and young people.
Find out more
* In some cases, it may be difficult to identify where parents’ freedom to bring up their children in line with their religious and cultural practices or beliefs becomes a cause for concern about a child’s or young person’s physical or emotional well-being. Female genital mutilation – sometimes referred to as female circumcision – is a serious crime and a child protection issue. Multi-agency practice guidelines for England and Wales have been published by HM Government. Information about work in Scotland and in Northern Ireland can be found online.