Protecting children and young people

This guidance includes eight guiding principles. It explores how you can make sure children and young people who may be at risk of harm receive the care and support they need.

The guidance will help you to know what to do if you identify children at risk of, or suffering, abuse and neglect. It encourages you to work in partnership with parents and others and provides a framework to follow when you need to share information.

This guidance came into effect 3 September 2012. It was updated on 25 May 2018 to reflect the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018.

The guidance was updated on 13 December 2024 when regulation of physician associates and anaesthesia associates by the GMC came into effect.