National safeguarding website

Working Together to Safeguard Children sets out the responsibilities of all those working with children. The cross government Staying Safe Action Plan published in February 2008, supports and promotes this.

The safety of children is paramount to the NHS. This is reflected in the statutory responsibilities placed upon healthcare organisations, to make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

• Children’s National Service Frameworks documents
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (opens new window)
• Staying Safe Action Plan (opens new window)

• Guidance on the duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children (opens new window)
• Children Act 2004 (opens new window)

Health professionals and partners specifically will need to have regard to the following areas:

• Children Act 1989 (opens new window)
• The Local Safeguarding Children Board Regulations 2006 (opens new window)
• Framework for the assessment of children in need and their families
• Working Together to Safeguard Children April 2006 (opens new window)
• What to do if You’re Worried a Child is Being Abused 2007 (opens new window)
• Safeguarding children in whom illness is fabricated or induced – DCSF guidance revised March 2008 (opens new window)
• Safeguarding Children in Whom Illness is Fabricated or Induced – review

Other guidance/useful information

• National service framework for children, young people and maternity services: Core standards – particulary standard 5, 2004
• Every Child Matters guidance: Safeguarding children from abuse linked to a belief in spirit possession (opens new window)
• Information Sharing: Further guidance on legal issues 2006 (opens new window)
• Information Sharing: Guidance for practitioners and managers (Department of Health, 2008)
• Safeguarding children: a Joint Chief Inspectors report on arrangements to safeguard children
• Safeguarding Children: The second joint Chief Inspectors’ Report on Arrangements to Safeguard Children 2005 (opens new window)
• Child death review pilot project (opens new window)
• Domestic Violence Toolkit for practitioners (Department of Health, 2009)
• Healthcare Commission: Annual Health check on safeguarding (opens new window)
• NICE guidance on when to suspect child maltreatment (NICE, 2009)