1. Home
  2. Key topics

Child protection and safeguarding

As child health professionals, child protection plays a role in everything we do. It is about protecting individual children identified as suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm as a result of abuse or neglect. Safeguarding is a broader issue, and covers how we ensure children grow up in a safe environment. Take a look at our resources, news and courses.
Child sitting on a step with head down

Child Protection Companion

Your handbook on all forms of child abuse. It looks across the whole range of medical and social interactions: from examination, to identification, to referral, to court.
Access Companion on the PCO UK website

Child Protection Evidence

Resource based on the latest evidence to inform clinical practice, procedures and professional and expert opinion in the legal system.
Access Child Protection Evidence
Group of delegates facing presenter of a course

Educational opportunities

We help give doctors the competencies they need to protect children from abuse. Try our free eLearning programmes or book on to a face-to-face course.
About these educational opportunities

Physical signs of child sexual abuse

Guidance for best practice to aid clinical decision-making in examining children referred for evaluation of possible sexual abuse. Available to purchase online, and free to members who are named and designated doctors for safeguarding children.
About publication

Intercollegiate roles and competences

This intercollegiate framework helps all health professionals - from non-clinical staff to experts - understand their responsibilities in recognising child maltreatment and how to take effective action.
Access framework

Child protection standing committee

This group is responsible for championing the safeguarding agenda for children and young people. It advises on matters relating to child protection – preventing violence, exploitation and abuse against children.
About the committee

Further key child protection resources

Briefings from Serious Case Reviews (SCRs) in child protection
Child protection and the anaesthetist
Child protection medical examination for young people - statement
Children and young people in secure settings
Fabricated or induced illness by carers - a practical guide
Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine (FFLM) guidance
Looked after children - resources
Medical photography of possible physical abuse in children - guidance
Paediatricians as expert witnesses – FJC joint guidance
Peer review in safeguarding
Protection of children in conflict and child refugees - statement
Refugee and unaccompanied asylum seeking children and young people - guide
Safeguarding children - guidelines for occupational health professionals
Service specification for the clinical evaluation of children and young people …
Sudden unexpected death in infancy and childhood - multi-agency guidelines

News in child protection

See all news

Courses in safeguarding

See all RCPCH courses