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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 Protection Portal

Your essential resource to help inform clinical practice, child protection procedures, and professional and expert opinion in the legal system.

Some content on the Portal, including our Child Protection Companion, is only available to College members (as part of your subscription) or to subscribers. We have different subscription options for individuals and organisations.

Visit the Child Protection Portal
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Child Protection Companion

Child Protection Companion

Your handbook on all forms of child abuse - looks across the whole range of medical and social interactions: from examination, to identification, to referral, to court. Available to members and subscribers.
Go to Companion on Child Protection Portal

Child Protection Evidence

Our evidence-based resource for clinicians in the UK and internationally helps inform clinical practice, child protection procedures and professional and expert opinion in the legal system.
Go to Evidence on Child Protection Portal

Educational opportunities

Child protection continues to evolve, with particular changes over the last 10 years. We aim to provide doctors with the essential competencies through courses and eLearning.
See opportunities on Child Protection Portal

Physical signs of child sexual abuse

Aids clinical decision-making in examining children referred for evaluation of possible sexual abuse - available to purchase or free to members who are named and designated doctors for safeguarding children.
About publication and how to order

Intercollegiate roles and competences

Framework to help all health professionals - from non-clinical staff to experts - understand their responsibilities in recognising child maltreatment and how to take effective action.
Access framework on Child Protection Portal

Child protection standing committee

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.
See more about committee on Child Protection Portal

Further key child protection resources (including on the Child Protection Portal)

Child protection and the anaesthetist
Child protection medical examination for young people - statement
Child protection service delivery standards
Clinical evaluation of children who may have been sexually abused - service spe…
Looked After Children - resources and guidance
Medical photography of possible physical abuse in children - guidance
Paediatricians as expert witnesses – FJC joint guidance
Peer review in safeguarding
Perplexing Presentations (PP)/Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in children -…
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
Secure settings - healthcare standards
Serious Case Reviews (SCRs) in child protection - briefings
Sudden unexpected death in infancy and childhood - multi-agency guidelines

Courses and events in safeguarding

More courses