Child protection

News

Health and social workers urge Home Office to reconsider unethical age assessments for children seeking asylum

27 November 2023

Leading paediatricians, dentists and social care workers have written to the Home Secretary urging him to reconsider the use of x-rays as methods of age assessments for children seeking asylum in the UK.

News

RCPCH responds to UK Government plans to authorise the use of x-rays in age assessments of children seeking refuge and asylum

14 September 2023

On 12 September 2023, the Government confirmed its plans to authorise the use of x-rays in the age assessment of children and young people seeking asylum in the UK.

News

Where we go next - President's blog

8 September 2023

Camilla reminds colleagues of the forthcoming AGM and the recruitment processes for the next President and Treasurer. She also reflects on a particularly challenging time for the profession as a whole.

News

RCPCH sets out position on mandatory reporting of child abuse in response to government consultation

8 August 2023

The Home Office has launched a call for evidence which seeks views on how implementing a duty to report child sexual abuse is likely to impact children, organisations, and affected workforces and volunteers. RCPCH is asking the government to consider five key factors first.

Resource

RCPCH position on mandatory reporting of child abuse

A mandatory reporting duty is a duty or obligation, placed on an individual or organisation, to report child abuse to the relevant authority (“mandatory reporting”).

Safeguarding

Child protection

News

Paediatricians concerned as Illegal Migration Bill receives Royal Assent

20 July 2023

On Thursday 20 July, the Illegal Migration Bill received Royal Assent becoming the Illegal Migration Act.

Resource

Healthcare standards for children and young people in secure settings

There are about 1,000 children and young people placed in secure settings at any one time on justice or welfare grounds. This cohort of children often have complex needs that span mental health, neurodevelopmental need, substance misuse, and physical health, which can be hard to reach through tradit...

Engaging children and young people

Looked after children

Service design

News

Updated standards published to enhance the health and wellbeing of vulnerable children in secure settings

24 April 2023

The newly refreshed standards place a greater emphasis on building trusting relationships with children, the continuity of care, listening to their thoughts and wishes and including them in decisions about their care.

News

Professor Andrew Rowland appointed RCPCH Officer for Child Protection

7 March 2023

Professor Andrew Rowland has become the new Officer for Child Protection at Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

News

Housing Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children in Hotels: Joint Statement with the International Child Health Group (ICHG)

15 February 2023

Following recent news reports that the Home Office is housing unaccompanied asylum seeking children in Hotels, we have brought together the below statement with our specialty group on international child health.