Guidance: DH advice if you’re worried a child is being abused
By Reports & Resources, , ,

This Department of Health (DH) advice is for anyone who comes into contact with children and families while working, including:

  •     social care practitioners
  •     health practitioners
  •     early years practitioners
  •     school staff (both teaching and non-teaching)
  •     police officers

It applies to people working in the:

  •     statutory sector (organisations set up, controlled and funded by the government)
  •     voluntary sector (not for profit organisations)
  •     independent sectors (organisations funded by the clients who use the service)

and includes:

  •     early years services
  •     social care services
  •     health services
  •     local authorities
  •     education services
  •     criminal justice services
  •     adult social care services

It explains:

  •     the signs of abuse and neglect to look out for
  •     the action to take if you think a child is being abused or neglected

This advice helps you understand how to comply with the law or explains what DH policies mean in practice but you do not have to follow the advice.