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Protecting children in the health sector

We all have a responsibility to keep children safe from harm. As a health professional you play a key role in child protection – both in identifying children who are in need of safeguarding and support, and in assisting families who are at risk.

Our guidance, resources and training for healthcare professionals will help you fulfil your statutory duty and promote the welfare of children and young people. We can help you recognise the signs of abuse, respond effectively and appropriately to concerns and improve your practice. 

Guidance and resources

Recognising and responding to abuse

Learn how to identify the signs of abuse and neglect and respond appropriately to ensure children's welfare and safety.

Learning from case reviews

Read our briefing on the lessons highlighted in published case reviews to help health professionals improve their safeguarding practice.

Child health and development

Learn more about child development, mental health and wellbeing and the factors that can have an impact on them.

Sudden unexpected deaths in infancy (SUDI)

See our summary of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel’s report on sudden unexpected deaths in infancy (SUDI). We give an overview of the Panel’s key learning and recommendations from cases of SUDI in England from June 2018 to August 2019.

Gillick competency and Fraser guidelines

Find out how these guidelines are used to decide whether a child is mature enough to make decisions about things that affect them.

Harmful sexual behaviour (HSB)

Access guidance, resources and training to help you respond to and prevent incidents of problematic sexual behaviour and harmful sexual behaviour, including child-on-child and peer-on-peer sexual abuse.

NSPCC Helpline: when you're not sure

The NSPCC Helpline can help when you're not sure if a situation needs a safeguarding response. Our child protection specialists are here to support you whether you're seeking advice, sharing concerns about a child or looking for reassurance. Whatever the need, reason or feeling, you can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.

NSPCC Learning safeguarding and child protection podcast

Our podcast features experts from the NSPCC and external organisations discussing a range of child protection issues.

Recommendations for Change: podcast series

Listen to our five-part podcast series providing a detailed exploration of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) final recommendations, and what they mean for professionals working with children.

Library and information services

Looking for research or resources around safeguarding and child protection? We can compile a reading list of publications and help you access our materials.

Safeguarding consultancy

Contact us for a free, no obligation, discussion about how we can help your staff and organisation with safeguarding and child protection.

Deliver our services

We can help you deliver tried and tested tools and interventions in your local area. Our range of services provide valuable support to the children and families you work with, helping you fill gaps in your service provision.

Training for health professionals

Improve your confidence and knowledge with our cost-effective safeguarding and child protection courses for the health sector. See courses

Training for health professionals

Improve your confidence and knowledge with our cost-effective safeguarding and child protection courses for the health sector. See courses