Key Documents for Health Professionals
See key safeguarding documents and links to Professional Bodies' standards and codes of practice.
Key statutory documents:
- Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) - for all professionals working with children.
- Information Sharing Advice for Safeguarding Practitioners (2015) - know when it's ok to share information about a child with other professionals.
Key local documents:
Thresholds and Pathways helps people who work with children, young people and families to identify levels of need, identify and assess risk and understand procedures for information sharing.
Professional Bodies: standards and codes of conduct
General Medical Council (GMC)
Protecting children and young people: The responsibilities of all doctors
As part of this guidance, the GMC also provides:
• Safeguarding case studies for doctors in different safeguarding situations.
• Flowchart illustrating the process to be followed when a doctor is concerned about a child’s safety (PDF)
• Leaflet for parents: ‘What to expect if your doctor is worried about your child’s safety' (PDF)
General Dental Council (GDC)
Standards for the dental team
See Principle 8.5: “You must take appropriate action if you have concerns about the possible abuse of children or vulnerable adults” (page 77)
See also GDC’s information: Safeguarding now a part of GDC’s continued professional development recommendations
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
The Code for Nurses and Midwives
See Section 4 ‘Preserve Safety’ and in particular code 17: ‘Raise concerns immediately if you believe a person is vulnerable or at risk and needs extra support and protection’.
Last updated: 12 January 2024