Duties of health professionals in investigations of child abuse

In order for children to be safeguarded from abuse and neglect it is essential health practitioners are willing to take action where they have concerns about a child's welfare. However, some practitioners have faced legal action as a result of actions taken to protect children and there is a risk that professionals' behaviour in dealing with some cases of suspected child abuse, and recruitment to specialist roles, could be affected by a concern for personal consequences. The Government's view is that where professionals are undertaking child protection work, their first duty is to the children concerned. As far as the children's parents are concerned, professionals must simply act in good faith, exercising reasonable skill and care.

Joint statement by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Department of Health (DH) and Ministerial letter