What it means for practitioners

Children must be protected from all forms of harm – including physical or emotional abuse, neglect, exploitation, and sexual abuse – whether they are living with parents, guardians, in foster care, residential care homes, or under the supervision of any other adult responsible for them.

Organisations must take proactive steps to prevent harm. This includes:

  • Putting in place laws, policies, and procedures that promote child safety
  • Providing or signposting to support services for children, young people and their caregivers
  • Ensuring systems are in place to identify, report, refer, investigate, and respond to concerns about child maltreatment
  • Where appropriate, involving the justice system to ensure accountability and protection

Next steps

  • Guidance

    This guidance aims to be an accessible, user-friendly resource for practitioners across sectors, bringing together the core elements of existing frameworks, legislation, policy, and guidance relevant...

  • Service Pathways

    Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), requires a coordinated, preventative, and trauma-informed response. A Public Health Approach provides a strategic framework that addresses exploitation at multiple...

  • Agency Roles

    While it is our collective responsibility, each agency involved in safeguarding has a clear role and distinct responsibilities, underpinned by statutory duties and legal frameworks including The...