08 • Careers


FUTURE N


PROTECTING OUR We look at how GPs can develop an interest in safeguarding children and young people


AMES such as Victoria Climbié, Baby P, Daniel Pelka and Liam Fee will be familiar to many and serve as a stark reminder of the vital work that needs to be done to keep children safe.


They are just a few high-profile cases of child abuse in the UK that have come to light over the past two decades, highlighting the continuing need for robust and wide-ranging safeguarding systems. Much of the focus (and often the criticism)


has fallen on the shoulders of social work professionals, but doctors also have a key role to play.


The Royal College of GPs has long


advocated a strong role for the involvement of primary care. The College points out that a quarter of a GP’s patients are under 19 with more children and young people seen in general practice than in any other part of the health service. For this reason, the RCGP has recommended


that all practices in England have a GP lead for child safeguarding and a deputy lead. This advice is underpinned by legislation (Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 England) and by Care Quality Commission regulatory requirements. In addition, most clinical commissioning groups in England also choose to employ a “named GP” for safeguarding children to support GPs in their area. Arrangements in the rest of the UK differ,


with doctors in Scotland, for example, working in line with the Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) scheme.


Training options GPs in England with an interest in this field may follow a formal training pathway with a view to applying for the post of “named


safeguarding GP”. According to the RCGP/ NSPCC Safeguarding Children Toolkit for General Practice, the named safeguarding children GP should be “an experienced GP of good professional standing with extended knowledge and skills in the care of children and young people”. This would be evidenced by a higher qualification in child health such as a diploma in child health (DCH) or MSc, and/or experience working in delivery of child health services within community paediatrics, schools or secondary care. GPs may also have developed expertise


through a range of other activities, including education, research, involvement with service development and management. This can include experience or working in relevant departments and professional specialties, for example attachment to a community paediatric unit under the supervision of a specialist practitioner. Other options include self-directed


learning, attendance at recognised meetings/ lectures/tutorials on specific relevant topics, a recognised university course or successful completion of a diploma or equivalent. Such courses are offered by the likes of the University of Kent, University of Greenwich, the University of Central Lancashire, University of the West of Scotland and Birmingham City University amongst others. GPs may also opt to work under the supervision of a specialist clinician in relevant clinical areas.


The job Many GPs are actively engaged in programmes and schemes across the UK aimed at safeguarding children and young people. In England, this is likely to involve working as a named safeguarding GP or as a GP lead/


deputy lead for child safeguarding in a practice.


Named safeguarding GP GPs in this role would be employed by NHS England or a CCG to support all activities necessary to ensure the organisation meets its legal responsibilities to safeguard/protect children and young people. They have inter- agency responsibilities, participating in the health group and other subcommittees of the local safeguarding children board (LSCB)/the safeguarding panel of the health and social care trust/the child protection committee. They advise local police, children’s social


care and other statutory and voluntary agencies on health matters with regard to safeguarding/child protection. They offer advice to the board of the healthcare organisation and offer advice to colleagues on the assessment, treatment and clinical services for all forms of child maltreatment including neglect, emotional and physical abuse, fabricated or induced illness (FII), child sexual abuse, honour-based violence, child trafficking, sexual exploitation and detention. The role also includes a clinical element


(where relevant) in supporting and advising colleagues in the clinical assessment and care of children and young people where there are safeguarding concerns. They help to coordinate safeguarding across the health community: agreeing and supporting training needs and priorities, and helping monitor the effectiveness and quality of services.


Practice GP lead The practice GP lead for safeguarding has a number of duties including ensuring practice child protection policy and procedures are developed, implemented and regularly monitored


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16