NCJ Number
164002
Journal
Child Abuse Review Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (May 1996) Pages: 128-132
Date Published
1996
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The British document, "Child Protection: Clarification of Arrangements Between the NHS (National Health Service) and Other Agencies," composed by the Department of Health and Welsh Office in 1995, attempts to develop coherent local child protection systems.
Abstract
Two new roles are explained: designated professionals and named professionals. Designated professionals will be a designated doctor, such as a senior community pediatrician with experience in child protection practice, and a designated nurse, to be senior and with a health visiting qualification. They will be identified by each Health Authority (HA), but usually based within a provider unit; however, they will have significant responsibilities, including liaising with each Trust in the locality through their named doctors and nurses and establishing effective communication within and between different Trusts; providing expert advice on child protection to all local HA's and to purchasers; sitting on the Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) and helping update and monitor its policies; and identifying the training needs of all local health staff and organizing their training. Under the revised arrangements there are to be more representatives of purchasers sitting on ACPC's. The HA will be required to detail comprehensive service specifications and quality standards for child protection and agreed audit protocols, informed by their designated professionals, providers, and other relevant agencies. A previous gap in the child protection system, the responsibilities of the private sector, has been addressed. All private practitioners must follow the child protection procedures of the locality in which they are based. Overall, the revised arrangements have only achieved partial success. The new policy statement offers guidance as a reflection of good practice rather than a prescriptive set of instructions and leaves important areas unclear or confusing, especially concerning lines of accountability. 4 references