Revised and updated in light of the reissued Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance and the Children's Act (2004), this concise Handbook will help health and allied professionals negotiate the complexities of child protection practice, with the aim of preventing abuse and neglect and protecting children from further harm once it has occurred. It covers all the key aspects of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and neglect, including: risk assessment and the prevention of abuse; abuse of children with disabilities; recognition of signs and symptoms; medical details and the paediatric assessment; and, the child protection conference partnership and joint working record keeping, confidentiality and the legal framework. This new edition provides sound advice aimed at improving individual practice, and further reading at the end of each chapter will assist those who need to pursue topics further. It is unique in that although it is directed to all health care workers, it can be used as part of in-service training, as a handy reference for students and social workers, and indeed by anyone who works with children.

All public sector workers in contact with children and families need access to information on what to do if they are concerned about the safety and welfare of a child. This guide will help them negotiate the complexities of child protection practice, with the aim of preventing abuse and neglect and protecting children from further harm.