This summary document provides best practice guidance for those who work with children in order to safeguard their welfare. It also contains an appendix to help practitioners with the legal issues affecting the sharing of information.

It also provides general information for anyone whose work brings them into contact with children and families, and particularly focuses on those who work in social care, health, education and criminal justice services.

Addressing issues affecting each of these target audiences, the document outlines the following: What you should do if you have concerns about a child’s welfare; What will happen once you have informed someone about those concerns; and What further contribution you may be asked or expected to make to the processes of assessment, planning, working with children, and reviewing that work.

The guidance is accompanied with flowcharts following the procedure from referral, initial assessment, emergency action that might need to be taken, through to what happens after a strategy discussion and child protection review conference.

References to the relevant government guidance on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children are also provided.

Please note, this is a revised version of the guidance.