Health reforms jeopardise child protection, doctors warn

The study, by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), questioned 59 safeguarding doctors from local health trusts.

These paediatricians, known as "named professionals" in NHS trusts and "designated professionals" in primary care trusts (PCTs), have responsibility for taking a lead on safeguarding children.

More than three-quarters of named and designated professionals told RCPCH that they have insufficient time to fulfil their safeguarding duties effectively.

Only 12 per cent said the health reforms could stimulate innovation and improvement in safeguarding, while just one respondent believed their role would be protected and enhanced in the new NHS.

Under the reforms, council-led health and wellbeing boards will have responsibility for promoting public health. But just 13 per cent of named and designated doctors are working with new health and wellbeing boards.

One professional surveyed was expected to act as safeguarding lead for a child population of around 200,000, without any allotted time aside from clinical duties.

Others in the survey warned that they were given “no specific training” to help them protect vulnerable children.

The RCPCH is now calling on ministers and local commissioners to maintain the named and designated doctor roles, as the reformed NHS structures take shape.

It wants to see a quality standard for safeguarding children developed by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence.

The RCPCH also wants the Department for Education’s (DfE's) statutory guidance document, Working Together to Safeguard Children, to be more explicit about the responsibilities of all professionals involved in safeguarding children.

RCPCH child protection officer Dr Amanda Thomas said: “There are clearly serious concerns among doctors about the future of safeguarding – in particular about their ability to fulfil their duties due to lack of time, training and resources.

“In order to protect children, it is crucial that safeguarding is not seen as an afterthought, but instead a central part of our health service.”

A DfE spokesman said: “We will consult on the Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance shortly. This will set out how agencies and professionals should work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.”