Bruising on babies should set alarm bells ringing but health professionals and social workers are not always sure what action to take.
In the south of England a joint safeguarding protocol is helping to remove uncertainty.
The Joint Bruising Protocol, developed by NHS Hampshire and Hampshire children's services and launched earlier this year, applies to bruising on "non-ambulant" babies.
Non-ambulant babies are generally under six months old and not independently mobile. This means that they cannot crawl or pull themselves up to stand, but may be able to roll.
The protocol means that if bruising is found on a non-ambulant baby, the child is immediately referred for both a paediatric and social services assessment - an approach that has proved controversial among parents and staff.
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