Abstract

Safeguarding children from harm has, until recently, been driven primarily by social work practitioners. With current shifts in child care and protection practice and policy, combined with an overwhelming message of 'working together', primary health care professionals have an increasingly central part to play. There is a strong argument that cases of suspected child abuse and neglect should warrant the same level of urgent response as any potentially fatal childhood illness.

This book provides an overview of the challenges primary health care professionals now face in recognising and responding to concerns about a child's safety from abuse and neglect. It provides practical accounts and perspectives from a range of frontline practitioners working with children, parents and carers, backed up by theoretical insights from leading academics in the field. Issues explored include: media coverage of child abuse and neglect cases, inter-professional collaboration, competing professional priorities and resources, practical workload decisions and personal experiences and anxieties.

Safeguarding Children in Primary Health Care is a useful training and development resource for all primary health care practitioners, such as paediatricians, community nurses and midwives, community psychiatric nurses, health visitors, dentists, general practitioners and allied health professionals.

As recent well-publicised cases illustrate, the identification of, and appropriate response to, child abuse and neglect by health and social care professionals at all levels remains a major barrier to effective child protection in the UK. The role of primary health care professionals has received limited academic and policy attention despite their key role in timely identification and initial management of children and their families where abuse is suspected. Julie Taylor and Markus Themessl-Huber's book fills an important gap in the literature offering a rich and comprehensive overview of the many complex facets of the identification and management of child abuse in primary care. This book should find a place alongside local child protection guidelines on primary health care professionals' book shelves'.
Professor Nick Spencer, Emeritus Professor of Child Health, School of Health and Social Studies, University of Warwick
Safeguarding children and young people is every nurse's business. The text clearly outlines the role, responsibilities and challenges for practitioners working in primary care settings. Promoting the health and wellbeing of the whole family is a key component of day to day activities. However, acting to protect a child must be of paramount importance. Practitioners should always act in the best interests of the child and seek advice from Named and Designated professionals if unsure. Professional bodies like the Royal College of Nursing can also assist where practitioners feel their voice is not being heard at local level.
Maura Buchanan, President, Royal College of Nursing
This informative book addresses a major gap in the literature in examining the complexity and challenges of safeguarding children in primary care. Primary health care professionals have a key role in the identification and management of children, young people and their families where abuse or neglect is suspected. This book provides an invaluable resource for all primary care health and social care professionals. As policy and research place a greater emphasis on early intervention and collaborative working in safeguarding children's health and wellbeing, this book offers an excellent guide to both practical and strategic approaches utilised in primary care.
Dr. Jane V. Appleton, Reader in Primary and Community Care, Oxford Brookes University
This is a must-have resource for primary healthcare professionals.
Nursing Standard