FSRH submission to NICE’s draft guidance consultation on child abuse and neglect

FSRH responds to NICE’s draft guidance consultation on child abuse and neglect: recognising, assessing and responding to abuse and neglect of children and young people.

FSRH highlights, in this response, that accountability for reporting should rest at an organisational level as individual failings can be the result of wider organisational issues. FSRH advocates a duty to act; NICE should favour duty to act over mandatory reporting to achieve better overall outcomes for children.

Any research conducted should encompass this view and not focus solely on mandatory reporting. FSRH holds this view as mandatory reporting risks focussing professional attentions on the act of reporting, undermining a holistic, individualised and whole-system approach to child protection and safeguarding.

You can track the progress of this consultation via this link.