NSPCC Briefing: Healthcare learning from case reviews
Health professionals are often well placed to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns. Case reviews show that, despite significant system pressures, many practitioners demonstrated creativity and persistence in engaging with families and delivering care. There were also strong examples of effective multi‑agency working, helping to meet families’ needs and enabling timely action to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns in complex and challenging circumstances.
This briefing draws together learning from a sample of case reviews published by local safeguarding partnerships between 2020 and 2024 where learning for health professionals was identified. These reviews do not represent the experiences of all children and families receiving support from health services. Safeguarding concerns may go unidentified or unreported, and not all identified cases result in a formal review.
