Following formal consultation we have published the revised statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children (2013). This guidance has been published in response to recommendations from Professor Eileen Munro's report, 'A child-centred system'.
The guidance clarifies the core legal requirements on individuals and organisations to keep children safe. It sets out, in one place, the legal requirements that health services, social workers, police, schools and other organisations who work with children, must follow – and emphasises that safeguarding is the responsibility of all professionals who work with children.
The guidance will come into effect from 15 April 2013.
Alongside the revised guidance we have published:
- the Government’s response to the consultation,
- a final impact assessment,
- an equality analysis (EQUIA),
- a study carried out by the Childhood Wellbeing Research Centre of the three pilot local authorities who are testing a systems approach to serious case reviews.
Alongside the revised guidance the NHS Commissioning Board has published the Safeguarding Vulnerable People in the Reformed NHS – Accountability and Assurance Framework.
We are also working with the Office of the Children's Rights Director to develop a young person’s guide to Working Together to Safeguard Children, the first time this has been done. This will be published shortly.
