The safety of the child at risk is paramount. Therefore:
- A decision must be taken by the practitioner as to whether there are immediate concerns about a child’s safety;
Example: Medical staff in a hospital are concerned that the discharge of a child to their parents may put the child at immediate risk of harm.
- action must be taken to protect the child from harm;
- practitioners must contact the police using the emergency number: 999 if there is imminent danger to the child. They should do this without delay to protect the child from the risk of serious harm;
Example: The parents of a child who is in hospital are threatening to remove the child. Hospital staff believe this would place the child in immediate physical danger.
- consideration should also be given to the immediate safety of other children or adults who may be at immediate risk of harm;
Example: An adolescent, during a contact visit, is threatening to attack his mother and young brother with a knife. He is also threatening staff who have entered the room.
- if there is a need for urgent medical attention call for an ambulance by dialling 999.