Articles

New Child Protection Training For Paediatricians Launched

A new course to give doctors more skills in managing suspected cases of child abuse has been launched by the Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health (RCPCH), the NSPCC and the Advanced Life Support Group (ALSG).

Child Protection in Practice provides specialty trainees with the competencies required for their on-going child protection practice. It will be rolled out to doctors training in paediatrics.

Every paediatrician has to take a recognised child protection course as part of their training. It is hoped that eventually everyone studying paediatrics will undertake the RCPCH, NSPCC and ALSG training course too.

Child Protection in Practice has been designed by the RCPCH, NSPCC and the ALSG. It is an e-learning course and each of the modules is taught using a variety of interactive techniques. There are also facilitated online discussion forums for some topics so that trainees can benefit by sharing experiences not only with peers but with senior colleagues.

This new course builds on the Child Protection Recognition and Response course launched in 2006 and will strengthen the nationwide training standard for all doctors and specialists who work closely with children and young people.

Dr Alistair Thomson, Vice-President, Education, Royal College Paediatrics and Child Health:

“Children in whom abuse is suspected are routinely brought to paediatricians for assessment. The RCPCH aims to educate paediatricians in training to recognise and respond appropriately to possible cases of child abuse. This course will equip paediatricians to diagnose - or exclude - abuse and then work with other team members in the best interests of the child.”

Enid Hendry, NSPCC Director of Training and Consultancy said:

“Great reliance is placed on the skills and judgement of paediatricians to ensure the right decisions are made when child abuse or neglect is suspected. This authoritative new training programme will help them play their critical role with increased confidence and knowledge and help ensure children get better protection.”

10 December 2009