Child Protection

Clinicians should determine if the patient cares for any children under the age of 16. A child or young person can be at risk of harm because: 

• • • their basic physical or psychological needs are not being met, or are at risk of not being met 

    • the parents or caregivers have not arranged and are unable or unwilling to arrange for the child or young person to receive necessary medical care 

    • they have been, or are at risk of being physically or sexually abused or ill-treated 

    • they are living in a household where there have been incidents of domestic violence and, as a consequence, the child or young person is at risk of serious physical or psychological harm, and/or 

    • a parent or caregiver has behaved in such a way towards the child or young person that the child or young person has suffered or is at risk of suffering serious psychological harm. 

In many jurisdictions it is mandatory for police, teachers, health workers and other people who work with children to notify relevant authorities if they believe a child is being abused or neglected. Clinicians should act according to jurisdictional guidelines if they are concerned about a child’s welfare.