Parental Risk Factors course for GPs

The responsibilities of professionals working predominantly with children are set out in the intercollegiate document 'Safeguarding Children and Young People: Roles and Competencies for Healthcare Staff'

A case study will be used to identify the risk factors most commonly associated with child maltreatment and to illustrate the role of clinical staff in supporting parents or carers to meet the health needs of young children.

Learning objectives

By the end of this session you should be able to:

• access and appraise information on a child and family relating to parental and postnatal risk factors for abuse
• identify how a child’s needs are best met and whether they might be a child in need or a child at risk of significant harm
• discuss the role of the clinical staff in evaluating and planning the immediate and long-term health needs of the newborn baby, older child or adolescent at risk
• develop a plan to promote resilience in a child at risk