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CQC to inspect for ‘child protection’

1 October 2013

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General practice will be inspected on child protection procedures starting from this week. 

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) will conduct a child protection inspection programme, focusing on the quality of the journey through services for a child. 

The CQC will target 110 local authority areas, prioritizing those with the greatest risk. 

A spokesperson said the risk had been determined by the latest inspection findings, information from serious case reviews, other inspectors, whistleblowers and safeguarding information. 

He said: “In addition to checking safeguarding arrangements, inspectors will examine how children in the care of local authorities have their health needs met.” 

The key points being examined are: 

 – Do health staff have the right training?
 – Are professionals making timely and accurate referrals to mental health and substance misuse services?

 – Do acute services have alert systems to identify and track children considered to be at risk?
 – Do children in care have their health needs assessed and managed?

– Are services generally safe, effective, caring, well-led and responsive to children’s needs?

Health visitors, school nurses, hospitals and mental health services will also be subject to the inspections. 


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