Reading List

A focused reading list to support professional curiosity, disclosure response, safe recording and information sharing in general practice safeguarding.

Safeguarding law, guidance and local pathways differ across the UK. Use these sources alongside local safeguarding procedures, practice policies and named safeguarding leads.

1. General Practice Safeguarding

• RCGP - Safeguarding standards for general practice
  UK-wide standards for safeguarding in general practice and for whole-practice systems. Useful for recognising how reception, administration and clinical roles contribute to safer practice.
  https://www.rcgp.org.uk/learning-resources/safeguarding-standards

• NHS England - Safeguarding in GP electronic patient records
  Guidance on handling safeguarding information in GP records, including online and proxy access risks. Useful for safe-contact details, visibility of safeguarding alerts and record-sharing issues.
  https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/safeguarding/

2. Information Sharing

• GOV.UK - Information sharing advice for safeguarding practitioners
  Practical advice on sharing information for safeguarding children, young people, parents and carers. Covers principles for sharing relevant information with the right people to protect those at risk.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safeguarding-practitioners-information-sharing-advice

• GOV.UK - Working together to safeguard children
  England 2026 statutory guidance on multi-agency child safeguarding and information sharing. Explains how concerns should be shared, recorded and acted on across agencies.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children

• GOV.UK - Care and support statutory guidance
  England adult safeguarding guidance covering information sharing and multi-agency duties. Sets out principles for preventing abuse and neglect and for working with local safeguarding systems.
  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/care-and-support-statutory-guidance

3. Four-Nations Safeguarding

• GOV.WALES - Safeguarding guidance
  Welsh guidance for adults, children and information sharing. Use where practice processes must align with Welsh safeguarding arrangements.
  https://www.gov.wales/safeguarding-guidance

• Scottish Government - Adult support and protection
  Scottish policy on adult support and protection, the revised code of practice, Adult Protection Committees and information sharing for adults at risk. Useful for Scottish adult safeguarding practice.
  https://www.gov.scot/policies/social-care/adult-support-and-protection/

• Scottish Government - National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland
  Scottish guidance on identifying and responding to child protection concerns. Covers expectations for multi-agency working and child protection processes.
  https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-guidance-child-protection-scotland-2021-updated-2023/

• Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland - Co-operating to Safeguard Children and Young People
  Northern Ireland guidance for professionals and volunteers on child safeguarding cooperation. Relevant where practice needs to reflect Northern Ireland arrangements.
  https://www.safeguardingni.org/sites/default/files/2025-08/Co-operating-to-Safeguard-Children-and-Young-People.pdf

• Department of Health Northern Ireland - Adult Safeguarding key documents
  Northern Ireland adult safeguarding policy documents and partnership arrangements. Covers prevention, protection and local partnership responsibilities.
  https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/adult-safeguarding-prevention-and-protection-partnership-key-documents

Use this list to support local safeguarding procedures, improve confidence in first-contact responses, and strengthen recording, information sharing and escalation within your practice.