Reading List

A curated Reading List to support child safeguarding practice for first-contact staff in UK general practice.

The sources below cover practice safeguarding standards, Level 2 competencies, four-nations statutory and policy guidance, and practical issues around information sharing and record access relevant to reception and care-navigation roles.

1. General Practice and Healthcare Competencies

• RCGP - Safeguarding standards for general practice
  UK-wide standards for safeguarding in general practice, including whole-practice systems, training expectations and how staff should raise concerns.
  https://www.rcgp.org.uk/learning-resources/safeguarding-standards

• RCGP - Level 2 safeguarding standards for general practice
  Role-specific standards for staff who contribute to safeguarding in general practice, including care navigators, reception and administrative staff. Describes Level 2 expectations around listening to children and families, recognising concern, sharing information and escalating appropriately.
  https://www.rcgp.org.uk/learning-resources/safeguarding-standards-level-2

• RCPCH - Level 2 safeguarding children competencies
  Intercollegiate Level 2 competencies that include reception staff and others who have regular contact with children, young people, parents or carers. Sets out expected awareness, recording and escalation duties.
  https://child-health-safeguarding.rcpch.ac.uk/competencies/level-2/

2. Four-Nations Child Safeguarding Guidance

• GOV.UK - Working together to safeguard children 2026
  England statutory guidance on multi-agency safeguarding and child protection arrangements. Useful for understanding the system to which practice concerns may be referred.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children

• GOV.WALES - Safeguarding guidance
  Welsh collection of safeguarding guidance including children, adults and information sharing resources.
  https://www.gov.wales/safeguarding-guidance

• Scottish Government - National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021, updated 2023
  Scottish child protection guidance on roles, responsibilities and responding to concerns.
  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 protecting children and young people through HSC and partner arrangements.
  https://www.safeguardingni.org/sites/default/files/2025-08/Co-operating-to-Safeguard-Children-and-Young-People.pdf

3. Information Sharing and Records

• GOV.UK - Information sharing advice for safeguarding practitioners
  Practical advice on sharing information where a child, young person, parent or carer may be at risk. Explains when and why relevant information should be shared to protect a child.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safeguarding-practitioners-information-sharing-advice

• NHS England - Safeguarding in GP electronic patient records
  Guidance on recording and protecting safeguarding information in GP records, including considerations for online and proxy access. Relevant for staff handling access requests, safe contact arrangements and sensitive record visibility.
  https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/safeguarding/

Use these sources when developing local procedures, staff training, escalation prompts and safe-contact practice. They also support reflection on how children can remain visible in routine general practice access work.