Whether they work in a hospital, general practice or community setting, whether they are employed, work privately or work for a not-for-profit organisation, all staff have a responsibility to protect children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect.
The NHS Lothian, Child Protection Hub, is a team of specially trained Children’s doctors (Paediatricians) and Child Protection Advisors who work alongside dedicated administrative assistants on a single site.
- We accept referrals from NHS professionals, Police and Social Care for children and young people who may have experienced physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect.
- We take part in Child Protection Interagency Discussions with Police and Social Care to help protect children and young people at risk of harm.
- We undertake medical examinations of children and young people when these are needed.
- We are involved in supporting discharge planning meetings with families for children and young people admitted to the hospital when child protection concerns had been raised.
- We may also attend Child Protection Case Conferences or Court Proceedings for Children and Young People, where we have been involved in their assessment.
- NHS Lothian Paediatricians take part in a regional service for child sexual abuse through the Child Protection Managed Clinical Network for South East Scotland that covers Lothian, Borders and Fife.
We operate a 24/7 service for child protection referrals and advice. Medical examinations normally occur during the daytime unless there is an urgent need to do an examination overnight. Any child or young person who is seriously injured or unwell will be admitted to the hospital for urgent medical care.
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The NHS Lothian, Child Protection Hub, follows the latest Scottish Government Guidance and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health evidence-based guidelines for child protection.
Referral Criteria
We only take direct referrals from professionals.
- We accept referrals for all children and young people less than 16 years in the Lothian area, about whom there is a concern about abuse or neglect.
- We accept referrals for young people age 16-18 years in the following situations:
- They have a diagnosed or suspected learning disability.
- They are Looked-After by the local authority (subject to a legal order).
- There is a concern about child sexual exploitation.
- There is a concern about human trafficking or modern slavery.
- Referrals for unborn babies, where there are concerns about the risk of abuse or neglect, are usually made to us by NHS midwifery staff, social care or police.
