“Child maltreatment is a major contemporary public health problem that continues to have a measurable impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals in childhood and beyond.
Health visitors, as providers of universal and targeted services in pregnancy and the first five years of life, already make an important contribution to the prevention of child maltreatment, and to the early identification, recognition and referral of children who are at risk of, or suffering from harm. Their knowledge and understanding of the health needs of families and communities, together with expertise in child care and development, are crucial to the success of the multi-agency processes that form the basis of Safeguarding and Child Protection work.”
