RCGP Safeguarding toolkit
The aim of this toolkit is to enhance the safeguarding knowledge and skills that GPs already have to enable them to continue to effectively safeguard children and young people, as well as adults at risk of harm.
Part 2A: Identification of abuse and neglect
Where do children experience abuse and neglect?
It can be useful to think about the different spheres of a child’s world as abuse can happen anywhere and by anyone:
SPHERE
HOME
Includes own home, parents/carers, siblings, wider family and friends, residential homes, residential schools
EDUCATION
e.g. nursery, school, college, work
COMMUNITY
e.g. peer groups, neighbourhood, extracurricular activities, spaces where children socialise, faith/religious institutions, public spaces, public transport
ONLINE
e.g. messaging apps, social media, gaming
Children of different ages will be impacted differently by different spheres. For example, the risk to newborn babies may come mostly from within their own home. For teenagers, risk may come much more from online or community settings.