Tameside SCB

Guidance on Investigating Child Abuse and Safeguarding Children – 2nd edition

(produced on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers – ACPO by the National Policing Improvement Agency – NPIA)

The purpose of this guidance is to provide the Police Service with clear information about investigating child abuse and neglect and safeguarding children.

The priorities of the Police Service in responding to child abuse and neglect are to:

• Protect the lives of children and ensure that in the policing of child abuse the welfare of all children is paramount
• Investigate all reports of child abuse and neglect and protect the rights of child victims of crime
• Establish the investigation of child abuse and safeguarding of children as a mainstream policing activity
• Take effective action against offenders so that they can be held accountable, through the criminal justice system, while safeguarding the welfare of the child
• Adopt a pro-active multi-agency approach to preventing and reducing child abuse and neglect and safeguarding children

The full guidance can be accessed on the NPIA website, click here