British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
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Everyone who works with children, including teachers, GPs, other medical professionals and the police, has a responsibility to keep children safe and protect them from harm. Simply put, safeguarding children is everyone's responsibility. Children should be protected from maltreatment and any impairment that may affect their health and development. ⋯ Under the Children Act 1989, local authorities are required to provide services for children in need for the purposes of safeguarding and promoting their welfare. Nurses are well-placed to identify children and young people who may be at risk, and to act to safeguard them. Nurses and other health professionals should be familiar with local referral arrangements, usually to children's social care.