Child maltreatment: when to suspect maltreatment in under 18s

Communicating with and about children or young people

Good communication between healthcare professionals and the child or young person, as well as with their families and carers, is essential. When communicating with a child or young person, healthcare professionals should consider factors such as physical or learning disabilities, sight or hearing problems, or difficulties with reading or speaking English. They should also take into account religious, ethnic or cultural needs of children or young people and their families and carers. Healthcare teams should be able to arrange an interpreter or an advocate (someone who gives support to putting across a person's views) if needed.

People have a right to confidentiality when they talk with their healthcare professional. But healthcare professionals also have a duty to protect people's welfare, and in some cases confidentiality cannot be maintained. In these circumstances, the healthcare professional should explain to the child or young person that they may need to talk to someone else about what they have heard. If a healthcare professional is concerned about sharing information about a child or young person with other people, they should seek advice from a senior colleague, or named or designated professionals who have a specific role in safeguarding children. The healthcare professional should keep the child or young person informed about what is happening.