Medical Assessments in Suspected Child Sexual Abuse

This training is designed to improve referrals of children for medical examinations in child sexual abuse by helping participants understand which children should be referred, the need for prompt referrals and the child-friendly nature of the examination.

Who is the course for?

This training is open to practitioners and managers. It is particularly suitable for staff from the police (CAIT, Amberstone and CID), Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hubs, children’s social care and health safeguarding teams.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand why medical examinations are important in suspected child sexual abuse.
• Know that if police or social workers don’t refer for a CSA medical assessment, no one else will, potentially leaving health and safeguarding needs unmet.
• Know when and how to refer children for examination.
• Be aware of the timescales for examinations and why prompt referrals are needed.
• Have the confidence to explain to parents and children that the medical examination aims to be healing and therapeutic. It is non-invasive, child–led and child friendly.