About CPSIG

History

The Child Protection Special Interest Group was established in the mid 80s to provide a forum for paediatricians working in the field of child maltreatment. The group was to run in parallel with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) -appointed Standing Committee on Child Protection. CPSIG now forms the practical and educational side of this group, complemented by the continued political activities of the Child Protection committee. CPSIG then became a special interest group of the British Association for Community Child Health (BACCH). In 2005, CPSIG was formally recognised as an independent special interest group affiliated to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Therefore:

  • A representative of CPSIG is on the BACCH and RCPCH standing committee on Child Protection.
  • A session of the RCPCH Annual Spring Meeting and the BACCH Annual Scientific Meeting is organised by CPSIG.

Aims

  • Identify and discuss issues relating to Child Protection.
  • Advise BACCH and the RCPCH (via the Standing Committee on Child Protection) about the issues identified.
  • Bring child abuse and neglect issues to the fore amongst British paediatricians, particularly as a major contribution to child morbidity in the UK.
  • Ensure that there are regular multidisciplinary national study days on child abuse and neglect including a regular session at the RCPCH annual spring meeting and the annual scientific meeting of BACCH.
  • Encourage research into child abuse and neglect.
  • Encourage standard setting and audit.
  • Promote close working relationships with other members of the RCPCH and BACCH who share a common interest in child abuse and neglect, in particular with:
    • the RCPCH standing committee on child protection
    • the British Paediatric Psychology and Psychiatry group
    • the British Association for the Study and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (BASPCAN).
  • Allow for a co-ordinated opinion from the RCPCH on matters relating to child abuse and neglect.
  • Provide a means of support for colleagues who as a result of conscientious work in this difficult area find that they are the result of unfair criticism or disciplinary action.