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Health visitors, nurses and midwives need to play a greater role in child protection, England's chief nursing officer has recommended.

The review by Sarah Mullally identifies gaps in the way nursing, midwifery and health visiting services are organised, which affect their ability to protect vulnerable children. The lack of an integrated children's workforce creates a further hindrance.

She says integration is needed across professional and organisational boundaries between health, social care and education. There should also be more child protection training for nurses and more multidisciplinary learning.


Opportunities for nurses, midwives and health visitors to be co-located in integrated children's teams, such as Sure Start and children's centres, should be maximised, while they should also take the lead professional role for children and families with health and development needs.

Mullally recommends the appointment of at least one full-time nurse for each secondary school and its feeder primary schools, and a more clearly defined public health role for health visitors within Sure Start and primary care trusts. 

- Review from www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics