Multi-Agency Guidance for Injuries in NON-MOBILE Infants and Injuries of concern in NON-MOBILE Older Children
In Gloucestershire there have been an increasing number of non-mobile infants/children presenting with significant injuries. Often these children have presented to professionals on a number of occasions with what appeared to be potentially plausible, accidental minor injuries. Infant deaths from non-accidental injuries often have a history of minor injuries prior to hospital admission.
Non-mobile infants cannot cause injuries to themselves and therefore when injuries are experienced, Non-Accidental Injury should be considered.
Multi-agency information sharing allows for sensible, informed judgements regarding the child’s safety to be made.
AIM OF GUIDANCE
The aim of this Guidance is to ensure that professionals
1. Are aware that even minor injuries could be a pointer to potential serious abuse in non- mobile infants
2. Know that injuries in pre-mobile infants, may routinely lead to multi-agency information sharing; and in some circumstances, when relevant, this also applies to disabled/non- mobile children
3. Identify potential concerns and make referrals as appropriate