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For parents and carers - Child protection medical assessment
A child protection medical assessment is a medical assessment done by a doctor to assess your child for any medical concerns. It is carried out when concerns have been raised about your child and a professional has requested it. This is because people are concerned about your child's general health and wellbeing. It can also be raised if there are concerns about physical harm.
Sometimes parents are able to accompany the child to the assessment, however this is not always the case.
Topics covered in this page
What will happen at the assessment
The following steps will be taken at the assessment.
- Your child's height and weight will be checked.
- The doctor will ask your about your child's health like their birth history, immunisations and development. They will also ask you about any recent injuries. You can discuss any concerns you have about your child's health.
- The doctor will examine your child
- The doctor will discuss the examination with the social worker.
During the examination, the doctor will assess your child's growth, teeth, heart and skin. If there are any marks or bruises on your child, these will be documented carefully and photographed.
After the examination, the doctor will discuss the examination with the social worker. There will be a discussion about whether your child needs any further investigations or referral to other services.
The doctor will write a report which will be sent to the social worker. This report will be added to the health records which can be accessed by your child's health visitor or school nurse.
Consent
Before the examination takes place, we will ask for consent from the person with legal responsibility of your child, this is often the parent or carer but can also be a social worker.
You will be asked for consent for your child to do the medical assessment. The documents must be signed before the examination takes place.
Photography
The doctor may feel that it is important to photograph and document any of the marks or injuries seen during the examination. This will be fully explained at the assessment. The photographs will be taken by the examining doctor.
The photographs will be stored securely with your child's medical records.
How to get to the assessment centre
The Peacock Centre, Cambridge
The Peacock Centre, Brookfields Hospital, 351 Mill Road, Cambridge CB1 3UG
Limited parking is available for patients directly outside the building.
Directions to the Peacock Centre
From the M11, exit at Junction 12 towards Cambridge/Sandy/A603. Take the 1st exit at the roundabout onto Barton Road/ A603. At the second roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Fen Causeway/ A1134, until you get to the next roundabout where you should take the 1st exit onto Trumpington Road. Then use the second exit on the roundabout to get onto Lenfield Road/A603. At the traffic lights, turn right onto Mill Road. Turn off left after approximately 1 mile to reach Brookfield's Hospital.
From the A14, exit at junction 34 to join the B1047 exit to Horningsea/Fen Ditton.Turn right onto Horningsea Road/B1047. Use any lane to turn right onto Newmarket Road/A1303. At the roundabout take 1st exit onto Barnwell Road/ A1134. At the 2nd roundabout, leave at the second exit onto Brooks Road/ A1134. Then turn right onto Brookfield's/Mill Road. Turn right into Brookfield's Hospital.
Last reviewed: 1 November, 2023
